Keith Lusher 06.13.25
Some camping memories stick with you forever. For me, it was a crisp evening at Flint Creek, Mississippi in the 1990s. Our Boy Scout Troop had just finished a day of fishing when my friend’s father built a campfire and instructed us all to freshen up before dinner.
As the fire naturally gathered the kids from the heat it was giving off, I noticed my friend removing oval-shaped aluminum foil packages from an ice chest. He placed them around the perimeter of the fire, positioning them just as you would arrange stones around a campfire. The mysterious silver orbs sat there, reflecting the orange glow of the flames for about an hour.
When the time was right, my friend’s father gathered everyone around. Using a long stick, he rolled each foil ball away from the fire and told us to wait a few minutes before opening them. I turned to my friend and asked what was in the foil. “They’re loaded baked potatoes – they’re soooo good!” he replied.
When I finally unwrapped my foil package, steam seeped out to reveal a perfectly cooked potato that had been split and loaded with melted butter, sour cream, green onions, cheese, and crispy bacon bits. All the kids were amazed and the questions followed: “When did you make these?” “Where are the plates?” “Are all of them the same?” All to which the dad answered as we scoffed down the meal.
Since that night at Flint Creek, these foil-wrapped loaded potatoes have become my signature camping dish. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and practicality: it eliminates the need for dishes, cooking equipment, or on-site food preparation.
What makes these campfire potatoes truly brilliant is the ability to prepare everything in the comfort of your kitchen before departing. There’s no need to chop, mix, or clean while at the campsite; everything is ready to go when you need it.
How to Make Campfire Loaded Baked Potatoes
Ingredients:
- Medium to large russet potatoes (one per person)
- Butter
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese (cheddar)
- Chopped green onions
- Bacon bits
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Aluminum foil
Preparation:
- Wash potatoes.
- Cut each potato in half lengthwise.
- Place a generous pat of butter in the center of each potato half.
- Add dollops of sour cream, cheese, green onions, and bacon bits.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Bring the potato halves back together.
- Wrap each loaded potato in aluminum foil, using enough foil to later serve as a plate; ensure all seams are tightly sealed.
- Store the wrapped potatoes in an ice chest until ready to cook.
Campfire Cooking:
- Once your campfire has established hot coals, place the foil-wrapped potatoes around the perimeter of the fire (not directly in the flames).
- Cook for approximately an hour. (no need to turn as the heat builds up inside the foil and cooks evenly)
- Roll away from the campfire and let sit for about 30 minutes.
No Plate Needed
When it’s time to eat, simply unfold the foil carefully and curl the edges to create a makeshift plate. The potato will be perfectly cooked, with all the toppings melted together into a delicious combination. All you need is a plastic fork to enjoy your meal.
After dinner, simply fold up the foil with the used fork inside and dispose of it properly: no dishes to wash, no cooking utensils to clean, and no food waste to manage. It’s the ultimate hassle-free camping meal.
Variations to Try
Over the years, I’ve experimented with different fillings and preparations:
- Mexican style: Add taco seasoning, jalapeños, and replace sour cream with guacamole
- Breakfast potatoes: Include scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage in the morning
- Vegetarian option: Load with mixed vegetables, herbs, and extra cheese
Final Thoughts
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that preparation leads to success. Doing the work in your comfortable kitchen rather than in the woods is simply a no-brainer. This recipe front-loads the effort and eliminates campsite cleanup entirely.
The most valuable camping recipes aren’t complicated ones; they’re the ones that free you to enjoy nature without being tethered to a washing station. Hopefully, this recipe will help you enjoy your camping experience a little more by eliminating the time spent in preparation and cleanup.
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