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Whether you think the best s’mores are the most basic or you’re all about creative s’mores ideas, these tweaks are all well worth a try at least once this summer.

Chocolate, graham crackers, and toasted marshmallows—s’mores are basically perfect. But that doesn’t mean they’re not also begging to be updated with your own personal spin. In pre-pandemic years, we were big proponents of setting up a mix-and-match s’mores bar at any BBQ. In this summer of social distancing, we can’t condone large groups crowding together, but we definitely still heartily endorse switching up your s’mores!

Hacking your s’mores is nothing new, we know, but there may be combinations you haven’t considered yet, so we’ve put together a mix-and-match guide to interesting s’mores variations.

Whether you’re going camping, lighting up the grill, or enjoying a backyard fire pit, there’s never a bad time for s’mores—and there’s almost no wrong way to build them.

If you don’t have an open flame or glowing embers for roasting your marshmallows, though, no worries—you can set up a DIY flowerpot roaster, use a simple can of Sterno, or invest in a store-bought tabletop s’mores cooker.

There are three basic ways to switch up your standard s’mores from the outside in: use flavored graham crackers or entirely different types of cookies; stuff them with non-vanilla marshmallows and/or a chocolate other than Hershey’s; or add extra ingredients to the usual trio. If you’re truly daring, do any combo of the above. You may just invent the next great iconic campfire treat.

  • Oreos, Brussels cookies (an easier shape to contend with than Milanos), or any other sandwich cookie (twisted apart for dainty appetites—or use two intact cookies for a stacked club sandwich effect)
  • brownies (made in mini cupcake tins for the perfect size right out of the gate—er, oven)
  • Rice Krispie treats
  • stroopwafels
  • mini doughnuts
  • Ritz crackers (the buttery crisp actually really works!)
  • Saltines
  • matzo (or matzo brittle/matzo crack for extra impact; flip it over so the chocolate is on the inside)
  • apple slices (not as exciting, but naturally gluten-free)

Mix, match, and play mad scientist to come up with your own creations in the pursuit of the perfect s’mores specimen!

Check out a few more s’mores variations for even more inspiration when it comes to putting everything together.

Rainbow-swirled tie-dye marshmallows and white chocolate make for an eye-popping and even sweeter take on traditional s’mores, which you are all but obligated to dub unicorn s’mores. That said, StudioDIY also has a recipe for red, white, and blue marshmallows for a more patriotic option, perfect for 4th of July and Labor Day BBQs. Get the Unicorn S’mores recipe.

If you want to turn things completely upside down, savory s’mores are the obvious answer—and a super fun starter for your next camping trip or cookout. Herbed cheese cookies, toasted brie, and salty prosciutto are a powerhouse flavor/texture trio, and they’re drizzled with honey for a sweet contrast. Get the Savory S’mores recipe.

Homemade chocolate graham crackers and fresh summer berries elevate the classic s’mores format without changing it too much. Get the Chocolate-Covered Raspberry S’mores recipe.

Add a slice of banana for an extra-tropical twist, or skip the coconut and add bacon and banana to the peanut butter-chocolate combo for an Elvis-inspired option. Get the Peanut Butter Toasted Coconut S’mores recipe.

No time for toasting individual marshmallows? Make one big, ooey-gooey grilled s’mores quesadilla (and do not try to eat the entire thing yourself; you will regret it). The brown sugar and graham cracker crumbs sprinkled on the outside are a chef-kiss-worthy touch. Get the S’mores Quesadillas recipe.

Looking for something you can make ahead and doesn’t require live fire? Try our best S’mores Bar recipe (it’s like Christmas brittle but for summertime).