Nanny to Mommy

If you’re planning a camping trip with kids, one of the biggest questions is always: What’s for dinner? You want meals that are simple, delicious, and fun to eat, without creating a huge mess or requiring a lot of equipment. Enter the classic camping favorite: Walking Tacos. These easy‑to‑make, customizable taco bags are the ideal camping recipe for families. Not only are they a huge hit with kids, but they also save time, reduce clean‑up, and make serving a breeze.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to make Walking Tacos for camping, including tips for prep‑ahead, variations for picky eaters, and ways to make it even more fun for the whole family.

Walking Tacos (also called “taco in a bag” or “campfire tacos”) are exactly what they sound like, a taco you can walk around with! All the ingredients for a taco, meat, cheese, lettuce, and other toppings, are added to an individual-sized bag of tortilla chips (like Fritos or Doritos). You simply open the bag, add the fillings, stir, and eat right out of the bag!

These tasty taco bags have become a favorite for campers, tailgaters, and families because they’re:

✅ Simple to make

✅ Kid-friendly and customizable

✅ No mess, no dishes (just a fork!)

✅ Perfect for cooking and eating outdoors

Here’s a basic list of ingredients. The best part? You can adapt it to your family’s preferences and make it as fancy or as simple as you like.

Individual-sized bags of chips (Fritos, Doritos, or tortilla chips)

Ground beef or turkey (seasoned with taco seasoning)

Cooked shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken

Black beans or refried beans (for a vegetarian option)

Shredded lettuce

Diced tomatoes

Sour cream

Salsa or taco sauce

Shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Sliced olives, jalapeños, or diced onions (optional)

To make cooking at the campsite quick and easy, consider doing some prep work before you leave for your trip:

Cook your taco meat at home. Brown and season ground beef or turkey ahead of time, then store it in a sealed container. All you’ll need to do is warm it up over the campfire or on a camping stove.

Chop your veggies. Dice onions, lettuce, and tomatoes before you leave, and pack them in sealed containers or zip‑top bags.

Shred your cheese. Pre‑shredding makes serving a breeze.

Use a muffin tin for toppings. A muffin tin can be a fun, organized way to present a variety of taco toppings and make serving the family quick and easy.

Choose Your Chip Bag: Open an individual-sized bag of Fritos, Doritos, or tortilla chips. Add the Meat: Spoon in your warm taco meat or protein of choice.

Add Veggies and Toppings: Let each person customize their own taco with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, shredded cheese, sour cream, and salsa.

Mix It Up: Use a fork or spoon to mix everything together right in the bag.

Walk and Enjoy: That’s it! A delicious taco you can eat while enjoying the sights of the campground.

Walking Tacos are great for picky eaters because every person can customize their own bag. Here are some ideas for making sure every kid is happy:

Make a “Topping Bar” with a range of options, from mild to spicy.

Try Different Chips: Let kids pick their favorite chips (original Fritos, nacho Doritos, or cool ranch Doritos).

Make Veggie or Chicken Version: Not a beef eater? Try shredded chicken, black beans, or refried beans for protein.

Walking Tacos aren’t just tasty, they’re ideal for families on the go. Here’s why:

✅ Easy Cleanup: No bowls or plates required, just toss the empty chip bags when you’re done!

✅ Minimal Cooking: All you really need is a small campfire or stove to warm up meat and tortillas.

✅ Customizable: Everyone can make their taco just the way they like it.

✅ Budget‑Friendly: Ground beef, chips, and a handful of toppings make a delicious, filling, and affordable camping dinner.

Camping with kids is all about making memories, and Walking Tacos make mealtime as memorable as the adventure itself. They’re quick to prep, easy to customize, and fun to eat — a win for both parents and kids alike. So, next time you’re planning a family camping trip, skip the complicated meals and try this classic favorite.

With a bag of chips and a handful of fresh ingredients, you can whip up a delicious, no‑fuss dinner that allows everyone to relax and enjoy the best parts of camping: the sights, the stars, and quality time together.

Have you tried making Walking Tacos on your camping trips? What are your favorite toppings? Let us know in the comments!

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A post shared by Diana Chastain (@diana_chastain_)