Camp Cook Guide - Beer Pancakes

Add a fun twist to a breakfast classic with these beer pancakes! With simple ingredients and an easy execution, these are going to be your new camp cooking go-to.

While the idea of adding beer to your morning cooking routine may seem far from ordinary, this recipe creates the perfect texture for fluffy and delicious pancakes. You’ll love how easy and fast they are to make while relaxing at your campsite! All you have to do is prep a few dry ingredients ahead of time in a zip-top bag for easy travel. Intrigued yet? Here’s what you’ll need:  

 Equipment:  

  • Disposable zip-top bag (1 gallon size)
  • Camp stove (We used a single butane burner)
  • Skillet
  • Spatula
  • Scissors

Ingredients: 

Dry Ingredients 

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Liquid Ingredients

  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 12-ounce can light beer*

*Light lagers, pilsners, or wheat beers work best for this, but feel free to get creative! Flavored beers like blueberry, peach, or vanilla can add a fun twist on the recipe. Sodas such as cream soda or root beer can also be used for an alcohol-free alternative!

Suggested Toppings (Optional)

  • Local berries
  • Chocolate chips
  • Chopped Pecans
  • Sliced Almonds
  • Maple Syrup Butter (or non-dairy alternative)    

Instructions:

1.  Before heading out on your camping trip, mix the dry ingredients together and place into a gallon zip-top bag. We recommend using a disposable bag for this due to the fact that you'll need to cut a corner to dispense your batter onto your pan when cooking.

2. Once you’re at your campsite and ready to cook, start heating your pan over medium heat and coat with butter or cooking spray. 

3. While the pan is heating, prepare your batter. Add the beer* and canola oil to your zip-top bag that contains the dry ingredients. Get as much air out as you can and seal the bag completely.


* See ingredient list for suggestions on what beer to use and alternative drink options!

4. Use your hands to massage the bag and mix up all the ingredients. A few lumps are okay, just make sure to wet all of the dry ingredients. This usually takes about 2 minutes.

5. Once all of the ingredients are sufficiently mixed, hold the bag with the opening facing down, while it is still sealed, and use your scissors to cut a corner off of the bag (about ½ inch). Make sure to hold the bag upright like this once the corner is cut.

6. Now you are ready to make some pancakes! Use the zip-top bag like an icing piping bag to dispense the batter onto your heated pan, to whatever size pancake you desire.

7. Let the pancake cook on one side until the batter on top starts to bubble, and then use the spatula to flip it onto the other side to complete cooking. This is usually about 2-3 minutes per side. Feel free to add your favorite local fruit or chocolate chips before flipping over!

8. Repeat steps 6 and 7 until you have used all of your batter. You may need to reapply butter or cooking spray between pancakes. 

9. Enjoy! We suggest topping them with butter, maple syrup, fresh fruit, or nuts. But when it comes to pancake toppings - the possibilities are endless! Have fun with it.

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