31 Camping Dutch Oven Recipes

Expand your camp cooking repertoire with these delicious Dutch oven recipes! From one-pot breakfasts to full dinners to Dutch oven desserts for the perfect finish, we’ve got all the recipe ideas you need to launch you on your next Dutch oven cooking adventure.

A Dutch oven is one of the most versatile pieces of camping cookware you can own. Sauté, steam, simmer, fry, and bake–if you can imagine it, you can make it into a Dutch oven meal!

When we first got our Dutch oven, a new world of camp oven recipes opened up. Recipes that would have been impossible to make on a camp stove became entirely doable with Dutch oven campfire cooking!

While Dutch oven cooking takes a little practice (and prep, like learning how to season a cast-iron Dutch oven), the entire process is a lot of fun. There is a bit of experimentation when it comes to different heat levels, coal ratios, etc. But once you get the hang of it, you’re in for a treat!

If you’re new to Dutch oven cooking, we’ve got a short primer to get you started at the end of this post. If you’re a well-seasoned pro, let’s dive in to the recipes!

The best Dutch oven recipes for camping

Baked Stuffed Apples

Tender, cinnamon-y apples with a buttery brown sugar oat filling? Yes, please—we’re always on board with this one! These baked stuffed apples are perfect for Dutch oven cooking because you can fit a lot in for feeding a crowd. Just nestle several inside, then cover and set the Dutch oven over your charcoals. Bake for about 30 minutes and enjoy!

Dutch oven lasagna

You don’t need a traditional oven to make lasagna! This Dutch oven lasagna is cheesy perfection and cooks perfectly right in your pot. Because this lasagna is vegetarian, it’s especially simple and easy to make (but you can easily customize it with whatever filling you like).

Dutch baby

Dutch babies are super fun to make! Essentially an airy, souffle-like pancake that deflates after cooking, Dutch babies are cut into wedges to serve and taste sort of like a crepe. This Dutch baby is aptly named, too, because it’s perfect when made in a Dutch oven! Top it with fresh berries and maple syrup and maybe a dusting of powdered sugar for an extra special touch.

Dutch oven chili and cornbread

Chili and cornbread are a classic combination for a reason–they’re delicious together! Do the combo one better by making this Dutch oven chili and cornbread recipe, with bubbling chili that cooks together with a cornbread batter topping that transforms into a savory lid. This one cooks up fast and is one of the more perfect Dutch oven meals in one!

Banana bread

Believe it or not, you can make banana bread right in your Dutch oven! This Dutch oven banana bread recipe brings fresh-baked goodness to your campsite. Banana bread is especially good when baked in a Dutch oven, because the lid traps the moisture inside for the most decadent, tender, and moist loaf. 

Mac and cheese

This Dutch oven mac and cheese is always a hit! Kid-friendly and adult approved, it’s comfort food at your campsite, and an excellent Dutch oven campfire recipe. Best of all, it only takes 15 minutes to make. We love to finish it off with crumbled chips for a crunchy topping.

Dutch oven enchiladas

Another great beginner Dutch oven camping recipe—it’s hard to go wrong with this one! Dutch oven enchiladas are made by rolling vegetables and beans in tortillas, then slathering them in enchilada sauce and cheese. Warm them in your Dutch oven, then scoop them out and top with crumbled cotija cheese, cilantro, jalapenos, pico de gallo, and/or more of your favorite toppings.

French toast bake

Baked French toast is one of those camp oven recipes that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. Instead of flipping individual slices of French toast, the entire batch of Dutch oven French Toast bakes up perfectly custardy on the inside and crisp outside, right in your pot. Cut it up into wedges, drizzle with syrup, and enjoy!

Dutch oven pizza

Yes, you absolutely can enjoy pizza night when you’re out camping! This camping Dutch oven recipe cooks up perfectly with a crispy-edged, chewy crust and melty cheese. We love how flexible this Dutch oven pizza is, too—use just about any toppings you like. 

