Ask my grandsons what their favorite part of any recent camping trip is and they will quickly tell you making and eating pie iron pizzas. They always ask if they can have pie iron pizzas before we even leave for our camping trip!
Pie iron pizzas are ooey, gooey delicious and fun to make. Pie iron pizza recipes can be created to suit multiple tastes, and assembled with different pizza “crust ” options. I’ve even made a gluten free pie iron recipe for my grandsons after they started eating gluten free.
Prep for Cooking Pie Iron Pizzas
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The first thing you need to do is get your fire or charcoal ready. I usually cook our pie iron pizzas over charcoal embers but wood embers work fine too. I use one of these to get my charcoal started quick and easy.
Be careful if you are cooking over an open flame – it is easy to burn your food in the pie iron.
While my charcoal is heating up and starting to ash over, I gather my supplies and pie iron pizza recipe ingredients.
Supplies for Making Pie Iron Pizzas
- A pie iron – We like this one.
- A cookie sheet to put the hot iron on
- A fork and spoon
I keep a cookie sheet in my camping supplies. They make great hot pads to protect picnic tables and trays for serving and carrying food.
Pie Iron Pizza Recipe Ingredients
- Bread – 2 slices for each pizza pie
- Favorite pizza sauce
- Mozzarella or Italian blend shredded cheese
- Pepperonis (favorite toppings)
- Stick butter, olive oil, or non stick cooking spray
If you prefer, you can also use canned biscuits, refrigerator pizza dough, or make your own pizza dough. I think using bread is the easiest and my grandkids love it! Bread also doesn’t have to be kept cold like canned biscuits or refrigerator dough.
Related Camping Food Post: 54 Camping Food Ideas That Require No Refrigeration
Feel free to skip the pepperoni or add any other favorite pizza “toppings”. Some good ideas are ham, Canadian bacon, cooked bacon, cooked sausage, and/or diced veggies. Just be sure that you do not pack the pie iron pizza too full.
How to Assemble Your Pie Iron Pizzas
Once your coals are ready and spread out in your fire pit, you are ready to start assembling your pie iron pizzas. Be sure to let the kids help!
Open your pie iron and spread a generous amount of butter on the inside of the pie iron. This will keep your pizza from sticking to the pie iron and give your pizza a yummy, crispy crust.
We usually just hold the stick of butter and rub it over the iron. Some people heat their irons up a little to help the butter spread easier. Obviously, the kiddos ( or adults!) won’t get burned if the pie iron is cool.
Keep in mind, once you make the next pizza pie, your pie iron will be hot.
Place a piece of bread on one of the buttered pie irons. Put a couple tablespoons of pizza sauce on the bread. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and add your favorite toppings. I usually put four pepperonis in each pizza pie. Cover with another slice of bread.
Gluten free white bread works great for making gluten free pie iron pizzas. Our favorite brand is Canyon Bakehouse Country White.
Close the pie iron, being careful that the bread and pizza pocket is completely tucked in. Then clasp it shut.
Cooking Pie Iron Pizzas
We usually just place our pie irons on top of hot charcoals to cook. Turn the pie iron in about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes to cook the other side. Open the pie iron to be sure your bread/dough is cooked and crispy. If you are using bread slices, you pizza will look kinda like a grilled cheese.
You may want to poke the pie iron down in the charcoals to be sure it is cooking the edges evenly. If you are cooking over a fire , be sure you turn the iron frequently.
Your pie iron pizzas are usually done in just 3 – 4 minutes.
Place your pie iron on the cookie sheet or hot pad, open it and using a fork, pop the pizza pocket out. Start assembling another pizza!
Pie Iron Pizza Recipe
This recipe makes four pizza pockets. Just increase ingredients for more pizzas!
INGREDIENTS
- 8 slices of bread
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese
- 16 pepperonis
- Butter
INSTRUCTIONS
- Start fire or charcoal.
- Grease inside of both sides of pie iron with butter, oil, or non stick cooking spray.
- Place slice of bread on one side of pie iron. Add 2 tablespoons of sauce, sprinkle of shredded cheese, and four pepperonis. Cover with another slice of bread.
- Close and latch the pie iron.
- Place pie iron over hot coals or embers. Turn after 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Cook additional 1 to 2 minutes. Open iron and check for golden, crispy crust.
- Once pizza is done, pop it out and enjoy!
Your Favorite Pie Iron Pizzas
What is your favorite pie iron pizza recipe? Do you like traditional pepperoni, plain cheese, or a veggie pie iron pizza? What about your crust? Do you prefer pie iron pizza made with biscuit dough, pizza dough, or bread like mine? Do you cook yours over coals or do you make “real” campfire pie iron pizzas over a flame? Share your ideas in the comments below!
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