There’s nothing better than ending a day of hiking, fishing, or exploring the great outdoors with a delicious dessert around the campfire.

The best camping desserts are easy to prepare, require minimal cleanup, and taste just as good (if not better) than what you’d make at home.

From gooey chocolate treats to fruity campfire classics, these dessert recipes are simple enough for beginners but impressive enough to wow your fellow campers.

1. Classic Campfire S’mores

No list of camping desserts is complete without the classic s’more. This campfire staple combines crunchy graham crackers, melted chocolate, and toasted marshmallows for the ultimate outdoor indulgence. What makes it even better is how customizable it is—swap in peanut butter cups, flavored marshmallows, or even cookies instead of graham crackers.

Things Needed:

• Graham crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate bars (or peanut butter cups, caramel squares, etc.)
• Long roasting sticks

How to Make:

1. Place a marshmallow on a roasting stick.
2. Hold it over the campfire until golden brown and gooey.
3. Sandwich the marshmallow with a piece of chocolate between two graham crackers.
4. Press gently until the chocolate melts, then enjoy warm.

2. Campfire Banana Boat

Banana boats are a fun and mess-free camping dessert that kids and adults love. They’re quick to assemble, cook right in the fire, and can be filled with your favorite toppings. Think of them as a cross between a sundae and a s’more—gooey, sweet, and completely customizable.

Things Needed:

• Bananas (one per person)
• Mini marshmallows
• Chocolate chips
• Crushed graham crackers or cookies
• Aluminum foil

How to Make:

1. Slice each banana lengthwise without cutting through the peel.
2. Gently open the slit and stuff with marshmallows, chocolate chips, and toppings of your choice.
3. Wrap the banana in aluminum foil.
4. Place in the campfire coals for 5–10 minutes until melted and soft.
5. Eat straight out of the peel with a spoon.

3. Dutch Oven Apple Crisp

If you want a warm and hearty camping dessert, apple crisp is a winner. Using a Dutch oven allows you to bake outdoors with ease, filling the air with the comforting smell of cinnamon and apples. It’s a dessert that feels homemade, even when you’re miles away from your kitchen.

Things Needed:

• 6–8 apples (peeled and sliced)
• 1 cup oats
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup butter (cubed)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• Dutch oven

How to Make:

1. Place sliced apples in a greased Dutch oven and toss with lemon juice.
2. In a bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter until crumbly.
3. Spread topping over apples.
4. Cover Dutch oven with its lid, placing hot coals on top and underneath.
5. Bake 30–40 minutes until apples are tender and topping is golden.

4. Campfire Cones

Looking for a no-mess dessert that’s fun for kids? Campfire cones are perfect. Instead of graham crackers, you use waffle cones filled with sweet ingredients, then melt them over the fire.

They’re portable, customizable, and guaranteed to be a hit.

Things Needed:

• Waffle cones
• Mini marshmallows
• Chocolate chips
• Candy pieces, fruit, or nuts
• Aluminum foil

How to Make:

1. Fill waffle cones with marshmallows, chocolate, and other toppings.
2. Wrap each cone tightly in foil.
3. Place near hot campfire coals (not directly in flames).
4. Heat for 5–7 minutes, rotating occasionally.
5. Unwrap and enjoy a gooey, handheld dessert.

5. Grilled Fruit Skewers with Honey Drizzle

If you’re craving something lighter, grilled fruit skewers are a refreshing dessert option. The heat of the fire caramelizes the natural sugars in the fruit, creating a smoky-sweet flavor. A drizzle of honey or maple syrup makes it irresistible while keeping it on the healthier side.

Things Needed:

• Pineapple chunks
• Strawberries
• Banana slices
• Peach cubes
• Wooden skewers (soaked in water to prevent burning)
• Honey or maple syrup

How to Make:

1. Thread fruit pieces onto skewers.
2. Place skewers on a campfire grill grate.
3. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly charred.
4. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup before serving.

6. Cast Iron Skillet Cookie

Nothing says comfort food like a warm, gooey cookie straight from the oven. Luckily, you don’t have to give that up when camping.

