Save to Pinterest My kids discovered air fryer s'mores by accident one rainy afternoon when camping felt impossible but their hearts weren't in it. They'd been eyeing the marshmallows in the pantry with that specific kind of determination only children possess, so I thought, why not skip the backyard fire pit entirely? Five minutes later, we had perfectly melted chocolate and puffy golden marshmallows without a single singed finger or ember between us. It's become our go-to sneaky dessert on nights when someone craves that campfire magic but we're content staying indoors.
Last summer my brother-in-law came over complaining about how his kids refused dessert because store-bought treats felt boring. I assembled four s'mores, set the air fryer, and by the time he'd poured his coffee they were done. Watching his face when he bit into one—that exact moment when the marshmallow stretched and the chocolate hit his tongue—reminded me that sometimes the simplest ideas land the hardest.
Ingredients
- Graham cracker squares (8 total): These are your foundation, and honestly, the quality matters more than you'd think—thicker, less sugary crackers won't turn to paste under the heat like bargain brands do.
- Large marshmallows (4): Don't cheap out here; standard marshmallows puff beautifully, but the jumbo ones can actually brown unevenly, so stick with large.
- Milk chocolate squares (4): A good melting chocolate makes all the difference—I've used both fancy and everyday bars, and both work, but the fancy stuff gets silkier faster.
Instructions
- Prep your crackers:
- Lay 4 graham cracker squares on a piece of parchment paper that fits snugly in your air fryer basket. Make sure there's a tiny bit of breathing room around each one so air can circulate.
- Build your towers:
- Place one chocolate square and one marshmallow on top of each cracker—the order doesn't matter, but I've found chocolate on the cracker first helps it melt more evenly.
- Air fry to golden:
- Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. You're looking for marshmallows that are puffed up and just barely starting to turn golden on top—that's when you know they're ready.
- The press and cool:
- Pull out the basket carefully (the filling is genuinely hot), quickly place the second graham cracker on top of each one, and press down gently. Let them sit for 1 to 2 minutes so the marshmallow sets just enough to hold everything together without sticking to your fingers.
Save to Pinterest There's something almost sacred about that moment when you bite into a warm s'more and the marshmallow still has just enough heat to feel like a treat, but not enough to burn your mouth. My daughter declared last week that air fryer s'mores are better than campfire ones because she gets to eat them while still wearing her fuzzy socks, and honestly, she's not wrong.
Flavor Variations That Actually Work
Once you've nailed the basic version, the experiments start naturally. Peanut butter spread under the chocolate creates this nutty richness that somehow feels grown-up compared to the classic, and a tiny pinch of sea salt on top of the marshmallow before air frying creates this sweet-salty tension that changes everything. I've even tested dark chocolate when someone brought fancy bars to a dinner, and the bitterness against the sweet marshmallow actually deepens the whole experience—it's less campfire s'more and more sophisticated dessert, which is its own kind of fun.
Timing and Temperature Precision
Air fryers vary wildly in how aggressively they cook, so the first time you make these, stick around and peek at the 2:30 mark. Some machines run hotter and will have perfectly golden marshmallows at 3 minutes, while others need the full 4—that bit of observation early on saves you from charred experiments later. The sweet spot is when the marshmallow has expanded noticeably and the top just barely starts to turn from white to tan; it'll keep cooking slightly as it cools.
Storage, Scaling, and Smart Shortcuts
These are absolutely best eaten fresh and warm—the marshmallow firms up as it cools and by the next day tastes more like stale candy than dessert, so plan accordingly. That said, if you're making these for a group, you can absolutely prep multiple batches back-to-back; just have all your ingredients assembled and ready to go, because once one batch comes out, you want to top it and eat it while the next batch starts cooking. The recipe scales perfectly up or down, whether you're making one s'more or a whole dozen for a party.
- Use a small spatula or tongs to remove the hot s'mores without burning your fingers—they're delicate for those first few seconds.
- If marshmallows are too soft to handle, put the whole stack in the freezer for 3 minutes before serving.
- Vegan marshmallows and dairy-free chocolate work beautifully with this exact same timing, so dietary preferences don't have to mean missing out.
Save to Pinterest There's something deeply comforting about bringing the essence of summer campfires into your kitchen any time you want, without needing to convince anyone to sit outside. These s'mores remind me that the best meals are often the simplest ones, made better by the people you're eating them with.
Questions & Answers
- → Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate?
Yes, absolutely. Dark chocolate works great and adds a richer flavor that complements the sweet marshmallow perfectly. The cooking time remains the same.
- → How do I prevent the marshmallows from burning?
Monitor the marshmallows closely during the last minute of cooking. They should be golden and puffed but not charred. Air fryer temperatures can vary, so start checking at 3 minutes.
- → What's the best way to handle the hot filling?
Let the finished s'mores cool for 1-2 minutes before eating. The chocolate and marshmallow filling will be very hot immediately after cooking, so patience prevents burns.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
S'mores are best enjoyed fresh and warm. Prepare the graham cracker stacks ahead, but air fry just before serving to maintain the crispy texture and gooey filling.
- → Are there vegan options available?
Yes, substitute with vegan marshmallows and dairy-free chocolate. The cooking time and temperature remain unchanged, making this dessert accessible for plant-based diets.