12 Campfire Desserts for Easy Camping Nights

When dinner is packed away and the fire has settled into glowing coals, campfire desserts are the easiest way to turn a good night outdoors into a great one. You do not need a full bush kitchen or fancy ingredients either. A few supermarket staples, some foil and the right heat can deliver a proper sweet finish without loading the ute with extra gear.

The best options are quick to prep, easy to share and forgiving if the kids are distracted by torch games or the billy needs another boil. Here are 12 reliable ideas that suit family camps, caravan parks, beach trips and weekend bush getaways around Australia.

Start with safe, steady heat

Desserts cook better over hot coals than big flames. Flames look good, but they burn sugar, scorch marshmallows and leave the middle of your food cold. Let the fire settle first, then use a grill plate, camp oven, pie iron or a sturdy foil parcel placed near the coals.

Keep a bucket of water nearby, use long-handled tongs or heatproof gloves, and put hot cookware somewhere stable when it comes off the fire. If you are camping during a fire ban or at a site with fire restrictions, check the rules before lighting up. A portable gas cooker may be the better option, or save dessert for back at camp in the caravan.

12 easy campfire desserts to try

1. Classic toasted marshmallows

Sometimes simple wins. Thread marshmallows onto a clean roasting fork or skewer and hold them above the coals, turning slowly until golden and soft. Avoid shoving them into the flames unless you genuinely enjoy the charcoal flavour.

For a more filling version, sandwich the melted marshmallow between plain sweet biscuits with a square of chocolate. It is the classic camping treat for good reason: no plates, no washing up and everyone can build their own.

2. Banana boats with chocolate

Slice a banana lengthways through the skin, keeping the bottom intact. Push small pieces of chocolate into the split, then wrap the banana in foil and place it near the coals for around 8 to 12 minutes.

Open carefully, as the steam will be hot, then eat it straight from the skin with a spoon. Add crushed biscuits, mini marshmallows or a spoonful of peanut butter before cooking if you want something more substantial.

3. Campfire apple crumble parcels

Apples travel well in the esky or pantry box, making them ideal for longer trips. Chop one apple per person, add a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar, then top with a crumble mix of rolled oats, butter and a little flour.

Wrap each serve tightly in foil and cook over coals until the apple is tender. The result is warm, sweet and far less messy than trying to bake a full crumble at camp. Custard in a squeeze bottle or a dollop of long-life cream makes it even better.

4. Chocolate-stuffed damper

Damper is already a campsite favourite, and a little chocolate takes it into dessert territory. Make a basic damper dough, flatten individual portions and wrap a square of chocolate inside before sealing the dough around it.

Cook in a camp oven, skillet or pie iron until the outside is browned and the centre is cooked through. Keep the portions modest so the dough cooks before the chocolate leaks out. A dusting of cinnamon sugar at the end is optional but worth it.

5. Cinnamon sugar campfire donuts

Use refrigerated biscuit dough or pre-made dough balls for a shortcut that works brilliantly on a camping trip. Cook them in a lightly oiled cast-iron pan over low, even heat, turning until puffed and golden.

Toss the warm doughnuts in a container with cinnamon sugar. They are best eaten straight away, preferably with a cuppa while everyone is still gathered around the fire.

6. Pineapple and coconut parcels

For a lighter dessert, place pineapple pieces in foil with a small knob of butter, a sprinkle of brown sugar and shredded coconut. Cook until the pineapple is warm and caramelised around the edges.

This one works especially well after a big barbecue dinner. Add a spoonful of yoghurt after cooking if you have it in the esky, but it is also good on its own.

7. Jaffle iron berry pies

A pie iron is one of the handiest bits of camp cooking gear you can pack. Butter two slices of bread, fill with berry jam or canned pie fruit, then seal in the iron and cook over coals until crisp.

Be conservative with the filling. Too much jam will escape, burn onto the iron and turn a five-minute dessert into a cleaning job. Let the pie sit for a minute before biting in, because the filling gets seriously hot.

8. Chocolate brownies in a camp oven

A camp oven lets you make a batch dessert when the crew is bigger than two or three people. Use a packet brownie mix to keep prep easy, line the oven with baking paper and cook with coals underneath and on the lid.

The exact cooking time depends on the oven size and how hot your coals are, so start checking early. A slightly gooey centre is ideal. Serve warm with berries, banana slices or ice cream if you are close enough to a shop to keep it frozen.

9. Grilled peaches with honey

Halve fresh peaches or nectarines, remove the stone and place them cut-side down on a clean grill plate. Once they have char marks, turn them over and add a drizzle of honey and a pinch of cinnamon.

They only need a few minutes, which makes them a smart choice when the fire is fading. For an adults-only variation, a small splash of bourbon in the foil parcel adds depth, but it is just as good without it.

10. S'mores dip for the whole family

If individual s'mores feel too fiddly, make one shared skillet version. Layer chocolate pieces in the base of a small cast-iron pan, cover with marshmallows and warm it over gentle coals until melted and toasted on top.

Use plain biscuits for dipping. Keep an eye on it because chocolate can catch quickly, and use a trivet or folded towel under the pan when serving. It is a proper crowd-pleaser for family camping trips.

11. Campfire cones

Fill waffle cones with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, berries and sliced banana, then wrap each cone in foil. Warm them over coals for five to eight minutes until the fillings melt together.

The cone stays surprisingly crisp if you do not overcook it. Pack the ingredients in separate containers and let everyone choose their own filling - an easy win for picky eaters.

12. Baked stuffed pears

Pears are sturdy enough for the road and feel a bit special without much effort. Core each pear, fill the centre with chopped dates, walnuts and a little brown sugar, then wrap in foil with a small splash of water.

Cook until soft, usually 20 to 30 minutes depending on the pear and the heat. This is a quieter, less sugary option that still feels like a proper dessert after a long day on the tracks or by the water.

Pack smarter for campfire desserts

A little organisation keeps dessert easy rather than another chore. Pack dry ingredients in labelled containers, keep chocolate and dairy cold in the esky, and bring enough foil for both cooking and covering leftovers. A roll of baking paper is also useful inside camp ovens and pie irons, especially when you want less scrubbing before bed.

For gear, a pair of long tongs, a heatproof glove, a cast-iron skillet and a pie iron cover most of the recipes above. If you camp often, a camp oven gives you more options for brownies, damper and fruit bakes. Just Camp has practical cooking gear for building out a setup that suits anything from quick overnighters to longer caravan runs.

A few no-fuss tips for better results

Sugar burns quickly, so move desserts to the edge of the coals if they start catching. Foil parcels should be sealed well but not crushed tightly around soft fruit, as a little space helps steam cook everything evenly. Rotate cookware regularly because campfires rarely heat evenly.

Most importantly, make only what your group will eat. Warm desserts do not hold as neatly as dinner leftovers, particularly in warm weather. A few simple ingredients and a steady fire are all you need to make those last chats around camp feel even better.