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Discovering nutritious and satisfying vegan camping meals, and plant-based diet can pose a challenge, but camping amidst nature provides the perfect opportunity to embrace a plant-based lifestyle. Camping is synonymous with enjoying good food in the open air, surrounded by nature and friends, possibly with a campfire cocktail in hand.
Despite the traditional reliance on animal products, like vegan cheese in camping meals, it doesn't have to be a hurdle for vegans.
Fear not! There's a plethora of delicious vegan options for your next camping trip. Contrary to the misconception that following a healthy and fulfilling vegetarian camping food ideas diet while camping is complex, it can be surprisingly simple. We've compiled a collection of our preferred vegan camping recipes tailor-made for the campfire ambiance.
Whether you're catering to fellow vegans or a diverse group, these recipes are not only quick and easy but also certain to leave a lasting impression. So, on your next camping adventure, give one of these recipes a shot and infuse a bit more plant-based excitement into the great outdoors.
After all, delicious vegan camping meals are a great way to savor the essence of camping while staying true to your dietary choices. You can use this on your next vegan camping trip.
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15 Vegan Camping Food Ideas
The next time you go camping, try one of these easy camping meals and easy vegan recipes, and add some plant-based foods to your adventure!
1. Coconut French Toast
Indulge in the goodness of vegan coconut French toast, a delightful twist on the traditional milk and egg version. Loaded with tropical flavor, this recipe is sure to kickstart your camping day on a delicious note.
If you are using a full loaf of bread, cut it into slices around ¾” thick (1). This should give you a properly browned outside while retaining a soft, custardy inside. We make our batter in a square Tupperware container because it easily accommodates the sliced bread.
But you can use whatever bowl or container you have. Start by mashing up the banana with a fork (2). A ripe or slightly over-ripe banana will work best. Mash until it turns into a liquidy puree. Then add in the can of full-fat coconut milk. If it’s cold, the coconut fat will harden into a solid cap at the top of the can. If we can feel that the can is pretty cold, we place it in the sun for a little bit to warm up.'
2. Grilled Sweet Potato Fajitas
Savor the flavors of grilled sweet potato "steaks" and roasted peppers in these vegan campfire fajitas. Making these fajitas is a blast! I added refried beans, avocado, and salsa to boost the protein and flavor in every bite wrapped in a tortilla. I like using Siete tortillas, but you can go with any brand you like.
These fajitas with grilled sweet potatoes are perfect for a family-style meal. Everyone can make their own! You can also add your favorite toppings to make them just how you want. I've been loving grilling during quarantine, and the grill gives these fajitas a special flavor with sweet potatoes, peppers, and onions.
But if you don't have a grill, no worries! You can make them on a sheet pan by roasting everything at 425 degrees for 25 minutes. Easy peasy!
3. Scrambled Tofu Breakfast Burrito
For a grab-and-go breakfast that fuels your outdoor adventures, try the scrambled tofu breakfast burrito. Megan demonstrates how to assemble this satisfying and quick morning meal. This recipe is super easy, and you only need about 30 minutes to make it.
The ingredients are probably in your kitchen right now! I didn't have tortillas, but you can use other stuff like corn tortillas, gluten-free wraps, or collard greens if you want it gluten-free. While red peppers and potatoes cook in the oven, cook up some extra-firm tofu with smoky spices like cumin, chili powder, and garlic.
I add nutritional yeast and hummus to make the tofu extra tasty. Nutritional yeast seems to do that in recipes. Then, all you gotta do is make wraps! Put as many yummy toppings as you can into a tortilla and roll it up. It's a bit tricky, like when they make burritos at Chipotle, but trust me – it's totally worth it in the end.
4. Moroccan Chickpea, Sweet Potato, and Cauliflower Bowls
Half Baked Harvest knows her way around the spice cabinet, and she has a knack for elevating the simplest ingredients. This is true with these bowls, which have a focus on entire vegetables and legumes with a hint of hot spices.
First, roast sweet potatoes and cauliflower. Then, toss in seasoned chickpeas and keep roasting until they're crispy and the veggies are super soft. For meal prep, put everything in glass containers with couscous or quinoa and carrot salad.
Stick the containers in the fridge, and you've got simple lunches and dinners all week. Add avocado on the day you eat it for freshness. If you sprinkle lemon on your avocado and wrap it up, or store it in glass containers, it should stay mostly green for a day or two.
5. Johnny Apple Seed Oatmeal
Take your morning oats to the next level with the apple-powered superseed oatmeal. This hearty breakfast with some vegan marshmallows option ensures you start your day with a nutritious punch.
Oatmeal is like the camping breakfast champ. It might not be as fancy as a big skillet or a tasty egg sandwich, but when you need something quick and easy, oatmeal is the way to go. It's cheap, simple to make, and super fast.
When things get busy, or you're in a hurry, oatmeal saves the day. Just heat up some water with salt in a pot until it boils. Then, add the oats and let it simmer for about ten minutes until they're soft, stirring now and then. Halfway through, toss in some apples, spices, and maple syrup.
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6. Chickpea Flour Breakfast Scramble
Give tofu a break and try the chickpea flour breakfast scramble a side dish. We'll show you how to prepare this flavorful and protein-packed alternative for a delightful camping breakfast. Mix all the stuff in the chickpea flour batter and set it aside.
