What To Make In A Pie Iron

Heading out for a camping trip and looking for delicious meal ideas? Well, look no further, because using a pie iron will undoubtedly take your campfire cooking game to a whole new level. Also known as jaffle maker, camp cooker, or pudgie pie maker, these versatile little gadgets offer countless possibilities for whipping up mouthwatering dishes right over the campfire.

Pie irons are perfect for creating both sweet and savory meals—whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They consist of two cast iron plates connected with a hinge, allowing you to press together and cook sandwiches, pies, and other treats directly on the fire without much hassle. If you’re new to the pie iron world, don’t worry, it’s incredibly easy to get started.

And we’ve got some spectacular pie iron recipes that cater to all tastes—from classic ham and cheese sandwiches to mouth-watering apple pies. 

Pie Iron Recipes for Every Meal

There are so many delicious pie iron recipes to try for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even dessert. You don’t have to be an expert cook to whip up these easy and tasty meals.

Breakfast:

Start your day with a satisfying and portable meal cooked in your pie iron. Here are a few breakfast ideas:

• Bacon, Egg & Hash Brown Breakfast Bake: Combine scrambled eggs, cooked bacon, and hash browns for an all-in-one breakfast pocket.
• Pie Iron French Toast: Use your favorite bread, an egg mixture, and cinnamon to create a delicious French toast right at your campsite.

Lunch and Dinner:

When hunger strikes while camping, turn to your pie iron for some quick and delicious meals for both lunch and dinner. Check out these options:

• Pie Iron Pizza Pockets: Load up slices of bread with your favorite pizza toppings, like pizza sauce, cheese, and pepperoni, and cook to perfection in your pie iron.
• Garlic Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: Add a twist to this classic by using garlic butter on your grilled cheese sandwich.

Desserts:

End a day of camping with a delicious and easy dessert made in your pie iron. Try these sweet treats:

• Pie Iron Apple Pie: Fill two pieces of white bread with cinnamon apple pie filling, and enjoy a crunchy pie crust with a gooey center.
• S’mores Pudgy Pie: Bring your campfire s’mores experience to the next level by using pie irons to make s’mores with graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate.

With these pie iron recipes, you’ll be able to create a versatile camping meal plan that keeps everyone happy and well-fed during your outdoor adventure. 

Breakfasts in A Pie Iron

You can create a range of breakfast dishes in a pie iron, from classic egg and cheese sandwiches to sweet options like blueberry cream cheese stuffed French toast.

To start off, let’s talk about breakfast sandwiches. With just a few ingredients like eggs, cheese, and ham, you can make tasty sandwiches that will keep you full and satisfied while enjoying the great outdoors. Simply crack an egg into the heated pie iron, add a slice of ham, some cheese, and let it cook. To make it even more filling, you can add a hash brown or bacon to the mix.

If you are a fan of wraps, breakfast wraps are also a great option. Using flour tortillas, you can layer eggs, cheese, bacon, or sausage, and some veggies like onions and bell peppers inside. Fold the sides around the filling and place it in the pie iron to cook for a few minutes.

Moving on to sweeter breakfast options – French toast works wonderfully in a pie iron. First, whisk together eggs, milk, and a dash of cinnamon. Dip your bread slices into the mixture, allowing them to soak up the liquid before placing them into the pie iron. Cook until they’re golden brown. You can create a delightful twist on this classic dish by making stuffed French toast. One delicious combination is adding a blueberry cream cheese mixture between the egg-soaked bread layers before cooking it.

Another great way to incorporate eggs is to make omelets in your pie iron. Whisk eggs with a little bit of milk and your choice of vegetables, meats, and cheeses. Pour the mixture into the pie iron, and cook until the eggs have set and the fillings are cooked through.

Try making eggs in a nest as a hearty breakfast option. Line the bottom of your pie iron with shredded hashbrowns, creating a little well in the center, and crack an egg into the nest. Close the pie iron and cook until the hashbrowns are crispy and the egg is cooked to your preference.

Pie Iron Lunch Ideas

Ham and Cheese Sandwich: Simply take two slices of bread, layer them with ham and cheese, and place the sandwich inside the pie iron. Close it and cook over the campfire until the bread is golden and the cheese is melted.

Pizza Pockets: Enjoy a twist on the classic pizza by creating pizza pockets. Place a slice of bread in the pie iron, add your favorite pizza toppings (such as marinara sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and veggies), and cover with another slice of bread. Cook over the fire until crispy and delicious.

