Healthy Alternatives to S’mores

With gooey marshmallow, velvety chocolate and a crispy graham cracker finish, it is hard to picture anything more perfect than a s’more. However, after a few nights of s’mores on your camping trip, you may find yourself wondering how to make s’mores healthy or at least in a way that does not give you such a sugar rush. Explore some sweet and savory s’mores alternatives for a new take on this camping classic.

Sweet Alternatives

Being healthy does not mean you cannot still satisfy your sweet tooth. Many of the following recipes use fruit, so you can enjoy some natural sweetness for a healthier s’more that is just as delicious.

Strawberry S’mores

These strawberry s’mores are a creative take on a classic for the perfect way to make the most of this summer fruit.

Ingredients:

• Marshmallow fluff
• Strawberries
• Crushed graham crackers
• Chocolate sauce

Directions:

1. Dip the strawberry in marshmallow fluff before roasting it over the fire.
2. Once the fluff is golden brown, dip the berry in the crushed graham crackers and drizzle the chocolate sauce over the top.

Pineapple S’mores

This idea breaks the traditional s’more mold for delicious results.

Ingredients:

• Sliced and cubed pineapple
• Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Roast the pineapple over the fire until golden brown
2. Remove the pineapple from the fire and add a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Caramel Apple S’mores

This s’more idea is sweet without being overwhelming for a waistline-friendly option.

Ingredients:

• Green apple
• Marshmallow
• Caramel sauce

Directions:

1. Core the green apple and slice it thinly.
2. Place a small dollop of caramel sauce on one side of the apple slices.
3. Roast the marshmallow and then place it on top of the caramel sauce. Place the other apple slice on top and enjoy.

Key Lime Pie S’mores

Add a tropical twist with these key lime pie s’mores.

Ingredients:

• Shortbread cookies
• Lime or lemon curd
• Marshmallows
• Lime zest

Directions:

1. Take two shortbread cookies and place a small spoonful of lemon curd on one of them.
2. Roast a marshmallow and put it on top of the lemon curd.
3. Zest lime over the marshmallow and lemon curd before placing the second shortbread cookie over the top.

Banana S’mores

Replace the marshmallow with a banana in this delicious alternative.

Ingredients:

• Banana
• Graham cracker
• Chocolate squares

Directions:

1. Break the graham cracker in half before placing a chocolate square on one half.
2. Roast the banana over the fire until warm and place it on the chocolate square.
3. Place the other graham cracker half on top.

Healthier Classic S’mores

Sometimes, you do not want to mess with perfection. The following recipe is the original s’mores recipe with healthier substitutions.

Ingredients:

• Vegan marshmallows
• Organic dark chocolate bar
• Organic graham crackers
• Strawberries

Directions:

1. Break the graham cracker in half and place a chocolate square on one half.
2. Roast the marshmallow how you like it.
3. Place the marshmallow on top of the chocolate square and then put a few strawberry slices on the marshmallow before adding the second graham cracker square.

Savory Alternatives

If sweet is not your thing, there are plenty of healthy savory s’more alternatives to enjoy.

Brie Apple S’mores

This fun alternative is great as an appetizer and is perfect for cheese lovers.

Ingredients:

• Ritz crackers
• Brie cheese
• Apple slices

Directions:

1. Place an apple splice on your roasting stick and then add a slice of brie on top of the apple.
2. Roast the apple and brie until the cheese is slightly melty.
3. Place the apple and brie on a cracker and then put another cracker over the top.

Roasted Tomato and Basil

If you love Caprese salad, roasted tomato and basil s’mores are a perfect way to combine the best elements of this dish in an easy-to-enjoy format.

Ingredients:

• Wheat crackers
• Cherry tomatoes
• Burrata cheese
• Basil
• Reduced balsamic vinaigrette

Directions:

1. Set two crackers aside
2. Place burrata cheese on one cracker and then top with basil.
3. Roast the tomato until the skin starts to wrinkle slightly and then place it on top of the basil leaves.
4. Drizzle balsamic vinaigrette on top and place the second cracker over the top.

Margherita S’mores

Instead of a marshmallow, this s’more recipe uses soft cheese for a gooey treat.

