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    Gastronotherapy » Recipes » Chocolate

    Vegan S'mores Bars

    Published: Jul 5, 2021 · Modified: Jun 13, 2022 by MaryAnne · 12 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Let these vegan s'mores bars transport you back to childhood summers. A rich graham cookie crust is made healthier by using oats and non-dairy butter. It's then topped with gooey dark chocolate and toasted mini-marshmallows. Even better than the classic!

    three vegan smores bars stacked on top of each other.

    Right around this time every summer I start to crave s'mores. If I don't have the opportunity to eat one around a fire, I actually make them using my gas stove, or I make marshmallow chocolate chip cookies.

    These treats almost need their own category separate from regular ol' s'mores: the base is a rich and buttery graham cracker cookie made healthier by using oats and non-dairy butter.

    Dark chocolate chips are melted on top and spread out to create a deep chocolatey layer, and mini-marshmallows are the pièce de résistance - placed under the broiler for just a few minutes to create that toasted flavor and slightly crispy bite we chase after in the classic campfire treat.

    Jump to:
    • ⭐️ Why This Recipe Works
    • 🍫 Ingredient Notes
    • 🔪 How To Make This Recipe
    • ⏲ Expert Tips
    • 💬 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🍪 Related Recipes
    • Vegan S'mores Bars Recipe

    ⭐️ Why This Recipe Works

    • Quick & Easy: Between the prep and bake time, this recipe only takes 40 minutes (and 30 of that is while they are in the oven so you can get other things done...is anyone else watching "Search Party"??)
    • Fun Upgrade: You don't need a campfire to make s'mores when you can make rich, chocolatey, gooey, and crispy bars that are so much better than the classic.
    • Versatile Party Treats - Because they are in bar form, they are much easier to transport - take them to a summer picnic, potluck, bbq, etc. No one will even know that they're vegan!
    • Healthy: Because this recipe is dairy-free/plant-based, it's a little bit better for you and easier on the planet. Of course, there is still a decent amount of sugar so I can't say these are the healthiest summertime treats, but even a small move in the right direction is better than nothing at all!

    🍫 Ingredient Notes

    ingredients arranged in bowls and cups on a table.
    • Graham crackers - If you want to use plant-based/vegan graham crackers (many brands contain honey), Nabisco brand does not contain honey.
    • Dairy-free butter - One of my favorite dairy-free butter brands is Earth Balance. Sometimes I forget that it's dairy-free - that's how good it is!
    • All-purpose flour - Substitute with ¼ cup of whole-wheat flour to make the bars even healthier!
    • Plant-based milk - I used almond milk but any plant-based milk will work.
    • Vegan dark chocolate chips (60% or higher) - I prefer dark chocolate but if you are not making vegan s'mores bars and you prefer milk chocolate, they will work great here.
    • Vegan mini-marshmallows - essential when making anything s'mores-related! If you are not making vegan bars, you can use "regular" mini-marshmallows. (Be sure to try my m&m rice krispie treats!)
    vegan smores bars with a bite taken out of one.

    🔪 How To Make This Recipe

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 8"x8" baking dish with parchment paper.

    Add graham crackers to a food processor and blend until fine crumbs are formed. Scrape down sides of bowl.

    Add softened butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, milk, vanilla, baking powder, and salt, and blend until well combined.

    Transfer cookie dough into prepared baking dish. Use your hands or a rubber spatula to press dough evenly into pan. Bake for 30 minutes.

    graham cracker base in a baking dish.

    After dough has finished baking, immediately add chocolate chips on top. Let sit for 5 minutes, and then spread melted chocolate with rubber spatula or back of a spoon until evenly covered.

    vegan chocolate chips sprinkled on top of cookie base.
    melted chocolate on top of cookie base.

    Add mini-marshmallows and spread in an even layer. Broil for 1-3 minutes, until marshmallows become your preferred level of toasted (watch very closely as they can burn very easily).

    broiled mini-marshmallows on top of vegan smores bars.

    Cool for at least one hour before cutting into bars. If you cut them sooner, they will be a gooey mess. Grab parchment paper to lift bars out of the pan and use a sharp knife to cut the bars.

    ⏲ Expert Tips

    • Storage: Place in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
    • How to freeze: After completely cooled, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Make ahead: Make the graham crust and chocolate layer up to 24 hours ahead of time, and store covered at room temperature. Add marshmallows and broil a few hours before serving.
    • Let bars cool completely before cutting. Ideally, the bars should cool for at least one hour before cutting; cutting too soon will lead to a gooey mess.
    • Guittard makes dark (60%) chocolate chips that are vegan. If you want darker vegan chocolate (higher cacao content), I recommend inquiring at Whole Foods or purchasing them online.
    • Vegan mini-marshmallows do not contain gelatin, making them vegan-friendly. Trader Joe's makes vegan mini-marshmallows, and Whole Foods might carry them as well.
    • Make 'em regular. If you don't need this recipe to be strictly vegan, you can easily substitute regular graham crackers, butter, milk, chocolate chips, and mini-marshmallows. The bars will be just as delicious! 😉
    nine bars with toasted marshmallows cut into squares.

