14 Recipes for Breakfast on the Grill

Blueberry-Cinnamon Campfire Bread

A neighboring camper made a bread so tempting, I had to ask for the details. Here’s my version, best enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee by the campfire. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Grilled Loaded Breakfast Skillet

My husband and I owned a recreational vehicle for more than 20 years and loved to go camping. I learned how to make so many meals on a grill. One of the best things about being at a campground is the smell of breakfast cooking in the morning. When I fixed this on my grill last week, the aroma on my deck reminded me so much of our camping days. —Pamela Shank, Parkersburg, West Virginia

Cast-Iron Scrambled Eggs

I love these easy cast-iron scrambled eggs that use fresh ingredients I usually have on hand. They make a quick and simple breakfast! —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

Breakfast Burger

My husband is big on eggs and bacon, so I wanted to merge his breakfast favorites with a grilled burger for an over-the-top treat. Topping it with my homemade blackberry jam sealed the deal. —Tina Janssen, Walworth, Wisconsin

Cheesy Ham & Potato Packet

I found the technique for grilling ham, potatoes and cheese in foil and changed the recipe for our tastes. It’s a dandy way to use leftover ham. —Molly Bishop, McClure, Pennsylvania

Egg & Spinach Breakfast Burritos

When we camp out, we want our meals ready in a hurry. We make these hearty burritos at home, freeze them and reheat them over the campfire. —Kristen Stecklein, Waukesha, Wisconsin

Breakfast Skewers

These kabobs are fun, different and delicious, plus they go well with any egg dish. —Bobi Raab, St. Paul, Minnesota

Dutch Oven Cheesy Bacon & Eggs

For campouts, my sister and I escape on horseback into the woods. We make this Dutch oven breakfast casserole the first morning, then love the leftovers for the rest of the trip. —Mary Burris, Okeechobee, Florida

Grilled Waffle Treats

I made these super sandwiches for family and friends for the first time on a Fourth of July. Everyone loved the generous portions and shared their fondest memories of making and eating s'mores on campouts. —Chris Seger, Lombard, Illinois

Ginger-Glazed Grilled Honeydew

If you've never grilled fruit like this before, you're in for a real treat! I love the idea of cooking everything from appetizers to desserts on the grill. This grilled honeydew recipe is sweet and really light. —Jacqui Correa, Landing, New Jersey

Campfire Hash

In our area we are able to camp almost all year-round. My family invented this recipe using ingredients we all love so we could enjoy them on the campfire. This hearty meal tastes so good after a full day of outdoor activities. —Janet Danilow, Winkleman, Arizona

Foil-Packet Potatoes and Sausage

My family enjoys camping and cooking over a fire. These hearty foil-packet potatoes turn out beautifully over a campfire, on the grill or in the oven at home. —Julie Koets, Elkhart, Indiana

Blackout Peach Bread Pudding

I bake several times a week so my kids have homemade desserts. We lost power in a storm, so I used the grill to invent “blackout” pudding. —Augustina Zaccardi, Eastchester, New York

Vegetable, Steak and Eggs

Low-carb doesn't have to mean skimpy—here's a lighter take on steak and eggs. I love cooking with squash, but feel free to toss in any vegetable combination you like. —Robert Deskin, Plantation, Florida

Breakfast on the Grill FAQ

Can you cook breakfast on the grill?

You can cook breakfast on the grill, but you may need a griddle, skillet or aluminum foil to create a flat cooking surface. Most breakfast foods can’t be cooked directly on the grill grates without falling through the gaps. I like using a skillet for runny foods like eggs or pancakes. Foil packets are great for hearty items like breakfast potatoes and bread pudding.

How do you make a breakfast skillet on the grill?

To convert your favorite cast-iron skillet recipes for the grill, start by selecting the right pan. Cast-iron or carbon steel work well, but nonstick or stainless-steel pans aren’t rated to handle the grill’s high heat. Then, preheat the grill with the lid closed. Aim for 400°F for recipes that use medium-high heat, 350° for medium heat or 300° for medium-low heat. Finally, place the skillet on the grill and add cooking oil. When the oil shimmers, the skillet is ready to use.

If your recipe calls for finishing a breakfast skillet in the oven, set up the grill for direct and indirect heat. Cook all the stovetop components on the direct heat side, and transfer the skillet to the indirect heat side for the oven components. When using indirect heat, close the grill’s lid to trap the heat inside the grill, just like an oven.

Do you need a cast-iron skillet to cook on the grill?

You don’t need a cast-iron skillet to make breakfast on the grill. Other types of cast-iron cookware work just as well as a skillet, including griddles and Dutch ovens. Some grilled recipes use aluminum foil instead of a skillet, creating a foil packet that locks steam inside. Some breakfast foods (like sausage links, fruit and most vegetables) can be cooked directly on the grill, but we recommend using metal skewers to keep them from falling through the grill grates.

What are the best grilled breakfast ideas for camping?

My favorite camping breakfast ideas are made ahead of time so I don’t have to bring a knife and cutting board to the campsite. Think meat and potato foil packets, pre-made breakfast burritos or freezer breakfast sandwiches. Sometimes, I like to pre-scramble eggs so they’re easy to pour into a skillet for scrambled eggs or omelets. If I’m cooking for a crowd, I simplify by bringing cooked eggs. You can freeze cooked eggs and reheat them from frozen in foil over the campfire.