Allergen Friendly Food Camping Guide

What's the number one rule to eating allergen free? Always planning ahead! And with camping season quickly approaching I've prepared this Allergen Friendly Food Camping Guide just for you.

I want you to be able to plan your meals ahead of time and not stress at the last minute over what's safe and what's not.

In this guide you'll find food tips and suggestions for planning an easy mealtime menu so you can experience your best camping yet.

Important Notes for this Camping Meal Guide

• Notice all the suggestions are gluten and dairy free. Several of these are also free of the Top 8 allergens.
• Keep in mind while reviewing this allergen friendly food camping guide, keep in mind I didn't label everything gluten + dairy free. On a post with this much detail it would be too much for every line suggestion to read gluten and dairy free. Please know everything I've mentioned is available 100% gluten and dairy free.
• You'll notice for most suggestions I've provided a recipe link or tagged the company brand for your reference.
• ALWAYS CHECK YOUR LABELS- manufacturers and brands can change things without notice. Things may have changed since this guide was initially written. It's your responsibility to double check and be sure the ingredients have not changed/cross contamination risks have not changed.

Gluten Free and Dairy Free Camping PRO TIPS

• Prepare and freeze as many meals ahead of time as possible.
• For instance when we pack for camping I typically throw in the cooler Ziploc bags of frozen spaghetti meat sauce, taco meat sauce, crock pot taco soup, calzones, and even breakfast burritos.
• These items not only help keep the cooler cold, but they also provide me with easier camping meals-- which means more time with my family.
• Travel with large plastic containers full of pre-washed and cut fresh veggies and fruit. These will provide wonderful and healthy sides or on-the-go snacks.

With these tips you'll have more time to explore, relax, and create memories.

Breakfast Ideas for Camping

Honestly hands down breakfast is our favorite camping meal of the day. It goes without saying the hubs is the master breakfast maker in our home -- and on the road too.

Here is a list of safe breakfast ideas to start your day right:

• Pancakes -- these can be prepared ahead of time and frozen or fresh on the griddle with this Bisquick brand with your favorite dairy free milk
• French Toast --topped with fruit, powdered sugar, and syrup. I have great luck with Udi's Delicious Soft White bread, Canyon Bakehouse Bread, or using our Homemade Gluten Free and Dairy Free Bread recipe.
• Breakfast Burritos -- we always have extra burritos on hand in the freezer, especially during camping season.
• Muffins -- homemade blueberry, homemade Morning Glory Muffins, homemade Raspberry Crumble Muffins, or Udi's frozen muffins are some favorites.
• Donuts -- these homemade donut recipes are great or Katz makes some great donut holes if you don't want to make them yourself.
• Crepes- theses homemade crepes are like having dessert for breakfast
• fresh Fruit
• Omelets -- great meal idea towards the end of your camping trip if you need to use up leftover veggies and dairy free milk
• Eggs
• Ham
• Breakfast Hash/ Skillet
• Potatoes -- over the fire in tin foil packs
• Toast -- on some trips we travel with a gluten free toaster
• Bagels -- we go crazy over Udi's bagels and we love Canyon Bakehouse Bagels flavored Kite Hill cream cheese. If you can't find Kite Hill, Violife has been another good option.
• Cereal with milk
• Yogurt, Fruit, and Granola -- always double check your granola is GF. We have been enjoying Forager, Siggi, and a classic like So Delicious for our yogurt brands since they have so many flavors available.
• Bacon
• Sausage -- check the label ingredients; some brands have gluten.
• Oatmeal with brown sugar or dried fruit -- Bob's Red Mill sells individual cups of gluten free oatmeal like this variety pack. These are delicious anytime, and ideal for early morning breakfasts with minimal clean up.
• Hot Chocolate -- who can resist warm hot chocolate on cold camping mornings? The Double Dutch Hot Chocolate Castle Kitchen brand is so, so good. It's vegan too.

Lunch, Dinner and Snack Ideas

Lunch and dinner ideas usually seem to be trickier. Who else likes to be out and about exploring until dinner time? But then it's a mad rush to get dinner fixed and served -- like yesterday to a starving family.

Do you have the same struggle too? Again many of these meal suggestions are for make ahead meals so you just have to reheat. It's worth noting I've included a variety of tin foil suggestions too.

