S’mores remind me of summer camp and backyard fires with the kids. There’s something about that gooey marshmallow and melted chocolate that just makes everyone happy. But let’s be honest – who has time to build a fire every time we’re craving that classic combo?
That’s where microwave s’mores come to the rescue. You get all the flavors of the campfire treat without the smoke or the cleanup. I can whip these up in under two minutes when the kids are begging for something sweet after dinner. No matches, no waiting for coals to heat up, and definitely no burnt marshmallows falling into the fire.
The best part? Everyone can make their own exactly how they like it. Want extra chocolate? Go for it. Prefer your marshmallow barely melted? You’re in control. It’s the same nostalgic taste we all love, just way easier to pull off on a Tuesday night.
Why You’ll Love These Microwave S’mores
- Super quick and easy – You can have warm, gooey s’mores ready in just minutes without needing a campfire or even leaving your kitchen.
- Only three ingredients – Graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate are all you need to create this classic treat that everyone loves.
- Perfect for any weather – Rain or shine, you can satisfy your s’mores craving year-round without worrying about outdoor conditions or building a fire.
- Great for kids – This safe, simple method lets little ones help make their own s’mores without the dangers of an open flame.
- Instant satisfaction – When that s’mores craving hits, you don’t have to wait or plan ahead – just grab these pantry staples and you’re good to go.
What Kind of Chocolate Should I Use?
For microwave s’mores, you have plenty of chocolate options that will work great. The classic choice is milk chocolate, which gives you that traditional s’mores flavor most people remember from childhood. Dark chocolate works well too if you prefer something less sweet, and it pairs nicely with the sweetness of the marshmallows. You can use chocolate bars broken into pieces, chocolate chips, or even chocolate squares – whatever you have on hand will do the trick. Just make sure to use real chocolate rather than chocolate-flavored coating, as it melts better and tastes much more authentic.
Options for Substitutions
The beauty of s’mores is how simple they are, but you can still make a few swaps if needed:
- Graham crackers: If you’re out of graham crackers, try digestive biscuits, vanilla wafers, or even chocolate chip cookies for a fun twist. Just make sure whatever you use can hold up to the melted marshmallow without getting too soggy.
- Chocolate: Any chocolate works here – milk chocolate bars, dark chocolate, chocolate chips, or even peanut butter cups if you want to get creative. Just use about the same amount by weight.
- Large marshmallows: You can use mini marshmallows instead – just pile on about 8-10 minis per s’more. They’ll melt a bit faster, so watch your microwave time and reduce it by about 5-10 seconds.
- Microwave method: No microwave? You can make these in a toaster oven at 350°F for about 2-3 minutes, or even assemble them and let them sit in a warm car on a sunny day – the heat will do the melting for you!
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making microwave s’mores is overcooking the marshmallows, which can turn them into a rock-hard mess or cause them to explode – start with just 10-15 seconds and add more time in 5-second intervals until they’re perfectly puffed.
Another common error is using cold chocolate straight from the fridge, so let your chocolate sit at room temperature for a few minutes beforehand, or give it a quick 5-second zap in the microwave to help it melt from the warm marshmallow.
Don’t forget to place your s’mores on a microwave-safe plate and keep a close eye on them through the microwave window, since marshmallows can go from perfectly toasted to burnt in just a few seconds.
For the best results, assemble your s’mores immediately after microwaving while the marshmallow is still hot and gooey, then let them sit for about 30 seconds to allow the chocolate to melt completely.
What to Serve With Microwave S’mores?
These quick microwave s’mores are perfect on their own, but they’re even better when you turn them into a fun dessert spread for the whole family. I love setting out different types of chocolate like dark chocolate squares, peanut butter cups, or even cookies and cream bars so everyone can customize their s’mores. You can also put out some fresh strawberries or banana slices to add inside the s’mores for a fruity twist. A cold glass of milk is always a great pairing, or if you’re feeling fancy, try them with some hot cocoa or vanilla ice cream on the side.
Storage Instructions
Best Fresh: S’mores are definitely at their peak when eaten right away while everything is still warm and gooey. The marshmallow and chocolate will start to firm up as they cool, and the graham crackers can get a bit soggy if you wait too long.
Keep Components: If you want to prep ahead, store your graham crackers in an airtight container, keep the chocolate in a cool dry place, and leave the marshmallows in their original bag. This way you can whip up fresh s’mores whenever the craving hits without any loss in quality.
Quick Refresh: If you have leftover assembled s’mores that have cooled down, just pop them back in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to warm up the chocolate and marshmallow again. They won’t be quite as perfect as fresh ones, but still pretty tasty!
| Preparation Time | 5-10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0-1 minute |
| Total Time | 5-11 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 350-400
- Protein: 2-4 g
- Fat: 14-18 g
- Carbohydrates: 60-70 g
Ingredients
- 2 oz chocolate bar, broken into pieces (I use Ghirardelli dark chocolate)
- 4 whole graham crackers
- 4 large marshmallows (freshly opened for best puffiness)
Step 1: Prepare the Cracker Base
- 4 whole graham crackers
Break all 4 graham crackers in half to create 8 individual pieces.
Arrange 4 of these halves on a microwave-safe plate, spacing them out slightly so the marshmallows and chocolate have room to expand without touching.
This setup ensures even heating and makes assembly quick once everything comes out of the microwave.
Step 2: Layer Chocolate and Marshmallows
- 4 large marshmallows
- 2 oz chocolate bar, broken into pieces
Break the chocolate bar into 8 pieces total (roughly 2-3 pieces per s’more).
On each cracker half already on the plate, place one chocolate piece first, then top it with a marshmallow.
I like to use freshly opened marshmallows here—they puff up more dramatically in the microwave and give you that perfect fluffy texture.
The chocolate on the bottom helps it melt and adhere to the cracker.
Step 3: Microwave Until Marshmallows Puff
- prepared crackers with chocolate and marshmallows from Step 2
Microwave the plate on high power for 20-30 seconds, watching carefully through the window if possible.
The marshmallows will expand and turn golden, and the chocolate will begin to soften.
Stop as soon as the marshmallows reach maximum puff—if you go too long, they’ll collapse and become tough.
Every microwave varies, so start at 20 seconds and adjust based on your results.
Step 4: Assemble and Serve
- microwave marshmallows and chocolate from Step 3
- remaining 4 graham cracker halves
Working quickly while everything is still warm, top each marshmallow-topped cracker with one of the remaining cracker halves to create a sandwich, pressing gently so the melted chocolate and warm marshmallow act as an adhesive.
The residual heat will soften the chocolate just enough to bind everything together.
Serve immediately and enjoy—the warm marshmallow and melted chocolate create that classic s’mores experience.
