They’re Portable and Delicious!

Cooking for children can be a challenge. And when you throw in the added distractions that come with being at the campsite – friends and endless activities – it can be hard to get them to sit down long enough to have a meal.

But now you don’t have to. With these five tasty recipes that are not only a treat to eat but a treat to make, the kids will love helping prepare them – and they can eat them on the move! As an added bonus, there’s very little cleanup so the adults can get back to what they enjoy doing, too!

 

Ice Cream in a Bag

What You Need:

  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream or half and half
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ teaspoons sugar
  • Sealable sandwich bags
  • Sealable 1 gallon plastic bags
  • 6 Tablespoons coarse kosher salt
  • Ice cubes

How to Do It:

  • Combine heavy whipping cream (or half and half), vanilla extract, and sugar in a sealed sandwich bag. Be sure to press out all of the air while sealing the bag.
  • Fill a gallon-sized bag halfway with ice cubes and 6 tablespoons of salt and add filled sandwich bag. Press seal tightly.
  • Shake bag vigorously for 5-10 minutes or until ice cream forms.
  • Consider incorporating the shaking into a game – throw the bag back and forth, hold it while playing tag, or make up a game of your own – to make the experience even more fun!

Omelets in a Bag

What You Need:

  • Sealable, quart-sized sandwich bags
  • 1 Sharpe marker
  • Large pot of boiling water
  • 2 eggs (per bag)
  • ½ cup (per bag) of omelet fillings of your choice
    • Chopped sausage, ham, bacon, onions, mushroom, spinach, peppers, and salt and pepper are some of our favorites
  • ¼ cup cheddar cheese

How to do it:

  • Write everyone’s names on the outside of their bag (this will help you identify whose is whose when they’re done cooking) and then crack 2 eggs in each bag.
  • Add omelet fillings and cheese.
  • Seal bag (be sure to squeeze out any excess air when sealing) and shake or squeeze bag until eggs are fully scrambled and mix is well combined.
  • Drop bags into boiling water and let cook for 10-15 minutes or until egg is fully cooked.

Walking Tacos

 What You Need:

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 ounce taco seasoning packet
  • ½ cup water
  • 6 – 8 snack sized bags of Doritos or Fritos
  • Optional Toppings:
    • Black Beans
    • Lettuce
    • Tomato
    • Onion
    • Shredded Cheese
    • Sour Cream
    • Ranch
    • Salsa

How to Do It:

  • Brown meat and drain fat.
  • Add taco seasoning and ½ cup of water and simmer until water is absorbed.
  • Slightly crush chips with your hands, open bag, and add fillings of your choice.

S’mores in a Bag

What You Need:

  • Roasted marshmallows
  • Chocolate chips (Hershey’s bars will work, too!)
  • Snack sized bag of Teddy Grahams or cookie of your choice

How to Do It:

  • Open cookie bag and add chocolate chips or Hersey’s pieces
  • Roast marshmallow to your liking and add marshmallow to bag.
  • Stir and enjoy!

Soft Pretzels in a Bag

What You Need:

  • Sealable gallon-sized plastic bag
  • 1 ½ cups warm water (130°F)
  • 1 tablespoon rapid rise yeast (active dry or instant yeast works, too)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar
  • 3 ¾ – 4 cups flour
  • Tea towel or plastic wrap for covering
  • Lightly oiled baking sheet
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • Coarse sea salt for sprinkling

How to Do It:

  • Add warm water and yeast to plastic bag. Shake until well-combined (some lumps are okay).
  • Add sugar and salt to yeast mixture and shake.
  • Add 2 cups flour to bag and knead until ingredients are blended.
  • Add remaining flour a little at a time. Seal bag and knead until dough no longer sticks to the bag.
  • Remove dough from bag and spread onto floured surface. Knead dough for an additional 3 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Then roll dough into a ball and cover with a tea towel or plastic wrap.
  • Let dough rest for 10 minutes.
  • When dough is ready, cut into 12 pieces, roll into balls, and form into pretzels. Place on baking sheet.
  • Brush each pretzel with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
  • Preheat oven to 425°F while pretzels rest (once they’ve doubled in size they’re ready to go in the oven).
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes and then broil for an additional 5 minutes until the tops are golden brown.

 

Have a delicious recipe of your own? Be sure to share it on our Facebook page!