No matter what kind of camping you’re doing and what kind of camping stove you own, you’re going to need a decent breakfast in the morning. Our best camping breakfast ideas taste so good they’ll have you leaping out of your tent in the morning, and they’re easy to whip up whether you’re hoping to be the champion of the double burner stove or are just looking for something more exciting than granola bars when you’re backpacking. Don’t forget to read up on how to make coffee when camping so you can pair these breakfast ideas with a nice, hot, steaming cup of joe.
1. Breakfast burritos
Clearly, the burrito is both king and queen of breakfasts and there is nothing quite like a hearty breakfast burrito while you’re camping. Though it’s possible to chef it up and make them at camp if you have a good grill and kitchen setup, you can also make these ahead of time and just heat them up at camp – without them getting soggy.
The key to avoiding soggy tortillas is to drain excess moisture from the salsa first and cook it with your eggs (obviously here you can add your black beans, peppers, bacon and whatever else you like) then allow the mixture to cool completely. Once it’s cooled, spoon it into your tortillas and add grated cheese if you want it, but leave off condiments like sour cream and hot sauce. Wrap them tightly in foil, then when dawn rolls around, place them inside the foil on the warm campfire coals or on a warm skillet, turning occasionally for about 20 minutes. You can add hot sauce and sour cream once you’re ready to eat them.
2. Parfait in a jar
Keep things easy and healthy by bringing pre-made yogurt and fruit parfaits in jars. Save up your jars at home and when you’re getting ready to go camping, layer yogurt and fresh fruit to your liking, screw the lid on and pop them in the cooler. Bring some granola in a plastic bag to add it at breakfast time so it doesn’t get soggy. This option is a great way to bring more fragile food like berries without having to worry about them getting bashed in the cooler, plus your breakfast is ready to eat as soon as you unscrew the lid. Just remember to bring spoons.
3. Frittata
An omelette is a pretty high pressure scenario on a camping trip, but why not try a frittata if you’re craving scrambled eggs? If you’re travelling with a skillet, just bring a spatula and a plate and you can cook a delicious egg breakfast for the whole group. At home before you leave, break, beat and season your eggs with salt, pepper, grated cheese, cream and whatever else you like. Store them in a sealable plastic bag or plastic container and bring chopped veggies like tomatoes, spinach and shallots in a separate container.
When it’s time to cook, heat up your skillet over a grate in the fire or a double burner stove, saute your vegetables first, then pour in the egg mixture. As the mixture cooks, keep pushing it towards the center to push the liquid to the edges. When the mixture is mostly cooked through, place your plate on top, carefully flip the frittata onto it, then slide it back into the hot pan to cook the other side. When you’re ready to serve it, just slice it so everyone gets a piece they can eat with hands or a fork.
4. Breakfast rolls
This one might be obvious, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a delicious way to enjoy a cooked breakfast at camp. The humble roll is the perfect way to enjoy a hearty meal by hand. If you have a skillet, you can bring bacon, sausages and eggs, cook them however you like them and serve them up in rolls for fuss-free enjoyment. Even easier is to premake these at home – cook the meat and eggs first and allow them to cool before assembling the rolls, wrap them in foil and heat them up the same way as the breakfast burritos.
5. Pancakes
This one sounds like it will be much more hassle than it really is. Lots of good pancake mixtures can be whipped up in advance – go for a “just add water” version rather than one that requires dairy so it will keep longer. Mix it up with water and if you want, you can add blueberries or slices of banana which is another good opportunity to get a little fresh fruit while you’re camping. Store the mixture in a well sealed container and when you’re hungry, heat up your skillet, give it a good shake, then cook them up. Of course, you’ll want to bring a bottle of maple syrup, jam or possibly some squirty cream for the full experience.
6. Skillet cinnamon rolls
Did you know that you don’t need an oven to cook canned cinnamon rolls? Just heat up your skillet over the stove or fire, set the packet of icing aside and arrange the cinnamon rolls in the pan in a single layer. Cook the rolls for 10-15 minutes, turning them every couple of minutes, then take them off the stove, ice them and become the new champion of camping breakfast.
7. Breakfast muffins
For an easy, no utensil breakfast that can work on a backpacking trip or when you’re camping with kids, premake breakfast muffins before you go and bring them with you. Muffins can be healthy and loaded with bananas and blueberries, or totally decadent with chocolate chips – the beauty is that they’re reasonably packable and easy to eat.
8. Oatmeal
If you’re backpacking, you’re not restricted to granola bars for breakfast. So long as you have a lightweight camping stove, you might as well go with a classic bowl of oatmeal which is economical and will energize you for the long walk ahead. The key is to portion your oats out at home in plastic bags and add everything you want, like nuts, dried fruit and brown sugar. Then when you’re camping, all you need is some filtered water. Of course, if you’re car camping and there’s room in the cooler, you can dress things up with honey, fresh fruit and cream.
