35+ Easy Make Ahead Camping Meals The Whole Family Will Love

Heading out on a family camping adventure and want to enjoy the great outdoors without worrying about mealtime headaches? Our guide to easy, make-ahead camping meals that the whole family can enjoy (and will actually eat) is just the thing.

For me, nothing beats heading out in nature on a camping trip to reconnect with my kids, and get out of the day to day routine. I’ve been taking our youngest camping since she was a toddler, and my step kids since they were tweens.

But I have a few rules for meals; they have to be affordable, easy to prep & clean up and delicious to eat. Because I’d rather spend my time doing fun outdoor activities with my family, than spending my whole time on kitchen duty.

Which is why I’ve come up with this pre-made camping meals recipe list. So you too can prepare more breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and desserts at home, and just focus on fun & making memories, not food, when you’re at your campsite.

Simple, Family Friendly Pre-Made Camping Meal Recipes

Now it’s mostly just Miss S and I doing our yearly mother-daughter camping trips (as Derek really isn’t into camping & the older kids are adults off on their own adventures). Which means I don’t want to spend my whole time taking care of all the details.

As Miss S is older she can help out a lot more, but there’s still always a lot for me to organize.

Which is why I love and bring mostly pre-made camping meals on our trips. Plus plan our trips with our camping planner, so I don’t forget anything.

1. Fruit & Yogurt Parfaits

Fruit & yogurt parfaits are a camping staple in our family, as they’re so versatile and easy to make.

We just make the granola & berry sauce ahead of time, and usually put them together onsite in mason jars. But you could also put them together ahead of time at home.

Use whatever berries or fruit you prefer, and you can even buy granola if you don’t have time to make your own.

2. Sausage & Green Chile Breakfast Burrito

Nothing says breakfast like a good breakfast burrito.

Each burrito is packed with a hearty blend of savoury pork sausage, fluffy scrambled eggs, tender diced potatoes, and cheese, all brought together with the vibrant kick of green chiles.

I like to freeze them ahead of time in tinfoil, and then we’re stocked for filling camping breakfasts. Just reheat in a campfire or a pan, once thawed.

3. Homemade Granola

We love homemade granola for camping breakfasts, or snacks. Just add milk or yogurt and you’re good to start your day’s activities.

This one I like because there’s date paste for sweetness, nuts & added egg white for a little more protein and it has a crispy, crunchy and chunky texture, even without oats. Super satisfying.

4. Breakfast Croissant Ring

This Breakfast Croissant Ring is as tasty as it is quick to make.

Just wrap pre-bought crescent dough around bacon, egg and cheese, and bake ahead of time at home.

Then reheat in tinfoil over a campfire or cast iron pan at your campsite. Or prep ahead of time and cook in tinfoil or a dutch oven onsite. Check out more of our favourite dutch oven camping breakfast recipes.

5. Sausage & Egg Breakfast Sandwiches

Sausage & Egg Breakfast Sandwiches, that are freezer friendly and have a potato patty for extra goodness are the best camping breakfast idea.

So hearty, they keep my family full for hours, which is handy on busy outdoor days.

Customize by trying out different cheeses, adding tomatoes (when reheating) or pesto sauce, or removing / substituting ingredients you don’t like.

6. Sausage and Veggie Foil Packs

Grab this hearty sausage and veggie foil pack camping meal for those cool mornings. Super flavourful and delicious any time of day really.

Made with seasoned sausage, potatoes, and your fav veggies, just cook in your oven or grill at home, then reheat at your campsite. Or prep ahead in the tinfoil, and cook over the coals within the first couple of days.

Foil packet recipes make the best camping meals.

7. Easy Baked Scrambled Eggs For A Crowd

If you know you’ll be making breakfast for a crowd while camping, then these baked scrambled eggs will save you a ton of time.

Just store in a ziploc or container, and pull out to add to breakfast sandwiches, croissants, or with toast & bacon at your campsite. You’ll have the hungry hoards fed in no time, I guarantee!

