We tested four savory s'mores combos over the campfire to see which ones actually work. Here's what we learned about roasting cheese over fire, the combos that are worth making, and how to serve them when you're hosting.
Quick Look
- 📋 Recipe: Savory S'mores Board
- ⏲️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 2-3 minutes per s'more
- 👥 Servings: 4-6 people
- 🔪 Difficulty: Easy
- ⭐ Top Tip: Don't skip the fig jam, fresh tomatoes, apple slices, and hot honey. They're what take these savory s'mores to the next level.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- So easy to set up, the board takes about 10 minutes to put together
- Guests build their own, so everyone gets exactly what they want
- Works for camping, cabin weekends, backyard fire pits, or bonfires
- Feels impressive and special without being complicated
- Totally customizable with whatever cheese, meats, and spreads you love
- It is a conversation starter, people will talk about this one
Jump to:
Savory s'mores sound a little unexpected at first, and that is exactly what makes them so fun. Roast the cheese over the fire until it is warm and melty, then build it like a s'more with crackers, meat, and your favorite spreads. It is one of those ideas that sounds fancy but is actually so easy to pull off around any campfire.
We served these as the appetizer at our camp themed party this summer, and they were the moment everyone kept talking about. The combination of warm melted cheese, salty cured meat, and a little sweetness from the jam is just so right. It is unexpected, it is impressive, and guests can build their own exactly how they like it.
If you are planning a full camping inspired menu, our campfire paninis, and campfire cinnamon rolls are proof that campfire food can be something really special from start to finish. And if you love tradtional s'mores check out our homemade chocolate marshmallows, and Oreo marshmallows.
Ingredients
A few notes on ingredients worth knowing before you get started.
- The Cheese -This is the star, so choose cheeses that melt well and hold their shape on a skewer. Bocconcini, Babybel, and Swiss all work really well. Bocconcini gets beautifully soft and creamy over the fire. Babybel is easy to skewer and melts evenly. Swiss gets a little golden and toasty on the outside. Cheddar works too, though it can slide off the skewer a bit more, so keep an eye on it.
- The Spreads -This is where the magic happens. Fig jam, sweet honey mustard, onion jam, tomato jam, mustard, and hot honey all work really well. The touch of sweetness from the jam against the salty melted cheese and meat is what makes this so special. Do not skip the spreads.
- Long Roasting Skewers or Marshmallow Roasting Sticks -You need skewers that are long enough to safely hold the cheese over the fire without getting too close to the heat. Metal campfire forks are ideal. If you only have shorter ones, just be careful near the fire. You can also do it old school with a simple long stick.
Our Favorite Combinations
We tested four combos at our camping party and every single one was a hit. Here is what we loved most.
- Babybel + Salami + Fig Jam + Crackers This one was everyone's favorite. The Babybel melts so evenly, the salami adds great saltiness, and the onion jam brings just enough sweetness to balance it out. Start here if you are not sure where to begin.
- Swiss + Prosciutto + Honey Mustard + Crackers Swiss cheese gets a little toasty and golden over the fire, and the sween honey mustard and salty prosciutto is the perfect contrast. Simple, but so good.
- Bocconcini + Tomato Jam + Flaky Sea Salt + Sliced Baguette This one feels a little like a bruschetta situation. The bocconcini goes soft and creamy, and the tomato jam is tart and sweet, on a slice of baguette, and finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt is just really special. This combo disappears fast.
- Cheddar + Apple + Hot Honey + Crackers For anyone who loves that sweet-heat combination. The hot honey over melted cheddar is unexpected in the best way, and the fresh apple slice adds freshness.
We love a good crackers and cheese combo. If you do too, check our our individual charcuterie boards, and how to make a simple cheese board.
How to Set Up the Savory Smore Board
- Step 1: Arrange the cheese Cut your cheese into pieces that are large enough for the roasting forks. Cubes work better than slices. Group the cheeses together on your board. Keep each variety together so guests can easily see their options and grab what they want.
- Step 2: Add the meats Fold or drape the prosciutto and salami in loose, relaxed layers next to the cheese. You do not have to be precise here. Relaxed and abundant always looks great on a board.
- Step 3: Set out the crackers and bread Fan the crackers and baguette slices along the edges of the board. Fill in any gaps and make sure there is plenty, since each s'more uses two pieces.
- Step 4: Lay out all the spreads and toppings Set out small bowls or jars for each spread: fig jam, red pepper jelly, onion jam, tomato jam, mustard, and hot honey. Slice your apple and coat with a little lemon juice or lemon lime soda to keep it from turning brown. Add fresh basil leaves and your sliced apple for garnish and an extra fresh topping option.
Making the S'mores
- Step 1: Roast the cheese over the fire Skewer your cheese and hold it a few inches above the flames, not directly in them. You want gentle, even heat. Rotate slowly and watch for the cheese to soften and just start to melt. This takes about 1-3 minutes depending on the cheese and how hot your fire is.
