Sweet & Salty Bacon S’mores Bites : A Bold Twist on a Campfire Classic

Sweet & Salty Bacon S’mores Bites: Your New Favorite Party Trick

Hey there, my fellow flavor adventurer! Have you ever been sitting around a campfire, sticky fingers clutching a classic s’more, and thought, “You know what this needs? A little smoky, salty, crunch.”

No? Just me? Well, let me let you in on a little secret: the best recipes are born from a little bit of kitchen madness and a whole lot of curiosity. And that, my friends, is exactly how these Sweet & Salty Bacon S’mores Bites came to be.

Imagine this: a crispy, caramelized bacon “cracker,” melty dark chocolate, and a perfectly toasted, gooey marshmallow, all sandwiched together into one single, mind-blowing bite. It’s the kind of treat that makes people’s eyes go wide, followed by an immediate, “Wait, what is this? I need the recipe now.”

This isn’t just a dessert. It’s an experience. It’s the cozy nostalgia of a campfire classic doing a tango with your favorite indulgent breakfast. It’s the perfect conversation starter for your next game night, the star of your potluck spread, or just a wildly delicious reason to turn your oven on for a quick 30 minutes. So, tie on your favorite apron (the messy one is always the best), and let’s make some magic happen. I promise, your taste buds will thank you.

The Night I Put Bacon in My S’mores

This recipe has a fun little origin story. It was a chilly autumn evening a few years back. My husband and I were hosting a small backyard bonfire, and I was in charge of the s’mores station. I’d gone a little overboard, as I tend to do, with different types of chocolate—dark, milk, even one with sea salt.

But then I saw it: a plate of leftover maple-glazed bacon from the appetizers we’d served earlier. It was just sitting there, looking lonely. A crazy idea popped into my head. What if…? I snuck a piece, broke it in half, and sandwiched a freshly toasted marshmallow and a square of dark chocolate between it. I took a tentative bite, and I swear, I saw fireworks. The combination of the smoky, salty, slightly sweet bacon with the rich chocolate and fluffy mallow was a revelation. My husband took one look at my face and said, “Uh oh. You’ve got that look.” That “look” was the birth of these Bacon S’mores Bites, and they’ve been a Tasty Chow fan favorite ever since!

Gather Your Ingredients

Here’s everything you need to create this symphony of sweet, salty, and smoky. The beauty of this recipe is in its simplicity, but every ingredient plays a starring role!

• 12 slices of bacon, cut in half: This gives us 24 perfect little “crackers” for our bites. I prefer a standard-cut bacon, not too thick and not too thin. Thick-cut can take longer to crisp up, and thin-cut might not hold its structure as well. A classic smoked bacon is perfect here, but if you’re feeling bold, a maple or applewood-smoked bacon adds another layer of flavor!
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar: This is our magic dust. As the bacon bakes, the brown sugar will melt and caramelize, creating a gorgeous, crispy, sweet coating that pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the bacon. It’s the glue that holds the flavor profile together.
• 6 large marshmallows, halved: The classic campfire puffball! Halving them gives you the perfect marshmallow-to-bacon ratio. Pro Chef Tip: Use a clean pair of kitchen shears sprayed with a little cooking spray to cut them—it’s way less sticky than using a knife.
• 2 chocolate bars, broken into 12 pieces: Don’t be shy here! This is where you can get creative. A good semi-sweet or dark chocolate bar (around 60-70% cacao) provides a wonderful bitterness that cuts through the sweetness beautifully. But if you’re a milk chocolate purist, go for it! I love using a high-quality chocolate bar instead of chips for a smoother melt.

Let’s Build These Bites! Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ready? This is where the fun begins. I’ll walk you through every step, with all my favorite chef hacks to ensure your bites are absolutely perfect.

1. Preheat & Prep: First things first, get that oven heated to a hot 400°F (200°C). While it’s warming up, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil—this is a crucial step for easy cleanup, trust me! Then, place a wire rack on top of the foil-lined sheet. The rack is our secret weapon; it allows the hot air to circulate all around the bacon, rendering the fat and making it beautifully crispy on all sides, not just soggy on the bottom.
2. Sugar & Bake the Bacon: Now, arrange your 24 half-slices of bacon in a single layer on the wire rack. Don’t overcrowd them! Grab your brown sugar and give each piece a generous, even sprinkle. You want a light, sparkly blanket on each one. Slide that tray into your preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it towards the end! You’re looking for a deep, caramelized color and a crispy texture. The smell at this stage is absolutely intoxicating.
3. The Cool Down: Once your bacon is perfectly crispy and caramelized, carefully remove the pan from the oven. This next step requires a little patience: let the bacon cool on the rack for about 5 minutes. It will crisp up even more as it cools, and it makes it much easier to handle. If you try to assemble with scorching hot bacon, you’ll melt your chocolate prematurely and burn your fingers!
4. Broiler Time – Watch Closely! Now, switch your oven from bake to broil. On a separate baking sheet (you can just line this one with parchment paper), place 12 of your bacon halves. These will be your bottom “crackers.” Top each one with a piece of chocolate and one of your halved marshmallows (sticky-side up!). Now, pop this tray under the broiler. DO NOT WALK AWAY. Broilers are powerful! You’re just looking for 60-90 seconds, just until the marshmallows puff up and turn a gorgeous, toasty golden brown. They can go from perfect to charred in a matter of seconds, so be vigilant.
5. The Grand Finale: The moment of truth! Pull the tray out of the oven. Immediately, use the remaining 12 bacon halves to top each one, pressing down gently to form the most incredible sweet and salty sandwich bite you’ve ever seen. The residual heat will soften the chocolate and meld everything together into gooey perfection.