A cast iron skillet cookie is easy to make over a campfire or camping stove, and it’s a crowd-pleaser you can slice and share. The edges get slightly crispy, while the center stays soft and melty.

Things Needed:

• Pre-made cookie dough (or homemade, prepped before your trip)
• Extra chocolate chips or candies (optional)
• Cast iron skillet
• Aluminum foil

How to Make:

1. Grease a cast iron skillet and press cookie dough evenly into the pan.
2. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top.
3. Cover the skillet with foil.
4. Place over medium campfire coals or a low camp stove flame.
5. Cook 15–20 minutes until edges are set but center is gooey.

7. Campfire Peach Cobbler

When peaches are in season, this campfire peach cobbler is a rustic, homestyle dessert that feels indulgent yet simple. The fruit gets tender and juicy while the biscuit topping bakes to golden perfection inside a Dutch oven. It’s the kind of dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Things Needed:

• 4 cups sliced peaches (fresh or canned, drained)
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup biscuit mix
• 3 tbsp sugar
• ⅓ cup milk
• Dutch oven

How to Make:

1. Add peaches, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice to the Dutch oven.
2. Mix biscuit mix, sugar, and milk in a bowl for the topping.
3. Spread the topping over the peaches.
4. Cover Dutch oven with lid and place over hot coals with some coals on top.
5. Bake 30–35 minutes until topping is golden brown.

8. No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

For days when you don’t want to fuss with the fire, no-bake cookies are the perfect camping dessert. They’re chewy, chocolatey, and full of energy-boosting oats and peanut butter. Best of all, they can be made ahead at home and stored in a container for an easy grab-and-go treat.

Things Needed:

• 2 cups sugar
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup butter
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• 3 cups quick oats
• ½ cup peanut butter
• 1 tsp vanilla

How to Make:

1. At home, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa in a saucepan. Boil for 1 minute.
2. Remove from heat and stir in oats, peanut butter, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
3. Drop spoonfuls onto wax paper and let cool until firm.
4. Store in a sealed container and bring along on your trip.

9. Campfire Orange Cakes

This fun dessert doubles as a campfire experiment. By hollowing out oranges and filling them with cake batter, you create a natural baking cup that adds a hint of citrus flavor. The result is a warm, moist cake with a unique outdoor twist—plus no need for extra bakeware.

Things Needed:

• Oranges (1 per person)
• Boxed cake mix (prepared batter)
• Aluminum foil
• Spoon

How to Make:

1. Cut oranges in half and scoop out the flesh (save for snacking).
2. Fill each orange peel with cake batter about ⅔ full.
3. Replace the top half of the orange and wrap in foil.
4. Place in hot campfire coals for 15–20 minutes, rotating occasionally.
5. Carefully unwrap and enjoy warm, citrus-infused cake.

10. Mason Jar Dirt Pudding

A kid-approved dessert that’s just as fun for adults, dirt pudding is a no-cook, make-ahead option that travels perfectly in mason jars. The layers of chocolate pudding, crushed cookies, and gummy worms not only taste great but also look playful, making this a great treat for family camping trips.

Things Needed:

• Chocolate pudding cups (or instant pudding made at home)
• Crushed chocolate cookies
• Gummy worms
• Mason jars with lids

How to Make:

1. Layer pudding at the bottom of mason jars.
2. Sprinkle crushed cookies on top to resemble “dirt.”
3. Add gummy worms poking out of the cookie layer.
4. Repeat layers if desired and seal jars with lids.
5. Store in cooler until ready to serve.

11. Foil Packet Cinnamon Apples

Foil packet desserts are a camper’s best friend, and these cinnamon apples are as simple as they are delicious. Warm, caramelized apples with a hint of cinnamon and sugar taste like mini apple pies without the crust. Plus, cleanup is a breeze since everything cooks inside foil packets.

Things Needed:

• 4 apples, sliced
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp butter
• Aluminum foil

How to Make:

1. Lay apple slices on a sheet of foil.
2. Sprinkle with brown sugar and cinnamon, then add a few small pats of butter.
3. Seal the foil packet tightly.
4. Place on hot coals or grill for 10–15 minutes until apples are tender.
5. Open carefully and enjoy straight from the packet.

