Backcountry Pizza : Easy Backpacking Recipe

This easy recipe for backcountry pizza is the perfect hiking meal.  Pita bread packs well and it’s the perfect vessel for holding all that cheesy pepperoni goodness. You can eat this cold, but it’s better heated up on the fire. 

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When preparing this recipe, you can either break the cheese sticks in half and stuff it in the bread, or you can string it/cut it into chunks before putting it in. The stringed pieces melt quicker and make for a gooier/cheesier pizza, but it also takes longer to prep. Breaking them in half works too, but sometimes the cheese doesn’t really spread out and you can end up with bites with a terrible pita to cheese ratio.

Backcountry Pizza Recipe 2 Servings

2 pieces pita bread

1 (4.5 oz) tube tomato paste

 4 sticks mozzarella string cheese

30 pieces pepperoni (This amount is a personal preference. you can add more or less to your liking with out changing the outcome of the finished product)

Instructions

1. Divide the tomato paste evenly in the pita bread pockets and spread around. This is sometimes easier said than done. You can squirt it in the pocket and use your finger to spread it around, use an eating utensil if you have one with you, or try and use the packet as a makeshift knife.

2. Shred the string cheese and stuff the pockets as you shred, alternating dropping in pepperoni as you go. Or if you’re using the break in half method, break the sticks in half and place one into the pocket. Then add some pepperoni, the other half stick of cheese, and more pepperoni. Repeat for both pita pockets.

3. Place the pockets near your fire to melt the cheese. Placing them on a rock works well. You can also warm them in a pan over a backpacking stove, but turn them often to prevent scorching or burning the bread.

4. Once the cheese is melted to your liking, it’s ready!

Approximately 530 calories, 40g carbs , 27g protein 

What I use

Pita bread – Thomas’ Sahara Pita Pockets 160 cal ,31g carbs, 6g protein

Cento Tomato Paste (4.56oz tube is enough for 2 pita pizzas) 80 cal, 8g carbs, 2g protein

Kraft mozzarella string cheese sticks 160 cal, 1g carb, 14g protein

Pepperoni – Hormel original 140cal, 0 carb, 5g protein

I love a simple hiking meal. You can’t go wrong with pizza!  If you’re day hiking, you can even prepare this before you leave for the trail. Just assemble and wrap it in foil before heading out.