• Taco Soup --with tortilla chips - this crock pot make-ahead soup can be travel refrigerated or frozen and thawed. It tastes great after being warmed over the campfire. Here's this recipe.
• Homemade Calzones -- bake ahead and freeze then reheat at your campsite for an on-the-go lunch or dinner. Tap here for the delicious recipe.
• Hot Dogs, Hamburgers --with the right hot dog buns and hamburger buns and all the best toppings
• Easy Taco Skillet -- another easy make-ahead recipe found here
• Shish Kabobs -- this is one of our favorite camping meals. The day before traveling prepare the meat and veggies in a gallon size Ziploc bag with this mouthwatering marinade recipe. Let this meal marinate overnight then enjoy on your first night of camping.
• Grilled Chicken --with BBQ sauce -- we enjoy Sweet Baby Rays original BBQ sauce but whatever brand you choose, make sure it's safe
• Boxed Mac and Cheese -- we use this brand and top with any leftover bacon from breakfast
• Skillet Lasagna -- prepare the meat sauce ahead of time, freeze, and thaw on your trip. Tap here for the easy recipe.
• Potatoes -- baked or cubed in tin foil packs with all the toppings- including left over bacon crumbles
• Roasted chicken and vegetables -- in tin foil packs
• Campfire Chili Fries -- use frozen french fries and homemade chili sauce
• Tacos in a Bag
• Corn on the Cob
• Deli Sandwiches -- use your homemade gluten free bread and all the sandwich toppings
• Campfire Beans and Weenies
• Veggies --with a bottle of Ranch dressing or hummus
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
• Peanut Butter and Honey Tortilla Roll Ups -- these tortillas work great
• Jerky
• Haystack Dinner -- this recipe with easy GF/DF substitutions.
• Baked Beans
• Steak and Potato Packets -- substitute this recipe with DF butter

Camping Desserts

I know our #1 camping priority is s'mores. Am I right?? But just in case you're interested in other dessert ideas, check these out.

• S'mores -- Gluten Free Graham crackers, marshmallows (pack extra for hot chocolate), dairy free chocolate bars (both No Whey and Enjoy Life sell delicious bars for s'mores)
• Oreo Sandwich Cookies
• Campfire Mountain Pies (Pudgy Pies) -- check out my recipe here. These only require 3 ingredients and who doesn't love a homemade pie over the campfire?
• Fruit Crisp --topped with So Delicious Coco Whip
• Taffy --over the campfire is AWESOME
• Rice Krispie Treats
• Chex Mix
• Fudge Brownie in a Mug

Want a fun twist on classic s'mores? Try this S'mores Pizza recipe – it's a hit around the campfire and just as easy to prep at the campsite.

More Snacks

This allergen friendly camping guide wouldn't be complete without snack ideas. While these meal ideas are filling, you can't wrong carrying snacks when exploring nearby landmarks or hiking trails.

• Trail Mix
• Jello
• Yogurt
• Granola -- double check it's gluten free
• Fruit and Veggies with hummus or ranch dipping sauce
• Summer Sausage -- with crackers
• Jerky
• Slices of Homemade Banana Bread

Condiments and More

Who else has accidentally forgotten important condiments at home? There's nothing like forgetting the maple syrup or BBQ sauce.

It's a total bust to have a warm plate of pancakes and no syrup, right?! So, I thought it was important to list the more widely used condiments here.

Some of these can be safely bought at an RV grocer, but others can't. And depending where you're camping you might not have access to any safe condiments.

Now I've found myself remembering to pack from this condiment list first when preparing to leave for a trip. That way in the rush of the trying to get on the road I know these small, but important necessities are safely packed. But even more importantly this is one of the reasons why this allergen friendly food camping guide is so, so valuable.

• Maple Syrup
• BBQ sauce
• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Tomato
• Onion
• Mayonnaise
• Lettuce --for burgers
• Ranch dressing
• Hummus
• Milk
• Butter
• Favorite Spices including Salt and Pepper
• Kite Hill Ricotta
• Non Stick Spray
• Cinnamon
• All Purpose Flour
• Sugar
• Brown Sugar
• Powdered Sugar --for french toast
• Vanilla Extract
• Dried Fruit
• Honey
• Jelly
• Peanut Butter
• Oil
• Shish Kabob Sticks/ Skewers
• Lodge Cast Iron Griddle
• Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
• Over the Fire Pie Makers -- for sandwiches or pie
• Aluminum Foil
• Ziploc Bags

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep food cold while camping?

A good quality cooler with plenty of ice or ice packs is key. Pack perishables in a separate cooler from drinks, since that one gets opened far less often and stays cold longer.

What are the best make-ahead camping meals?

Foil packet meals, pre-made calzones, and overnight oats all travel well and are easy to prep at home before you head out, so all that's left to do at the campsite is heat and serve.

What should I pack if someone in my group has food allergies?

Bring your own safe snacks and condiments rather than relying on shared camp food, pack a few backup meals in case plans change, and always double check labels on any new products before you leave home.

How should I store leftover camping food?

Keep leftovers in sealed containers in your cooler and eat them within a day or two. If you don't have reliable refrigeration, it's safest to only pack what you'll eat that day.

Have Fun Camping!

This allergen camping food guide includes food suggestions for a variety of allergies and intolerance's including egg free, soy free, peanut and tree nut free. Keep in mind every suggestion is gluten and dairy free.

We like camping because is meant to be fun and without restrictions. Having so many delicious and filling meal choices not only takes away some of the packing headache, but also puts the fun back in camping.

And if you'll be flying anytime soon, checkout my Best TSA Approved Airline Snacks post and food travel guides.

Happy camping!

Eat well and feel well,

Victoria

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