S’mores remind me of summer camp and backyard fire pits. There’s something special about roasting marshmallows and watching them turn golden brown. But when you’re vegan or have friends who are, traditional s’mores are off the table. Regular marshmallows contain gelatin, and most chocolate isn’t dairy-free.
That’s why I created this vegan version that tastes just as good as the original. I use plant-based marshmallows and dairy-free chocolate, plus the same graham crackers you already love. The best part? Even my non-vegan friends can’t tell the difference when we’re sitting around the fire pit.
Want to make them indoors? No problem. I’ll show you how to make these in your oven too. Summer camping trip or cozy winter night, you’re covered.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan S’mores
- Super quick and easy – This treat comes together in just 10-15 minutes with no baking required, making it perfect for when you need a sweet fix fast.
- No campfire needed – You get all the classic s’mores flavors without the hassle of building a fire or dealing with messy roasted marshmallows.
- Kid-friendly activity – This is a fun recipe to make with little ones since there’s no hot stove or oven involved, just mixing and enjoying.
- Perfect for parties – The colorful M&M’s and heart sprinkles make this a festive treat that’s great for Valentine’s Day, birthday parties, or any celebration.
- Plant-based indulgence – You can enjoy all the nostalgic s’mores taste while sticking to your vegan lifestyle, proving that plant-based desserts can be just as satisfying.
What Kind of Chocolate Should I Use?
For vegan s’mores, you’ll want to swap out regular milk chocolate morsels for dairy-free alternatives since traditional chocolate contains milk. Look for vegan chocolate chips or morsels in the baking aisle – brands like Enjoy Life, Guittard Semi-Sweet, or Nestle Simply Delicious offer great options that melt beautifully. Dark chocolate chips are often naturally vegan too, just check the ingredient list to make sure there’s no milk powder listed. If you can’t find vegan chocolate chips, you can also chop up a good quality dark chocolate bar into small pieces – it’ll work just as well and might even taste better!
Options for Substitutions
This fun s’mores mix is pretty adaptable, so here are some swaps you can make:
- Golden Grahams cereal: If you can’t find Golden Grahams, try Cinnamon Toast Crunch or even crushed graham crackers (about 3 sleeves). Honey Nut Cheerios work too for a different twist.
- Mini marshmallows: Since this is vegan s’mores, make sure to use vegan marshmallows like Dandies brand. Regular marshmallows contain gelatin, which isn’t vegan-friendly.
- Milk chocolate morsels: For the vegan version, swap these with dairy-free chocolate chips like Enjoy Life or Guittard semi-sweet chips. Dark chocolate chips (70% or higher) are often naturally vegan too.
- Cupid’s Mix M&M’s: M&M’s aren’t vegan, so try vegan chocolate candies like Unreal dark chocolate gems or just add more dairy-free chocolate chips instead.
- Mini heart sprinkles: Check that your sprinkles are vegan (some contain confectioner’s glaze). You can use any fun sprinkles, chopped nuts, or even coconut flakes for extra texture.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making vegan s’mores is not checking that all your ingredients are actually vegan – many marshmallows contain gelatin (an animal product), and most chocolate chips contain dairy, so be sure to look for vegan alternatives at your grocery store.
Another common error is overheating the chocolate, which can cause it to seize up and become grainy instead of smooth and melty – use low heat and stir constantly, or try melting in 30-second intervals in the microwave.
Don’t rush the assembly process by trying to add toppings while the chocolate is still too hot, as this will cause your marshmallows to melt completely and your sprinkles to lose their shape.
For the best texture, let each layer cool slightly before adding the next one, and store your finished s’mores in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to help everything set properly.
What to Serve With Vegan S’mores?
These sweet treats are perfect on their own, but they’re amazing alongside a big glass of cold oat milk or your favorite plant-based milk for dipping and dunking. You could also serve them with some fresh strawberries or raspberries to balance out all that chocolatey goodness with a bit of tartness. If you’re hosting a party, consider setting up a little dessert spread with some vegan vanilla ice cream or coconut whipped cream on the side. For a cozy movie night, pair these s’mores with some hot cocoa made with almond or soy milk for the perfect sweet ending to your evening.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: Store your vegan s’mores mix in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. I like to use a big glass jar or plastic container with a tight lid to keep everything crispy and fresh. Make sure to give it a good stir before serving since the ingredients can settle.
Portion Out: This mix is perfect for making individual snack bags! Divide it into small zip-top bags or containers for easy grab-and-go treats. Kids love having their own personal portion, and it makes it super convenient for lunch boxes or road trips.
Make Ahead: You can totally make this mix a few days before you need it for parties or events. Just keep it sealed tight and it’ll taste just as good as the day you made it. The flavors actually meld together nicely after sitting for a day or two.
| Preparation Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 0 minutes |
| Total Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 4200-4800
- Protein: 35-45 g
- Fat: 110-130 g
- Carbohydrates: 800-900 g
Ingredients
- 1 bag milk chocolate chips (11.5 oz, dairy-free for vegan)
- 1 box golden grahams cereal (11.7 oz, crushed into coarse crumbs)
- 1 bag M&M’s (10 oz, use regular or peanut variety)
- 1 bag mini marshmallows (10 oz, vegan variety like Dandies)
- 1 cup heart-shaped mini sprinkles (for festive topping)
Step 1: Prepare and Crush the Cereal Base
- 1 box golden grahams cereal
Open the box of golden grahams cereal and pour it into a large bowl.
Using your hands or the bottom of a measuring cup, crush the cereal into coarse crumbs—you want pieces ranging from small chunks to fine crumbs, not a fine powder.
This texture creates the foundational crunch for your s’mores mix.
I prefer leaving some larger pieces so you get that satisfying bite when eating the mix.
Step 2: Add Chocolate and Marshmallows to Build Flavor Layers
- crushed cereal from Step 1
- 1 bag milk chocolate chips
- 1 bag mini marshmallows
Pour the dairy-free milk chocolate chips directly into the bowl with the crushed cereal, then add the vegan mini marshmallows.
Gently fold these ingredients together using a large spoon or spatula, being careful not to crush the marshmallows—you want them to stay intact and fluffy so they maintain their texture when the mix is eaten.
The chocolate chips will coat the cereal pieces and create little pockets of sweetness throughout.
Step 3: Incorporate Colorful Candy and Final Garnish
- chocolate and marshmallow mixture from Step 2
- 1 bag M&M’s
- 1 cup heart-shaped mini sprinkles
Add the M&M’s to the mixture and fold gently to distribute them evenly throughout.
Finally, sprinkle the heart-shaped mini sprinkles over the top and give everything a final, gentle fold to combine.
I like to reserve a small handful of sprinkles to sprinkle on top at the end for a more festive presentation when serving.
Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
Transfer the s’mores mix to a serving bowl or individual bowls if you prefer.
This is a no-cook treat that’s perfect for parties, snacking, or sharing.
Serve immediately and enjoy the combination of crunchy cereal, sweet marshmallows, chocolate, candy, and colorful sprinkles in every spoonful.




