The classic summer treat gets a low carb makeover! These keto s’mores bars are like your best childhood memory in a delicious sugar-free package. This post is sponsored by Bob’s Red Mill.
These keto friendly S’mores Bars were first posted back in July of 2016. In honor of National S’mores Day, I decided to give them a bit of an update with some brand new photos. Now they’re gooier and better than ever!
Do you remember your first time? I can remember mine clear as day. It was a beautiful sunny day in rural Ontario and I just knew it would a momentous, life-changing experience. Wait, what? What are you talking about? Why are you squirming in discomfort?
Oh, you thought I was referring to THAT “first time”. Goodness no, that would just be weird. And kind of inappropriate to discuss on a food blog, wouldn’t you say?
I am just referring to the first time you ever had the gooey deliciousness known as S’mores. Come to think of it, having a s’more for the first time was probably as memorable, and possibly more so, than that other “first time”. You know, just between you and me…
Keto S’mores Inspiration
I saw a recipe for sheet pan s’mores in Cooking Light a few weeks ago and it had meringue on top in place of the marshmallows. It wasn’t my magazine so I quickly snapped a photo of the recipe for reference and started scheming on how to make them with low carb ingredients.
The graham cracker crust was easy with the help of my trusty sidekick, Bob’s Red Mill Super-Fine Almond Flour. I already have a great keto graham crackers recipe, and I always make them with Bob’s. But you don’t have to make the full crackers first, you simply use many of the same ingredients.
The filling was simple as well, as I just made a rich chocolate ganache, similar to my keto fudge crumb bars.
It was the topping that gave me a bit of a hard time. I tried the magazine’s method of broiling the meringue and that was a bad, bad, BAD idea. I had it under there for barely a minute when it caught on fire and burned the whole mess. I didn’t eve have it that close to the broiler. I guess sugar-free meringue simply isn’t made to be broiled.
Thankfully, I was able to scrape off the burned meringue topping as one big gloopy piece and I rescued the filling and crust. Phew, because I think I would have cried to see all that glorious stuff go into the garbage.
The next day, I tried again, using the meringue topping from my keto lemon meringue pie. And ended up with lovely light browned peaks and swirls reminiscent of the most perfectly toasted marshmallow.
A delicious childhood memory in a low carb and sugar-free package. What could be better?
Tips for the best keto s’mores bars
These bars are quite easy, as long as you don’t set your meringue on fire as I did. Now that you know what to watch for, here are some other great tips on getting it right:
- As I said above, you don’t have to go to the trouble of fully making your own keto graham crackers. The basic ingredients are the same, but this is a simple press-in almond flour crust that you bake for 12 to 15 minutes before adding the chocolate filling and the topping.
- When making a chocolate ganache filling, be sure to bring your cream to a full simmer. You want to see bubbles around the edges and a few breaking the surface in the center. Then quickly remove it from heat and add the chocolate.
- The chocolate you use should be chopped in advance, or you can use keto chocolate chips. The smaller particles melt more quickly in the hot cream.
- The meringue topping for these keto smores bars is the same as it was before except for one thing: I used both Swerve and BochaSweet. The BochaSweet allows the meringue to stay softer and gooier without getting gritty – more marshmallow-like, to be honest. However, you can use all Swerve if you need to.
- Do not attempt to broil this topping, unless you want to set off your smoke alarm! Simply bake for 20 minutes and you should get some beautiful browned peaks and swirls, just like toasted marshmallows.
Ready to make some delicious Keto Smores Bars?
More tasty keto summer recipes
- Keto Lemon Curd Ice Cream
- Keto Peanut Butter Pie – no bake!
- Easy Keto Cheesecake Bites
- Keto Root Beer Floats
- Keto Blueberry Coconut Popsicles
- Keto Berry Cheesecake Salad
Keto S’mores Bars
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 ½ cups almond flour
- ¼ cup granulated Swerve Sweetener
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Filling:
- ¾ cup whipping cream
- 4 ounces dark chocolate chips, sugar-free ChocZero or Lily's recommended
Topping:
- 3 large egg whites at room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
- Pinch salt
- 3 tablespoon BochaSweet
- 3 tablespoon powdered Swerve Sweetener
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Crust:
- Preheat the oven to 325F and line a 9x9 square baking pan with parchment, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, sweetener, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir in the melted butter until well combined.
