It’s the time of the year to sit around the outdoor fire pit, and we’re about to make the most of it. The summer nights have turned chilly (were they ever really warm?), but we’re not quite ready to cosy up inside yet. So, cosy up around the outdoor fire pit instead. 
The only thing better than wrapping up in a blanket, red wine in hand, and friends joined together, is doing it with some delicious treats, whipped up over the smoky flame of your outdoor fire pit. Here's our favourite easy, mouthwatering recipes, from savoury to sweet.
BBQ Stuffed Jacket Potatoes
Stuffed jacket potatoes are a summertime favourite, and with a little smoke from the outdoor fire pit they’re the best supper.
Ingredients:
- Large jacket potatoes
- Butter
- Rock salt / Maldon
Method:
- Make several holes in your jacket potatoes using a fork. Cover each potato with softened butter, and sprinkle with salt. Once covered, double wrap in heavy duty tin foil.
- Bury the potatoes in the hot coals of your outdoor fire pit and cook for 30 to 60 minutes, or until crispy on the outside.
- Once you’ve achieved your desired crisp, carefully cut a cross down your jacket potato, add a small knob of butter and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Leave your butter to melt whilst you prepare your toppings. Some people like to mash up the middle of the potato to make it extra fluffy and buttery, but this is up to you!
- Finally, add in some toppings - they can’t be stuffed jacket potatoes without them!
Let's talk toppings. You've cooked up your stuffed jacket potatoes on your outdoor fire pit and now it's time to stuff them. But with what? Here's our top three quick toppings for your stuffed jacket potatoes.
- Baked potatoes stuffed with bacon, cheese and chives
- Bakes potatoes with smoked salmon and sour cream
- Chimichurri butter
Smores Cookies
This smores cookies recipe was made for us by our lovely friend @jemmaloi a couple of years back, and it would be a true disservice to not share it on our new website. And before we go on, check out all of Jemma’s gorgeous recipes here - each and every one is as yummy as the next.
It’s arguably a sneaky ‘outdoor fire pit’ recipe because you have to pre-bake the cookies in the oven. But, the main event happens on the outdoor fire pit and that’s the important thing.
Ingredients:
- 170g self-raising flour
- 120g butter
- 2 eggs
- 85g caster sugar
- 55g soft dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice mix
- 40 ml maple syrup
- 50 ml whole milk
- A bag of jumbo marshmallows
- A bar of chocolate
Method:
1) Preheat the oven to 180°C and line two trays with parchment paper.
2) Beat the butter in a mixing bowl then add the sugars. Beat the eggs separately, then add to the mixing bowl along with the maple syrup. Beat until smooth, then gradually fold in the flour, pumpkin pie spice mix and milk. Once everything is well combined, wrap in cling film and refrigerate for thirty minutes.
3) Using either your hands or an ice cream scoop, roll the cookie dough into balls. Either 8 large (which are great for s’mores) or 16 small. Flatten them slightly with your hand before baking for 10-12 minutes.
4) Once your biscuits are ready, it’s time to gather around your outdoor fire pit, thread your marshmallows onto skewers and toast until golden and gooey. Sandwich together between two Pumpkin Spice Cookies with a few squares of chocolate and you have yourself the most delicious later summer treat.
BBQ Bananas
This outdoor fire pit recipe is a nostalgic one, but equally delicious. And all you need is some bananas, tin foil, and some deliciously sweet toppings to add.
Method:
1) Cut a slice down your banana lengthways with the skin still on. Make sure you don't cut the whole way through to the bottom, and only create a pocket big enough to add your toppings.
2) Add your toppings into the opening, and then wrap the banana in tin foil.
3) Pop your bananas on the outdoor fire pit coals, and leave to grill for about 15 minutes until the skin darkens and the chocolate melts.
4) Once cooled slightly, serve with ice cream.
BBQ Banana Toppings:
- Chocolate: Simple and sweet. Sometimes all you need is a little chocolate. Pop in some blocks of chocolate, and some rock salt for something a little different. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
- Cinnamon: Another simple and spicy. 1 tbsp cinnamon and 2 tbsp brown sugar. Or swap the sugar out for honey. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
- Boozy bananas: Make a mixture with 50g butter, 40g brown sugar, 2 tbsp spiced rum, 1 tbsp treacle. Serve with coconut ice cream.
Time to Light Your Outdoor Fire Pit
There you have it - three mouthwatering outdoor fire pit recipes to make your later summer evenings extra delicious. All you need now - a good outdoor fire pit. Our Ryder Rustic Fire Pit is the perfect choice for evenings cooking outside and rustling up your favourite treats.
