Field Guides · The Camp Log

Easy Pie Iron Recipes (Breakfast to Dessert)

The beauty of a pie iron is that "recipe" is a strong word for it: butter two slices of bread, put something tasty between them, and toast it in the coals. That's the whole technique. But the fillings are where it gets fun — here's a run through what to make in a pie iron from breakfast all the way to dessert, including the one everybody asks about: pizza.

First, the method

If you're new to it, start with the pie iron itself — that page covers how to use one and which to buy. The short version: butter the outside of two slices of bread, fill, close, trim the overhang so it seals, and toast in the coals (not flames) a few minutes a side. Now the fun part.

Breakfast pie irons

Eggs & cheese. Scrambled egg, cheese, and a little cooked ham or sausage. A hot breakfast sandwich with no pan to wash.
Campfire French toast. Dip the outsides in an egg-and-cinnamon mix instead of buttering, fill with a little cream cheese or jam, and toast until golden.

Lunch pie irons

Grilled cheese. The one that makes a pie iron worth owning — see our campfire grilled cheese. Add ham or tomato to dress it up.
Pizza pocket. Jump to the pizza section below — it deserves its own spot.

Pie iron pizza

This is the crowd favorite, and it couldn't be easier: butter the outside of two slices of bread (or use a split sub roll), then fill with pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and pepperoni or whatever toppings you like. Toast it in the coals until the cheese melts and the bread crisps — a hot, sealed pizza pocket in about five minutes. Let it cool a moment before the first bite; the sauce is molten. It's the recipe kids request every single trip.

Dinner pie irons

Chili & cheese. Spoon in leftover camp chili with shredded cheese for a crispy chili hand pie.
Taco pie. Use up taco filling with cheese — like a crunchy wrap, but toasted.
Sloppy joe. Sloppy joe mix and cheese between two slices. Messy, in the best way.

Dessert pie irons

The classic mountain pie. Buttered bread and a spoonful of cherry or apple pie filling — the dessert the whole thing is named for.
S'mores pie. Chocolate and marshmallow (or a chocolate-hazelnut spread) toasted to gooey. More on the sweet side in our campfire desserts.

That's breakfast to dessert from one cheap cast-iron tool. Mix and match across the breakfast, lunch, and dinner lineups, and let everyone build their own.

Common questions

What can you make in a pie iron?

Far more than dessert pies: breakfast egg-and-cheese sandwiches, grilled cheese and ham, pizza pockets, chili or taco hand pies for dinner, and classic fruit or s'mores pies for dessert. If it fits between two slices of bread, you can toast it.

How do you make pizza in a pie iron?

Butter the outside of two slices of bread, fill with pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and toppings like pepperoni, then close and toast in the coals about five minutes until the cheese melts and the bread crisps. Let it cool a moment before biting — the sauce is hot.

What are easy pie iron recipes for camping?

Grilled cheese, pizza pockets, and dessert fruit pies are the easiest. For more substantial meals, spoon in leftover chili or taco filling with cheese. The method is always the same: buttered bread, a filling, toasted in the coals.

Do you butter the bread for a pie iron?

Yes — butter the outside of both slices (the sides that touch the iron) so the bread crisps and doesn't stick. For sweet recipes like French toast, you can dip the outside in an egg-cinnamon mix instead.

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