Gather friends and family for a cozy spread that invites everyone to craft their perfect bite. This Build Your Own S’mores Tray is simple to set up, beautifully customizable, and always the first thing to disappear.
Build Your Own S'mores Tray
Equipment
- 1 Long skewers or roasting sticks for toasting
- 1 Large board or tray
- 1 Small bowls for toppings and spreads
- 1 Parchment-lined sheet for broiling marshmallows
- 1 Oven broiler
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 Fire pit or grill use with adult supervision
Ingredients
Base & Chocolate
- 16 graham cracker sheets broken into squares
- 16 large marshmallows plant-based recommended for great toast and pull
- 8 oz chocolate bars milk, dark, or dairy-free; pre-scored squares for easier melting
- Shortbread chocolate grahams, wafer cookies, stroopwafels, or rice cakes (optional)
Spreads & Sauces
- 0.5 cup peanut butter
- 0.5 cup almond butter
- 0.5 cup hazelnut spread
- 0.5 cup cookie butter
- 0.5 cup caramel sauce
- 0.25 cup tahini for a savory-sweet twist
Fresh Add-ins
- 1 cup strawberries sliced
- 2 bananas sliced
- 1 cup raspberries
- 1 pear thinly sliced
Crunchy Extras
- 1 cup pretzels
- 0.5 cup toasted coconut
- 0.5 cup crushed nuts or seeds
Finishing Touches
- 1 tsp flaky sea salt
- 2 tbsp cinnamon sugar
- 0.25 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Arrange crackers, chocolate, spreads, fruit, and toppings on a large board. Keep marshmallows in a big bowl for easy grabbing. Add small spoons or knives for spreads.
- If the room is cool, set chocolate near gentle warmth so it softens slightly. Loosen thicker spreads by warming briefly until spoonable.
- Outdoors, use a fire pit or grill with adult supervision. Indoors, toast marshmallows under the oven broiler on a parchment-lined sheet, or use an air fryer until golden. Rotate for even color.
- Place chocolate on a cracker, add a hot toasted marshmallow, then your favorite toppings. Cap with a second cracker and press lightly so the heat melts the chocolate.
- Keep extra marshmallows and crackers nearby to refill the tray. Offer napkins and a safe resting spot for hot skewers.
Notes
Why You’ll Love This Build Your Own S’mores Tray
- Party-perfect and interactive, so guests can make exactly what they crave.
- Zero baking, minimal prep, and just a few dishes to wash.
- Works indoors or outdoors with easy toasting options.
- Kid-friendly and budget-friendly, yet totally photo-worthy.
Build Your Own S’mores Tray Ingredients & Substitutions
- Marshmallows: Choose plant-based marshmallows for a great toast and pull. Large or jumbo both work.
- Chocolate: Milk, dark, or dairy-free bars. Pre-score squares for easier melting.
- Base options: Graham crackers, chocolate grahams, shortbread, wafer cookies, stroopwafels, or rice cakes.
- Spreads: Peanut butter, almond butter, hazelnut spread, cookie butter, caramel sauce, or tahini for a savory-sweet twist.
- Fresh add-ins: Sliced strawberries, bananas, raspberries, or thin pear slices.
- Crunchy extras: Pretzels, toasted coconut, crushed nuts or seeds.
- Finishing touches: Flaky sea salt, cinnamon sugar, mini chocolate chips.
- Tools: Long skewers or roasting sticks, small bowls, a large board or tray.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Build Your Own S’mores Tray
1. Prep the tray
Arrange crackers, chocolate, spreads, fruit, and toppings on a large board. Keep marshmallows in a big bowl for easy grabbing. Add small spoons or knives for spreads.
2. Warm the chocolate and sauces
If the room is cool, set chocolate near gentle warmth so it softens slightly. Loosen thicker spreads by warming briefly until spoonable.
3. Set up a toasting station
Outdoors, use a fire pit or grill with adult supervision. Indoors, toast marshmallows under the oven broiler on a parchment-lined sheet, or use an air fryer until golden. Rotate for even color.
4. Build and enjoy
Place chocolate on a cracker, add a hot toasted marshmallow, then your favorite toppings. Cap with a second cracker and press lightly so the heat melts the chocolate.
5. Refill and serve safely
Keep extra marshmallows and crackers nearby to refill the tray. Offer napkins and a safe resting spot for hot skewers.
Tips for Success
- Toast to golden, not burnt, for the creamiest texture.
- Pre-portion toppings in small bowls for a tidy, inviting look.
- Set chocolate under the marshmallow so it softens quickly.
- Have a few assembled s’mores prepped for eager hands at the start.
- If hosting outside, cover the tray with a clean towel between rounds to keep everything fresh.
Variations of Build Your Own S’mores Tray
- Tropical: Coconut flakes, mango slices, and dark chocolate.
- Peanut butter cup: Peanut butter, milk chocolate, and a pinch of flaky salt.
- Cookies and cream: Chocolate wafers, white chocolate, and crushed sandwich cookies.
- Salted caramel: Caramel sauce, toasted pecans, and sea salt.
- Spiced: Cinnamon sugar grahams and a dusting of chai spice.
- Minty: Dark chocolate with mint and crushed peppermint candy.
Serving Suggestions: What to Pair with Build Your Own S’mores Tray
- Drinks: Hot cocoa, warm chai, classic milk, or iced coffee.
- Snacks: Popcorn, salty pretzels, or a cheese board for contrast.
- Fresh sides: Orange wedges or a simple fruit salad to balance the sweetness.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Store leftover crackers and toppings in airtight containers at room temperature.
- Keep chocolate cool and dry, away from direct heat or sunlight.
- Seal marshmallows in a jar or zip-top bag to prevent drying.
- To rewarm assembled s’mores, heat in a 300°F oven or air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes until melty.
Memories Made Around the Table
Some of my favorite evenings end with sticky fingers and chocolatey smiles. A simple tray turns into laughter, stories, and one more bite together.
FAQs
Can I make this inside without a fire? Yes. Broil marshmallows on a lined sheet, or toast in an air fryer until golden.
What marshmallows work best? Plant-based marshmallows toast beautifully and give that stretchy pull. Jumbo marshmallows are extra fun for big stacks.
How do I keep chocolate melty? Place chocolate under the hot marshmallow and serve soon after toasting. You can also gently warm chocolate pieces near the oven.
How much should I plan per person? Estimate 2 to 3 s’mores per guest, plus a little extra for chocolate and marshmallows.
Any allergy-friendly swaps? Use dairy-free chocolate, nut-free spreads, and gluten-free crackers to fit your crowd.
Final Thoughts
This tray makes hosting easy and playful. Set it out, toast together, and let everyone build a sweet bite that feels just right.