Looking for a simple campfire dessert? Grab sliced bread, your favorite pie filling, and a pie iron—these Cherry Mountain Pies are quick, portable, and delicious.
I tested several mountain pie ideas recently and started with a savory pizza version. Today’s post focuses on a sweet favorite: Cherry Mountain Pie. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility—you can use cherry, apple, blueberry, peach, or any canned or homemade pie filling you prefer.
If you’ve never tried mountain pies, you’re in for an easy and nostalgic treat. These handheld pies are a classic campfire favorite, and the filling possibilities are practically endless.
Below I cover what a mountain pie is, how to make one, tips for successful cooking over a fire, and a printable recipe card with ingredient amounts and simple directions.
More recipes to enjoy around the campfire:
- BLT Potato Salad
- The BEST Veggie Dip
- Salted Caramel Crumb Bars
- Turkey Bacon Cranberry Roll-Ups
- Really Good Seasoned Pretzels
What is a Mountain Pie?
Mountain pies go by many names—hobo pies, iron pies, pudgy pies, campfire pies, and camper pies—but the concept is the same. You place a savory or sweet filling between two slices of buttered bread, seal them in a long-handled metal pie iron (often cast iron), and heat it over the fire until the bread is toasted and the filling is hot. The result is a warm, portable pie that’s perfect for camping or backyard fires.
The range of fillings is wide: canned pie fillings, meats and cheeses, breakfast combinations, or creative mash-ups of leftovers. If you want inspiration, there are many mountain pie ideas available to spark your imagination.
How Do You Make a Mountain Pie?
Mountain pies are straightforward to prepare. For this cherry version you only need three basic components: bread, cherry pie filling, and cooking spray or butter. Here’s a step-by-step overview and a few tips for the best results.
Use a cast iron pie iron if possible—cast iron tolerates campfire heat and browns the bread nicely. Square irons are traditional, but round irons and double sandwich irons also work well.
There’s some debate about starting with a hot versus warm iron. I prefer a warm or cold iron so the bread doesn’t burn before the filling heats through. Experiment to find the timing that works with your fire.
Lightly spray your pie iron with cooking spray or butter the bread. Place one slice of bread on one side of the iron, spread the cherry pie filling evenly over the bread (about 1/4 cup), add the second slice of bread, and close the iron tightly.
Cook the closed pie iron over the campfire for about 5–7 minutes, flipping occasionally so both sides brown evenly. Cooking times vary with fire temperature and how close to the flames you hold the iron—check often to prevent burning.
When the bread is golden and the filling is hot, remove the iron and let the pie rest for a few minutes before opening. The filling retains heat and can burn your mouth if you dig in too quickly.
And that’s it—simple, portable dessert ready to enjoy. Start a meal with a savory mountain pie and finish with this cherry dessert for a satisfying campfire spread.
Other Filling Ideas
If you like experimenting, try these filling ideas:
- Canned pie fillings (apple, blueberry, peach)
- Ham and cheese
- Nutella with berries or banana
- Pulled pork with barbecue sauce
- Buffalo chicken and cheese
- Cheesesteak-style fillings
- Reuben ingredients (corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss)
- Breakfast (scrambled egg, cheese, sausage or bacon)
- Grilled vegetables with melted cheese
- Caprese (tomato, mozzarella, basil)
Your options are limited only by imagination—use leftovers, pantry staples, or a favorite spread to create new combinations.
That’s a Wrap
If mountain pies are new to you, I hope this guide inspires you to try them. Cherry Mountain Pies are an easy, nostalgic campfire dessert that’s customizable and fun to make outdoors. Enjoy!
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Cherry Mountain Pie
Ingredients
- 2 slices bread
- 1/4 cup cherry pie filling
- Cooking spray or butter
Instructions
- Spray your pie iron with cooking spray or lightly butter the bread.
- Place one slice of bread on one side of the iron and spread the cherry pie filling evenly. Top with the second slice of bread and close the iron.
- Cook over the campfire for about 5–7 minutes, flipping occasionally so both sides brown evenly. Watch closely to avoid burning.
- Remove from the iron and let the pie rest a few minutes before opening and serving.