Dutch oven peach cobbler

Other than classic s’mores, we think there’s no better summer dessert than Dutch oven peach cobbler! This peach cobbler is made with juicy fresh peaches topped with a buttery topping and bakes up perfectly over the campfire in your Dutch oven. 

Campfire Nachos

The ultimate camping grub? Dutch oven nachos! This is one of our all-time favorite Dutch oven meals. With tortilla chips loaded with beans, onions, salsa, and melty cheese, this classic is so easy to make at the campsite. 

Chicken Marbella

Dutch oven meals can be fancy, too! This Dutch oven chicken marbella is a surprisingly gourmet meal that’s really easy to make. Make the punchy marinade ahead of time for even easier prep. 

Dutch oven apple cobbler

This Dutch oven apple cobbler is super forgiving, which makes it a great beginner Dutch oven recipe. Sweet apples cook up tender and perfect with a buttery biscuit topping. To make it easier at camp, we like to mix the dry ingredients ahead of time at home.

Sweet potato peanut stew

This West African-inspired Sweet Potato Peanut Stew is one of the most popular Dutch oven recipes on our blog, for good reason! The peanut, sweet potato, and chickpea combo is super satisfying and full of flavor. While it happens to be vegan, this is definitely a stick-to-your-ribs meal that is perfect for cooler nights.

Dutch oven cinnamon rolls

Soft homemade dough is filled with a buttery brown-sugar-cinnamon mix for these homemade cinnamon rolls that cook up right in your Dutch oven! Best of all, you can prep Dutch Oven cinnamon rolls at home before your trip, then cook them in the morning for the perfect camping breakfast (don’t forget the camp coffee!)

Dutch oven vegetable stew

When you’re looking for a veggie-heavy campfire Dutch oven recipe, this Dutch oven vegetable stew delivers! This comforting stew is loaded up with potatoes, mushrooms, carrots, and onions in a savory red wine broth. It takes just a few minutes to prep and smells amazing as it bubbles away on the campfire! 

Red beans and rice

This one hits all the right notes, making it one of our favorite Dutch oven recipes for camping. This recipe for Dutch oven red beans and rice is made with andouille sausage, canned beans, and rice all in the same pot for a quick, camp-friendly version of the perennial Southern classic.

Dutch Oven Blueberry Cobbler

Fresh blueberries cook down into the most delicious, juicy filling in this Dutch oven blueberry cobbler. The fluffy biscuit topping is icing on the cake! You can make this one easily at camp in your Dutch oven, or bake it at home first then warm it at your campsite. 

Dutch oven steamed clams

What better dinner to enjoy when you’re camping near the coast?! These Dutch oven steamed clams are a classy way to enjoy them. The garlic and white wine sauce is divine with a side of grilled bread, too.

Dutch oven biscuits

These flaky Dutch oven biscuits from Sunset Magazine make an excellent side for chili, stew, or breakfast. You can even make these biscuits ahead of time and store them in your cooler until you’re ready to cook them at camp.

Dutch Oven Blondies

Another one of our perennial favorite Dutch oven desserts? These Dutch oven blondies! These delicious blondies are perfect for if your family can’t decide between brownies or chocolate chip cookies—these brown sugar squares with chocolate chunks are like the perfect hybrid of both. 

Dutch oven chicken cacciatore

This chicken cacciatore from Family Spice is a camp-friendly take on a traditional Italian “hunter’s stew.” Chicken thighs, mushrooms, olives, and basil are simmered in a tomato-wine sauce in your Dutch oven for a tender, flavor-filled meal. 

BBQ chicken and potatoes

Saucy BBQ chicken and potatoes are such a great cast iron Dutch oven recipe! This BBQ chicken and potatoes recipe from Clarks Condensed is a delicious campfire meal. Serve it with some veggies and dinner is done!

Dutch oven jambalaya

Enjoy the bayou classic at your campsite! Shrimp, sausage, chicken, and rice join up with veggies and simmer to perfection in your Dutch oven. This Dutch oven jambalaya is especially great for feeding a crowd. 

Stuffed pork chops

One of the more sophisticated Dutch oven recipes, these orange-glazed pork chops are stuffed with breadcrumbs and apples, then glazed with a spiced orange sauce. We think this one’s next-level for sure! 