Tasty Make Ahead Camping Snacks

I think snacks are an essential part of any camping trip. I swear my kids could just exist on camping snacks, and some days they do, especially when we are out and about exploring the outdoors.

8. Pretzel Dogs

Who says hot dogs just have to be cooked on a stick? These hot dogs are a fun take on pretzels, and are wrapped in pastry & topped in chunky salt for a buttery, crispy snack.

They freeze well, so can be easily reheated while camping. While there’s a recipe for the dough included in the recipe, I often just buy pre-made pastry at the grocery store if I’m short on time.

9. Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Chocolate peanut butter balls will be a hit for snack time, with the kids and adults. They taste like chocolate truffles, only they’re healthier.

I like to roll our protein balls in coconut, rather than cocoa for kids, as it’s slightly less messy.

This recipe also happens to be vegan, gluten & dairy free, so suitable for people with food preferences or sensitivities.

10. Dark Chocolate Cherry Trail Mix

Trail mix is the perfect hiking and camping snack and this Dark Cherry Trail Mix hits the spot.

The Protein & fat from the nuts, combined with the salt & sweet make this a filling, satisfying & portable snack.

I’ve been known to add gummy bears & smarties to my kids trail mix to make this even more kid friendly.

11. Pumpkin, Potato Cutlets

Pumpkin Aloo cutlets are fried gems bursting with flavour. Made with mashed potato, grated pumpkin, green chiles and Indian spices. they’re a crunchy, savoury, slightly spicy snack treat.

A great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables, or to celebrate fall camping.

12. Mini Banana Muffins

Mini muffins are the ultimate in make ahead camping snacks for kids.

Plus when you combine the classic taste of banana & chocolate chips it gives that comforting taste of home.

I like to make a big batch when I have a bit of time, freeze them, and then pull them out as needed.

13. Easy Pesto Pinwheels

These savoury puff pastry pesto pinwheels are a great option to pack for picnics, long drives or camping trips. Super quick to make as they’re prepared with just 3 ingredients.

I’ve taken something similar to a camping potluck with other friends while camping, and it’s fancy enough people are impressed and ask for the recipe..

14. Hatch Green Chile Pico de Gallo

Pico de Gallo just might become your favorite fresh and chunky salsa.

With diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, lime & green chiles for extra flavor it goes perfectly with tortilla chips, and on tacos, burritos or quesadillas.

15. Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

We always bring some version of a pasta salad on our camping trips and this is our favourite base.

We just switch up the salad dressing and pasta types. Some of our favourites are tortellini, the multi-coloured spiral rotini, and bow tie pasta.

16. Pinwheel Sandwiches

This pinwheel sandwich guide gives great tips to avoid soggy sandwiches plus 4 different pinwheel sandwich recipes to try.

Really they’re so versatile to your family’s tastes. As a family we’ve had & loved BLT, cucumber and creamcheese, banana & peanut butter, turkey & swiss pinwheels.

17. Stuffed Grape Leaves (Yaprak Sarma)

I LOVE stuffed grape leaves for picnics, road trips and camping breakfasts, lunches, or snacks. I usually just buy pre-made ones, as they do take a bit of time to make.

But you really can’t beat the taste of these freshly made stuffed grape leaves!

Made with aromatic rice, fresh Mediterranean herbs, and spices this Turkish twist is traditionally made for gatherings, special occasions or guests. So treat yourself, by making them from scratch.

18. Yogurt Marinated Chicken

This quick and easy, grilled chicken recipe, with a yogurt marinade makes a great summer lunch.

Pack in your camp cooler, and you’ll have a ready made lunch.

19. Protein Snack Pack

Check out these easy Protein Snack Packs.

They’re packed with hard-boiled eggs, almonds, hummus, and fresh, crunchy veggies. They make a super simple and tasty option for lunchtime or anytime you need a good protein boost.

20. Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Croissants

Prep the chicken salad ahead of your trip in only 10 minutes with store bought rotisserie chicken. Then assemble your croissant sandwiches at your picnic table.

