S'mores Bars: Deliciously Gluten Free
These S’mores Bars take everything you love about a classic s’more and turn it into an easy, no-bake cereal treat. They’re gooey, crunchy, chocolatey, gluten-free, and the perfect excuse to celebrate National S’mores Day without building a campfire.
GLUTEN FREE DESSERT RECIPE
Lauren Vasnelis
8/8/2026
S’mores Bars
These S’mores Bars take everything you love about a classic s’more and turn it into an easy, no-bake cereal treat. Crispy Honey Nut Chex is coated in buttery melted marshmallow, loaded with chocolate chips, and topped with even more marshmallows and chocolate. They’re gooey, crunchy, chocolatey, gluten-free, and the perfect excuse to celebrate National S’mores Day without building a campfire.
Thick, chewy, crispy, and loaded with chocolate, these bars come together in about 15 minutes and give you all the flavors of a classic s’more without the campfire, skewers, or sticky fingers.
Servings: 9
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Equipment Needed
Large saucepan
8 × 8-inch baking dish
Spatula
Ingredient Breakdown
Honey Nut Chex
Honey Nut Chex gives these bars their crispy, crunchy base while adding just a little extra sweetness and honey flavor. Using Chex instead of graham crackers also makes it incredibly easy to create a s’mores-inspired treat while keeping the recipe gluten-free.
Seven cups may initially look like a lot of cereal, but once it is coated in the melted marshmallow mixture and pressed into the baking dish, it creates thick, substantial bars.
Mini Marshmallows
Mini marshmallows are what hold the entire recipe together. Ten ounces are melted with the butter to create the sticky base that coats every piece of Chex.
An additional ¼ cup is sprinkled over the top while the bars are still warm. This gives you visible marshmallow pieces on the finished bars and really drives home that classic s’mores look.
Dairy-Free Butter
Butter helps the marshmallows melt smoothly and creates a rich base for coating the cereal.
I use dairy-free butter, but conventional butter works perfectly well at a one-to-one ratio if dairy works for your dietary needs.
Dairy-Free Chocolate Chips
Chocolate chips provide the chocolate element that turns these from simple marshmallow cereal treats into s’mores bars.
One cup is stirred directly into the warm Chex mixture. Work quickly during this step because the chocolate will begin melting as soon as it hits the warm cereal. Personally, I like having some partially melted chocolate throughout the bars.
The remaining ¼ cup is sprinkled over the top for extra chocolate and a finished s’mores look.
Regular chocolate chips can be substituted for dairy-free chocolate chips at a one-to-one ratio.
Ingredients
10 ounces mini marshmallows
6 tablespoons dairy-free butter
7 cups Honey Nut Chex cereal
1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
For the Topping
¼ cup dairy-free chocolate chips
¼ cup mini marshmallows
Any dairy-free swaps can be substituted back to a conventional dairy option at a one-to-one ratio.
Instructions
In a large saucepan, melt the dairy-free butter over medium heat.
Add the 10 ounces of mini marshmallows and stir until the marshmallows are almost completely melted and incorporated with the butter.
Add the Honey Nut Chex and immediately remove the saucepan from the heat.
Gently stir until the melted marshmallow mixture completely coats the Chex.
Add 1 cup of dairy-free chocolate chips and quickly stir them into the cereal mixture. Work quickly so you can get everything into the pan before the chocolate completely melts. Unless you want chocolate everywhere, and that’s okay too!
Transfer the mixture to an 8 × 8-inch baking dish. Using a spatula, gently but firmly press the mixture into an even layer.
While the bars are still warm, sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of chocolate chips and ¼ cup of mini marshmallows over the top. Gently press them into the surface so they adhere as the bars cool.
Allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature.
Once cooled, refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow the bars to firm up.
Slice into 9 bars, serve, and enjoy. Happy National S’mores Day!
Lauren’s Tips 💛
Don’t Crush the Chex: Press the mixture firmly enough that your bars will hold together, but don’t pack it down so aggressively that you crush all of the cereal. Keeping those Chex pieces intact gives the finished bars their crispy texture.
Work Quickly with the Chocolate: Once the chocolate chips hit the warm cereal mixture, they’re going to start melting. Have your baking dish ready so you can quickly stir in the chocolate and transfer everything to the pan. A little melted chocolate throughout is delicious, but working quickly will leave you with some distinct chocolate pieces too.
Notes
Make sure your baking dish is ready before you begin. Once the marshmallow mixture is combined with the cereal, you’ll want to work fairly quickly.
Allow the bars to cool to room temperature before refrigerating them.
Chilling the bars for an hour makes them firmer and much easier to slice cleanly.
For smaller portions, cut the finished bars into 12 or 16 pieces instead of 9.
Regular butter and chocolate chips can replace the dairy-free versions at a one-to-one ratio.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container. For a firmer texture, keep them refrigerated and allow them to sit at room temperature briefly before serving if desired.
Please check ingredient labels carefully. While all of my recipes are designed to be gluten-free, not every product I use is certified gluten-free. Always verify ingredient labels to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Honey Nut Chex gluten-free?
Yes, Honey Nut Chex is labeled gluten-free. However, product formulations and manufacturing information can change, so always check the package you purchase to make sure it meets your individual dietary needs.
Can I use regular butter?
Absolutely. Conventional butter can replace the dairy-free butter at a one-to-one ratio.
Can I use regular chocolate chips?
Yes. If you don’t need the recipe to be dairy-free, use your favorite chocolate chips in exactly the same amount.
Can I use a different Chex cereal?
Yes. Another gluten-free Chex variety can be substituted if you prefer a different flavor. Just make sure to check the label if you need the finished bars to remain gluten-free.
Why do I add the Chex before the marshmallows are completely melted?
The residual heat will finish melting the marshmallows as you stir, while removing the mixture from direct heat helps prevent everything from becoming unnecessarily hot before you add the cereal and chocolate.
Why did my chocolate chips melt?
That’s completely normal. You’re adding chocolate to a warm marshmallow and cereal mixture, so some melting should be expected. Work quickly if you want more distinct chocolate chips in the finished bars.
Do I have to refrigerate the bars?
You can technically eat them once they’ve cooled, but refrigerating them for about an hour helps everything firm up and makes the bars significantly easier to slice.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. These are a great make-ahead treat. Prepare and chill them in advance, then slice when you’re ready to serve.
Can I add more marshmallows or chocolate?
Absolutely. The extra ¼ cup of each is intended for the topping, but you can increase either one if you want an even more loaded s’mores bar.
How should I store leftover S’mores Bars?
Store them in an airtight container. They can be refrigerated for a firmer, chewier texture or kept at a cool room temperature if you prefer them softer.
