Foil cooking is a simple and versatile bushcraft cooking method that allows Scouts to prepare food directly in the embers of a campfire. Food is wrapped in aluminium foil to create a sealed cooking parcel, helping to retain moisture while the hot embers cook the meal.

It is a great way to introduce Scouts to fire management, outdoor cooking, food hygiene and heat control.

Foil-Baked Potato

A baked potato is one of the simplest foil-cooking activities.

Ingredients

• 1 potato per person
• A little butter or oil
• Salt and pepper

Method

Wash the potato and pierce the skin several times.

Rub with a little oil and season.

Wrap securely in foil and place in hot embers.

Turn occasionally and cook until the centre is soft when tested with a suitable utensil. Approx 30 to 50 Minutes Cooking Time.

Topping Ideas

Try:

• Cheese
• Beans
• Tuna
• Sweetcorn
• Chives
• Butter
• Coleslaw

Foil Sausage & Vegetable Parcel

A simple patrol cooking activity.

Ingredients

• Sausages
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Onion
• Peppers
• Mushrooms
• Oil
• Herbs and seasoning

Cut the vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces.

Place the vegetables onto a double layer of foil and add the sausage.

Add a little oil and seasoning.

Seal the parcel carefully and cook over hot embers.

The sausage and vegetables must be cooked thoroughly before eating. Approx 20 to 35 Minutes Cooking Time.

Important: Raw meat should be kept separate from ready-to-eat food and handled using appropriate food hygiene procedures.

Foil Fish Parcel

Fish works particularly well when cooked in foil because the parcel helps retain moisture.

Ingredients

• Fish fillet
• Lemon
• Butter or oil
• Herbs
• Salt and pepper

Place the fish onto foil.

Add butter or oil, herbs and a slice of lemon.

Seal the parcel and cook over hot embers until the fish is completely cooked and flakes easily. Approx 12 to 20 Minutes Cooking Time.

Campfire Vegetable Parcel

A great vegetarian option.

Try

• Potato
• Carrot
• Courgette
• Pepper
• Onion
• Sweetcorn
• Mushrooms

Add a little oil, herbs and seasoning.

Seal the parcel and cook on hot embers until the vegetables are tender. Approx 15 to 25 Minutes Cooking Time.

For younger Scouts, pre-cut harder vegetables such as potatoes and carrots so that cooking is easier and more predictable.

Chocolate Banana Foil Parcel

Foil cooking doesn't have to be savoury!

Ingredients

• Banana
• Chocolate buttons or chocolate spread
• Optional marshmallows

Slice the banana lengthways while leaving the skin attached.

Carefully open the banana and add chocolate.

Wrap the banana in foil.

Place it onto warm embers for several minutes until the chocolate has melted and the banana is hot. Approx 8 to 12 Minutes Cooking Time.

Open carefully and enjoy.

Apple & Cinnamon Foil Dessert

Ingredients

• Apple
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Cinnamon
• Optional raisins

Core the apple and place it onto a sheet of foil.

Add butter, sugar, cinnamon and raisins.

Wrap securely and cook in the embers until the apple becomes soft. Approx 15 to 25 Minutes Cooking Time.

This makes an excellent end to a campfire cooking session.

Foil Cooking Challenge

Turn foil cooking into a Scout cooking competition.

Give each patrol a selection of ingredients and challenge them to create their own foil parcel.

Challenge Rules

Each patrol must:

1. Design their meal.
2. Prepare the ingredients safely.
3. Build and manage the cooking fire.
4. Wrap the food correctly.
5. Cook the meal safely.
6. Explain how they controlled the heat.
7. Present their finished meal.

You can also challenge Scouts to create:

A main course + a dessert using only foil cooking.

Cooking Times

Cooking times will vary depending on the size of the food, the heat of the embers and how well the foil parcel is sealed. Use these as a guide rather than fixed times.

How to Know When It's Cooked

Don't rely only on the clock. Carefully open the parcel and check the food.

• Potatoes: soft when pierced.
• Vegetables: tender but not burnt.
• Sausages: piping hot and thoroughly cooked throughout.
• Fish: opaque and flakes easily.
• Fruit: soft and steaming.
• Chocolate: melted.

⚠️ Remember: Foil parcels can contain very hot steam. Open them carefully and away from your face.

Safety

Foil cooking involves fire, hot metal, hot food and steam and must be properly supervised.

Fire Safety

• Follow current Scouts fire-safety guidance.
• Use a suitable designated cooking area.
• Keep the fire under control.
• Never leave a cooking fire unattended.
• Keep water and suitable fire-control equipment available.
• Use appropriate tools when moving parcels.
• Keep Scouts away from the active fire area unless they are taking part under supervision.

Hot Foil

Foil becomes extremely hot during cooking.

Use:

• Long-handled tongs
• Heat-resistant gloves
• Suitable cooking tools

Never pick up a hot parcel with bare hands.

Steam

A sealed foil parcel can contain very hot steam.

Open parcels away from your face and hands.

Use tongs or a suitable utensil to open the parcel if necessary.

Food Hygiene

Outdoor cooking still requires good food hygiene.

Remember to:

• Wash hands before preparing food.
• Keep raw meat separate from cooked food.
• Use clean utensils.
• Keep perishable food appropriately chilled before cooking.
• Cook meat, poultry and fish thoroughly.
• Don't eat food that has been contaminated by ash, soil or other debris.