Pie Iron Breakfast Bake
Start your camping morning right with this pie iron breakfast bake — crispy bread, melty cheese, ham, and eggs cooked to golden perfection!
This pie iron breakfast bake recipe is a delicious way to enjoy breakfast while camping. Add it to your next camping trip!
We love a good pie iron breakfast and, oh my gosh, you guys — this breakfast bake is so, so good! I mean, I am trying to figure out how to recreate it at home without a campfire as we speak.
Just look at that ooey, gooey goodness! This is the perfect, hearty meal for mornings in the great outdoors.
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This camping recipe only requires a little bit of prep work. Sliced cheese, sliced ham, and a loaf of bread can all be easily purchased and packed.
Looking for more easy & delicious camping recipes? Be sure to check out….
Fried eggs can be somewhat trickier. You can either fry them on a skillet while camping or cook them at home like I do.
I try to keep cleanup to a minimum while camping, so pre-cooking ingredients for meal planning is a must around here. It is really easy to simply fry up a few eggs before we head out of town.
I allow them to cool before storing them in a Ziploc container and in the cooler or fridge. This makes for quick pie iron breakfast in the morning!
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Our Camp Cooking Essentials
- A pie iron camp cooker makes cooking over the open fire super easy. Check out these 20+ Pie Iron Recipe Ideas for tons of camp cooker inspiration! Or visit my how to use a pie iron post for tips.
- Foil pie plates make tinfoil packet meals even easier with the sturdy base that they provide.
- These grilling bags that I recently found are amazing! Simply add all of your ingredients to the bag at home, then throw it on the campfire or grill when camping in the great outdoors.
- We love these BBQ cooking gloves because they make handling campfire food a whole lot safer!
I love pie irons for cooking while camping — we also call them camp cookers. A pie iron is essentially a cast iron sandwich maker that you can heat over the open fire.
We use it year round and it works like a charm over the propane fire as well (whenever there is a fire ban in place). You can purchase a pie iron straight from Amazon or find them at Canadian Tire or other outdoor specialty stores.
Check out some of our favorite pie iron recipes for camping for all kinds of meal and snack ideas. And for all your sweet treats, don’t miss this roundup of pie iron desserts!
Tips for Cooking With a Camp Cooker
- When cooking with a camp cooker, begin by applying non-stick cooking spray or oil to the inside of both cooking plates. This step is important so that your delicious meal doesn’t stick to the plates and burn.
- Place your recipe ingredients into the cooker before closing and latching it.
- Cook the recipe over an open fire. We recommend placing the cooker over the fire for two minutes before unlatching, checking for doneness, and flipping the cooker over to cook the other side.
- Use caution when handling both the metal latch and handles as they can become hot while cooking.
How to Make This Pie Iron Breakfast Bake
Ingredients
- Loaf of bread – The outer layer that holds everything together and toasts beautifully in the pie iron.
- Sliced cheese – Melts into gooey, irresistible goodness that binds all the layers into one delicious bite.
- Sliced ham – Adds a savory, salty flavor that pairs perfectly with eggs and cheese.
- Fried eggs – The hearty protein that makes this breakfast filling and satisfying.
- Butter or margarine (optional) – Helps create that perfectly golden, crispy exterior on the bread.
- Non-stick cooking spray (optional) – Keeps everything from sticking so your breakfast slides out easily (and cleanup stays minimal—hallelujah!).
Instructions
1. Spray the interior of the pie iron with non-stick spray.
2. Butter the outside of two pieces of bread (if desired).
3. Layer 1 piece of bread (putting buttered side on the pie iron side), cheese, ham, egg, and another piece of bread.
4. Close and latch the pie iron.
5. Cook over the fire, opening the iron to check progress periodically.
6. Cook for approximately 5 minutes per side, depending on how hot the fire is.
These are a huge hit with the kids and I love that they are eating a pretty big “meal” in the morning. It gives them fuel and a good start to running around and dirt biking all day.
Tips For Camping Meal Preparation
- Prepare meals in advance at home whenever possible. Leave most of the mess at home, where running water is more accessible and cleanup is easier — trust me on this one!
- Create “one-pot” family-style meals for quick dinners that don’t require a lot of thought.
- Use tinfoil packets, foil pie pans, or camp cookers. These tools help to make cleanup a breeze!
- Pack ingredients in 1-gallon-sized freezer bags for flexible storage in small fridges and coolers.
- Plan meals that use similar ingredients to help make packing and planning easy. These cheesy vegetable campfire dip, loaded campfire potatoes, and tinfoil packet nacho dip recipes are some of our favorites.
- Use my blank printable meal plan or camping meal plans to help organize your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you keep food from sticking in a pie iron?
Always coat the inside with non-stick spray or oil before adding ingredients. Buttering the bread also helps create a natural barrier and crisp finish.
How long do you cook a pie iron breakfast bake?
Typically about 4–6 minutes per side over a campfire, depending on the heat. Flip halfway through and check often to avoid burning.
Can you make this without a campfire?
Yes! You can use a pie iron over a BBQ or even a gas stove. No flames required — just steady heat and a little patience.
Do you have to pre-cook the eggs?
It’s highly recommended. Pre-cooked eggs make assembly easier, cook more evenly, and help avoid undercooked centers when camping.
What other fillings can you use in a pie iron breakfast?
So many options! Try bacon, sausage, veggies, or even hash browns. It’s a great “clean out the cooler” kind of meal.
I would love for you to check out my new blog, Campfire Foodie, where I’m sharing ALL of the camping recipes!
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Pie Iron Breakfast Bake
Ingredients
- Loaf of bread
- Sliced cheese
- Sliced ham
- Fried eggs
- Butter or margarine optional
- Non-stick cooking spray optional
Instructions
- Spray the interior of the pie iron with non-stick spray.
- Butter the outside of two pieces of bread (if desired).
- Layer 1 piece of bread (putting buttered side on the pie iron side), cheese, ham, egg, and another piece of bread.
- Close and latch the pie iron.
- Cook over the fire, opening the iron to check progress periodically.
- Cook for approximately 5 minutes per side, depending on how hot the fire is.
Notes
- When cooking with a camp cooker, begin by applying non-stick cooking spray or oil to the inside of both cooking plates. This step is important so that your delicious meal doesn’t stick to the plates and burn.
- Place your recipe ingredients into the cooker before closing and latching it.
- Cook the recipe over an open fire. We recommend placing the cooker over the fire for two minutes before unlatching, checking for doneness, and flipping the cooker over to cook the other side.
- Use caution when handling both the metal latch and handles, as they can become hot while cooking.