Ingredients:

• Ritz crackers
• Marshmallows
• Sundried tomato
• Basil leaves

Directions:

1. If you are making your margherita s’mores over the fire, start your fire and line a fire-safe pan with aluminum foil.
2. If you are making your s’more over the grill, turn the grill on high heat and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Put eight Ritz crackers in the pan, with a slice of mozzarella on each.
4. Roast for one minute or until the cheese begins to melt.
5. Top the cheese with a sundried tomato and basil leaf before putting another Ritz cracker on top.

Spicy Salami S’mores

This pizza-inspired s’more is excellent as an appetizer or the main attraction as you gather around the campfire.

Ingredients:

• Miniature toasts
• 8 slices of fontina cheese
• 8 slices of spicy salami
• 4 halved black olives

Directions:

1. If you are making your s’mores over the fire, start the fire and line a fire-safe pan with aluminum foil.
2. To make your s’mores on the grill, preheat the grill to high and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Put eight toasts on the pan or tray and put a slice of cheese on each.
4. Grill or roast until the cheese starts to melt.
5. Remove the toasts from the fire and put a piece of salami on top, a black olive and the other slice of toast.

Cheese and Bacon S’mores

The saltiness of the cheese pairs well with the saltiness of the bacon for a delectable s’more you can serve for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients:

• ½ tablespoon olive oil
• 2 slices of bacon
• 16 ritz crackers
• 8 slices of brie cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat your grill to high heat and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Put the oil and bacon in a nonstick pan and fry until the bacon becomes golden and crisp. Set the bacon aside on some paper towels to remove excess grease.
3. As the bacon cooks, place eight Ritz crackers on the baking sheet and top each with a slice of brie.
4. After removing the bacon from the pan, put the crackers on the grill and let them roast until the cheese melts.
5. Slice the bacon into eight pieces and place it on the cracker and cheese. Put another cracker on top to complete the s’more.

Sweet and Savory S’mores

While pepperoni and marshmallow are complete opposites on the flavor spectrum, they pair well together in this sweet and savory s’more for a one-of-a-kind campfire creation.

Ingredients:

• Water crackers
• Bleu cheese
• Pepperoni or prosciutto
• Honey
• Marshmallows

Directions:

1. Take two crackers and layer one with bleu cheese, honey, prosciutto or pepperoni.
2. Roast a marshmallow over the fire to your desired level of toastiness.
3. Place the marshmallow over the bleu cheese, honey and pepperoni and then top with the second cracker.

3 Tips for Making S’mores

While making s’mores is pretty straightforward, there are ways you can improve your s’mores game.

1. Use a Long Stick to Keep Your S’mores in Place

Whether you are roasting your marshmallows over a flame or the grill, make sure you are at a distance that allows you to roast without being too hot. Using a longer stick allows you to stay cool while making it easier to rotate your marshmallow for a more even roast.

2. Use a Melting Block

Make sure your chocolate (or cheese) is nice and gooey by using a melting block. Your melting block can be a scrap of wood at the edge of your fire that is away from the flame while still getting the heat from the fire. Place your graham cracker and chocolate or cracker and cheese on this block as you prepare the other ingredients for the perfect gooey bite.

3. Keep the Wet Wipes Handy

If you are working with marshmallows or other s’more ingredients, there is a good chance your hands will get sticky. Keeping wet wipes at the ready ensures your hands will stay clean and prevent other elements, like dirt, ash, bugs or hair, from sticking to your fingers as you cook.

Try Your S’mores Creations at a Kampgrounds of America Near You

Experimenting with flavors and cooking techniques is easy when you stay at KOA. Whether you book a Tent Site that offers access to a fire pit so you can roast marshmallows and other additions to your s’more to your heart’s content or a Deluxe Cabin with a kitchenette, there is a cooking option for everyone at KOA.

In addition to multiple ways to stay, each campground offers plenty of amenities, like clean bathrooms and hot showers. Since each campground is unique, you may also have the chance to enjoy amenities such as pools, playgrounds and beach access to make your stay more exciting. Regardless of where you visit, make sure to end each night with the camping classic of s’mores around the campfire. Book your stay to start planning your campfire creation today.

---

About the Author: Kampgrounds of America

Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.