    💬 Frequently Asked Questions

    Are vegan marshmallows good for smores?

    Yes! The only difference between "regular" and plant-based marshmallows is that the former contains gelatin, which is animal-based. Both types of marshmallows work great for s'mores!

    Are marshmallows vegan?

    No, they contain gelatin, which is derived from animals.

    Can you roast vegan marshmallows?

    Yes! You can use vegan marshmallows the same way you would for non-vegan marshmallows.

    🍪 Related Recipes

    • Chocolate Chip Marshmallow Cookies
    • M&M Rice Krispie Treats
    • Death By Chocolate Zucchini Bread
    • Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Tried this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook or by subscribing to our newsletter.

    three vegan smores bars stacked on top of each other.

    Vegan S'mores Bars Recipe

    Author: MaryAnne
    Let these vegan s'mores bars transport you back to childhood summers. A rich graham cookie crust is topped with gooey dark chocolate and toasted mini-marshmallows. Even better than the classic!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 9 bars
    Calories 337 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    Graham Cookie Crust

    • 8 (full) graham crackers (1 cup of crumbs)
    • ½ cup dairy-free butter, softened
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup old-fashioned oats
    • ¼ cup light brown sugar
    • 3 Tablespoons plant-based milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt

    Chocolate-Marshmallow Topping

    • 10 ounces vegan dark chocolate chips (60% or higher)
    • 1 ¾ cups vegan mini-marshmallows

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 8"x8" baking dish with parchment paper.
    • Add graham crackers to a food processor and blend until fine crumbs are formed. Scrape down sides of bowl.
    • Add softened butter, flour, oats, brown sugar, milk, vanilla, baking powder, and salt, and blend until well combined.
    • Transfer cookie dough into prepared baking dish. Use your hands or a rubber spatula to press dough evenly into pan. Bake for 30 minutes.
    • After dough has finished baking, immediately add chocolate chips on top. Let sit for 5 minutes, and then spread melted chocolate with rubber spatula or back of a spoon until evenly covered.
    • Add mini-marshmallows and spread in an even layer. Broil for 1-3 minutes, until marshmallows become your preferred level of toasted (watch very closely as they can burn very easily).
    • Cool for at least one hour before cutting into bars. If you cut them sooner, they will be a gooey mess. Grab parchment paper to lift bars out of the pan and use a sharp knife to cut the bars.

    Notes

    • Storage: Place in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
    • How to freeze: After completely cooled, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
    • Make ahead: Make the graham crust and chocolate layer up to 24 hours ahead of time, and store covered at room temperature. Add marshmallows and broil a few hours before serving.
    • Let bars cool completely before cutting. Ideally, the bars should cool for at least one hour before cutting; cutting too soon will lead to a gooey mess.
    • Make 'em regular. If you don't need this recipe to be strictly vegan, you can easily substitute regular graham crackers, butter, milk, chocolate chips, and mini-marshmallows. The bars will be just as delicious! 😉

    Nutrition

    Calories: 337kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 3gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 2gSodium: 252mgPotassium: 29mgFiber: 3gSugar: 27gCalcium: 69mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Barb+Haner

      July 05, 2021 at 7:01 pm

      5 stars
      This will be a real summertime treat! I think it is a great idea to take to summer outings. The pictures look like I could bite right into them!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 07, 2021 at 11:44 am

        Yes - what's better than portable s'mores that are also somewhat healthy?? 🙂

        Reply
    2. Emily Liao

      July 06, 2021 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      This smores bar was so delicious and easy to make. The kiddos loved it.

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 07, 2021 at 11:36 am

        Fantastic, Emily!

        Reply
    3. Beth

      July 06, 2021 at 2:12 pm

      5 stars
      My daughter loved helping make these and they were so addicting! My family and I loved how these turned out! Excited to make these bars again!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 07, 2021 at 11:37 am

        Thanks so much, Beth! Yes - they are easy enough for kids to make as well!

        Reply
    4. Amanda Dixon

      July 06, 2021 at 2:56 pm

      5 stars
      These bars were an absolute delight! They turned out perfectly gooey like a good s'mores should. This is a must-make for the summer.

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 07, 2021 at 11:39 am

        Thanks, Amanda! Yes - gooey is a requirement for s'mores! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Elizabeth

      July 06, 2021 at 3:00 pm

      5 stars
      These s’mores bars are out of this world delicious! Such a great summer recipe!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 07, 2021 at 11:39 am

        So glad you enjoyed them, Elizabeth!

        Reply
    6. Angela

      July 06, 2021 at 3:34 pm

      5 stars
      S'more are my absolute favorite and I love that you made them vegan-friendly! Perfect summertime recipe. Thanks so much for sharing!

      Reply
      • Gastronotherapy

        July 07, 2021 at 11:40 am

        You are welcome, Angela!

        Reply

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    MaryAnne from Gastronotherapy

    Hi, I'm MaryAnne! Gastronotherapy is where I create easy recipes that are mainly vegetarian and vegan. And I have a huge sweet tooth, so dessert is never far behind.

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