Next time you go camping, be sure to bring the handful of ingredients needed for this campfire French toast. Cooked over the fire, it’s a delicious camp breakfast idea that everyone will jump out of their tents for!

Call me crazy, but as much as I love camping, I despise camping mornings. Crawling out of the tent feeling all groggy and dirty and hungry – no thank you.

But I’ve found that if I have a *really really good* camping breakfast recipe lined up, it makes me more excited to jump out of the sleeping bag.

Enter: Campfire French Toast.

With just a few simple ingredients and some aluminum foil magic, you’ll be enjoying a campfire feast like never before. So let’s get the fire crackling and the adventure started! Here’s how to whip up this scrumptious Campfire French Toast in no time.

Here’s What You’ll Need

The ingredients for this campfire French toast are pretty minimal, and all travel well in a cooler!

Eggs: The key ingredient in French toast, eggs provide richness and help bind the other ingredients together, creating a creamy and luscious texture when cooked. (For an eggless version, try our vegan French toast!)
Milk: Adds moisture and creaminess to the egg mixture, resulting in a soft and tender French toast. Feel free to use a dairy-free milk here.
Sugar: Sweetens the French toast, balancing out the flavors and making it more delectable.
Vanilla Extract: Infuses the French toast with a warm and inviting aroma, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Bread: Serves as the base for the French toast, absorbing the egg mixture and transforming into a golden and toasty delight.
Oil or Cooking Spray: Used to grease the foil, preventing the French toast from sticking and ensuring easy cooking and serving.

Campfire French toast in aluminum foil with berries.

What’s the best bread for French toast?

I used sourdough bread here, which is sturdy and holds up well on-the-go. For more ideas, check out our quick guide to picking the best bread for French toast!

How to make French Toast On The Campfire

The steps for making this campfire breakfast are all pretty close to normal French toast, but with one critical change…you’ll need a campfire (or grill!)

Step 1: Egg Mixture
In a large Ziploc bag, combine the eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract. Seal the bag tightly and give it a good shake or squish to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed. You can prepare the egg mixture in advance and keep it in a cooler or refrigerator until you’re ready to use it at the campsite.

Step 2: Soak Bread
One at a time, add a slice of bread to the bag with the egg mixture. Gently press the bread down to make sure it soaks up the liquid on both sides. Opt for thick slices of bread that can hold up well during the cooking process, ensuring you get a perfectly tender and delicious treat in the end.

Step 3: Assemble Foil Packets
Tear off large squares of aluminum foil and lay them out on a flat surface. Make sure to generously coat the upper side of each piece with oil or cooking spray to prevent the French toast from sticking during cooking. Place one slice of egg-soaked bread onto each foil and fold up the sides to create individual foil packets. The foil packets not only keep the French toast secure but also help retain moisture and heat while cooking, resulting in evenly cooked and mouthwatering French toast.

Step 4: Campfire Cooking
Now comes the fun part – cooking your campfire French toast! Set up your campfire with hot coals or use a grill grate over a small open fire. Carefully place the foil packets on the grill or coals, ensuring they are stable and won’t tip over. Cook the French toast for a few minutes on each side, or until it is no longer runny and the bread has turned slightly brown and toasty. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning and adjust the cooking time based on your campfire’s heat intensity.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!
Once the French toast is cooked to perfection, carefully remove the foil packets from the campfire and let them cool slightly before unwrapping (if bread sticks to the foil, cook for longer). Serve it with your favorite French toast toppings, such as maple syrup, fresh berries, powdered sugar, or even a dollop of whipped cream.

Recipe tips

This recipe is pretty easy, but these tips will make it foolproof!

Preheat the Campfire: Make sure your campfire or grill has enough hot coals before you start cooking. The fire should be at a medium heat to prevent burning and ensure even cooking of the French toast. Do not let the flames reach the foil packets, which will burn them.
Grease the Foil Well: Coat the upper side of each foil piece generously with oil or cooking spray to prevent the French toast from sticking to the foil during cooking.
Flavor Variations: Get creative with flavors by adding spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a pinch of cardamom to the egg mixture. You can also include grated citrus zest for a refreshing twist.
Be Patient: While cooking over a campfire may take a bit longer than a stovetop, be patient and allow the French toast to cook thoroughly until it’s no longer runny and has a toasty golden-brown color.

FAQs

Can I prepare the egg mixture ahead of time?

Yes, you can! Preparing the egg mixture in advance is a great time-saving tip for camping. Mix the eggs, milk, sugar, and vanilla extract in a large Ziploc bag and keep it in a cooler or refrigerator until you’re ready to use it. This way, you can easily transport it to the campsite and have everything ready for a quick and delicious breakfast.

Can I make the campfire French toast on a camp stove?

Yes, you can! If you don’t have access to a campfire or grill, you can easily prepare the foil packets on a portable camp stove. Place the foil packets on the stove’s grate over medium heat, turning them occasionally for even cooking. This allows you to enjoy the same delicious campfire French toast experience without the need for an open fire.

More camping meals you’ll love

There’s more camping recipes where this came from! Here are a few of our favorite camping food ideas. Not sure what to pack? Here’s our ultimate guide to campfire cooking.

Campfire Feta Bake for a cheesy tomatoey dinner
Campfire Scrambled Eggs for a 15-minute breakfast
Campfire Orange Rolls for another delicious camp breakfast
Campfire Mac & Cheese for the best meal you’ll ever at camping (I said what I said)
Campfire Veggies for when you’re craving something healthy and filling

Did you make this recipe? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @liveeatlearn on Facebook or Instagram!