How To Make Breakfast Potatoes 4-Ways When Camping:

One of the best things about these camping breakfast potatoes is their versatility. You’re not limited to just one cooking method; you can choose the option that best suits your camping setup, whether you’re roughing it or enjoying the comforts of an RV. Here’s a breakdown of the four fantastic ways to get these crispy taters on your plate:

1. RV Oven Baked Breakfast Potatoes

When I make these breakfast potatoes at home, I often bake them in the oven, and this method translates perfectly if you have an RV oven. Simply preheat your oven to 425°F and bake the seasoned potato cubes for 25-30 minutes, adjusting the time based on how large your potato cubes are. The same simple seasonings apply, just a different cooking vessel – a sheet pan lined with aluminum foil. If you’re using a smaller RV oven, a 15×10-inch baking pan or smaller will fit perfectly. This method offers consistent heat and hands-off cooking, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your camping breakfast.

2. Electric Griddle Outdoor Cooking

When we’re at a campground with electrical hookups, my go-to is my large electric griddle. It’s incredibly convenient to bring along and connect to a power outlet using an extension cord. An electric griddle provides even heat distribution and precise temperature control, making it ideal for achieving consistently crispy potatoes. The generous surface area allows you to cook a good amount of potatoes at once, but remember the golden rule for crispiness: cook them in a single layer. If you have a larger group, cooking in batches is always best.

3. Blackstone Griddle Perfection

For those with a portable Blackstone griddle, you’re in for a treat! This is an excellent choice for cooking a large quantity of camping breakfast potatoes, easily accommodating a family of 8 or more at one time. The flat-top surface and high heat capability of a Blackstone make it perfect for getting that desirable crispy crust on your potato cubes. Just like with an electric griddle, remember to cook in a single layer to prevent steaming and ensure maximum crispiness. The even heat across the entire surface ensures every potato gets a fair chance to turn golden brown.

4. Classic Cast-Iron Skillet Over the Fire

If you’re embracing a more traditional camping experience without portable electric cookware, the campfire method is an absolute classic. You can cook your breakfast potatoes perfectly in a trusty cast-iron skillet directly over the fire. Most campground fire pits come equipped with adjustable racks that can be pulled down, creating the ideal spot for your skillet. It’s crucial to use only heavy-duty pans like cast-iron, ensuring there are no plastic components (any plastic knobs or handles will melt!). This method imparts a wonderful, smoky flavor to the potatoes, making them a truly authentic campfire treat. Just be mindful of heat management to ensure even cooking without burning.

Before you even think about dicing those potatoes, a little preparation goes a long way, especially when camping. Having all your equipment and ingredients ready will make your breakfast cooking experience smooth and stress-free. This concept, known as “Mise en Place” (everything in its place), is essential for efficient outdoor cooking.

Essential Equipment for Campfire Breakfast Potatoes:

Choosing the right tools will make your camping breakfast potatoes a breeze. Here’s what you’ll need, depending on your chosen cooking method:

• Cooking Surface: A Portable Electric Griddle for campground hookups, a Blackstone for larger groups and consistent outdoor searing, or a large, sturdy Cast-iron Skillet for that authentic campfire taste. If you’re lucky enough to have an RV oven, a Small Baking Sheet is perfect. Select the option that best fits your camping style and resources.
• Flipping Tool: A reliable spatula turner is crucial for flipping your potatoes to ensure even crisping without breaking them apart. Look for one with a sturdy handle and a wide blade.
• Potato Prep: A potato peeler will make quick work of skin removal, although leaving the skin on is also an option for added fiber and rustic appeal.
• Cutting Surface: A small, portable cutting board is indispensable for safely dicing your potatoes into uniform cubes.
• Washing Bowl: A sturdy bowl is needed for washing your potatoes thoroughly before dicing, ensuring they are clean and free of dirt.
• Sharp Knife: A sharp knife is key for precise, even cuts, which contribute to uniform cooking and ultimate crispiness. Dull knives are more dangerous and can make prep challenging.
• Measuring Spoons: While camping might feel primitive, accurate seasoning makes all the difference. A teaspoon (or a set of measuring spoons) ensures your potatoes are seasoned to perfection, just like the recipe intends.

