Camping is all about adventure, simplicity, and making the most of the great outdoors. But that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice delicious meals. One of the most wonderful, and often underrated, culinary delights of camping is the humble toastie. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a novice, this versatile and satisfying treat can elevate your outdoor experience to a whole new level. Plus they are fantastic to knock up in a few minutes to quieten the demands of any hunger-crazed scamp! In this blog post, we'll explore the wonders of a toastie when camping, from its simplicity to its endless customization possibilities, as well as giving you some recipe inspiration along the way and reviewing our trusty toastie maker - which sits pride of place in our camping grab bag! Toasties really are a camper's best friend!
The Simplicity of a Toastie: Camping is about getting away from the complexities of everyday life, and the toastie is the epitome of simplicity. All you need is a campfire or a portable stove, some bread, butter, and your favourite fillings. Assemble your creation, place it in a toastie maker, skillet, or wrap it in foil, and let the heat do the rest. It's a no-fuss meal that doesn't require a culinary degree, making it perfect for campers of all skill levels.
The Magic of Customization: The beauty of a toastie lies in its customizability. No matter your taste or dietary preferences, you can create the perfect toastie for your camping adventure. Want a classic ham and cheese combo? Go for it. Craving a vegetarian masterpiece with spinach, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese? Absolutely. Feeling adventurous and want to try a sweet toastie with Nutella and bananas? It's all within your reach, you've got this! The possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Plus, you can use up any leftovers from previous camping meals, reducing food waste and enhancing sustainability. That's the wonder of a toastie—it's your canvas to paint your culinary desires on, and it's all done with minimal effort in the great outdoors.
The Nostalgia Factor: A toastie has a way of evoking nostalgia. For many, it reminds them of childhood camping trips with family and friends. There's something heart-warming about gathering around a campfire, toasting your sandwiches, and sharing stories under the starry night sky. Even if you're a first-time camper, the act of making and savouring a toastie can instantly transport you to a simpler, more carefree time. It's a reminder that the best things in life are often the simplest.
The Toastie's Convenience: Beyond its culinary charm, the toastie is incredibly convenient. It's a quick, hot meal that can be made in minutes. When you're on a camping adventure, time is precious, and you want to spend it enjoying the great outdoors, not slaving away at the campfire. With a toastie, you can have a satisfying meal without sacrificing your precious time. Just imagine waking up to the sound of birds, taking in the crisp morning air, and knowing that a warm, delicious toastie is just minutes away.
The Toastie as a Comfort Food: Camping can sometimes be physically and mentally demanding. Long hikes, setting up camp, and dealing with unpredictable weather can be exhausting. That's where the toastie shines as a comfort food. Its warm, gooey goodness can provide a sense of comfort and familiarity in the midst of nature's unpredictability. When the wind howls and the rain pours, a well-made toastie can be a slice of home, a moment of relaxation, and a source of strength.
A Toastie for Every Season: Camping isn't restricted to one season, and neither is the toastie. In the summer, a toastie filled with fresh, juicy tomatoes and basil can be a refreshing delight. During the cooler months, opt for a heart-warming combination of turkey and cranberry sauce. In the autumn, embrace the harvest season with apple and cheddar toasties. The adaptability of this camping culinary wonder makes it suitable for any season and any weather conditions, ensuring that no matter when or where you camp, the toastie can be your trusted companion.
Go on, go for it and get stuck in with these starter toastie recipes:
Classic Ham and Cheese Toastie:
Ingredients, per toastie:
2 slices of bread
2 slices of ham
2 slices of your favourite cheese (cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella)
Butter
Method:
Butter one side of each slice of bread.
Place a slice of ham and a slice of cheese between two slices of bread, with the buttered sides facing out.
Heat a pan or use a campfire grill, and cook the sandwiches until they're golden brown on both sides and the cheese has melted.
Veggie Delight Toastie:
Ingredients, per toastie:
2 slices of bread
sliced mushrooms
spinach leaves
sliced bell peppers
shredded mozzarella cheese
Olive oil
Butter
Method:
Heat some olive oil in a pan or on your campfire grill.
Sauté the mushrooms, spinach, and bell peppers until they are tender.
Butter one side of each slice of bread.
Assemble your toasties with the sautéed vegetables and shredded mozzarella between two slices of bread.
Cook the sandwiches until they're crispy and the cheese has melted.