Here’s a quick list of ideas for other pie iron sandwiches and hand pies, using various ingredients:

• Sloppy Joes
• Reuben Sandwich
• Philly Cheesesteak
• Hot Dogs
• Tacos or Quesadillas

Moreover, you can create fusion recipes such as a Philly Cheese Steak Quesadilla. Start by sautéing some onions and bell peppers, then add sliced steak and cook until done. Place a tortilla inside the pie iron, layer with the cooked steak, peppers, onions, and some provolone cheese. Fold the tortilla and cook until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different combinations of ingredients. You can even go vegetarian by using beans or other plant-based proteins in your hand pies.

Another fun idea is making Taco Hand Pies. Cook some taco meat in advance, then place a layer of tortilla chips at the bottom of the pie iron. Add taco meat, shredded cheese, and another layer of tortilla chips. Cook until the cheese is melted and the chips are crisp for a mouthwatering, campfire-friendly lunch.

Dinner in Pie Irons

One crowd favorite is the chicken pot pie. Simply prepare some chopped cooked chicken, mixed vegetables, and canned cream of chicken soup as your filling. Then, using your pie iron, sandwich the filling between two slices of bread or pre-made pie crusts. Cook it over the fire until the bread or crust is golden brown, and enjoy your warm and filling meal. It’s a perfect way to end a chilly day outdoors!

An alternative take on dinner that’s bound to satisfy your taste buds is making quesadillas in your pie iron. Assembly is a breeze – layer tortillas with your choice of cheese, roasted peppers, and jalapeños. Remember to preheat and grease your pie iron with cooking spray or oil for the best results. Your dinner will be ready in no time, providing a gooey, cheesy treat.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with delightful variations of grilled cheese sandwiches. One delicious option is a garlic bread twist – mix garlic butter ahead of time, spread it on your bread, and add your favorite cheese. Cook it in your pie iron until the bread turns golden brown and you have a scrumptious dinner that’s easy to make and devour.

To make your dinners in pie irons even more exciting, you can try these quick tips:

• Use foil or parchment paper to line your pie iron for easier cleanup.
• Rotate your pie iron while cooking to ensure even heating.
• Remember that cast-iron pie irons might take time to heat, but they retain heat well. Be patient and plan accordingly.

With these ideas, your pie iron camping dinners will become an enjoyable part of your outdoor adventures.

Decadent Pie Iron Desserts

When you’re ready to satisfy your sweet tooth while camping, look no further than these delectable pie iron dessert recipes. 

Apple Pie Turnovers: Recreate the magic of fresh-baked apple pie at your campsite. Use pre-made biscuit dough or refrigerated cinnamon rolls as a base, and fill with cooked apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Close the pie iron, cook over the campfire, and enjoy your mouthwatering apple pie turnover.

Cherry Pie: If you love cherry pie, you’re in for a treat. Fill pie irons with pre-made biscuit dough, canned cherries or cherry pie filling, and a sprinkle of sugar. Once cooked, indulge in this warm and gooey pie iron cherry pie.

Cheesecake: Surprisingly, you can even make cheesecake in a pie iron! Start with crushed graham crackers and melted butter for the crust. For the filling, combine cream cheese, sugar, an egg, and vanilla extract. Layer the crust and filling in your pie iron, and cook away.

S’mores: No camping trip is complete without the classic s’more. Replace the graham crackers with slices of bread, spread Nutella on the inside, and add marshmallows. Heat in the pie iron until everything melts together.

Pecan Pie: Pecan lovers, rejoice! Use pre-made biscuit dough, and fill with a mixture of corn syrup, brown sugar, melted butter, vanilla, and chopped pecans. Cook until golden brown for a drool-worthy pie iron pecan pie.

With so many pie iron dessert recipes available, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on your next camping adventure. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make your own dessert recipes, like Pineapple Upside Down Cake or a decadent Nutella and banana concoction. 

Snacks and Extras

Pie Iron Pizza Pockets: Grab some bread, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings. First, butter one side of each slice of bread. Place a slice of bread, buttered side down, in the pie iron. Spread pizza sauce on the non-buttered side and add your desired toppings. Place the second slice of bread on top, buttered side up, and close the pie iron. Cook your pie iron pizza pocket over the campfire until it’s golden brown and the cheese inside has melted.

Garlic Bread: You can enjoy some warm and crispy garlic bread right at your campsite! Simply butter one side of each bread slice, and season with garlic powder or minced garlic. Place them, buttered side down, in the pie iron, and toast until golden brown. Release that irresistible aroma of garlic bread into the air around your campfire.

Pie Iron Cheesy Tots: Who doesn’t love cheesy tots? To make them in a pie iron, you’ll need some frozen tater tots, shredded mozzarella cheese, and optionally some bacon bits and green onions. Arrange the tater tots in a single layer in a greased pie iron, sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese over them, and then sprinkle on some optional toppings like bacon bits and green onions. Close the pie iron, and cook over the campfire until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Incorporate these delicious snacks and extras into your camping meal plan using your pie iron and easily take your campfire cooking experience to a whole new level.