How to Make Toasted Sandwiches Over the Campfire.

I can't believe it is July already! Only 4 weeks ago John and I were heading off to Niagara Falls, Canada for a week of camping and other awesomeness. You know what? About 2 weeks ago we were spending the weekend of my 30th (!!) birthday at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri. That long weekend also included camping and birthday awesomeness.

When John and I are camping (or when he's living in our fifth-wheel travel trailer when he's on the road for work), we have a go-to meal that always hits the spot: Toasted Sandwiches over the Campfire!

Making toasted sandwiches over the campfire is easy. So, so easy. Added bonus? There's barely any cleanup. Gather the following ingredients, which are standard for any sandwich, and a few more special ingredients depending on what type of sandwich you want to make.


Standard Ingredients:

• Cast Iron Pie Maker (we prefer this double pie maker, it fits our bread better) 
• Bread (I've used my homemade bread, sourdough bread, rye, and regular ol' white bread. My favorite is sourdough.)
• Butter (buy the best quality you can afford)

Standard Directions: 

• Preheat the pie maker over the fire for about 10 minutes
• Butter the outside of two pieces of bread
• Layer your sandwich ingredients on the inside of your bread (see below)
• Carefully place the sandwich in the hot pie maker, buttered side on the outsides
• Cook over coals until the bread is golden brown - maybe 3-5 minutes on each side. Check your sandwich often, it's very easy to burn! 

Classic Grilled Cheese

• Your favorite high quality cheese slices (I would not recommend shredded, it's too messy. Or those plastic wrapped cheese slices, because it's not real cheese. )
• Garlic salt and pepper

Classic PB&J

• High-quality chunky peanut butter
• Your favorite homemade jam
• Chocolate-hazlelnut spread (optional)

Pizza Pie Sandwich

• Sliced mozzarella cheese
• Nitrate-free pepperoni
• Cooked ground sausage or beef
• Chopped toppings, like onions, peppers, mushrooms, black olives
• Homemade tomato sauce

Ham 'n Cheese

• Sliced deli ham
• Sliced cheddar cheese or swiss cheese
• Garlic salt and pepper

Chicken Fajita

• Diced, cooked chicken
• Sliced peppers
• Sliced onions
• Sliced monterrey jack cheese
• Fajita seasoning

When you're done, there is only ONE clean up step to do: Open your pie maker and re-heat it over the fire, then scrape it with a grill brush. This will clean off any jelly or cheese bits for storage.

Trust us, camping really is better with a meal made over the fire. But, if you're not camping, try it in your backyard over the fire pit.

What meal do you enjoy while camping? Leave a comment and tell me about it!