12. Campfire Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

This tropical twist on a classic dessert is perfect for camping trips. Pineapple slices caramelize beautifully when cooked over the fire, and the cake turns out moist and flavorful in a Dutch oven. It feels fancy but comes together with simple ingredients.

Things Needed:

• 1 can pineapple rings (with juice)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup butter
• Boxed yellow cake mix (plus ingredients on package)
• Dutch oven

How to Make:

1. Melt butter in Dutch oven, then sprinkle with brown sugar.
2. Arrange pineapple rings over the sugar mixture.
3. Pour prepared cake batter over the top.
4. Cover Dutch oven and place over coals with a few on the lid.
5. Bake 30–40 minutes until cake is golden and cooked through.

13. Chocolate Fondue with Campfire Dippers

Chocolate fondue might sound like a luxury, but with a campfire it’s surprisingly easy. Melted chocolate paired with fruit, cookies, and marshmallows makes for a fun, interactive dessert that everyone can share around the fire.

Things Needed:

• 2 cups chocolate chips
• ½ cup heavy cream (or condensed milk for camping-friendly option)
• Dipping items: strawberries, bananas, cookies, marshmallows
• Small cast iron pot or heatproof bowl

How to Make:

1. Place chocolate chips and cream in a small cast iron pot.
2. Heat gently over campfire coals, stirring until melted and smooth.
3. Arrange dippers on a platter.
4. Dip and enjoy warm, gooey chocolate with your favorite bites.

14. Campfire Rice Krispie Treats

Rice Krispie treats are portable, sweet, and always a hit with kids. For a camping twist, you can make them ahead or melt marshmallows over the fire and mix with cereal right at your campsite. They’re chewy, crunchy, and great for packing in airtight containers.

Things Needed:

• 4 cups Rice Krispies cereal
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 bag (10 oz) marshmallows
• Large pot or cast iron pan

How to Make:

1. Melt butter and marshmallows in a pot over low campfire heat.
2. Stir until smooth and fully melted.
3. Mix in Rice Krispies until coated.
4. Press mixture into a greased pan or foil-lined dish.
5. Let cool, slice, and serve.

15. Campfire Chocolate-Stuffed Marshmallows

If you love s’mores but want an even easier version, chocolate-stuffed marshmallows are the way to go. They’re gooey, rich, and only require two ingredients—perfect for a quick late-night camping dessert.

Things Needed:

• Large marshmallows
• Chocolate chunks or chips
• Roasting sticks

How to Make:

1. Cut a small slit into each marshmallow.
2. Insert a piece of chocolate inside.
3. Place marshmallow on a roasting stick.
4. Roast over the fire until golden and melty.
5. Enjoy warm as-is or sandwiched between cookies.

🍫 Tips for Making Camping Desserts

• Prep at Home: Wash and chop fruits, pre-mix batters, and portion ingredients into zip bags or containers.
• Use Foil & Skewers: Foil packets and roasting sticks are lifesavers for campfire desserts.
• Bring Sweet Toppings: Mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, sprinkles, or caramel sauce can turn any snack into dessert.
• Think No-Cook: Keep a few quick treats (like stuffed dates or chocolate-dipped fruit) for days when you don’t want a fire.
• Kid-Friendly Safety: Always supervise roasting sticks and keep hot desserts cooling before serving to little ones.

❓ Camping Dessert FAQs

Q: What are the easiest camping desserts for kids?
A: S’mores, chocolate-dipped fruit, and cinnamon rolls on a stick are quick, safe, and always a hit.

Q: Can I make camping desserts without a campfire?
A: Yes! You can use a portable stove, Dutch oven, or even prep no-cook desserts like trail mix bars and parfaits.

Q: How do I keep dessert ingredients fresh while camping?
A: Store perishable items like yogurt or cream in a cooler with ice packs. Dry goods like granola, marshmallows, and chocolate can stay in airtight bags.

Q: What are some healthy camping dessert options?
A: Try fruit skewers, stuffed dates with nut butter, or yogurt parfaits for lighter but tasty options.

Q: Can I prep desserts ahead of time?
A: Absolutely — you can pre-wrap foil packets, roll dough, or chop fruits at home. Just assemble and cook when ready at camp.