The campsite is the worst place you can be when you're craving a slice of pizza. The nearest pizza chain or Italian restaurant is hours away, and delivery is just impossible. And driving back to civilization just for one box of pizza? Forget about it.
What You'll Need in Cast Iron Campfire Pizza
- Ready-made pizza dough, or jump here to make a pizza dough from scratch
- Pizza sauce
- Your choice of toppings
- Cast iron skillet
- Fieldstones
Step 1:
Look for field stones or large rocks to build your fire pit with. Look for stones that are as flat as possible so they won't roll down, and you can stack them on top of each other easily.
You also want to find another flat and wide rock that will serve as your skillet's lid. Make sure it came from above ground because you don't want any soil or creepy crawlies falling on your meal. Wash it if there's a lake or river nearby.
Step 2:
Place the dough on top of the skillet and flatten it until it reaches the edge. Let it rise for a few minutes if the recipe requires.
Step 3:
Add your pizza sauce and toppings.
Step 4:
Place your skillet at the center of the firepit and cover it with the flat stone you found. This allows the heat to radiate from above through the rock and cook the pizza properly.
Step 5:
Put some wood and kindling on the sides and top of the skillet. Fire it up and bake that pizza for about 40 minutes.
Step 6:
As the fire dies down, place a grill on top and grill some sliced bell peppers. Place the sliced grilled peppers on a plate and set aside.
Step 7:
Now it's time for the big reveal. Wear a pair of heat-resistant gloves and remove the charcoal from the "lid" using a piece of wood or a pair of camping tongs if you brought one.
Step 8:
Pull the skillet from underneath the rock and place it on top to brown the crust. Place the grilled bell peppers on top of your pizza and stoke the fire just a little. Wait for the crust to brown further. Make sure the bottom doesn't burn.
Step 9:
Once it's done, enjoy!
The Bear Essentials' Campfire Pizza Dough Recipe
- 2 Cups of Flour
- 1 Tbsp of Instant Yeast
- 1 Tbsp of Salt
- 1 Tbsp of Sugar
- 1 Tbsp of Olive Oil
- 1 Tsp of Garlic Powder
- 3/4 Cup Warm Water
Mix the ingredients at home before you leave and place it in a plastic container. Feel free to mix it at the campsite if you want. Just make sure you have a large bowl for proofing and a vacuum flask of warm water or a kettle to heat water in (yeast needs warm or lukewarm water to activate).
Step 1:
Mix your flour, yeast, salt, garlic powder, and sugar in a bowl.
Step 2:
In a cup, mix olive oil with warm water (100°F to 115°F/37°C to 46°C) and pour the mixture into the dry ingredients.
Step 3:
Mix thoroughly until you have a shaggy dough and knead it until it's smooth. Cover the bowl with cling wrap or a plastic lid.
Step 4:
Let it rise for about an hour.
Step 5:
Once it has doubled in size, punch it down, and form it into a ball. Let it rest for five to ten minutes. Place the dough in the skillet, flatten it with your hand, add your toppings, and you can now bake your campfire pizza.
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