Famous Backpacking Pizza Wrap

Wondering how to enjoy pizza while backpacking? In this recipe, you’ll learn how to make delicious portable backpacking pizza wrap using simple, lightweight ingredients. We’ll cover essential ingredients, optional toppings, and cooking methods to create this delicious trail meal.

Why I Love This Recipe 

I fell in love with my backpacking pizza wrap the first time I made it on a day hike at Buffalo National River, and it’s been a staple ever since. It’s light, portable, and incredibly easy to make, making it the perfect trail meal. Whether I’m deep in the backcountry or just out for a quick hike, this wrap brings a taste of comfort with every bite. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable, so I never get tired of it. There’s just something about enjoying a pizza-inspired lunch in the middle of the wilderness that makes it even more delicious!

Backpacking Pizza Wrap: Ingredient Breakdown

Backpacking Pizza Toppings

• 1 Serving of Pepperoni – Shelf stable meat to add that spice and pizza flavor
  • Substitution: prosciutto, capicola, bacon bits, textured vegetable protein (TVP) or any other shelf stable meat
• 2 Piece Babybel Mozzarella Cheese – Adds flavor, protein, and cheesy goodness! Fairly shelf stable due to wax coating.
  • Substitution: Varieties of Babybel, Laughing Cow cheese wedges, aged cheese covered with bee’s wax wrap.
• 1 Large Flour Tortilla – Holds all the cheesy and pizza goodness with great portability
  • Substitution: Can use other wrap or bread variations like pita or naan
• 1 packet of Parmesan Cheese (Optional)– Adds that umami rich flavor to the wrap
  • Substitution: a dash of yeast nutrient
• 1 packet of Red Pepper Flakes (Optional)– Adds a hint of spice

Backpacking Pizza Tomato Sauce

• 1 Tablespoon Tomato Powder – Provides that fresh tomato flavor
• 1 /4 teaspoon Garlic – hint of that garlicky goodness to the sauce
• 1/8 teaspoon Italian Seasoning – provides additional touch of flavor and aromatics
• 1 pinch of salt – Balances out the flavor in the tomato sauce

* Substitutions: Instead of making a dried powder sauce you can buy pizza sauce packets like those in Lunchables, or you could use marinara dip cups which are easy to get from fast food places, gas stations, or pizza restaurants.

Let’s Make This Backpacking Pizza Wrap Together

Step 1: At Home, Pre-Pack Ingredients

Prepack your ingredients. Start with packing the tortillas, if using a bear cannister they work well being placed on the bottom of the can. Mix the dry tomato sauce ingredients and place in a resealable bag, pack along the other backpacking pizza toppings.

Step 2: Set out Your Pizza Ingredients

Set out your ingredients. I start by placing the tortilla on my lap, top of the bear canister, or on a backpacking bowl or plate. Then get the cheese and pepperoni’s out.

Step 3: Mix the Backpacking Pizza Sauce

If using my backpacking pizza sauce recipe, you will add about 2 Tablespoons of water to the sauce. A little less or more pending how you like it. Reseal the bag and let rehydrate for about 5 minutes mixing kneading it with your fingers back and forth in the bag.

Step 4: Apply the Sauce and the Toppings

Next, I like to snip a small corner of the resealable bag the sauce is in. I use that to apply the sauce to the tortilla. Although you could also spoon out the sauce too. Then I place the pepperoni and any other toppings in a row down the middle of the tortilla. Finishing off with tearing pieces of the babybel cheese on top.

Step 5: Wrap the Backpacking Pizza Wrap

Wrap up your backpacking pizza and enjoy!

Most times I will eat this cold on the go. However, this can be heated to enhance the flavors if it will fit in your cook set. Wrap both ends up like a burrito and then gently heat it on both sides to desired liking. Then enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Take Pepperoni Backpacking?

Yes, pepperoni is fairly shelf stable. Since it’s a cured meat, it has a long shelf life and doesn’t require refrigeration for several days, making it ideal for the trail. You can carry it whole or pre-sliced, but whole sticks tend to last longer. I recommend to double check the packaging some types of pepperoni have better shelf life. But, a few types of pepperoni or cured meats will need to be refrigerated once the packaging is open.

Can You Take Cheese Backpacking?

For sure! However, not all cheeses are created equal for backpacking. In my experience, the key to choosing a good cheese for backpacking is to go with something aged and hard. Aged hard cheeses have less moisture and will be less prone to spoilage. Also, I like to use wax paper or wax coated cheeses for backpacking.

Some of the best options include:

• Parmesan – Extremely dry and aged, parmesan lasts for weeks without refrigeration. It’s great for shredding onto meals or eating in chunks.
• Aged Cheddar – The older the cheddar, the better it holds up. Aged varieties (2+ years) are drier and more resistant to mold. Avoid mild or soft cheddars.
• Gouda (Aged or Smoked) – Aged gouda (especially wax-coated) is shelf-stable and has a deep, nutty flavor. Smoked gouda adds extra durability.
• Gruyère – A firm cheese that resists spoilage for several days. It melts well if you’re cooking on the trail.
• Swiss (Aged Emmental or Jarlsberg) – Less moisture than softer cheeses, making it a decent option for a few days.
• Pecorino Romano – A hard Italian cheese similar to parmesan but made from sheep’s milk. Salty and excellent for adding to meals.
• Wax-Coated Cheeses – Cheese that comes in wax (like Babybel or some goudas) lasts even longer since the wax helps preserve freshness.

Cheeses to Avoid:

• Soft cheeses (brie, cream cheese, ricotta) – Too much moisture, spoil quickly.
• Fresh mozzarella – High moisture content and needs refrigeration.
• Blue cheese – Can become overly pungent and spoil faster in warm conditions.

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoy this backpacking pizza wrap recipe as much as we do! Next time you’re planning a backpacking trip, give this recipe a try! Looking for a great breakfast recipe try our banana peanut oatmeal or want a great dinner option to try. Check out our delicious backpacking cheesy bean and rice burrito.

What toppings would you add to your backpacking pizza? Drop a comment below and let us know!