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This Dutch oven apple cobbler makes the best camping dessert! Enjoy a golden, bubbling apple cobbler wherever you are in just 30 minutes.
Bring the sweet, comforting goodness of a classic apple cobbler outdoors with my favorite Dutch oven apple cobbler recipe!
This campfire apple cobbler is proof that it’s easy to cook up a homestyle treat outdoors with just a few ingredients.
What better way to end a day at the campsite than with a generous serving of warm apple cobbler?
This one is best served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting into the whole thing.
Don’t be surprised if it’s all gone before the fire dies down!
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I’ll also share below how to make this camper’s outdoor apple cobbler at home in your oven, so you don’t have to wait for a camping trip to make it.
And if you want another dessert that’ll have everyone at home saying, “Omg, what smelled so good?”, do check my apple cinnamon brownies.
Then finish off your apple baked goodies with a generous drizzle of this caramel dip. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never buy your caramel sauce from the store again.
Why You’ll Love This Simple Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler Recipe
- This apple cobbler Dutch oven recipe is so straightforward, even kids can make it! You can also bake it at home to enjoy it anytime.
- This Dutch oven apple cobbler is one of the best Dutch oven recipes for camping because everything you’ll need for it travels well and it’s ready in half an hour. It also doesn’t require any additional cooking utensils, so prep work and cleanup are a breeze!
- Once you’ve experienced the yummy contrast between the spiced apple filling and the fluffy, buttery topping in this campfire apple cobbler, you’ll never settle for boring campfire desserts again.
Ingredients
For the apple filling:
Apples – Use your favorite apple varieties! Just go for the ones that can hold their shape well while baking.
Granulated sugar and ground cinnamon – This camping apple cobbler’s filling is super simple: just toss your apples in sugar and cinnamon.
As the Dutch oven cobbler bakes, the sugar draws out the apple juices, creating a natural syrup. No extra sauce or liquid like lemon juice needed!
For the cobbler topping:
All-purpose flour – Make sure to measure it correctly, as excess flour will create a dense biscuit topping.
Baking powder – For that deliciously fluffy texture on your cobbler topping. Check for freshness beforehand!
Granulated sugar – Just enough to sweeten the apple cobbler in Dutch oven.
Salt – To enhance the sweet flavor of our apple campfire dessert.
Ground cinnamon – We’re also adding cinnamon to the topping. Feel free to add extra spices for depth!
And if you want more texture, you can sprinkle the topping with cinnamon brown sugar before baking the cobbler.
Unsalted butter – Remember that your butter should be cold, so it doesn’t get absorbed into the flour mixture! A shaggy dough makes the perfect cobbler topping!
Milk – For richness and to help bring the dough together.
Vanilla ice cream – I mean, I just think it’s a crime to serve this Dutch apple cobbler without ice cream on top!
Or, for something lighter, I got an amazing vanilla bean ice cream and vegan whipped cream you can make from scratch!
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Camper’s Outdoor Apple Cobbler
Raspberries
Make this campfire cobbler recipe with different fruits! Replace half the apples with raspberries for a sweet-tart contrast and pop of red. Peach cobbler who?
Cake mix
Curious about how to make cobbler in a Dutch oven with cake mix? This is one of the easiest shortcut camping cobbler recipes out there!
Just sprinkle dry yellow cake mix evenly over the spiced apples, top with thin slices of butter, and pour 12 ounces of lemon-lime soda over everything.
Extras
Give your apple filling extra oomph! I love my Dutch oven apple cobbler with cloves and nutmeg.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Don’t Overthink the Assembly
No need to be a perfectionist when assembling your Dutch oven apple cobbler! Just drop the dough pieces on top of the apples, making sure they’re evenly distributed.
Count Your Coals
For a 12-inch Dutch oven, aim for 10 to 12 coals underneath and 14 to 16 on its lid. You’ll need more or fewer coals, depending on the size of your Dutch oven, to ensure even cooking.
Prep Ahead
If you’re taking this apple Dutch oven dessert camping, freeze your butter so it stays cold once you arrive at the campsite. You can also mix the dry ingredients and place the mixture in a resealable bag to make your prep work easier outdoors.
Apple Cobbler Dutch Oven Recipe FAQs
What apples work best for Dutch oven apple cobbler?
I made this camp cobbler Dutch oven recipe with Honeycrisp apples, but you can also switch it up with tart apples like Granny Smith apples. I’d avoid varieties like Fuji or Red Delicious because they tend to get too soft when baked.
Can I make apple cobbler without a Dutch oven?
Yes. Like most Dutch oven cobblers, you can make this Dutch oven apple cobbler without a Dutch oven. Just assemble it in a baking dish and bake it at 350°F for 35 to 40 minutes if you don’t want to do any outdoor cooking.
How do I know when the camping apple cobbler is done?
This Dutch oven apple dessert is done once the top is golden brown. You can check at 25 minutes and rotate the Dutch oven 90 degrees on the bottom coals and the lid 90 degrees in the opposite direction to even out the hot spots if it still looks pale.
Can I use canned apple pie filling instead of fresh apples?
I haven’t tested this apple cobbler Dutch oven recipe with canned apple filling, but I’d be cautious because it might make the filling too watery.
What is the difference between apple cobbler and apple crisp?
An apple cobbler has a fluffy, biscuit-style topping while an apple crisp uses a crunchier, oat topping.
More Delicious Apple Recipes
- Apple Cider Muffins
- Caramel Apple Charcuterie Board
- Apple Mug Cake
- Caramel Apple Pancakes
- Snicker Apple Salad
I found this recipe for Blueberry Cobbler that I HAVE to try!
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey – If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below.
Dutch Oven Apple Cobbler
Equipment
Ingredients
For the apple filling:
- 1.5 lbs apples, cored and sliced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
For the cobbler topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold
- 1/3 cup milk
- Vanilla ice cream for serving
Instructions
- Line the Dutch oven with parchment paper.
- Preheat the coals. They should be ready once they're white.
- Place the apple slices in the lined Dutch oven and dust them with granulated sugar and cinnamon. Toss until they're evenly coated, and arrange them in an even layer across the bottom of the Dutch oven.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, granulated sugar, salt, and cinnamon until combined.
- Slice the cold butter into small cubes and work it into the flour mixture with your fingers.
- Once the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, gradually add the milk until a shaggy dough forms.
- Scoop and drop pieces of dough over the layer of apples.
- Cover the Dutch oven and place it on a ring of coals. Top the lid with coals to reach 350°F. Adjust the number of coals according to the size of your Dutch oven.
- Bake the apple cobbler for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the apple juices are visibly bubbling at the edges.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Notes
- No need to be a perfectionist when assembling your Dutch oven apple cobbler! Just drop the dough pieces on top of the apples, making sure they’re evenly distributed.
- For a 12-inch Dutch oven, aim for 10 to 12 coals underneath and 14 to 16 on its lid. You’ll need more or fewer coals, depending on the size of your Dutch oven, to ensure even cooking.
- If you’re taking this apple Dutch oven dessert camping, freeze your butter so it stays cold once you arrive at the campsite. You can also mix the dry ingredients and place the mixture in a resealable bag to make your prep work easier outdoors.
Nutrition
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