There’s nothing quite like the gooey, chocolatey delight of perfectly made s’mores. Whether you’re gathered around a campfire, firing up the grill, or craving a taste of summer indoors, you can recreate this classic sweet treat in several ways. We’ll also throw in some creative tips on how to take your s’mores game to the next level!
Method: Campfire
Advantage: Authentic
Nothing sounds more like nostalgia than the cackling of embers under a star-filled night sky—and if you’re going to s’mores, you might as well do it the way our forefathers did! The open flame provides an authentic, smoky taste that you can’t fully replicate with other methods, and the campfire’s heat allows for a slower, even toasting process, giving the marshmallows that perfect golden-brown crust with a gooey center.
Unique Recipe to try: S’Moreos
If you’re out at a campsite then you probably packed lightly. When low on ingredients but big on imagination, replace the traditional graham cracker with an Oreo! You can even omit the need for a chocolate bar because Oreos already have a chocolatey flavor.
Method: Grill
Advantage: Control
Like a campfire with the added benefit of being outdoors, you still get the open flame experience, but a grill allows you more control over the heat. If you’re using a gas or charcoal grill, ensure the heat is at a medium-low setting. Place the marshmallows over the cooler side of the grill rather than directly over the flame. This prevents them from burning too quickly and allows for a slow, even toasting.
Unique Recipe to try: Cookie Butter S’more
If you thought smores couldn’t get any more delicious think again! Grab that container of Biscoff cookie butter and put it to good use. After your marshmallow is toasted, spread the cookie butter onto each side of the graham cracker and sandwich the marshmallow. You’re welcome.
Method: Oven
Advantage: One-Stop Shop
Making s’mores in the oven is a convenient, mess-free option because you can assemble everything at once—placing the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows together on a baking sheet. This way you can make several s’mores at a time, which is perfect for a crowd, with minimal effort, no need to individually roast each marshmallow.
Unique Recipe to try: Salted Caramel S’mores
Since you’re already saving on time you can afford to get a little decadent with the toppings! Once the s’mores have baked for 3-6 minutes, or until the marshmallows are puffed and golden brown, drizzle your favorite caramel sauce on top of the marshmallow and sprinkle on a bit of sea salt. Then close it up with the second graham cracker.
Method: Stove
Advantage: Convenience
Spontaneous s’mores cravings don’t always allow for pulling out all the stops—sometimes you just want quick and easy and there’s nothing wrong with that. For gas stovetops, turn the flame to high and wait until it’s steady. Skewer the marshmallow and hold it near the flames, turning it to cook evenly but keep a close eye and remove from the heat before it drips! If your marshmallow drips, you’ll have to take the loss: turn off the burner and eat your marshmallow as is. It’s not safe cook over a dirty burner, as spills can be a fire hazard.
Unique Recipe to try: Rice Krispies Treat S’mores
For extra marshmallow goodness, swap the graham crackers with Rice Krispies Treats for the ultimate marshmallow s’more! Take two Rice Krispies Treats, a roasted marshmallow, and a piece of chocolate and the rest is self-explanatory.
I’ll Have S’more, Please
So many types of s’mores exist out there, you could host monthly s’more parties around your fire pit for years and never repeat. Other than the toasted marshmallow—that’s a staple item—just about anything else goes. You can change out the crusty outer shell, introduce extra innards, and drizzle or sprinkle in a little something extra along the way. Here’s a few variations to get you started.
Bacon!
Well, you knew we had to lead with bacon. It is, after all, the supremo of foods. In this s’mores version, the traditional combo of graham cracker, chocolate piece, and marshmallow gets shazammed by adding a strip of crispy, candied bacon. How to make candied bacon? Sprinkle bacon strips with brown sugar and bake at 400°F for 15-plus minutes til crisp. Easy peasy.
Chocolate-covered Twist
Now this salty genius substitution of a chocolate-covered pretzel for the plain square of chocolate deserves applause.
More Candy, Please
Speaking of substituting the chocolate, go truly wild and replace it with the chocolate-based candy bar of your choice, such as a Heath Bar, Milky Way (cut it in half lengthwise), Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, or a surprising favorite for us, Andes Chocolate Mints.
The Cone
Potentially less messy and with fewer burned fingers, the graham cracker gets replaced with a sugar cone. Drop in some chocolate chips, then a gooey marshmallow, followed by more chips. If you have room, do another marshmallow, so all the chips get softened.
Love Bite
Back to the traditional s’more. But this time, sprinkle it with chili powder for a surprise bite amid all the goo. You can also add cinnamon or cream of tartar for a truly subtle shift of flavor. Other savory sprinkles to mix and match with your s’mores ingredients include potato chips, sea salt, crushed nuts, and roasted coconut.
Hunka, Hunka Gooey Love
Oh, Elvis. The man could sing, swivel, and knew a good thing when he ate it. Spread some peanut butter on the graham, lay down a few slices of banana, top with some bacon pieces, and smoosh on the toasted marshmallow. Uh-huh-uh- huh.
4th of July
This version replaces the cracker with waffle cone cookies. Put a dollop of mixed strawberries and blueberries (mush them up) on one cookie, place a piece of dark chocolate on top, and let it melt under the gooey marshmallow. Pear slices work as a treat too, but they offer no red or blue. White chocolate keeps the innards all red, white, and blue.
A multitude of delectable subs for the graham cracker lie within easy reach. We saw Oreos (of course), giant tortilla chips, Rice Krispie treats, pita crackers, and crispy cookies (sugar, chocolate chip, snickerdoodles). Just make sure your “crust” can take the pressure without crumbling. Other gooey spreads ran from melted caramel and Nutella to jelly, which is easier than fixing a berry concoction.
The latest thing is s’mores boards. You present a variety of s’more options, just like on a cheese board, and let guests loose to assemble whatever their hearts desire. Even the failures will bring laughter and the discoveries will bring happy sighs.