After a wonderful day in the great outdoors, surrounded by the beauty of nature, the day has turned to dusk, the fire-roasted hotdogs have all but disappeared, and it’s time for dessert. As the evening chill sets in, you crave a warm, comforting treat. Campfire apple crisp foil packets are a classic dish, and for good reason – they are absolutely delicious. While s’mores are a camping classic, campfire apple crisp just might overtake them as your new go-to camping dessert. Here is an easy campfire apple crisp recipe.
The Perfect Apple
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about the star of the show: the apples. Not all apples are created equal, especially when it comes to baking. The harder crisper the apple is for this delectable dessert, the better. Granny Smith and Honeycrisp stand up well to heat, alongside Golden Delicious. Choosing an apple that will maintain its texture is key, as its crisp crunch will provide a delightful contrast to the gooey filling of the apple crisp.
The Ingredients
With your apples picked, let’s look at a full list of the ingredients you’ll need:
- Apples (6)
- Sugar (¼ cup)
- Cornstarch (3 tsp)
- Cinnamon (½ tsp)
- Butter (1 cup, preferably melted)
- Brown sugar (2¼ cup)
- Flour (2 cup)
- Quick oats (1½ cup)
- Nutmeg (⅛ tsp)
- Ice cream or whipped cream (optional but highly recommended)
This list provides ingredients for 6 servings. Ensure you also have plenty of aluminum foil, as you’ll not only be using it to cook your campfire apple crisp but also as a bowl later on!
The Preparation
Putting together your campfire apple crisp foil packets is a breeze, and they can be made over the campfire, on the grill, or in the oven. Here’s the step-by-step guide to transforming your raw ingredients into individual packets ready for cooking.
Step 1: Prepare the Topping
- Combine 2 cups brown sugar, flour, oats, nutmeg, and ¼ tsp cinnamon.
- Add butter and mix until consistent throughout.
Step 2: Prepare the Apples
- Peel, core, and slice your apples to their desired thickness and shape.
- In a bowl, mix in the remaining brown sugar, alongside the cornstarch and remaining cinnamon.
- Add apples to the bowl and stir until evenly coated.
Step 3: Assemble the Packets
- Cut out 12, 46 cm (18 inch) sheets of aluminum foil. 2 of these sheets will form each packet.
- Divide your apple mixture evenly into the 6 packets
- Apply an even amount of topping over each.
- Seal up and close the packets.
For cooking on your campfire, ensure it’s been burning long enough for a layer of white-hot coals to have formed. Place your foil packets on a grill approximately 5cm above the coals, cooking for 15 minutes or until the crumb topping is a beautiful golden brown. If unsure about the status of your campfire apple crisp, feel free to carefully pull one off the cooking surface, and judge how thoroughly cooked it is.
If you want to bring campfire apple crisp foil packets on your next outdoor adventure but want to prepare them at home and then simply heat them up over the fire, preheat your oven to 205 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Fahrenheit), place your foil packets on a baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes. Once cooked, they can be frozen, placed in a cooler, and taken with you on your next grand adventure.
Campfire apple crisp foil packets are not only delicious, they are aptly named. Your next late-night by the fire is sure to be taken to another level with these fun and easy-to-make desserts. Happy camping!