5 Creative S’mores Upgrades — Including Savory S’mores!

Each of these ideas is simple to pull off and still includes the fun part: roasting over an open flame. You don’t need special skills or a lot of prep to try them — just a willingness to play with flavor combinations.

S’more Night Firepit Supplies

Before the recipes, here’s a quick look at our backyard setup and the gear we use (unpurchased by sponsors — just items we love). Having a few dedicated pieces makes hosting easier.

• Solo Stove Bonfire fire pit with a snug lid we use to cover it
• Comfortable Adirondack-style chairs
• LED string lights for ambiance
• Locally purchased firewood and kindling from the yard
• Outdoor storage box to keep wood dry

We also keep a metal storage caddy with s’mores supplies in a cabinet near our kitchen so we can carry everything out in one trip. That kit typically contains:

• Graham crackers, chocolate bars, and marshmallows
• Small paper plates and napkins
• A lighter
• Reusable metal roasting sticks (they’re worth it; soak the charred end in water overnight for easy cleaning)

Five S’more Upgrades

Here are the five upgraded s’more styles we return to again and again:

1. Savory s’mores
2. Chocolate swaps
3. Cracker swaps
4. Adding fresh fruit or spreads
5. Fluff dips

1. Savory S’mores

Think of this as a mash-up of s’mores and a charcuterie board. Instead of roasting marshmallows, roast bite-sized cheeses, then combine them with savory elements like salami or prosciutto and finish with a jam or hot honey. It’s simple to assemble and great for grazing.

Provide options in three categories — cheeses, crackers, and toppings — so guests can mix and match. Some favorites we use:

Snacking Cheeses:

• Small Brie wheels or bite-sized soft cheeses
• Fontina or similar melty snacking cheeses
• Herbed cheddar bites
• Babybel originals (a crowd pleaser)

Savory Crackers:

• Rosemary or herbed crackers
• Plain crackers like Breton or gluten-free options as needed

Toppings:

• Charcuterie meats such as salami or prosciutto
• Jams and preserves (fig jam is a favorite)
• Honey or hot honey for a sweet-spicy finish

We usually keep snack cheeses chilled until ready. A simple trick is freezing a shallow layer of ice in a disposable pan and setting another pan on top to corral ingredients and keep them cool. The result: a satisfying savory snack you can serve as an easy dinner before switching to dessert s’mores.

2. Chocolate Swaps

The simplest upgrade is swapping the standard chocolate bar for other chocolate candies. Mini or thin bars work best since they melt easily. A few that transform the s’more:

• Mint-filled chocolates (Andes-style) for a refreshing twist
• Peanut butter cup thins for a richer, slightly salty flavor
• Sea salt caramel squares for a sweet-salty combo
• Kit Kat or other wafer minis for crunch plus chocolate

We lean toward thinner chocolates because they melt quickly and blend with the marshmallow without overpowering it. Our favorite unexpected winner: mint chocolates paired with a toasty marshmallow.

3. Cracker Swaps

Changing the base cracker or cookie alters the whole flavor profile. Just make sure your substitute is sturdy enough to hold the fillings. Try:

• Saltines — the salty contrast pairs amazingly with mint or chocolate
• Chocolate chip or shortbread cookies for extra sweetness and texture
• Ritz crackers for a buttery, flaky base
• Stroopwafels for a caramel-like twist
• Pretzel thins for crunch and salt
• Oreo thins for a playful, chocolatey sandwich

Saltines with a toasted marshmallow and mint chocolate are a surprisingly excellent combination — the tiny pop of salt lifts all the flavors.

4. Add Fresh Fruit or Spreads

Fresh fruit adds brightness and a bit more balance. While it requires more prep, the results are worth it. Use slices or whole berries, or swap in spreads for a quicker option:

• Strawberries, bananas, apples, or stone fruit sliced thin
• Whole blackberries or raspberries for small bursts of flavor
• Spreads like peanut butter, Nutella, cookie butter, lemon curd, honey, or fruit jam

Combining a shortbread cookie with toasted marshmallow and fresh strawberries creates a flavor close to strawberry shortcake. Try mixing fruits and spreads to find your favorite pairing.

5. Fluff Dips

Instead of roasting a marshmallow, try dipping fruit or other bases into marshmallow fluff, then toasting. Use a spoon to coat evenly, then toast the fluff until golden:

• Whole strawberries (hulled), peach or apple slices, or pineapple chunks
• Balls of edible cookie dough or mini peanut butter cups dipped in fluff

A whole strawberry dipped in fluff and toasted becomes warm and gooey inside with a crisp, caramelized exterior — delicious on its own or sandwiched between crackers. A drizzle of melted chocolate or honey finishes it nicely.

Our Favorite Combos

To help you get started, here are our top picks.

John’s Top 3 S’mores

• Traditional s’more with sliced strawberries on graham crackers
• Savory s’more: fig jam, prosciutto, and fontina on a rosemary cracker
• Lemon curd plus toasted marshmallow (no chocolate) on a saltine

Sherry’s Top 3 S’mores

• Hershey’s swap: Andes mint on a Ritz cracker with toasted marshmallow
• Savory: hot honey, salami, and Babybel cheese on a Ritz cracker
• Whole strawberry dipped in marshmallow fluff (no cracker)

Happy s’more making! Keep experimenting — trying new combinations is half the fun.