🍑 Dutch Oven Peach French Toast (Easy Campfire Breakfast)

There’s just something about breakfast outdoors that makes everything taste a little sweeter and a whole lot cozier. Whether you’re camping deep in the woods, cooking in your backyard fire pit, or just wanting to bring that rustic campfire magic into your kitchen, this Dutch Oven Peach French Toast delivers comfort in the most delicious way.

This is one of those simple, humble recipes that has been passed around from campers, scouts, fire pit cooks, and cast iron lovers for years. It’s warm, custardy, full of cinnamon, and topped with tender peaches that caramelize beautifully under the heat of a good Dutch oven.

When you sent over your photo, I could practically smell that buttery-sweet cinnamon aroma floating through the breeze. The toasted edges of the French bread, the golden peaches nestled around the edges, that creamy custard bubbling up just enough — it’s the kind of breakfast people gather around for.

Before we get started, here’s the recipe card you uploaded so readers know exactly where this came from:

[Image: step photo | Alt text: handwritten recipe card for Dutch oven peach French toast with eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon, butter, brown sugar, peaches, and sliced French bread]

And here’s your finished dish outdoors — an absolute beauty:

Now let’s walk through how to make this old-fashioned campfire breakfast, step by comforting step.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Dutch Oven Breakfast

Perfect for camping or backyard cooking — easy to make on coals or in the oven
Uses simple pantry staples
Canned peaches make it convenient anywhere
Beautiful presentation thanks to the layered bread slices
Feeds a group (5–6 servings) without extra pans or fuss
Sweet, cinnamon-spiced, custardy, and cozy
Cast iron friendly, just like many of your rustic comfort foods, including your warm and nostalgic Breakfast Casserole Holidays Recipe when you want another comforting morning dish.

🛒 Ingredients

You’ll Need:

6 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1½ teaspoons cinnamon
1 loaf French bread, sliced
¼ cup butter (½ stick), melted
½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1 (29-ounce) can sliced peaches, drained and quartered

Equipment

10-inch Dutch oven
Coals OR oven
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Spatula or spoon

🥣 Ingredient Tips & Substitutions

French Bread

French bread holds up best because it toasts nicely without turning mushy.
Other great options:

Brioche slices
Challah
Texas toast
Leftover dinner rolls sliced in half

Peaches

The recipe uses canned peaches, making it camping-friendly.
You may also substitute:

Fresh sliced peaches (cook 5 mins longer)
Frozen peaches (do not thaw; add 5 mins bake time)

Cinnamon & Vanilla

These warm spices add that classic French toast flavor.
You can also add:

A pinch of nutmeg
A sprinkle of brown sugar over the top
Peach pie spice (yes, it exists!)

Milk

Any milk works:

Whole milk
2%
Almond milk
Evaporated milk (very good in camping recipes)

🔥 How to Make Dutch Oven Peach French Toast

Step 1 — Preheat the Dutch Oven

Your recipe calls for:

14 hot coals on top, 7 coals on bottom

This gives a steady oven-style bake of around 350°F.

If using a home oven:
Bake at 350°F.

Step 2 — Mix the Custard

In a medium bowl, whisk together:

eggs
milk
vanilla
cinnamon

Dip bread slices into the custard and let them soak for a few seconds.

Step 3 — Melt Butter & Brown Sugar

Your recipe says:

Melt butter in heated Dutch oven. Blend brown sugar into melted butter.

This forms a caramel-like base that the peaches and bread soak into.

Step 4 — Add the Peaches

Once melted and mixed:

Spread the peaches evenly on the bottom of the Dutch oven.
You can arrange them in a ring for a beautiful presentation.

Step 5 — Layer the Bread on Top

Arrange bread slices standing upright in a circle, pressing lightly into the peaches.

Your gorgeous photo shows this perfectly:

This arrangement gives:

Crispy tops
Soft custard-soaked bottoms
A beautiful camping brunch look

Step 6 — Bake

Bake using:

14 coals on top
7 coals on bottom
for 35–45 minutes, checking occasionally so edges don’t burn.

In an oven:
Bake at 350°F for the same time.

Step 7 — Serve Warm

Scoop out large servings with toasted tops, peaches throughout, and creamy custard underneath.

🔧 Expert Tips & Troubleshooting

✔ Preventing Burnt Edges

If the edges begin to brown too quickly:

Remove 2–3 coals from the bottom
Rotate the Dutch oven every 10 minutes

✔ Making It Extra Gooey

Stir 2 extra tablespoons of brown sugar into the custard mixture.

✔ Want More Peach Flavor?

Pour ¼ cup of the peach juice into the butter/brown sugar mixture before baking.

✔ Bread Falling Over?

Stand slices slightly angled toward the center.
They settle into place as they bake.

✔ Don’t Have a Dutch Oven?

Use:

Cast iron skillet
Deep casserole dish
Heavy enameled pot

Bake at 350°F for 35–45 min.

🍑 Variations & Add-Ins

Peach Cobbler French Toast

Add:

¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ginger
Extra brown sugar on top

Berry-Peach Combo

Add:

Blueberries
Raspberries
Blackberries

Cook the same way.

Caramel Peach Dutch Oven Bake

Replace brown sugar with:

½ cup caramel sauce
Omit butter

Drizzle more caramel before serving.

Campfire Cinnamon Roll French Toast

Use sliced canned cinnamon rolls instead of bread — family favorite!

🍽 Serving Suggestions

This recipe is hearty and satisfying, but it pairs beautifully with:

Heat-n-serve sausages (like you made!)
Scrambled eggs
Crispy bacon
Campfire potatoes
Fresh fruit
Maple syrup or powdered sugar

Or pair it with another cozy comfort dish like your warm Peach Cobbler in Cast Iron when you want a peach-filled weekend menu.

🧊 Storage & Make-Ahead Instructions

Refrigerator:

Keeps 3–4 days in an airtight container.

Reheat:

Warm in a skillet or oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes.

Camping Prep Tip:

Mix the custard at home and store in a sealed jar.
Slice bread ahead of time.
Drain peaches before packing.

Freezer:

Not ideal — custardy bread doesn’t freeze well.

❓ FAQs (Google “People Also Ask”)

Can I use fresh peaches instead of canned?

Absolutely — just cook 5–10 minutes longer.

Do I have to arrange the bread upright?

No, you can lay slices flat, but the upright method gives prettier results.

Can this be made dairy-free?

Yes — use almond milk and dairy-free butter.

What oven temperature equals Dutch oven coal cooking?

About 350°F.

Can I make this for a large group?

Yes — double the ingredients and use a 12-inch Dutch oven.

🎉 Conclusion

Whether you’re camping with family, cooking at a scout event, or enjoying a relaxing backyard fire, this Dutch Oven Peach French Toast brings everyone to the table. The tender peaches, the cinnamon custard-soaked bread, and the gorgeous golden finish make it a breakfast worth remembering.

If you try this recipe, please leave a comment, share your experience, and don’t forget to save it on Pinterest for your next camping trip!