Campfire chile verde

Hearty and comforting yet surprisingly simple, this campfire chili verde from Lodge is so full of flavor. Pork simmers in tomatillos and green chiles until fall-apart tender–the perfect Dutch oven camping recipe.

Dutch Oven Apple Pie

This campfire Dutch oven recipe is one of the more epic camping desserts we’ve created! Dutch oven apple pie is made with tender cinnamon apples topped with flaky pie crust and baked until bubbly and golden. If you want to make a camp Dutch oven recipe that really impresses, this is the one!

Mountain man breakfast

The “Mountain Man” breakfast from Lodge is a classic breakfast casserole combining hash browns, sausage, eggs, and cheddar cheese. This is a flexible camping Dutch oven recipe that you can add all sorts of extras to, like bacon, onion, chiles, mushrooms … the possibilities are endless. 

Sopa de Lima

Sopa de Lima is a zippy chicken soup from Barebones that’s flavored with fresh lime juice, jalapenos, and tomatoes. Topped with avocado, tortilla strips, and cilantro, it’s an especially fresh and warming meal for cooler nights.

Paella Style Chicken and Rice 

Sunset Magazine’s paella-style chicken and rice adapts perfectly to Dutch oven cooking. Onion, bell pepper, green olives, and sausage cook up with chicken, rice, and shrimp for a special occasion worthy Dutch oven recipe that’ll feed a crowd. 

Dutch Oven Baked Beans

For a taste of the Wild West, try these Dutch Oven Baked Beans from Barebones Living. Hearty white beans simmer with ham, onion, tomatoes, and beef stock for a full-of-flavor classic. Top with a poached or fried egg and serve with some crusty bread for a full meal.

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Best Dutch ovens for camping

Camping Dutch ovens are specially designed for outdoor cooking. Unlike home models, they’re made entirely of cast iron, have support legs, and feature a flanged lid to hold coals. This design lets you heat from both above and below.

Camping Dutch ovens come in two depths:

• Shallow Dutch ovens are versatile and ideal for baking.
• Deep Dutch ovens are perfect for soups, stews, or any recipe with lots of liquid.

Our top recommendations:

• Lodge 10” 4 qt: The perfect Dutch oven for beginners. It’s pre-seasoned, affordable, and ideal for cooking for 2-4 people.
• Lodge 12” 6 qt (shallow): A slightly larger option that serves 4-6 people.
• Lodge 12” 8 qt (deep): Best for larger groups or hearty stews, serving 6-8 people.

How to cook in a Dutch oven

There are various methods for cooking camping Dutch oven recipes, but here are the basics.

For baking, aim to create an even heat inside the Dutch oven by placing coals or embers under and on top of the lid. This dual-sided heating mimics the effect of an oven, evenly distributing heat through the cast iron.

Due to the ground’s insulating properties, you’ll generally need more heat on top of the lid than beneath it. To cook over a campfire, use the Dutch oven as a heavy-duty, fireproof pot. You can even use it on a camp stove if the legs fit through the grate.

Like we said, it’s super versatile! You can learn all about Dutch oven cooking in this post with tons of tips to get started.

Dutch oven accessories

For campfire Dutch oven recipes, here are some handy tools to keep on hand:

• Chimney Starter: Forget lighter fluid! A charcoal chimney is a quick, natural way to light coals. Look for a collapsible version for easy packing.
• Lid Lifter: A lid lifter is invaluable, and this 4-in-1 tool by Lodge also functions as a pot stand and lid stand.
• Long Metal Tongs: Great for positioning charcoal briquettes.
• Heat-Resistant Gloves: Grill gloves are more effective than traditional mitts.
• Tripod: If your campsite lacks a fire grate, a tripod lets you hang your Dutch oven over the fire, adjusting height to control heat.
• Liners or Parchment Paper: Pre-cut circle parchment liners make Dutch oven baking a breeze.

This post was originally published 5/2020 and updated 10/2024 with additional recipes.