- Press into the bottom of prepared baking pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until just beginning to brown on the edges. Remove and let cool while preparing topping.
Filling:
- In a small saucepan, bring the cream to just a simmer. Remove from heat.
- Add the chocolate chips and let sit 5 minutes to melt, then whisk in until smooth. Spread over the cooled crust and refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Topping:
- Preheat oven to 300F.
- In a large bowl, beat the egg whites with cream of tartar and salt until frothy. With beaters going, slowly add the sweeteners and vanilla extract and continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
- Spread over the cooled filling, swirling with a spoon to make peaks. Bake 20 minutes or until topping is golden and just barely firm to the touch.
- Refrigerate at least another hour to firm up, then gently lift out by parchment paper edges and cut into squares.
Maureen says
These look great. If I use 100% chocolate bar for the filling, how much swerve should I use to sweeten it?
Thanks!!
Carolyn says
I think you’d want at least 1/4 cup. Make sure it’s the confectioner’s style!
Maureen says
Thanks!!
Gina says
I just made this and hit a problem. It looked like oil was coming out of the chocolate. I realized i used the granular formulation. Do you think that is what caused it? It is in the fridge now, think it will still harden and work? I only put the chocolate part on because the oil was just floating around it.
Carolyn says
Well, I don’t know if the granular sweetener was the issue but it sounds like your chocolate seized a bit. Oil tends to separate out when that happens. It will taste good, it just might not look as good as it’s supposed too. And the granular sweetener may make the filling quite gritty.
Kay-M says
My Granddaughter needs GF and Dairy-free. Do you think I could use an unsweetened almond, rice or soy milk (and just use less of it)?
Carolyn says
Do you mean in the filling? Full fat coconut milk works best here.
Jnet says
Swerve..i know you use it alot but it has an off taste to me which is strange because its erythritol …i use erythritol with everything… Can i just substitute plain eryth or is swerve a must
Carolyn says
You can, just make sure to grind it finely for the topping because it will be gritty if you don’t.
amanda @ fake ginger says
I AM SO MAKING THESE TOMORROW.
I don’t remember my first s’more but I know that I signed up for girl scouts thinking I’d get s’mores and then being really disappointed when we painting plastic cups at the first meeting. Needless to say, I never went back after that.
Della says
This looks sooooo good! making it ASAP! I read the whole post and laughed out loud! Not only are you a culinary low carb genius, but a very talented and funny writer too!
GiGi Eats says
OMG OMG OMG OMG!!! THESE look soooooooooo goooooddddd!
Robin says
Carolyn! You are so funny! I love your post along with the delicious sounding recipe! You brought up all my great memories of camping with my Camp Fire group! I had never camped before joining in 5th grade. I never would have until my early 20’s if not for that group. You brought up my “other” memory too! ?Thanks Carolyn!
Carolyn says
Haha, I am glad someone actually read the whole post. 🙂
Craig says
I was fortunate that my wife made these for me today as they were delicious. If anyone is thinking of making them, don’t wait! I plan to use the leftover three egg yolks to make the vanilla pudding popsicles right above this S’mores recipe. I found that the S’mores got even better the longer they were in the refrigerator, as the meringue condensed and was more marshmallow like.
Thanks for another winner Caroline.
Carolyn says
So glad you liked them. And I agree about the longer they are in the fridge!
gjeanieg says
These look wonderful! Carolyn, you often recommend allulose as a substitute for BochaSweet in your recipes. Do you think it would work here? Thank you!
Carolyn says
I think so, since it has similar properties… but I didn’t test it so I can’t guarantee it.
Cheryl says
These look wonderful . You read my mind . I so wanted to low carb some s’mores . I’ve been really bad of late and have indulged in a few of Starbucks s’mores bars which are incredibly delicious. These bars look just like them. I so excited to try them.
Abigail says
Do you think this would travel well (say in a suitcase)? Or does the meringue make it impossible to be out of the fridge too long?
Carolyn says
It would travel in the pan, covered with foil, in a car, for a few hours. But definitely not in a suitcase. Too crushable and fragile and should be refrigerated within a few hours.
Kellie says
You can hand carry foods on airplanes, just not liquids.
