Snacking in the great outdoors is undoubtedly one of our favorite things about camping—but we’re ready to admit it: the best campfire snacks don’t have to be loaded with slump-inducing sugar.
Healthy campfire snacks have to satisfy—no ants on a log here, thank you—and should be more nutritionally sound than the traditional s’mores. Our top three picks (which you’ll find below) require little to no advance planning or special equipment, but a folding camp table will come in handy for both prep work and serving.
A Campfire Classic: Banana Boats
A family-friendly treat that’s fun to make! Here’s the part you won’t tell the kids: bananas contain potassium and magnesium, making them the perfect food for unwinding in the evenings and getting a great night’s sleep.
There’s no recipe needed for this completely customizable treat. Start with a banana still in the peel, and split lengthwise most of the way through. Fill the gap with your choice of toppings—get creative, but keep an eye on the sugar. With a sprinkle each of dark chocolate chips, chopped almonds, and shredded coconut, this snack is sweet while still solidly qualifying as “healthy.” You can also try a drizzle of honey and a few peanut butter chips for a rich and satisfying treat.
Wrap the banana up in foil and place it on the grill grate above the campfire (out of the reach of flames) for 5 minutes or less. Use tongs to check for doneness; when it feels slightly squishy, get ready to dig in—carefully, with a spoon, of course!
Fun to Make: Campfire Popcorn
Nothing says cozy like an evening spent in a comfortable chair (we’re looking at you, FirePit Rocker!) around a crackling campfire—nothing that is, except popping your own corn kernels over that fire. A lightweight addition to your packing list and the perfect snack for stargazing, popcorn is also high in fiber, so it can help you head to bed with that full-belly feeling.
Another great reason to love popcorn—there’s no prep work needed! Add 2 tablespoons of oil and ½ cup of kernels to a lidded cast iron skillet, pot, or Dutch oven (a pie tin covered with tin foil works in a pinch), and place on the grate.
Keep your calorie count low by using salt and spices to flavor your popcorn—salt, pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and smoked paprika are all delicious choices.
Comfort Food: Baked Cinnamon Apples
Close your eyes and take a deep breath—you can almost catch the warm aroma of apples and cinnamon baking over a fire already. This mouth-watering treat is so simple and comforting that you won’t even miss the s’mores.
Slice up an apple and sprinkle with a spoonful each of brown sugar and cinnamon. Top with a pat of butter plus any other toppings that catch your eye—raisins, cranberries, chopped nuts, etc. Fold all the ingredients up into a foil packet, place on the grate over the campfire for about 15 minutes, and then enjoy!
