Save I bought an air fryer thinking it would replace my oven for everything, but honestly, I forgot about it for weeks. Then one rainy afternoon, my niece asked if we could make smores, and I panicked because we had no firepit and no broiler. I remembered the air fryer sitting on the counter, shrugged, and tossed in some graham crackers with marshmallows on top. Four minutes later, we were scraping gooey chocolate off parchment paper and laughing at how ridiculously easy it was.
The first time I served these at a birthday party, I watched a grown man close his eyes and sigh like he was ten years old again. He told me his mom used to make smores in the oven, but they always burned on top and stayed cold in the middle. These came out evenly toasted, and the chocolate melted just enough to stick to the marshmallow without turning into a puddle. I made six more rounds that night.
Ingredients
- Graham cracker squares: The foundation of every smore, and they stay crisp even after assembly if you let them cool for a minute before biting in.
- Large marshmallows: They puff up beautifully in the air fryer, turning golden on the outside while staying soft and stretchy inside.
- Milk chocolate squares: I prefer the classic Hersheys bar because it melts at just the right speed, but dark chocolate works if you want something less sweet.
Instructions
- Prep your base:
- Lay 4 graham cracker squares on a piece of parchment paper that fits snugly in your air fryer basket. This keeps everything from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
- Build your smores:
- Place one chocolate square on each cracker, then press a marshmallow gently on top. The marshmallow will puff and spread, so dont worry if it looks small at first.
- Air fry to golden perfection:
- Set your air fryer to 375°F and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, watching through the window if you have one. The marshmallows should look toasted and slightly crackly on top.
- Sandwich and press:
- Pull the basket out and immediately top each smore with another graham cracker, pressing down gently to squish the marshmallow. The heat will finish melting the chocolate as you press.
- Cool before serving:
- Let them sit for a minute or two so the molten filling doesnt burn your tongue. Trust me, Ive learned this the hard way more than once.
Save I made these for my son after a soccer game once, and he brought three teammates back to the house without warning. I panicked until I realized I could crank out smores in under five minutes per batch. They all sat on the porch steps, chocolate smeared on their faces, and one kid asked if I could teach his dad how to make them. It became our unofficial post game tradition for the rest of the season.
Flavor Twists Worth Trying
Ive experimented with peanut butter smeared on the graham cracker before adding the chocolate, and it adds a creamy richness that makes the whole thing feel more indulgent. A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on the chocolate right before you sandwich it also cuts through the sweetness and makes the flavors pop. Dark chocolate works beautifully if you want something less sugary, and flavored chocolate like mint or caramel takes it in a completely different direction.
Making Them Your Own
You can swap in vegan marshmallows and dairy free chocolate to make these plant based, and honestly, no one will notice the difference. Ive also used chocolate hazelnut spread instead of solid chocolate, which melts faster and gives you that gooey center without any effort. If you have leftover Halloween candy, broken up peanut butter cups or Rolos work surprisingly well tucked under the marshmallow.
Storing and Reheating
These are best eaten fresh, but if you somehow have leftovers, you can wrap them in foil and reheat in the air fryer at 300°F for about a minute. The marshmallow wont puff up again, but the chocolate will soften and the crackers will crisp back up. I wouldnt make them ahead of time because the graham crackers get soggy once the marshmallow cools completely.
- Keep your air fryer basket lined with fresh parchment for each batch to avoid sticky buildup.
- If youre making a big batch, you can prep all the bases on separate sheets of parchment and swap them in quickly.
- Let the basket cool for a minute between rounds so the next batch cooks evenly.
Save Theres something magic about watching marshmallows puff up through the air fryer window, and the smell that fills your kitchen is pure comfort. These smores turned my air fryer from a forgotten gadget into the hero of every impromptu dessert craving.
Recipe FAQ
- → What temperature is best for cooking in the air fryer?
Set the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for perfectly melted chocolate and golden marshmallows.
- → Can I customize the chocolate used?
Yes, you can use milk, dark, or flavored chocolate squares based on your preference.
- → How do I avoid marshmallows sticking to the air fryer basket?
Placing parchment paper under the graham crackers helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- → Are there options for dietary preferences?
Vegan marshmallows and dairy-free chocolate can be substituted to suit plant-based diets.
- → What are some flavor variations I can try?
Adding a swipe of peanut butter or a sprinkle of sea salt adds extra flavor to this sweet treat.