We host a lot of fireside nights at our backyard fire pit, which means we also eat a lot of s’mores. Over time we’ve experimented with simple, fun upgrades to the classic s’more—small tweaks that make a big difference. Below are five of our favorite elevated s’more ideas to try at your next backyard fire pit or beach bonfire. Each one is easy to pull together and still includes the best part: roasting over an open flame.
Below we share our setup essentials, smart storage tips, and five creative s’more categories—plus favorite combinations to get you started.
Table of Contents
- S’more Night Firepit Supplies
- Five S’more Upgrades
- 1. Savory S’mores
- 2. Chocolate Swaps
- 3. Cracker Swaps
- 4. Add Fresh Fruit or Spreads
- 5. Fluff Dips
- Our Favorite Combos
S’more Night Firepit Supplies
Before the recipes, here are the core items we keep for easy, stress-free s’more nights. Having everything accessible makes the whole experience more relaxed and fun.
- Solo Stove Bonfire Firepit with a lid to control embers
- Comfortable outdoor chairs (we use Adirondack-style seating)
- String lights for ambiance
- Firewood and kindling (locally sourced)
- Outdoor storage box to keep wood and supplies dry
We also keep a metal caddy stocked with s’mores essentials in a nearby cabinet so everything can be carried out in one trip. Inside we typically have graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, small plates, napkins, a lighter, and reusable metal roasting sticks.
Quick tip: if your metal roasting sticks get sticky with marshmallow residue, soak the tips in water overnight to make cleaning much easier in the morning.
Five S’more Upgrades
Here are the five elevated s’more directions we turn to most often:
- Savory s’mores
- Chocolate swaps
- Cracker swaps
- Fresh fruit or spreads
- Marshmallow fluff dips
1. Savory S’mores
Savory s’mores blend the campfire ritual with charcuterie-style flavors. Instead of marshmallows, roast bite-sized snacking cheeses until soft and slightly melted. Use a savory cracker or crostini and add a slice of salami or prosciutto, plus a spoonful of jam or a drizzle of hot honey. These are a crowd-pleasing, unexpected dinner option that keeps everyone outside and off the kitchen.
Set out three categories for guests to mix and match: cheeses, crackers, and toppings.
Snacking Cheeses
- Brie bites
- Fontina
- Herbed cheddar bites
- Babybel
Savory Crackers
- Rosemary crackers
- Plain savory crackers
- Gluten-free crackers for guests who need them
Toppings
- Charcuterie meats like salami and prosciutto
- Fruit jam or fig spread
- Honey or hot honey for a sweet-spicy finish
We keep cheeses chilled until serving by nesting a pan with ice below another pan that holds the ingredients—simple and effective for keeping everything cool near the fire.
2. Chocolate Swaps
The simplest upgrade: swap the plain chocolate bar for a different candy. Mini or thin-style chocolates melt quickly and create new flavor profiles—mint, caramel, or peanut butter can elevate a marshmallow in seconds. Offer a small selection and let guests build their own favorites.
Popular choices include mint chocolates, thin peanut butter cups, salted caramel squares, or wafer-style bars—the thinner the piece, the quicker it melts and complements the toasted marshmallow.
3. Cracker Swaps
Trading out graham crackers transforms the texture and flavor. Use sturdy alternatives so they hold toppings without breaking. A slight savory or buttery cracker can really shift the profile of the whole s’more.
- Saltines — the salty contrast is surprisingly perfect with mint or chocolate
- Chocolate chip cookies for extra sweetness
- Ritz or buttery crackers for a rich base
- Stroopwafels for a chewy, caramel-like twist
- Pretzel thins for crunch and salt
- Shortbread cookies for a delicate, buttery bite
4. Add Fresh Fruit or Spreads
Fresh fruit or fruit spreads add brightness and balance to a gooey s’more. Thinly sliced berries, bananas, apples, or stone fruit can be layered with chocolate or used in place of it. Jams, nut butters, and curds also make excellent bases and reduce prep time.
- Thinly sliced strawberries, bananas, or apples
- Peach or nectarine wedges
- Whole berries like blackberries or raspberries
- Peanut butter, Nutella, cookie butter, or lemon curd
- Honey or hot honey for a sweet finish
5. Fluff Dips
Marshmallow fluff opens up playful options: skewer fruit or cookie dough, dip it in fluff, then toast until the outside crisps and the center warms. Eat straight from the stick, plate it, or sandwich it between two crackers. A drizzle of chocolate or honey on top is optional and delicious.
- Whole strawberries dipped in fluff and toasted
- Peach or apple slices with fluff coating
- Pineapple chunks or small cookie dough balls
- Mini peanut butter cups dipped in fluff for extra indulgence
Our Favorite Combos
To help you get started, here are our top picks—easy to assemble and reliably delicious.
John’s Top 3
- Classic s’more with sliced strawberries on graham crackers
- Savory s’more: fig jam, prosciutto, and fontina on a rosemary cracker
- Lemon curd with toasted marshmallow on saltines (no chocolate)
Sherry’s Top 3
- Traditional s’more using a mint chocolate on a buttery cracker
- Savory s’more with hot honey, salami, and Babybel cheese on a Ritz-style cracker
- Whole strawberry dipped in marshmallow fluff (no cracker)
Happy s’mores-ing! Keep experimenting—small swaps in chocolate, crackers, cheese, or fruit can completely transform the experience and keep your fire pit nights fresh and fun.
More Backyard Inspiration
If you’d like more ideas on creating a cozy backyard setup—from enlarging usable space to hosting outdoor movie nights—check other posts on backyard design and outdoor entertaining.
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