Finnish open fire Cooking — Campfire Pizza and Other Delicacies

As the autumn weather cools and the rains begin, heading out on a camping trip might not always seem appealing. However, autumn nights and their cosy atmosphere can be truly enjoyable. Spending an evening at a lean-to shelter offers an unforgettable, atmospheric experience.

Public lean-to shelters in Finland are open for everyone to use, so they cannot be reserved exclusively. The quieter shelters are usually located a bit farther along hiking trails, making it worthwhile to explore the options near your home.

If you’re planning to stay overnight, it’s always a good idea to bring your own tent or hammock. This ensures there’s enough space for everyone. Campfire cooking areas are typically large enough to accommodate multiple groups, especially when people cooperate and share the space.

Preparation Makes for a Smooth Trip

Always take all your trash with you. Biodegradable waste can typically be disposed of in on-site composting toilets, and small amounts of paper and cardboard can be burned. However, many packaging materials contain aluminium, which won’t burn, so a trash bag (or even a watertight dry bag) is essential.

Prepare your food as much as possible at home. Pre-chop vegetables and reduce packing waste by using reusable containers. Packing lists are helpful for ensuring you bring everything you need.

A quick appetizer is handy to stave off hunger when you arrive at the shelter. Hiking often builds up a good appetite!

Fire-making: A Fun Group Activity

While you may be eager to light a fire as soon as you arrive, take your time. Building a fire is an enjoyable activity that everyone can participate in. Wear clothing that won’t get damaged by sparks or retain the smell of smoke too much—natural fibres like wool handle sparks better than synthetic materials.

Many lean-tos provide old newspapers for starting fires, but they don’t burn well if damp and can easily end up as litter. Learning to chop wood and carve kindling will ensure your fire gets started quickly and reliably. Preparing extra kindling for the next visitors is a thoughtful gesture, as a cold and tired camper will appreciate finding materials ready for use.

Bring sturdy gloves and a sharp knife for handling firewood. A small camping axe is also a great tool to carry, as axes at shelters are sometimes dull or broken.

For an extra challenge, learn to light a fire with a fire steel. It’s a fun skill to practice and a great activity to teach others.

Cooking Over the Campfire

In autumn, darkness falls early, leaving plenty of time for campfire cooking. With a group of friends or family, turn it into a potluck-style meal where everyone contributes. This way, there’s more time to relax and enjoy the experience.

Hygiene is important when cooking together, so keep a first aid kit on hand.

Here’s an easy three-course campfire menu:

Appetizer

Pre-assemble the quesadillas, fold them into triangles, and pack them. Grill them in a fish basket over the fire. Two tortillas per person should be enough to curb hunger while the main course is being prepared.

Grilled Quesadillas

• Whole-grain tortillas
• Beetroot spread
• Fresh bell pepper, chopped
• Cheese

Main Course

After the appetizer, there’s plenty of time to prepare the main course at a leisurely pace. With an open fire—or even a Trangia stove—you can create a “camping oven” to bake something delicious, like a flavorful pizza!

Campfire Pizza

Dough (for 8 pan pizzas):

• 1/2 packet dry yeast
• 2 dl warm water
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp oil
• 5 dl flour

Prepare the dough at home or bring the ingredients to mix on-site. If made in advance, pack the dough in a ziplock bag.

Mix the dry yeast into lukewarm water, then add the salt and oil. Gradually add the flour and let the dough rise for at least half an hour.

Making pizza over an open flame is a fun activity, and everyone can create their own with their favourite toppings.

A proper tomato sauce is the crown jewel of any pizza. It’s easy to make with just a little effort.

Tomato Sauce:

• 390 g canned crushed tomatoes
• Fresh or dried herbs (oregano, basil)
• Black pepper
• A pinch of salt
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Optional: sautéed onion

Simmer the sauce at home or on-site to thicken it.

Toppings:

• Vegan mince + spices
• Onion
• Blue cheese
• Fresh chili peppers
• Grated cheese

The only limit to the perfect campfire pizza toppings is your imagination.

It’s a good idea to lightly fry the plant-based mince over the fire and season it well. BBQ sauces add a nice depth of flavour. Onions can be pre-cooked or simply added raw as a topping on the pizza.

A cast iron pan works best for this. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the size of the pan and place it under the pizza dough to prevent it from sticking or burning.

Spread tomato sauce, add toppings, and cover the pan with a lid, foil, or another pan to create an “oven effect.” The result is the best pizza you’ll ever taste!

Now you’ve got the best pizza ever in your hands!

Dessert

Once the main course has settled, it’s time to start preparing dessert.

Grilled Bread Cheese with Caramel Sauce

• Bread cheese (approx. 1/4 per person)
• Cream
• Caramel sauce or caramel cream
• Cloudberries
• Lingonberries picked up on the way to the shelter

This is a dessert that will blow your mind!

Grill the cheese in a cast iron pan until soft, then add cream and caramel sauce. Garnish with berries for a dessert that’s sure to impress.

Evening Extras: Lighting and Drinks

As night falls, light up the area with lanterns or candles and enjoy the peaceful autumn wilderness. Warm drinks like mulled wine (glögi) make the experience even cosier.

Homemade Campfire Glögi:

• Elderflower concentrate
• Cloves
• Star anise
• Cinnamon stick
• Vanilla pod
• Cardamom
• Fresh ginger
• Organic orange peel

Heat the spices and water in a pot, let steep, and then add elderflower concentrate. Serve warm in a kuksa (traditional wooden cup) and savor the beauty of the outdoors.

Here are some tips for a cosy evening at the lean-to. We also made a video (you can find an automatic translation on YouTube) about cooking and fire-starting:

From here you can find all our cooking gear.