The dog is leashed, the kids are strapped in the back of the SUV, the boats are strapped to the car, and you're ready for a great weekend at the campground… but did you remember dinner? If not, don’t despair!

A decent camp griddle is intuitive to use and can help you prepare the legendary camp foods all children inevitably crave, from hot dogs to s’mores to breakfast for dinner. But don't stop there— you can cook up something for just about everyone, of any age, with a solid camp griddle in your outdoor kit.

We list six quick camp griddle recipes that don’t require a degree from the culinary academy. Keep these handy on your smartphone. We tilt toward kid-friendly, but include GF and vegan options.

As always, prepare what you can (like chopped onions or even pancake batter) ahead of time in the comfort of your home kitchen. That means fewer tools to pack, and quicker prep, once you're in the wild. Just get the fire going while you finish up the last few steps of your recipe. You know your camp griddle is heated when a drop of water sizzles and dances.

Camp Griddle Recipes For Every Pallet

Camp Griddle S’mores

Ingredients: Baker’s Milk chocolate (dark doesn’t melt well) from a large bar; large marshmallows, box of graham crackers, roll of tin foil.

Prep: assemble (chocolate should be in the center) as a sandwich: one graham cracker, marshmallow halved on either side, slice of chocolate. Wrap in one layer of foil.

Grilling: Grill foiled s’mores about ten minutes on hot camp griddle, flipping once.

Camp Griddle Grilled Cheese

Ingredients: Package American cheese; loaf white or whole wheat bread; butter.

Prep: Take butter out and place in a safe spot, about an hour ahead of time, to soften. Spread butter on outside of bread (both pieces); add 2-3 slices cheese inside.

Grilling: Grill time is 5-6 minutes each side, after grill is heated.

Camp Griddle Turkey Burgers with Guac & Chips

This is a healthier alternative to beef burgers, and if you opt for a bunless burger, lettuce wrap, or gluten free buns, is a great choice for those on keto, paleo, or GF diets.

Ingredients: Turkey patties (thawed), 2-3 ripe avocados, one lime, mild salsa, salt, white or whole wheat buns, corn chips.

Prep: While the camp griddle is heating, slice avocados lengthwise. Remove pits and scoop avocado flesh into bowls. When the griddle is hot, put the patties on to cook. Meanwhile, mash avocado, add juice of lime, add 3-4 tablespoons of salsa and salt to taste. Mix guac until creamy. Serve with chips as a side or appetizer.

Grilling: Cook turkey burgers five or six minutes per side; slice one open to make sure it is no longer pink. If you like, you can grill the buns, too. Add condiments and serve— you can even put some guac on your burger, too.

Camp Griddle Hash Browns and Eggs - Gluten Free

Yes, we are aware this list is heavy on carbs, which is why we’ve added eggs! Don’t scramble them— it requires a bowl and scramblies are harder to contain on a camp griddle. Instead, cook individual eggs. This recipe is designed to serve four, but frying your eggs one by one on the griddle means everyone can get exactly how many they want.

Ingredients: Package of frozen or pre-made hash browns; a dozen eggs; butter.

Prep: Make sure potatoes are unpackaged and eggs are on-hand.

Grilling: Add butter to grill. Test first to make sure the griddle isn't so hot it will burn your butter. Place four hashbrown portions on grill. After seven minutes or when they're starting to brown, flip. Remove four to eight eggs from carton and crack, one by one, onto the hot buttered griddle. Cook eggs to order.

If you're worried about your fried eggs running and making a mess, bring along a biscuit cutter or cookie cutters in fun shapes. They'll contain the egg, are easy to clean, and can make mealtime more whimsical

Vegan Camp Griddle Cheeseburgers (Serves 4)

Ingredients: Thawed vegan or bean patties, almond or cashew cheese, package of buns, ketchup, mustard, onions, lettuce, pickles, vegenaise, etc.

Prep: Make sure the cheese is sliced (we recommend the pre-sliced kind if you can find it). Chop onions (or pre-chop, at home) and add to grill right away. The nonstick Primus camp griddle doesn't require oil, but you can add a tablespoon of oil or butter for flavor if you choose. Slice your tomatoes or other toppings, portion out the lettuce, etc.

Grilling: Add four vegan patties to grill and flip after four to five minutes. After flipping, add a slice of almond (or other vegan) cheese. Meanwhile, assemble condiments. If you like, butter and toast your buns on the griddle, too.

Beginner-Friendly Camp Griddle Pancakes

Ingredients: Bisquick, eggs, milk or alternative milk (almond, soy or coconut), syrup, butter.

Prep: Blend milk and eggs, fold in dry batter and mix till smooth. For every two cups of dry mix, use one egg and ¾ to 1 cup of milk to create the consistency you want. You can do this ahead of time and store in a drink shaker or mason jar to pop in your cooler or by a freezer block in your backpack. 

Grilling: Heat grill, no oil needed for nonstick grill. Pour a small “test” pancake to check that your griddle is the right temperature. When bubbles begin to appear, it's time to flip your pancake. If it’s pale, don’t worry – your first batch will be more of a more golden brown color.