Sweet and Savoury Nutella-Banana Toastie:
Ingredients, per toastie:
2 slices of bread
Nutella
1 bananas, sliced
Mini marshmallows (optional for extra sweetness)
Butter
Method:
Butter one side of each slice of bread.
Spread a generous layer of Nutella on the non-buttered side of two slices of bread.
Place banana slices and mini marshmallows (if using) on top of the Nutella.
Top with the remaining slices of bread, buttered side out.
Cook the toasties until they're golden brown and the Nutella is gooey.
Ready to take your toastie making skills up a notch? Hold onto your hats with our campfire BBQ pulled pork toastie recipe. This would be an ideal way to use up any of our Hawaiian Slow Cooked Kalua Pork!
Campfire BBQ Pulled Pork Toastie:
Ingredients:
For the Pulled Pork:
Shredded cooked pork (you can prepare this in advance or use canned pulled pork - or see our delicious Hawaiian Slow Cooked Kalua Pork recipe for inspiration)
Your favourite BBQ sauce
Sliced red onions
Sliced pickles (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Toastie:
2 slices of hearty bread (sourdough or ciabatta work well)
Butter or olive oil
Shredded cheddar cheese
Coleslaw (optional, for added crunch)
Method:
Prepare the Pulled Pork:
In a pan or a small pot, combine the shredded pork, BBQ sauce, sliced red onions, and pickles (if using).
Heat the mixture over a campfire, portable stove, or on a grill, stirring occasionally, until it's heated through and the flavours meld together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Remove the pulled pork mixture from the heat source and set it aside.
Assemble and Grill the Toastie:
Butter one side of each slice of bread.
Lay two slices of bread, buttered side down, on a clean surface.
Spread a generous amount of the BBQ pulled pork mixture on top of the bread slices.
Sprinkle a portion of shredded cheddar cheese over the pulled pork.
If you're adding coleslaw, spread a layer on top of the cheese.
Place the remaining bread slices on top, buttered side up, to form sandwiches.
Cooking the Toastie:
Heat a cast-iron skillet or a grilling basket over your campfire or portable stove.
Place the sandwiches in the skillet or grilling basket, and cook them until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted, flipping them as needed.
This might take around 5-10 minutes, depending on the heat of your campfire or stove. Keep a close eye to avoid burning.
Just be sure to adapt your cooking method to your camping equipment, whether it's a campfire, portable stove, or camping grill. Enjoy these delicious toasties during your camping adventures!
Camping Scamping Product Review
Our trusty toastie stead, and best friend, is the TF Gear Camping Sandwich Toaster Grill (https://amzn.to/3Ucn68T - Amazon), which also doubles up as a frying pan and griddle if you need it. We love it. Toastie time is the bedrock lunch of our Camping Scamping experiences and we never have a trip with out one. This bit of kit has never let us down, is dead easy to use and cooks our toasties to perfection. We have found that low and slow is better for an all round cheese melt, whilst not over doing the bread. Cleaning has never been an issue with its Teflon coating - minimal wipe-age is needed, and you all know by now how much Camping Scamping HQ loves a one pot meal!
Not sure when the TF Gear Toaster Grill is going to be back in stock, so if you fancy getting your hands on something similar ASAP ready for your summer adventures, here are a few examples below:
 | Bankside Grill XL https://amzn.to/4cTaACq - Amazon |
 | Shradha Trading Sandwich Hand Toaster https://amzn.to/4as4qrD - Amazon |
 | Outdoor Revolution Camping Double Sandwich Maker https://amzn.to/4d59tjx - Amazon |
 | Toasted Sandwich Maker https://amzn.to/3JekSzF - Amazon |
Camping Scamping is now a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co.uk. Therefore if you click and purchase via any of the links above , we will get a small % of any sales generated. The fees we earn from affiliate links allow us to keep the blog going and also invest in new kit and recipes to trial, review and share our thoughts on.
In the world of camping, where simplicity, nostalgia, and convenience are cherished, the toastie stands as a versatile and beloved companion. It brings the comforts of home to the great outdoors while allowing you to customize your culinary adventure in a way that suits your taste and mood. So, the next time you embark on a camping trip, don't forget to pack the bread, butter, and an array of fillings, because the wonders of your toastie best friend are waiting to enhance your camping experience, one delicious bite at a time.
Oh and the toastie best friend of choice at Camping Scamping HQ? Chorizo and Mozzarella on Granary all the way!
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