Pie Irons -- Start a Delicious & Fun Tradition of
Campfire Cooking Today

So, what is this thing called a pie iron, you ask? Well, basically, a pie iron is a mold of aluminum or cast iron with handles. It's used for making delicious toasted sandwich treats over a campfire or over a backyard grill. There are almost as many names for a "pie iron" as there are recipes! We have heard them called the following: mountain pie irons, pudgy pies, pie irons, sandwich cookers, pie shams, aluma cookers (aluminum pie irons) and jaffle irons (in Australia). Whatever you call it, the food you cook in it is not only going to be fabulous, you're going to have FUN while making it! In short, pie iron cooking is a simple way of making terrific sandwiches in a matter of minutes while having fun and getting everyone involved in the process.

The best part about pie iron cooking (aside from the delicious foods you'll make) is that it brings folks together! Outdoor cooking can truly be a family affair when you bring out a couple of pie irons to make dinner. The handles are long enough to keep kids a safe distance from the campfire or grill and they get to help make their own dinner. Who could ask for anything more? In essence, what pie irons really do is to bring together family and friends around a campfire or BBQ to enjoy easy to cook foods in a fun and inclusive environment.

Did I mention the FOOD you can cook in a pie iron? There are so many recipes for pie iron cooking that there's even a cookbook dedicated pie iron cooking! I'll post a few recipes to get you started at the end of this article.

OK, so how do I actually USE a pie iron and what kinds of pie irons are there? Basic instructions are as follows: Using two pieces of bread, butter one side of each slice. Place one slice of bread, buttered side down into the bottom pie iron cavity. Form this piece of bread into the cavity with your fingers. On top of this bread, place your favorite sandwich fillings. Top with the second slice of bread, butter side up. Close the pie iron and snap the handles shut. Hold or place pie iron over your campfire, grill, fireplace or campstove.

Although cooking times will vary depending on your heat source, three or four minutes on each side will normally be sufficient to heat the ingredients and turn the bread golden brown.

While there are aluminum and cast iron pie irons, aluminum pie irons will not last as long as cast iron ones. Our store only sells cast iron as we believe cast iron pie irons are the absolute best and will last for generations, literally! 

 SQUARE PIE IRON

Square pie irons are the overall favorite by campers, mostly due to their design, which allows for whole slices of bread and ingredients to fit in the cooking cavity with ease. Although first commercially sold in aluminum, square cast iron has become the standard for most family campers. If you wish to place the pie iron directly into the coals, cast iron is definitely better!

 ROUND PIE IRON

As much as people love the traditional square design, there are many folks who love the Round Pie Iron. It's all in the way the cooker seals the food -- locking in flavors whether it's a hamburger, quick bread or dessert. With a sandwich, the round design crimps the corners of the bread to form a firm seal (similar to ravioli.)

OK, so now you've read all about pie irons and why you should have one, how about getting hungry with a couple recipes?


Crabby Patties

1 lb. crab meat, finely chopped
4 slices bread, crumbled
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tsp. chili powder
1 Tbsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. flour
pinch of salt

Using a zip lock bag, combine all ingredients and knead together. Form into 4 patties (each patty sized to fit inside your pie iron). Butter the inside of the pie iron and place one patty into the pie iron. Close pie iron and snap the handles shut. Hold or place cooker in hot, glowing embers of campfire, over a grill, fireplace or campstove. Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side, turning frequently.


Portabella Mushroom Melt

Large portabella mushroom cap
Slab of mozzarella cheese

Generously butter each half of your pie iron. Place the mushroom cap between the irons and sear over the fire for a few minutes on each side. Open the pie iron and place a slab of mozzarella cheese in the mushroom cap. Close the irons for a couple of minutes until the cheese is melted. Do not turn the iron, as the cheese will fall out and ooze all over the pie iron instead of staying in the mushroom cap.


Roast Beef Sandwiches

2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
10 Slices rye bread
5 Slices Swiss cheese
10 thin slices, cooked roast beef
2 Tbsp. Butter, softened

Combine mayonnaise and mustard. Butter one side of each slice of bread; place bread, buttered side down in pie iron. Spread about 1 Tbsp. of mayonnaise mixture on non-buttered side of bread. Top with one slice of cheese and two slices of beef. Cover with remaining slice of bread, buttered side UP.

Close pie iron and snap the handles shut. Hold or place cooker in hot, glowing embers of campfire, over a grill, fireplace or campstove. Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes on each side.


Julie Miklaszewicz is an avid RVer, having visited 48 states by the time she was 16 years old. She has yet to fly anywhere and prefers traveling in her truck and fifth wheel camper with her husband and three children, enjoying the beauty of the U.S.A. from the ground. While camping and at home, she prefers to cook in her cast iron Dutch ovens and numerous other cast iron cookware. She and her husband, Greg, are the owners of the RVing Outpost, located in Abbotsford, WI.

Return to the Weekend Drinks Homepage from Pie Irons