5 Layer Dutch Oven Country Breakfast {Camping Recipe}

This dutch oven country breakfast really does have 5 layers! There is ground sausage, hashbrowns, eggs, biscuits, and cheese! My favorite way to prep is to pre-package everything in ziplock bags and place them in the ice chest, ready for a quick meal. It is the perfect hearty breakfast for a day in the outdoors!

country breakfast cooking in a dutch oven.

Growing up, we always had yummy dutch oven food. Whether it was my Dad teaching the boy scouts, or as a family when we were in the woods camping, he was always making some sort of new recipe in the dutch oven.

Our favorite go-to camping recipe was this 5 layer dutch oven country breakfast. So this summer, when you are planning your big family campout, be sure to grab your dutch oven, print off this recipe and make this amazing camping meal.

Make sure to check out also my 10 Easy and Cheap Camping Meals post for more camping recipes.

Ingredients and Substitutions

ingredients and equipment to make dutch oven country breakfast.

Ground Sausage: Ground sausage adds depth and a savory flavor. Use ground pork sausage for a traditional flavor, or choose turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter option.
Frozen Shredded Potatoes: Frozen shredded potatoes are ideal for creating a hearty texture. You can also use freshly grated potatoes or sweet potatoes offer a fresher taste
Eggs: Use fresh, free-range eggs for the best flavor and nutritional benefits.
Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese melts beautifully and adds a creamy, tangy flavor. Choose sharp or aged cheddar or substitute with shredded mozzarella or gouda for a different flavor.
Biscuit dough: Biscuit dough provides a fluffy, soft texture and is a perfect topping. Use canned dough or homemade biscuit mix.

Variations

You can make variations to this 5 layer dutch oven country breakfast to suit your taste and preferences.

Southwestern Style: Use chorizo instead of sausage and add bell peppers, green chiles, pepper jack cheese, and top it with salsa and avocados.
Vegetarian: Scrap the sausage and add spinach, tofu, vegan cheese, and tomatoes.
Italian Inspired: Use Italian sausage, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
All-American BBQ: Use leftover BBQ pulled pork or chicken, cheddar cheese, crispy fried onions and extra BBQ sauce.

Equipment

These are the tools you’ll need to make this delicious country breakfast recipe.

Dutch Oven: Ideal for slow-cooking, braising, frying, and baking, the Dutch oven is an essential tool that can be used on the stovetop, in the oven, and directly on charcoal like in this recipe.
Charcoal: Opt for natural lump charcoal for a cleaner burn and better flavor, especially when grilling or smoking food, as it contains no additives and provides a hotter, more consistent heat.
Chimney Charcoal Starter: Choose a chimney starter with a heat shield and a stay-cool handle to ensure safety and comfort while igniting your charcoal.
Multi-Purpose Lighter: Select a lighter with a flexible neck and a durable, refillable design.

Instructions

Heat up some charcoal briquettes with a chimney charcoal starter. Once the coals have begun turning white, you are ready to start cooking. Dump out the hot coals and be careful not to get burned.

sausage cooking in a dutch oven on charcoal.

Step 1. Place the dutch oven over the proper amount of hot coals and cook the sausage until browned.

Step 2. Pour a bag of hashbrowns right over top the sausage.

Step 3. Third layer is a dozen eggs. Crack the eggs and place evenly across the surface of the hash browns.

Step 4. Sprinkle on 2 cups of cheese.

Step 5. Layer on some biscuits.

dutch oven is closed and charcoal is added on top.

Step 6. Using some long handled tongs, cover the dutch oven and add the hot coals on top.

Now sit back and wait for about 45 minutes or until everything is cooked through and the eggs are set. When you lift the lid, your tummy will grumble and you will sing hallelujah! Breakfast is ready!

portion of country breakfast on a plate.

How To Determine How Many Coals To Place On, And Under Your Dutch Oven

The amount and placement of the coals on and under your dutch oven is important to get an even cook. The perfect amount of coals used for any dutch oven is based on its diameter. For example, if you are using a 12-inch oven, you will need two coals per inch, or a total of 24. Too many coals will result in too high of a temperature and overcooked or burnt food, not enough coals and your food won’t cook. To figure out how many coals go under and how many go on top, remember the number 2:

· 2 coals per inch of oven diameter
· place 2 more coals than the oven size on the lid, and
· place 2 less than the oven size under it.

So for my 12 inch dutch oven, I would place 12 +2, a total of 14 on the top. For the bottom, I would put 12-2 for a total of 10 hot coals. 14 + 10 = 24, which is the total diameter times 2. Have I confused you yet? Using this method and laying them out in a circular pattern and placing them evenly should give you a temperature of 350 degrees.

Storage

Pre-portion your ingredients and seal them tightly in freezer bags, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn and preserve freshness. For items that need to be kept cold or frozen, use a high-quality cooler with ice packs to maintain a safe temperature during transport.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use fresh potatoes instead of frozen?

Absolutely! Grate fresh potatoes, and squeeze out excess moisture with a towel before using them in the recipe to prevent sogginess.

What other cheeses can I use besides cheddar?

Feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses such as mozzarella, provolone, or a blend of your favorites for different flavors.

Related Recipes you’ll enjoy

If you are planning a camping trip anytime soon, be sure to check out my other camping related posts:

portion of country breakfast in a plate with a fork.

Recipe Card

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