Flavorful Ingredients for Your Crispy Potatoes:

The beauty of these campfire breakfast potatoes lies in their simple yet incredibly effective ingredient list:

• Potatoes: Russet Potatoes are highly recommended for their high starch content, which yields a fluffy interior and a wonderfully crispy exterior. Gold potatoes can also be used, offering a slightly creamier texture. For serving, a good rule of thumb is to calculate about 1 medium potato per person to ensure everyone gets enough without too many leftovers. This typically means 7 potatoes for 7 cups of diced potatoes.
• Simple Seasonings: The magic of these potatoes comes from a trio of humble spices. Paprika adds a beautiful color and a subtle sweetness, enhancing the potato’s natural flavor. Garlic salt provides a savory kick and the essential saltiness needed, while freshly ground black pepper offers a touch of warmth and aromatic spice. These seasonings are simple but they add so much flavor and color, making these potatoes incredibly appetizing.
• High-Quality Cooking Fat: The right fat is crucial for achieving that irresistible crispiness. Bacon grease is a phenomenal choice, adding a rich, smoky flavor that perfectly complements the potatoes. If you prefer a healthier alternative, avocado oil is excellent due to its high smoke point, which is especially important if you’re cooking over an open fire where temperatures can fluctuate. Other good options include grapeseed oil or even butter (though butter has a lower smoke point and might brown too quickly over high heat).

How To Get Crispy Breakfast Potatoes: The Secret to Perfection

Achieving truly crispy breakfast potatoes is the holy grail for any potato lover, especially when cooking outdoors. It’s not just about cooking them, it’s about making them irresistibly golden and crunchy on the outside, while still being tender and fluffy on the inside. Here are the key techniques:

The Single Layer Rule

The absolute most crucial step to making crispy potato cubes on any griddle or pan is to cook them in a single layer. This isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a non-negotiable rule. When potatoes are crowded in a pan, they release moisture, and that moisture turns into steam. Instead of frying and getting a nice crust, your potatoes will end up steaming themselves, resulting in a soggy, rather than crispy, texture. If you’re cooking for a crowd, always work in batches to ensure each potato cube has enough space to breathe and brown.

Patience is a Virtue: Don’t Flip Too Soon!

Once you’ve placed your seasoned potato cubes on the hot cooking surface, resist the urge to flip them immediately. I highly recommend not flipping them for the first 8 minutes. This initial undisturbed cooking time allows the potatoes to develop a beautiful crust and get extra crispy on one side. Interfering too early will prevent this crucial browning from occurring. Let the Maillard reaction work its magic!

Choosing the Right Cooking Oil

The type of cooking fat you use also plays a significant role in achieving a crispy crust. A good-quality cooking oil with a high smoke point or flavorful bacon grease will facilitate better browning and crisping. These fats can withstand the necessary high heat without burning, allowing the potatoes to cook through and crisp up effectively. The fat helps conduct heat evenly and provides the medium for that delightful deep-fried texture on the surface.

Bonus Tip: Dry Your Potatoes

After washing and dicing your potatoes, always pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. Excess surface moisture is the enemy of crispiness. The drier your potatoes are before hitting the hot pan, the faster they will start to brown and crisp up.

What We Eat With Campfire Breakfast Potatoes: Complete Your Morning Feast

Camping, while spontaneous in spirit, benefits immensely from intentional meal planning, and breakfast is no exception. While these golden, crispy campfire breakfast potatoes are undeniably delicious all on their own, pairing them with a few key items transforms them into a truly satisfying and memorable camping breakfast. Here’s how we love to complete our morning feast, offering both flavor and practicality:

The Perfect Protein Pairings: Bacon and Eggs

I always make sure to pack a generous amount of nitrate-free bacon and a dozen fresh eggs for our camping trips. This isn’t just about deliciousness; it serves multiple purposes. First, cooking bacon first allows me to render its savory fat, which then becomes the perfect, healthier animal fat for cooking both the eggs and the potatoes. This is a wonderfully frugal and efficient way to maximize flavor and minimize waste when cooking outdoors. Second, the rich, salty crunch of bacon and the creamy goodness of fried eggs perfectly complement the simple, seasoned potatoes, adding essential protein and making the meal wonderfully substantial. Plus, there’s truly nothing like waking up to the irresistible aroma of sizzling bacon and these potatoes wafting through the campsite!

Must-Have Condiments and Refreshing Sides:

To really round out your breakfast and add a burst of freshness or a kick of flavor, don’t forget these essentials:

• Sauces for a Kick: For those who love an extra layer of flavor, consider bringing Homemade Canned Ketchup, a jar of zesty Canned Salsa, or my personal favorite, a bottle of Sriracha for a fiery punch.
• Refreshing Beverages: Pair your meal with a classic glass of orange juice, or for a homemade touch, our Homemade Canned Grape Juice is wonderfully refreshing.
• Fresh Fruit: To balance the richness of the potatoes and eggs, always include some fresh fruit. Slices of juicy watermelon or crisp apple slices are easy to pack and provide a vibrant, healthy contrast.
• More Protein Options: Alongside your potatoes, serve perfectly fried eggs (whether you prefer them sunny side up with runny yolks or hard-over for a fully cooked experience). And of course, plenty of delicious No-Nitrates Bacon Slices complete the classic camping breakfast picture.