How to Serve These Show-Stopping Bites

Presentation is part of the fun! You’ve just created little bites of genius, so let’s show them off.

I love to serve these warm on a beautiful wooden cutting board or a rustic slate platter. Scatter a few extra mini marshmallows and chocolate pieces around the platter for a cute, decorative touch. Because they are finger food, place a small stack of napkins right next to the platter—these are gloriously messy, and that’s the point!

For an extra “wow” factor, you can serve them with a small bowl of warm chocolate or caramel sauce for dipping. Beverage-wise, these are a dream with a cold glass of milk, a rich stout beer, or even a cup of strong coffee to balance the sweetness. They are best served immediately while the chocolate is still pools of melted bliss and the marshmallow is at its peak gooeyness.

Get Creative! Fun Flavor Twists

Once you’ve mastered the classic, the kitchen playground is open! Here are a few of my favorite ways to mix it up.

• The Spicy Kick: Add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the brown sugar before sprinkling it on the bacon. The heat with the sweet and salty is a next-level experience.
• The Nutty Professor: After you broil the marshmallow, but before you top it with the second bacon piece, add a few crushed peanuts, pecans, or a sliver of almond for a wonderful crunch.
• The Peanut Butter Lover: Swap the chocolate square for a small dollop of creamy peanut butter. It’s like a fluffernutter got a smoky bacon upgrade!
• Maple Glaze Upgrade: Instead of just brown sugar, mix it with a teaspoon of real maple syrup to form a paste and brush it lightly on the bacon before baking. It adds an incredible depth of flavor.
• Turkey Bacon & Dark Chocolate (Lighter Option): For a slightly leaner version, use turkey bacon and a high-quality dark chocolate. The result is still delicious and satisfying!

Chef Emily’s Kitchen Notes

This recipe has evolved so much since that first backyard experiment! I used to try and cook the bacon, marshmallow, and chocolate all at once, which resulted in a burnt, melty mess. The two-step process—baking the bacon first, then a quick broil to toast the mallow—was the game-changer.

A funny story: I once brought these to a party and a friend, who is a serious s’mores traditionalist, looked at them with deep suspicion. After much cajoling, he tried one. His exact words were, “Well, my childhood just got a major upgrade.” He now requests them for every gathering. Don’t be afraid to break the rules in the kitchen—that’s often where the best memories (and recipes) are made!

Your Questions, Answered!

I get a lot of questions about this recipe, so I’ve compiled the most common ones right here to help you out.

Q: My bacon isn’t getting crispy. What did I do wrong?
A: The number one culprit is usually overcrowding the pan! If the bacon slices are too close together, they’ll steam instead of crisp up. Make sure they have a little breathing room. Also, ensure you’re using a wire rack, as this is essential for air circulation. If it’s still not crisping, your bacon might be extra fatty; you can try baking it for a few minutes longer.

Q: Can I make any part of this ahead of time?
A: You can absolutely bake the brown sugar bacon ahead of time! Let it cool completely and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, just assemble and broil. The final broiling step really needs to be done right before serving for the best texture.

Q: My marshmallow burned under the broiler! Help!
A> Welcome to the club—it happens to the best of us! Broilers vary wildly in intensity. For your next batch, try moving your oven rack down one level so the tray is a bit further from the heating element. And remember, it’s a game of seconds, not minutes. Stay close and watch for that perfect golden color.

Q: Is there a way to make this without pork?
A> Of course! My favorite vegetarian swap is using smoked almonds. Get the large, flat ones—they provide a fantastic salty, crunchy base. You can also try using store-bought vegetarian “bacon” strips, though baking times may vary, so follow the package instructions.

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A Little Note on Nutrition

Let’s be real, friends—this is a treat, through and through. We’re not eating these for our daily dose of greens! But I believe in transparency, so here’s a general breakdown of what you’re looking at per bite (assuming the recipe makes 12 bites).

Calories: ~150 | Protein: 4g | Carbohydrates: 10g | Fat: 11g

Remember, these are estimates and can vary based on the specific brands of bacon, chocolate, and marshmallows you use. The key is to savor them mindfully! Enjoy one or two as a decadent dessert or a fun party snack. Life is all about balance—sometimes that balance includes a little caramelized bacon and chocolate.

Final Thoughts from My Kitchen to Yours

And there you have it! Your guide to creating the most unforgettable, conversation-starting, sweet-and-salty bite on the block. This recipe is a perfect example of what I love most about cooking: it’s playful, it’s a little unexpected, and it’s designed to bring people together and make them smile.

I hope you feel empowered to give these Bacon S’mores Bites a try. Don’t be intimidated by the unique combination—that’s where the magic is. Trust your instincts, have fun with the process, and don’t forget to tag @TastyChow if you share your creations online! I love seeing your kitchen adventures.

Now go forth, get that bacon sizzling, and make something delicious. I’m so glad we could chow down on this idea together!

With a full heart and a happy kitchen,
Emily