I have had a jaffle iron in my camp kit for just under 20 years. It’s done thousands of kilometres all over the country… so it should look well-used, and should have provided numerous tasty meals for my family along the way… right?
Nope. That’s not the case.
Let’s talk about the jaffle iron! Image: Campfire
Dusting off my Jaffle Iron
While I was packing for an outback trip, I brushed the ash off my camp oven, excited at the prospect of eating delicious damper, curries, and pizzas over the fire.
Then – the shiny, unused jaffle iron made caught my eye, and had me considering if I should take it on another trip only for it to return home unused… again.
In the end, the jaffle iron made it into the vehicle – only this time, I headed off with an intention to bring it back blackened by coals and coated in ash!
A jaffle iron is surprisingly versatile, with the option of sweet or savoury combinations. Image: Campfire
Using my Jaffle Iron
I had a recipe in mind, involving a fairly crude dough of flour, oil and water, with a baked bean filling. For some reason, I felt like I’d be cheating if I were to use bread.
The result? A somewhat plain but crispy dough with a warm, baked bean filling that both myself and my family loved! Clearly I’d been ignorant and missing out – why didn’t I embrace the jaffle iron years ago? Can I still call myself a camper?
After finally discovering how great the jaffle iron is, I have a few reasons why I think you should take one camping on your next trip too.
1. Simple and Easy to Use
Using a jaffle iron is about as simple as camp cooking can get. Even the kids (with a little help) can get involved in preparing a jaffle dinner!
2. Surprisingly Versatile
You have the option of a savoury or a sweet jaffle, and in that a brekkie jaffle, lunch jaffle, dinner jaffle, or dessert jaffle… plus there are endless combinations in each of those, depending on how creative you decide to be!
3. No Plates or Washing Up
Eaten from just one hand, jaffles require no need for cutlery and plates, or cleaning up dirty crockery afterwards.
The jaffle iron is a campfire cooking classic.
Recipes to Try:
There are many sweet and savoury combinations you could try on your next camping trip, some of which include:
- Breakfast jaffle: bacon and fried egg.
- Pizza jaffle: your favourite toppings, pizza/tomato sauce, and cheese.
- Traditional jaffle: baked beans and cheese.
- Dessert jaffle: nutella and banana.
Now I am itching to go camping again, just so I can refine my recipes and try new ingredients! I’ll use new fillings, maybe milk or beer in the dough, or even add some yeast so it’s a little lighter.
Or… maybe I’ll just keep it simple and use bread!
A lunchtime inspired jaffle. Image: CampBoss
Enlighten me, camp chefs, and fast track my jaffle iron culinary skills: let me in on your secrets to creating the ultimate jaffle below!
Trekker, surfer, climber, mountain biker, runner, camper. Participator in most things… master of none.
We use ours when we are on the road. We use dinner leftovers mixed with a little cheese (to bind the curry or stew) create sandwiches for the following day lunch. We cook then after dinner while enjoying the camp fire. Wrap in foil and refrigerate till required the following day. Saves a heap of time and uses leftovers.
Throw some marshmallows into your banana and nutella
YUM!
I’ve been very slow also but now come to realise the enormous range of possibilities, the ease, the lack of washing up and the reduced space necessary for cooking equipment in the packed vehicle. As I start to use my imagination, I think there are probably few things you couldn’t cook in the jaffle iron, particularly when you see the types of irons that are available these days. The challenge is to work out which type suits you best! I started with an ultra cheapo. I have now decided these gadgets are the bees knees and its worth having a good one.
Good on you Pedro! Happy jaffle ironing mate, the possibilities are limitless.
Cheese & tomato sauce…thank me later
Classic!
I was the same Ben, never used my jaffle iron before and got more excited about camp oven meals. Then it occurred to me that you don’t have to make just toasted cheese or baked beans in them and I came up with dessert jaffles!
http://intentsoffroad.com/banana-custard-and-white-chocolate-toasties/
That link is to the recipe I threw together. Damn they are good! Better than I would have expected!
Thanks for the recipe Alex, not sure I will get an opportunity to try it this campfire season, I’ll have to keep it in my camp kit for next winter.
Try tinned peach or apricot with cinnamon and sugar on white bread and add a bit of long life custard