Maya | Wholesome Yum says
These look amazing! I’m in the same boat – not a big fan of marshmallows either, but it’s a totally different conversation when you’re talking about smores. Love having these as a sugar-free option instead!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
OBSESSED with that topping. Anything s’mores and I’m there! 🙂
Tracy says
Will definitely make this. I know marshmallows are junky but I love them just the same. I miss them along with my beloved Captain Crunch Peanut Butter Crunch cereal. So sad right now but these will make me feel better I’m sure. ?
Thank you for all your recipes that keep me sane.
Carolyn says
I will say, meringue that is lightly baked over a filling like this does end up with a marshmallow like consistency so I hope it fills the void for you!
Natasha Allen says
Here is a good low carb marshmallows recipe you could pour in top and let it set. However you can not brown them in the oven they will melt. Doesn’t toast like real marshmallows, but taste pretty darn close. Great for hot cocoa to.
INGREDIENTS Nutrition
SERVINGS
12
YIELD
12 marshmallow squares
UNITS
US
2 tablespoons gelatin (2 envelopes Knox)
8 tablespoons cold water
2 cups sugar free granulated sugar
1⁄2 cup cold water
1⁄4 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
DIRECTIONS
Dust an 8- or 9-inch square pan with powdered sugar. Set aside.
In a small bowl, soak gelatin in 8 tbsp cold water. Set aside.
Combine granulated sugar and 1/2 cup of water in a large heavy saucepan.
Cook and stir over medium heat until dissolved.
Add gelatin and bring to a boil.
Remove from heat. Pour into a large mixing bowl and let stand until partially cool.
Add salt and vanilla extract.
Beat with an electric mixer until soft and double in volume. About 10-15 minutes.
Pour into prepared pan to about 1/2 inch thick.
Set to cool until it will not stick to your finger.
Cut into 1.5 inch pieces and roll in powdered sugar sub or cocoa powder..
Variation: toasted coconut can be substituted for powdered sugar.
Variation: other flavorings can be substituted for vanilla extract.
Erica says
Would this work to make rice Krispy treats??
Carolyn says
No, it’s not sticky like marshmallows.
Elizabeth says
Hello. Can u make these the day before?
Carolyn says
Yes.
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles says
With your smartness, I can now indulge in two or three! 😉 Great bars, Carolyn!
Diana says
Grand kids will be here next week, so this is on my list! Just one question; why do you use both granulated and confectioner’s Swerve in the meringue? I only have confectioner’s Swerve, but I do have granulated erythritol, so if it’s important for texture or browning, I could combine those two. Thanks for all your great recipes!
Carolyn says
It does help texture. Granulated helps whip the little air bubbles in but the powdered makes it softer and less gritty so I do a mix. But you can do just the powdered if you want.
Diana says
Thank you! I’ll use the granular erythritol as well, then, Can’t wait for the kids to come and we’ll make these together!
samantha says
this is in the oven now on its final baking round!! i was too impatient to wait for the crust to cool so i pour the chocolate on top and stuck it in the freezer lol! so far so good! smells amazing!!
Carolyn says
Wow, look at you go!
Melanie says
Hi,
I love all your recipes but I had trouble with this one and need your help. I made it step by step exactly how you said. I did the last step putting on the meringue a baked them as instructed and it looked beautiful. I put it in the fridge to set up and when I went to pull it out to cut it I picked it up by the parchment sides and as I lifted it fell apart and is a soupy mess. It’s like there is water all on the bottom. The crust is mush and the chocolate like pudding. What happened? Any ideas?
Carolyn says
I honestly can’t say for sure without being in your kitchen. What sweeteners did you use?
Melanie says
I used lakanto. Could it be I put it in the fridge after it was done cooking? Should it have sat in the counter and cooled more than a few minutes?
Shondra says
This does sound great but I do not see where you use the cinnamon and vanilla in the crust. Is this omitted or should it be added?
Carolyn says
Sorry, probably a mistake, let me fix it.
Stephanie Deal says
I am so trying this recipe THIS weekend. YUMMY….. so beautiful and I’m sure it will taste even better. Thanks.
Shirley says
I have someone who is allergic to almonds, is there another flour I could substitute?
Thank you
Carolyn says
Hi Shirley. Try sunflower seed flour instead (and it’s easy to make your own…) https://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2015/12/how-to-make-your-own-sunflower-seed-flour.html
Kari Shearer says
Coconut flour
Julius Minor says
OMG!!! This looks delicious… I will be making these this weekend… I’ll try not to eat the whole pan myself…lol
Carolyn says
Have some friends over! 🙂