Detailed Guide: How To Prepare Crispy Breakfast Potatoes When Camping

Whether you’re using an electric griddle or cooking over an open flame, preparing these camping breakfast potatoes to crispy perfection involves a few key steps and a little patience. Here’s how to do it:

Using an Electric Griddle or Portable Blackstone:

This method offers excellent control and consistent results, making it a favorite for campgrounds with power hookups.

1. Preheat: Begin by preheating your electric griddle or portable Blackstone to 400°F. Allow it to heat thoroughly for a few minutes.
2. Add Fat & Potatoes: Once hot, add your cooking fat of choice (bacon grease is highly recommended for flavor, or avocado oil for its high smoke point) to the griddle. Spread it evenly. Then, arrange your seasoned and cubed potatoes in a single layer on the hot surface.
3. Initial Cook (No Flipping): Cook the potatoes for about 8 minutes without flipping them. This crucial step allows a beautiful, crispy crust to form on the bottom. Resist the urge to peek or disturb them!
4. Flip and Continue Cooking: After 8 minutes, use your spatula turner to flip the potatoes, ensuring each side gets a chance to crisp. Continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes, flipping them every 5 minutes, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides, and tender when pierced with a fork. On an electric griddle, mine typically cook to perfection in about 18 minutes total.

Cooking in a Cast-Iron Skillet Over the Fire:

This traditional method adds a unique smoky flavor and truly embraces the spirit of camping.

1. Fire Preparation: Get your campfire going at least 30 minutes before you plan to cook. The goal is to have a good bed of hot embers (glowing coals), rather than large flames. Embers provide more consistent and even heat, preventing the potatoes from burning before they cook through.
2. Set Up Skillet: Once you have a good pile of hot coals, use grill tongs to create a small, even pile of embers in the middle of your fire pit, directly under where your skillet will sit. Place the cast-iron skillet on the grill rack over this pile of hot coals and allow it to preheat for a few minutes.
3. Add Fat & Potatoes: Add your high-smoke-point cooking oil or bacon grease to the hot skillet. Once shimmering, add your seasoned potato cubes in a single layer.
4. Cook and Monitor: Typically, cubed potatoes take about 20 minutes to fry in a cast-iron skillet over a fire. The key here is constant vigilance and heat management. Adjust the skillet’s position over the coals to control the heat – closer for more heat, further away for less. Flip the potatoes every 5-7 minutes to ensure even cooking and browning. Check for doneness after the 20-minute mark; they should be golden brown and easily pierced with a fork.

Baking in an RV or Camper Oven:

For a hands-off approach, an RV oven is a fantastic option.

• Prep and Season: Toss your diced potatoes generously with cooking oil and the specified seasonings in a bowl.
• Roast: Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast in a preheated 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and tender. Flipping them once halfway through can aid in even browning.

No matter your chosen method, remember to always toss your cubed potatoes thoroughly in oil and seasonings before cooking to ensure every piece is coated for maximum flavor and crispiness!

Pro Chef Tip

Creative Ways To Use Up Leftovers: Maximizing Your Camping Meals

Even though these breakfast potatoes are often devoured completely, it’s wise to have a plan for any potential leftovers, especially when camping. If you happen to have any remaining potatoes, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in a cold cooler or an RV fridge. They can always be brought home and revived, tasting best when reheated on a griddle or skillet until crispy again, perhaps topped with some fried runny eggs. But why stop there? Leftover breakfast potatoes are incredibly versatile and can form the base of many other delicious meals, both at the campsite or once you’re back home. Here are some meal ideas I would absolutely attempt to minimize waste and maximize flavor:

• Hearty Breakfast Casserole: This is a fantastic way to use up a good amount of leftovers. Layer your cubed hash browns or leftover breakfast potatoes in a baking dish with whisked eggs, browned breakfast sausage (or ham), and plenty of cheese. Bake until set and golden for a comforting and substantial meal.
• Quick Breakfast Skillet: Transform your leftovers into a new dish by cooking up some bell peppers and onions in a skillet until tender. Then, add the reheated potatoes to the skillet, stirring to combine and warm through. Serve this flavorful mixture with more fried eggs or bacon for a quick and easy, well-rounded breakfast or brunch.
• Sheet-Pan Dinner: Repurpose your potatoes for dinner! Spread them on a sheet pan with sliced onions and bell peppers, drizzle with a little more oil and seasoning, and roast until the vegetables are tender. Serve this flavorful mix with warm flour tortillas for a DIY taco night, or as a hearty side with cooked rice and grilled chicken or sausage.
• Comforting Soups: Leftover potatoes are excellent for thickening and adding substance to soups. Dice them smaller and add them to a creamy potato chowder or a vegetable soup for a rustic, hearty meal that’s perfect for a chilly evening at the campsite.

Remember, proper storage is key to making the most of your camping leftovers!