Easy Blueberry Campfire Pancake Made in One Skillet
Equipment
- 10- or 12-inch cast iron skillet
- Campfire grate or camp stove
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or sturdy spoon
- Measuring cup
- Cast iron lid or heavy-duty aluminum foil
- Heat-resistant spatula
Ingredients
- 2 cups complete pancake mix
- 1½ cups water or the amount listed on the pancake-mix package
- 2 tablespoons melted butter plus more for greasing the skillet
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 1 cup fresh blueberries divided
- Butter for serving
- Maple syrup for serving
- Powdered sugar optional
Instructions
Step 1 Prepare the campfire or stove
- Prepare a campfire with a steady bed of glowing coals and position a cooking grate over the heat. You can also use a camp stove set to medium-low heat.
- Avoid placing the skillet over tall, direct flames. A lower, more even heat will help the pancake cook through without burning on the bottom.
Step 2 Preheat the skillet
- Place the cast iron skillet over the heat and allow it to warm for about 3 minutes.
- Add enough butter to coat the bottom and sides of the skillet. Carefully swirl the melted butter around the pan to help prevent the pancake from sticking.
- The skillet should be warm but not smoking. If the butter immediately burns or turns dark, move the skillet to a cooler area before adding the batter.
Step 3 Make the pancake batter
- Combine the pancake mix and water in a mixing bowl. Add the melted butter, vanilla extract, and cinnamon, if using.
- Stir just until the ingredients are combined. A few small lumps are perfectly fine. Overmixing can make the finished pancake dense instead of light and fluffy.
- Gently fold about three-quarters of the blueberries into the batter. Save the remaining berries for the top.
Step 4 Add the batter to the skillet
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared cast iron skillet. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to gently spread it toward the edges.
- Scatter the remaining blueberries across the top.
- Cover the skillet with a cast iron lid or a tightly fitted piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. The cover traps heat and helps the top cook while the bottom becomes golden.
Step 5 Cook the pancake
- Cook the covered pancake over medium-low heat for approximately 12–15 minutes.
- Rotate the skillet a quarter turn every few minutes so the bottom cooks evenly. Campfires often have hot spots, and rotating the pan reduces the chance of one section burning.
- Check the pancake after about 10 minutes. The edges should look set, and small bubbles should appear across the surface.
Step 6 Finish cooking
- Continue cooking until the center is set and a toothpick or thin knife inserted near the middle comes out clean.
- Depending on the heat of your fire and the depth of your skillet, the pancake may need another 3–5 minutes.
- There is no need to flip the pancake as long as you keep the skillet covered. Trapped heat works almost like an oven and finishes cooking the top.
- If the bottom is browning too quickly but the center is still wet, move the skillet farther from the heat and keep it covered until the pancake is done.
Step 7 Rest and serve
- Remove the skillet from the heat and let the pancake rest for about 3 minutes. Remember that the cast iron handle will be extremely hot.
- Cut the pancake into wedges directly in the skillet. Serve each slice with butter, warm maple syrup, additional blueberries, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve the skillet pancake with:
- Crispy bacon or breakfast sausage
- Fresh berries or sliced bananas
- Yogurt
- Warm maple syrup
- Whipped cream
- Peanut butter or almond butter
- Hot camp coffee or cocoa
Notes
Camp Cooking Tips
- Keep the heat low and steady. Pancake batter contains sugar and can burn quickly over direct flames.
- Covering the skillet is essential because it allows the center and top of the pancake to cook without flipping.
- Rotate the skillet regularly to compensate for uneven campfire heat.
- Use a 12-inch skillet for a thinner pancake that cooks more quickly. A 10-inch skillet will produce a thicker pancake and may require additional cooking time.
- Do not overfill the skillet. The batter needs room to rise as it cooks.
- For even easier cleanup, wipe the skillet while it is still slightly warm after serving. Do not pour cold water into a very hot cast iron skillet because the sudden temperature change can damage it.