Camping or traveling in a campervan makes us feel free, independant and full of endless opportunities. It’s also about being one with nature. So what better place to embrace a plant-based diet, right? 

We’ve put together a list of 5 trendy recipes that are perfect for enjoying around the campfire. All of these are vegan recipes and even if you’re not actually vegan, our recipes are worth trying: they’re easy, healthy, delicious and adaptable!

Alright, let’s do it! Remember, each of these recipes can be easily altered depending on what ingredients you have on hand. Just be a little creative and you’ll be surprised about your own skills.

#1 Vegan Pancakes

Let’s start with the ultimate vegan breakfast recipe. Do you have enough of basic Cereal and Toast for breakfast? Try our easy pancakes recipe to spice up your mornings.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup All Purpose Flour (you can also go with wheat flour if you want)
• 2 tbsp Sugar
• 2 tbsp Baking Powder
• 1 cup Soymilk
• 2 tbsp Vegetable Oil
• Pinch of Salt

Instructions:

Take the Flour and the Baking Powder and mix it together. We want to make sure there are no lumps and the mixture looks light. Now add the Sugar and Salt and mix again. In a separate bowl mix the soymilk and the vegetable oil. Now add the dry stuff to the wet stuff as you heat up your pan.  Don’t over mix but you do want it smooth. Simply cook your pancakes and serve with whatever you prefer (blueberry jam is our personal favourite)!

#2  Vegan Pumpkin Soup

Pumpkin soup, a simple and healthy dish, made from scratch, with just 8 ingredients, in less than 30 minutes. It’s so creamy, satisfying and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (optional)
• 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 pounds pumpkin (1 kilo), skin and seeds removed, chopped
• 2 cups vegetable stock or water (500 ml)
• 1 cup full-fat coconut milk (250 ml)
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 1/4 tbsp ground black pepper

Instructions:

• Heat the oil in a large pot. If you don’t want to use oil, just add some vegetable stock or water instead.
• Add the garlic and onion and cook over medium-high heat until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
• Now you can add the pumpkin and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• The rest of the ingredients can be added and brought to a boil, then cook over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender.
• Blend the mixture in a blender (you can also use an immersion blender if you want) and serve immediately.
• I added some coconut milk, chopped fresh parsley, toasted pumpkin seeds and ground black pepper on top.
• You can keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 5-7 days.

#3 Grilled Sweet Potato Fries

Wanna get fancy? Below you’ll find our recipe for Vegan Sweet Potato Fries! Warning: They’re addictive.

Ingredients:

•  4 large sweet potatoes — scrubbed with skin on
•  2 tablespoons kosher salt — plus 1 teaspoon, divided
•  2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
•  1 tablespoon brown sugar — light or dark
•  1 teaspoon ground chipotle chile pepper — NOT cayenne pepper. If using cayenne, reduce to 1/4 teaspoon
•  Chopped fresh cilantro — optional for serving

Instructions:

• Place the whole potatoes in a large pot of cold water. Add 2 tablespoons salt, then bring to a gentle boil. Let boil until the potatoes are tender, but still quite firm, about 10 to 15 minutes. You should be able to pierce them with a fork easily, but the potatoes should still be too firm too eat. Drain and let cool slightly.
• Heat the grill to medium (about 400 degrees F).
• Slice each potato in half lengthwise, then slice each half into 4 to 6 wedges, depending on the size. Each wedge should be about 1/3 inch thick. As you slice the potatoes, peel off their skins (they should come off easily).
• Place the wedges in a bowl, then drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with brown sugar, chipotle chile pepper, and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt.
• Grill the sweet potato fries on each side until they’re lightly golden brown, have some grill marks (depending upon your preference) and are tender, about 6 minutes total. Remove to a serving platter. Enjoy hot, sprinkled with cilantro as desired.

#4  Vegan Campfire Pizza

Ingredients:

Instructions:

• In a mixing bowl or pot, add the flour, yeast, and salt. Briefly mix with a fork to distribute the ingredients.
• Add the warm water and 2 tablespoons oil to the dry ingredients and mix with a fork until the ingredients begin to form a dough.

• Knead the dough a few times (you can do this in the bowl or on a lightly floured surface) so that all the ingredients are well incorporated and the dough comes together. Cover the dough and let it rise for 20 minutes. After the dough has risen, turn it out onto a cutting board and divide the dough into two equal pieces.
• To form the crust, add 1 tablespoon oil into a preheated cast iron skillet and swirl to coat the surface. Place one of the dough halves in the skillet, and using your fingers, press and push the dough towards the edges of the skillet. Drizzle 1/2 tablespoon oil along the edge of the skillet.

• Now, let’s get to the campfire:

• Place the skillet on a grate over your campfire, or on your camp stove at fairly high heat. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until the bottom has firmed up and begins to turn golden brown (you’ll want to lift the side up around the 3 minute mark to see how it’s doing and determine how much longer it should remain on the heat).
• Pull the skillet off the fire and place on a heat-safe surface. The skillet will be HOT, so take care with the next few steps.
• Using a pair of tongs, lift the crust out of the skillet and flip it so the uncooked side is face down in the skillet. Add your toppings, cover the pizza with a cast iron lid if you have one or a sheet of foil, and return the skillet to your campfire or stove.
• Cook the pizza for an additional 3-5 minutes until the bottom is golden brown. Remove the lid/foil after a few minutes, once the cheese has melted, to let the steam escape for the remainder of the cooking time.
• Remove the skillet from the heat, carefully transfer the pizza to a plate, and repeat with the second half of the dough.

Equipment needed: mixing bowl, cast iron skillet, tongs, knife, cutting board

#5  Vegan Grilled Hasselback Potatoes

Hasselback potatoes are beautiful potatoes that fan out while cooking.  What is amazing about these potatoes is that each slice can yield a wonderfully crispy slice that turns a simple baked potato into something far more interesting. It’s also a great recipe to prepare for a large group of people!

Ingredients:

• 750 g / 1.5 lb small potatoes (suitable for baking)
• 3-4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 garlic clove
• coarse sea salt
• Black pepper

Instructions:

• Wash and dry potatoes. Cut a small portion off the long side of the potato, lay this flat side down on a cutting board.
• Cut slices all the way across the length of the potato, slices should be 1/4-inch part from each other. Do not slice the potatoes all of the way through. Slice them until they are about 3/8-inch from the bottom of the potato. Slice all four potatoes in a similar fashion.
• Mix oil  and chopped garlic.
• Place each potato onto foil sheet. Nest the foil around the potato, this way the oil will stay in the foil pouch. Brush the oil onto each of the potatoes.
• Leave approximately half of the oil to brush over potatoes half way into the cooking process. I leave the potato unwrapped on the top portion of the potato. This way the potato gets an opportunity to get nice and crispy.
• You will need to have your grill to at least 350 degrees. Medium sized potatoes take about 45 minutes until they are done. If your potatoes are larger it make take slightly longer before they are done.
• When you remove them from the grill season with salt and black pepper.

These 5 vegan recipes are simple, healthy and delicious. Eating vegan does not mean you can’t go camping. With a little bit of know-how you can have delicious and fulfilling meals without making any sacrifices to your diet. Plus, eating less meat doesn’t just reduce your carbon footprint it also saves you money. #Explore something new!