This naan pizza is a recipe you can come back to time and time again when planning your next camping trip! The barbecue chicken flatbread is smoky, sweet and savory, hitting the spot every time.
Cooking over a campfire makes simple meals feel special. This campfire naan pizza recipe for example is one of our favorites and makes camping feel slightly elevated. Naan campfire pizzas are quick (no dough required) and customizable making them perfect for laid-back getaways or backyard dinners. Yes you can make this over your outdoor grill!
I used a ready-made naan for the base and created a smoky barbecue chicken flatbread pizza, a Mediterranean-inspired pizza and a simple pepperoni version for the kids. The next morning I HAD TO make a naan breakfast pizza with a runny egg – YUM!
Whether you choose to cook over an open flame or on a backyard grill, this easy campfire recipe is quick and guaranteed to be a hit.
How to Make Campfire Naan Pizza
Making naan pizza over a campfire is surprisingly simple. The key is steady heat and no flare ups to avoid a burnt crust.
You can cook naan a few different ways:
On a grill grate: Place the naan directly on the grill grate over medium heat. Offset the pizza from the direct flame
Using foil: Helpful for avoiding flare ups. Place a sheet of foil on the grill grate before adding the naan pizza.
In a cast iron skillet: Allows you to move your campfire pizza around easily for more control and even cooking.
Start by lightly toasting the naan on the top side for 1-2 minutes. Flip the flatbread and add your toppings. Cook until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the ingredients are heated through. Tip: Covering the pizza lightly with foil or a lid traps heat and allows the cheese to melt faster.
Ingredients for Naan Pizza
One of my favorite things about naan pizza is how customizable it is. You only need a few base ingredients, and then the sky is the limit with topping combinations.
Base ingredients:
Naan- Store bought, ready to use makes this campfire recipe a piece of cake.
Sauce – I used marinara, pesto and barbecue sauce for these campfire pizza variations.
Cheese- Use traditional shredded mozzarella or add in other favorites like goat cheese, fontina, cheddar or a blend).
From there you can mix and match toppings. Read on for my favorites.
4 Easy Naan Pizza Variations
The following four variations are simple, craveable and work well over a campfire. You can prep them ahead of time or right on the spot.
Barbecue Chicken Flatbread Pizza
A crowd favorite and a great way to use up leftover grilled chicken. I prep my chicken at home ahead of time and shred it to take to the campground.
Toppings:
Cooked chopped or shredded chicken
Barbecue sauce
Shredded mozzarella, smoked gouda or a mixture of both.
Red onion, thinly sliced
Bacon, crisp and crumbled
Fresh cilantro, optional but highly recommended
Mediterranean Naan Pizza
Fresh and veggie forward, this version brings a lighter feel to campfire pizza.
Toppings:
Bruschetta- Purchase pre-made, jarred bruschetta for an easy topping. I found this one at Trader Joe’s.
Cherry tomatoes- Cook directly on the grate until just blistering before adding as a topping. This makes the tomatoes a bit jammy.
Kalamata olives- Make sure they are seeded.
Crumbled feta- The perfect Mediterranean cheese topping.
Sliced red onion
If you grill this pizza at home, level it up by finishing it with a handful of arugula, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of dried oregano.
Pepperoni Naan Pizza
A classic, no-fail option. This one is especially great for kids and picky eaters.
Toppings:
Marinara sauce- Jarred works fine
Mozzarella cheese- Shredded
Pepperoni- Thin slices
Fresh basil- Optional
Spread the sauce, add the cheese and pepperoni. Grill until the cheese melts, the crust is crisp and the ingredients are warmed through. If using, top with fresh basil just before serving.
Pesto Breakfast Naan Pizza with Egg
This naan breakfast pizza stole the show in my opinion. It’s perfect for slow campfire mornings and to fuel your activities for the day.
Toppings:
Pesto-
Cheese- I use a combo of shredded mozzarella and crumbled goat cheese.
Eggs- Cook a sunny side up egg in a skillet over the fire or on a stovetop, if available, to serve atop the pizza.
Microgreens, honey and chili flakes- optional toppings that take this pizza up a notch.
Spread the pesto atop the naan. Add the shredded cheese and carefully cook until the naan base is warm and the cheese is melted. Meanwhile, cook the egg separately in a skillet. Once the egg is done, nest it atop the naan. Finish with fresh greens, chili flakes and honey to make this pizza extra.
Tips For the Best Campfire Flatbread Pizza
A few tips will help failproof this campfire pizza recipe:
Pre-cook proteins- Chicken and bacon should be pre-cooked before adding. I actually like to do this at home and pack for the campsite.
Watch the heat- This is SO important. Medium heat, indirectly from the flame, is ideal. This will prevent the base of the naan from burning.
Use a cover- This helps the cheese to melt and the toppings to warm faster.
Storage and Reheating
If you have leftovers and access to a refrigerator, cool them completely before storing in an airtight container. Reheat in a skillet or on the grill grate. Leftovers can be kept for up to 4 days.
Meet Jaime
I’m a registered dietitian who’s obsessed with all things food! From growing to recipe development, my life is centred around food and how it can nourish us from the inside out.
1cupshredded monterey jack and cheddar cheesemixture
½cupcooked chicken breastcubed
2slicesof baconcooked crispy and roughly chopped
¼cupred onionsliced into thin half moons
2tablespoonsfresh cilantro leavesoptional
Method
Place the naan bubbly side down and heat for about 2 minutes.
Remove from the grill and spread ¼ cup barbeque sauce on each naan, bubbly side.
Next evenly divide the cheeses, chicken breast, bacon and onion between the two naan pizzas.
Return naan to the grill grate over the campfire. Cook an additional 4-6 minutes until the bottom is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
Remove from grill and top with fresh cilantro, if using.
Notes
Watch the pizzas! You may need to turn them. Keep checking the bottoms to make sure they don’t char (this will happen if the fire is too high).
If the cheese is slow to melt, tent the pizzas with foil.
Option to cook the pizzas directly on the grate, in a cast iron skillet or on a pizza stone.