- Step 2: Assemble your s'more Slide the melted cheese off the skewer onto a cracker. Add your meat, a spoonful of your chosen spread, and top with a second cracker. Eat immediately while everything is still warm.
The s'mores pizza recipe on the blog is another fun way to play with s'mores flavors if you want to keep that campfire magic going into the main course.
Tips for Making Savory S'mores
- Set up the station before guests arrive. Have the board fully assembled and skewers ready to go so the moment the fire is lit, you are ready. This is a no-stress appetizer when everything is prepped in advance.
- Keep the heat gentle. Holding the cheese directly in the flames will melt it too fast and it can slide off the skewer or burn. Aim for the area just above the flames where there is still good heat but more control.
- Have extra crackers on hand. People will go back for more. Plan for at least three or four s'mores per person and keep the board topped up.
- Babybel is the easiest cheese for beginners. The wax coating actually helps it hold together while it warms up. Once you peel it, it skewers easily and melts evenly. It is the most forgiving option if you are new to this.
- Do not overthink the combinations. Set out a variety and let people experiment. Half the fun is figuring out what you love.
Our campfire paninis follow the same build-your-own approach and it works every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bocconcini and Babybel are the two easiest to work with. They melt beautifully, hold their shape on a skewer, and have mild enough flavors to pair with a wide variety of toppings.
Plan for at least three to four savory s'mores per person as an appetizer. If this is the only thing being served before dinner, go a little more generous.
You can assemble the board without the crackers or bread a couple of hours ahead and keep it covered in the fridge. Pull it out about 20 minutes before serving so the cheese comes to room temperature, which helps it melt more evenly, add the crackers and bread, and enjoy.
Anything with a little sweetness works really well against the salty cheese and meat. Fig jam, red pepper jelly, onion jam, and hot honey are all excellent. Grainy mustard adds a nice sharp bite if you want something more savory.
Storage
Savory s'mores are best made and eaten right at the fire. The whole experience is about warm, melted cheese fresh off the skewer, so there is not really a make-ahead or leftover version of the assembled s'more itself.
That said, any leftover board ingredients store well separately. Keep cheese wrapped in the fridge, meats in an airtight container, and jams sealed. Everything will keep for a few days and works great for snacking or adding to another board later in the week.
More Campfire Recipes You'll Love
If you try these savory s'mores or any other recipe on the blog, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting today!
Recipe
Savory S'mores
Equipment
- 4 long metal campfire roasting forks or just long sticks
Ingredients
- 1 package Bocconcini (fresh mozzarella balls)
- 6 Babybel cheeses wax removed
- 6 large cubes Swiss cheese
- 6 large cubes Cheddar
- 100 g Prosciutto
- 100 g Hot salami
- 1 Baguette sliced
- 1 package Assorted Crackers
- ¼ cup Fig Jam
- ¼ cup Tomato Jam
- 2 tablespoon Honey Mustard
- 2 tablespoon Hot honey
- 8 Fresh Basil Leaves
- 1 apple sliced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
To Make The Savory Smore Board
- Arrange all cheeses on one side of a large wooden board or platter.1 package Bocconcini (fresh mozzarella balls), 6 Babybel cheeses , 6 large cubes Swiss cheese, 6 large cubes Cheddar
- Fold and drape the prosciutto and salami in relaxed layers next to the cheese.100 g Prosciutto, 100 g Hot salami
- Fan the crackers and baguette slices along the edges of the board.1 Baguette, 1 package Assorted Crackers
- Set out small bowls or jars for each spread and topping. Coat your apple slices with lemon juice to keep them from browning. Add the fresh apples and basil leaves to the board.¼ cup Fig Jam, ¼ cup Tomato Jam, 2 tbsp Honey Mustard, 2 tbsp Hot honey, 8 Fresh Basil Leaves, 1 apple, 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Set up your roasting station near the fire with long metal campfire roasting forks ready to go.
To Make The Savory Smore
- Skewer a piece of cheese and hold it a few inches above the flames, not directly in them. Rotate slowly.Roast for 1-3 minutes until the cheese softens and just begins to melt.
- Slide the melted cheese off the skewer onto a cracker. Layer with your chosen meat, a spoonful of spread, and top with a second cracker. Eat immediately while the cheese is still warm.
Notes
- Babybel is the easiest cheese to start with. It skewers easily and melts evenly without sliding off.
- Keep the cheese a few inches above the flames, not directly in them, for the most control.
- Plan for 3-4 savory s'mores per person as an appetizer.
- The board can be assembled up to 2 hours ahead and kept covered in the fridge without the crackers and bread. Pull it out 20 minutes before serving.
- Any leftover board ingredients keep well separately in the fridge for a few days.
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