Cover photo courtesy of S. Michal Bennett
Ooey, gooey s’mores are a classic American campfire snack, especially when it’s frosty outside and the glow of a bonfire seems particularly cozy. This winter season, transform your s’mores into savory s’mores! Simply swap out the marshmallow for a chunk of cheese, the chocolate for a smear of spread, and the graham crackers for crackers or bread. The result is a warm, comforting bite that can be a main course before the traditional s’mores.
Since TikTok and Instagram launched savory s’mores onto the scene, this food trend has captured the imaginations of many content creators, camping enthusiasts, and foodies—the combinations seem endless. Referencing a variety of gourmet cheeses, cured meats, and crackers, the food concept may have sprung out of the movement towards charcuterie platters and grazing tables that spawned businesses and enhanced catering over the past few years. So, keep those pairings in mind as you prep your bonfire snacks.
Here are a few tips to get you started. First, use a melty cheese. Hard cheeses, like parmesan and pecorino Romano tend to crisp instead of melt. Second, don’t hesitate to add another ingredient to your roasting stick, like a slice of meat, an olive, or even a piece of fruit. Third, spreads are optional but definitely enhance the texture of your s’mores. And, finally, choose a cracker or piece of bread that both complements and fits the ingredients. Cheez-it crackers are a bit small for this snack. My top combinations: mozzarella ball, cherry tomato, pesto, and water crackers; Finnish bread cheese, salami, fig jam, and buttery crackers; and Mini Babybel, ham, cranberry sauce, and Triscuits.
