These Pizza Mountain Pies (also known as campfire pies) are made of two slices of buttered bread, mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni toasted to golden perfection in a cast iron pie maker over a fire. It’s a campfire meal perfected!

Whenever I talk about mountain pies on my Instagram feed I always get a bunch of responses that ask, “What’s a mountain pie?” Well, this post has been a few years in the making as I’ve been wanting a way to easily answer this question. Welcome to my TED Talk about mountain pies! Ha!

I recently gathered together a bunch of ingredients to craft three mountain pie recipes to share with you. We’re going to start with my favorite: a pizza mountain pie.

I also have a post dedicated to a variety of mountain pie recipes. In fact there are over 16 different unique and delicious ideas, so be sure to check out that post.

If you’ve never had a mountain pie before, you’re in for a treat! I have been making and eating these for as long as I can remember. They are my favorite campfire meal.

Before we get into the details of the recipe, let me answer the obvious questions…

TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 What is a Mountain Pie?

2 The Best Mountain Pie Make / Pie Iron

3 How to Make a Mountain Pie:

4 Other filling ideas:

5 That’s a wrap!

6 Pizza Mountain Pie

What is a Mountain Pie?

I believe that the name “mountain pie” is a regional thing. According to many of you (and a quick google search), mountain pies are also known as hobo pies, iron pies, pudgy pies, campfire pies, and camper pies.

No matter what you call them, the idea behind them is mostly the same. They are made by putting a filling (savory or sweet) between two slices of buttered bread and then placed in a long-handled metal tool (typically cast iron) that is held over a campfire until the ingredients are cooked and the bread is toasted. The result of this process creates a warm and delicious handheld “pie.”

The Best Mountain Pie Make / Pie Iron

I briefly explained the process above, but now I want to walk you through it step-by-step with this pizza mountain pie recipe (just so there isn’t any confusion). I’ve also included a detailed ingredient list and directions in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.

Before we begin you’re going to need a pie iron. (Or as I call them: a mountain pie maker.)

This one HERE is the one I own and my personal favorite. I highly recommend that you go with cast iron. It cooks the best and will withstand the heat of the fire for many years to come. The square is the traditional style but you can also find them in a circle shape. You can even get double sandwich irons.
There’s some debate as to whether you start with a hot or cold pie iron. Personally, I find a cold/warm pie iron to work best. A hot iron cooks the bread too quickly resulting in a burnt outside and cold inside. Feel free to experiment and do whatever method you like best.

How to Make a Mountain Pie:

Spray your pie iron with cooking spray. Alternatively, your bread can be buttered. I just find the spray to be a bit easier. I recommend something like Pam or I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray.

open mountain pie maker with butter spray.

Place one piece of bread on one side of the pie iron. Top with pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoni, and any additional toppings. You can add whatever you’d like. I like my pizza saucy so I always add extra pizza sauce. Just be sure not to overfill your bread.

adding pizza sauce to bread in mountain pie.

Add the second bread slice to the other side of your pie iron and close.

Cook over a hot campfire until golden brown and hot inside: about 5-7 minutes. The time will vary based on where the iron is in your fire, how hot your fire is, etc.

Flip the iron while it is in the fire so the mountain pie cooks evenly. Also, be sure to check on your mountain pie throughout the cooking process to avoid burning.
Remove the cooked mountain pie from the iron and let it cool for a few minutes before enjoying. This is very important. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve burnt my mouth on hot mountain pie filling. I have zero self-restraint.

And that’s it!

As you can see, it’s really simple to whip up one of these Pizza Mountain Pies. Plus, I love that you can customize it until your heart (and tummy) are content.

Other filling ideas:

If you’re anything like me, your mind is already thinking of all the possibilities you can make in a mountain pie maker. I’ll be sharing two more recipes with you soon but in the meantime, you could try:

canned pie filling,
ham and cheese,
Nutella and berries/banana,
pulled pork,
cheesesteak,
Rueben,
breakfast (egg with cheese, sausage/bacon),
grilled vegetables and cheese,
Caprese (tomato, cheese, and basil),
and so many more!

As you can see, you’re only limited by your culinary creativity. Pizza Mountain Pies are easily my favorite, but use whatever you love. Get creative, use leftovers, and try new recipes.

That’s a wrap!

If mountain pies (aka hobo pies, iron pies, pudgy pies, campfire pies, and camper pies) are new to you, I really hope you enjoyed learning about them and getting my recipe for Pizza Mountain Pies. Go purchase a couple of iron pie makers, grab some bread and fillings, and start roasting.

If you’re already familiar with them, I hope this gave you a little walk down memory lane and inspired you to make them again or try some new recipes. If you’re a mountain pie pro and have some favorite recipes I didn’t mention, please leave them in the comments below. I’m always looking for new things to try and I plan on putting together a master list of mountain pie ideas.

Enjoy!!

More Recipes You’ll Enjoy Around a Campfire

I hope you’ll try making these pizza mountain pies. I know you’ll enjoy them! If you do, please leave a comment below. I’d love to know which one you liked the best!

Want more from Inspired by Charm? Follow along on Instagram and TikTok for daily updates and behind-the-scenes looks at my processes. There’s even more inspiration on Facebook and Pinterest!