It also tastes great on brioche buns, in wraps, or on top of salad.

21. Healthy Mango & Cucumber Salad

I’m always looking for a way to jazz up my salads, and this mango, cucumber salad is amazing.

So fresh, and light. It only lasts about 2 days cooled, so don’t make it too far ahead.

Eat it as a side dish with your other lunch items, or alone as a light meal.

Make-Ahead Camping Dinners

22. Sloppy Joes

Scoops of saucy ground beef served up inside soft burger buns, is oh so good, and the ultimate comfort food.

I like to whip up a batch of the Sloppy Joes filling before heading out camping, and just keep it in our cooler. Then we just reheat over our camp stove, or the campfire.

23. Easy Black Bean Soup

Enjoy a warm and tasty bowl of this Easy Black Bean Soup. It’s comforting, creamy, full of flavour, and vegan.

It’s quick to make, and can be spiced up your way by adding your favorite toppings. We like cheese, tortilla chips (for dipping), sour cream and avocado slices.

We’ve had soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner while camping. I think it’s the ultimate pre-made camping meal.

24. Easy Jerk Jamaican Chicken

Baked jerk chicken is perfect for meal prep, as it reheats beautifully and is tender, and flavorful with a bit of heat.

I’m thinking it would also be great as a marinade for chicken wings too, which we often bring camping too.

25. Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos

Whipping up a batch of slow cooker shredded beef tacos is super easy. Just throw the three ingredients in a slow cooker, and let it do all the hard work.

Then just prep all your favourite taco ingredients ahead of time, put them in ziploc bags or reusable containers and you have yourself a family friendly pre-made camping meal ready to go.

26. Tacos In A Bag

Kids love tacos in a bag (aka walking tacos). It’s like street food, only at your campground. And chips for dinner – it’s like they won the lottery.

If you prep everything ahead of time, especially the ground meat (we also like using shredded meat like chicken, pork or the beef recipe above) it will make everything much quicker.

27. Pizza Dough In a Bag

Have your kids help make dinner with this fun pizza dough in a bag.

It makes a fluffy pizza crust that’s perfect for ovens or campfires.

28. Air Fryer Meatballs

Juicy, air fryer meatballs are handmade balls of freezer-friendly goodness. Ready for spaghetti sauce, in pita with a bit of tzatziki or just as is.

29. Campfire Pizza Bake

Pizza nights just got easier, with this classic campfire pizza bake.

Super easy to make and a crowd pleaser, especially with the kids.

Pre-Made Camping Desserts

30. Whoopie Pies

Whoopie Pies are an iconic treat Maine is known for, and make a fun make ahead camping dessert.

Soft, chocolate cake-like cookies, filled with a decadent peanut butter icing. What more could you want?

31. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies are a classic treat and perfect for an after dinner dessert.

32. Three Ingredient Brown Sugar Cookies

Try these 3 ingredient brown sugar cookies. They’re sweet and rich, almost like shortbread cookies.

Super simple and quick, your family can enjoy them in under 30 minutes. They also pack and freeze well.

33. Armpit Fudge (Fudge in a Bag)

A classic Girl Scout / Girl Guide camping recipe. Fudge in a bag is so fun for the kids to make.

But don’t worry there’s no armpits involved, unless the kids get silly.

Pack all the ingredients in a bag, and then your kids can use their body heat, and hands to knead it into a fudgey texture.

34. Mini Brownie Bites

My youngest always asks for mini brownies as her camping treat. While we used to just buy the store bought kind due to time, these ooey goey brownies beat the store bought version by a million times.

Do yourself a favour and take the time to bake a batch before your next family camping trip.

35. Walking Desserts

The sweet answer to taco in a bag ……Walking Desserts. Start with individual packs of cookies, then fill them with pudding or fruit & whip cream.

So many options to try!

36. Banana Bread

I don’t know about you, but we always end up having too many over ripe bananas on the fruit bowl.

Which is why this easy 4-ingredient Banana Bread is perfect for a camping treat, snack or a sweet breakfast.