Monday, November 3, 2025

Easy Outdoor Cooking Ideas for Fall

Our Omnia Oven is a great addition to your outdoor cooking gear!  It is stovetop oven that gives you more flexibility.  Especially if you don't have an indoor kitchen.

Cozy Fall Outdoor Cooking Tips: My Favorite Gear and Easy Camp Meals

There’s just something about fall that makes cooking outdoors feel extra special. The air turns crisp, the leaves start to fall, and suddenly that morning coffee or evening meal around the fire becomes a little cozier. Whether you’re cooking a full holiday meal, baking a batch of brownies in your Omnia oven, or just sipping a warm drink with friends, this is the season to savor outdoor cooking.


For me, cooking outside has always been about connection — with nature, with friends, and with the slower rhythm that camping brings. When we build a fire at the end of the day, I naturally find myself right there by it, cooking where the action is and enjoying every minute.

Cooking outdoors in the warm light of a sunset totally sets the mood for the evening!

My Favorite Gear for Outdoor Cooking

Over the years, I’ve collected a few pieces of outdoor cooking gear that I can’t imagine camping without. Each one has earned its place in my camp kitchen:

  • Omnia Stove Top Oven – This little red oven is a workhorse! It’s perfect for baking on the RV stove or camp stove, and I’ve made everything from cinnamon rolls to brownies and breakfast casseroles in it.
  • Cast Iron Dutch Oven – Reliable and versatile, it’s my go-to for biscuits, chili, cobblers, or even pizza. Cast iron just gets better with time.
  • Cast Iron Griddle – Perfect for pancakes, grilled sandwiches, or burgers. It’s one of those tools that feels at home anywhere.
  • Coleman Camp Stove – A classic that’s stood the test of time. This stove was a staple during our pop-up camper days, and honestly, I almost wish I still had it. It folds flat, travels easily, and works beautifully with compact bakeware — I absolutely love it.
  • Compact Bakeware Set – Perfect for small ovens or stoves and ideal for campers with limited space.

These tools make outdoor cooking not only doable but delightful. Whether I’m baking, frying, or simmering something low and slow, they help me create meals that feel just as homey outdoors as they do inside.

Grilling steaks at the campground is a fun treat!

I love grilled fish.  When we go on our annual fall, beach trip, this is always at the top of our list.

Plan Ahead and Stay Flexible

Outdoor cooking has its own rhythm, and sometimes that means adjusting to the weather. Always check the forecast before your trip so you can plan accordingly.

Last Thanksgiving, for example, rain was in the forecast on the big day. So, I cooked our turkey ahead of time and reheated it in my crockpot on Thanksgiving Day. It turned out perfectly — and taught me that flexibility makes camp cooking so much easier (and a lot less stressful).

Setting up a waffle station outdoors is a great way to enjoy coffee and nature as you ease into your day.

I love our Bucee's Waffle Maker.  This is one of my favorite purchases from Bucees!

Easy Outdoor Cooking Ideas for Fall

If you’re ready to make the most of this beautiful season, here are some of my favorite outdoor cooking ideas to try on your next camping trip:

  1. Waffle Bar Station – Set up a waffle maker (or two!) outside with your favorite batter and toppings. Everyone gets a fresh, hot waffle right off the griddle.
  2. Pancakes on the Griddle – My Lodge Cast Iron griddle and Coleman Camp Stove make this easy. Add bacon or sausage, and you’ll have a breakfast crowd-pleaser.
  3. Dutch Oven Biscuits or Breakfast Casseroles – These bake just like they would at home and fill the campsite with the best smell.
  4. Omnia Cinnamon Rolls or Brownies – These treats make mornings or evenings feel special.
  5. Dutch Oven Enchiladas – Cozy, cheesy comfort food that pairs perfectly with a simple salad.
  6. Dutch Oven Pizza – It’s easier than you think and a fun way to mix things up.
  7. Barbecue Chicken – Slow-cooked and tender, this one is always a hit.
  8. Mac and Cheese Over the Fire – I like to bake it in small pans over hot coals for a smoky flavor.
  9. Dutch Oven Desserts – Pies, cobblers, and dump cakes are campfire classics.
  10. Grill Anything – From tacos to burgers to hot dogs, you’re only limited by your imagination.
Biscuits in a Dutch Oven?  Yes Please!  These are my two ingredient biscuits and they turn our perfectly every time!
Setting an inviting table for you and your family and enjoy time in nature and sharing a meal together is one of my favorite things about camping!

And, we love a good fireside chat before, during or after dinner.  I would have a fire every night if I could.

The Joy of Slowing Down

Outdoor cooking isn’t about rushing to get dinner on the table. It’s about slowing down and enjoying the process. It’s those moments when you’re flipping pancakes while chatting with friends, or cooking with a sunset in the background — that’s what makes it special.

Slowing down during these excursions is just what we need every time.  And being together is always enough.

Cooking outdoors allows me to be part of the moment, not tucked away inside. Whether it’s breakfast at sunrise or dinner under the stars, these are the times I love most. After all, camping is about being outside, connecting with the people you love, and soaking in the beauty around you.

So grab your favorite gear, plan your next meal outdoors, and enjoy the magic of fall cooking — one cozy, delicious bite at a time.

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