You can also use the batter from my lentil frittata if you want. Put a bit of oil in a pan on medium heat. Throw in onion and garlic and cook until they're kind of see-through about 3 minutes. Toss in veggies and chile and cook for another 2 minutes. Add red bell pepper or tomato and mix it all up.
If you like, add some spices, blends, or chopped greens now. Pour the chickpea batter on the veggies. Let it cook for about 2 minutes until the edges start to get firm. Put a bit of oil on the edges. Mix up the mix and keep cooking. It might look messy and doughy. Scrape the bottom and let it cook without stirring for about 2 minutes.
Then, stir again. Keep cooking until the edges start to dry out, about 4 to 5 minutes, depending on your stove and pan. Let the doughy mix sit without heat for 1-2 minutes. Break it into smaller bits. Sprinkle lots of black pepper and a bit of salt. If you like, add cilantro on top (totally up to you). You can eat it on multigrain toast or in tacos or burritos. Enjoy!
7. Coconut Chia Oatmeal
Infuse your oatmeal with the sweet tropical flavor of coconut. This coconut chia oatmeal is a delicious way to elevate your camping breakfast. The cool thing about this recipe is you don't have to hang out in the kitchen waiting for it to cook.
Just toss the raw oats and chia seeds into the special food jar. Then, heat up the coconut milk and maple syrup in a pot. When it's almost boiling, pour it into the food jar, close it up, and you're good to go. The heat trapped inside the jar cooks the oats in about 30 minutes—just about the time it takes to get from the lodge to the chairlift.
8. Apple Pie Quinoa Porridge
If you're looking for a break from traditional oatmeal, the apple pie quinoa porridge is a delightful and hearty alternative. Megan shares this flavorful recipe to start your morning right. Here's a simple trick for easy cleaning up after baking.
Put two sheets of parchment paper in the baking pan, making a cross shape with a bit hanging over the sides. Once your bars are cool, grab the paper edges to lift them out. Then, cut and enjoy. I love doing this for all my baked treats – it makes cleaning up and serving a breeze. If you're not into strawberry jelly, you can switch it out for another kind, like grape or raspberry.
Want it gluten-free? Use gluten-free flour and oats. If you're dairy-free, I used vanilla almond milk to mix everything. And if you're not a fan of peanut butter, go for almond butter instead!
9. Peanut Butter & Jelly Granola Bars
Transform the classic school lunch PB&J into a portable hiking snack with these peanut butter and jelly granola bars. Perfect for refueling on the trail. The main thing in this recipe is oats! You can use the ones from the store, or if you want, you can make your own oat flour super quick using regular rolled oats.
Oh, and if you or someone you're making these for can't have gluten, make sure to get oats that say "gluten-free" on them. If your dates are a bit tough, soak them in hot water for 5 minutes, then dry them off. And if you can't find the big, soft Medjool dates, the smaller Deglet dates work, but the dough might not be as smooth.
In that case, soak them for a bit longer, like 15-20 minutes. Easy peasy!
10. DIY Fruit Leathers
Learn how to make your fresh vegetables or fresh fruit leathers for a customizable and delicious snack. The flavor combinations are unlimited after you've mastered the basics of cooking. You can make this traditional camping meals with any fruit or berries. If you use things with seeds (like raspberries), you might want to press the mix through a sieve to remove the seeds and make the roll-ups smoother.
You can also use a bit more fruit than suggested – the more fruit, the thicker the roll-ups, but you'll need to bake or dehydrate them a bit longer. The cool thing about homemade vegan food fruit roll-ups is you can keep them plain or get creative and make fun flavors!
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Things to Consider When Choosing Vegan Camping Food
- Nutrition: Fuel your adventures with wholesome meals. Plan a mix of carbs, protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals.
- Weight: Balance ample food with portability. Plan for weight if carrying provisions on your back.
- Storage: Opt for non-perishable, durable camping food. Consider cool boxes for car camping and minimalism for wild camping.
- Weather & Location: Choose foods suitable for temperature changes. Consider cooking methods based on your camping gear.
- Your Camping Gear and Amenities: Select cooking methods – campfire, camping grill, or camping stove – based on your gear. Ensure you have essential cooking equipment.
How to Eat Whole-Food Plant-Based While Camping
Get to Know Your Stuff: If you're cooking over a campfire, a cast-iron griddle is super useful. Check if the camp has rules about campfires. If it does, bring a portable propane grill or camp stove.
Plan it Out: Think about how you'll make each meal, even down to the ingredients. Pack healthy snacks that don't need refrigeration, like trail mix, energy bites, nut butter, crackers, and pre-cooked rice or quinoa, just in case your cooking gear acts up.
Add Some Veggies: Unless you're going on a backpacking trip, treat yourself to fresh or frozen veggies. Sure, the dried ones are lighter and take up less space, but when you're in the woods, there's nothing like munching on crunchy carrots, juicy cucumbers, and lots of veggies grilled in foil packets. Bonus: anything frozen can help keep your cooler cool.
Do Prep Work at Home: Before you hit the road, do as much as you can at home. Wash and chop veggies, measure out seasonings, and make a hearty soup or stew (freeze it in small batches for easy defrosting at the campsite). When your pals are grilling hot dogs, you'll have an even easier dinner ready to roll.