This 4-Ingredient S’mores Smoothie Recipe Is Packed With Protein and Probiotics

For me, the epitome of relaxation is spending some time in the great outdoors, which is exactly what I experienced at Getaway House in Running Springs, California, just a few weeks ago.

The concept is simple: Tiny cabins in nature (with the luxuries of heating, cooling, and a hot shower included). The catch? They happen to be situated in 30 of the most idyllic spots throughout the country and offer the perfect setting to recharge, disconnect, and, most importantly, take a deep breath of fresh air. (And, yes, it’s as beautiful as the photos make it out to be. Cue: Pictures of my dog living his best life.)

So, you finally book your Getaway House—time to pack for a weekend trip in the mountains. You’ll need a few essentials: a flashlight, hiking boots, and the ingredients to make some sort of ooey-gooey s’mores concoction. Although I came well-prepared for my trip, the risk of wildfires in the local area prevented us from starting our own campfire (to roast some s’mores) this time around, which resulted in a week-long obsession for finding a way to make them at home. But with no campfire setup nearby, I did what anyone else should do—made a campfire s’mores smoothie packed with loads of protein, gut-boosting probiotics, and a healthy serving of nostalgia. Swoon.

S’mores smoothies = the fall “it” drink (if you know what’s good)  

POV: Pumpkin patches popping up, PSLs are back on the menu, and the leaves are starting to turn the shades of a sunset. Fall is obviously right around the corner, which means camping trips are a must. It’s not too hot (hi, summer), not too cold (hi, winter), and sitting around a campfire telling spooky stories is the perfect weekend plan. So, what else is on the fall-inspired menu? S’mores, obviously. As simple as the recipe may be, something about the gooey fire-roasted marshmallows sandwiched between layers of crunchy graham crackers and rich chocolate always does the trick.

That said, setting up a campfire to roast some s’mores might not be as practical or even possible in most cases. But you know what is? This campfire s’mores smoothie recipe by Lifeway Kefir, which can be made anywhere, any day, any time. 

What’s goes in a no-campfire-necessary s’mores smoothie recipe

Flavor comes first, so you can bet you’ll find the usual suspects in this smoothie rendition: Toasted marshmallows (for that iconic toasty flavor), graham crackers (we love Partake’s Classic Garhams, which are gluten-free and contain anti-inflammatory spices like cinnamon), and chocolate chips (Enjoy Life Baking’s chocolate chip are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegan, nut-free, and the list goes on).

But this isn’t your typical, run-of-the-mill s’mores recipe by any means. In fact, this recipe is packed with loads of protein and gut-boosting probiotics thanks to the star ingredient, Lifeway’s Vanilla Whole Milk Kefir.

For those who aren’t familiar with kefir, it’s a tart and tangy cultured milk drink that’s high in protein (10 grams per cup), calcium, and vitamin D. Lifeway’s products are also made with a unique blend of 12 live and active cultures that are a blessing for the gut. What’s more, kefir is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and has antihypertensive properties, making it the number one ingredient to add to smoothies for supporting the microbiome, as recommended by Caroline Margolis, RD, a registered dietitian at Lifeway Foods.

But can’t or don’t consume dairy? We have options. Lifeway has a series of probiotic-rich, dairy-free, and organic cultured oat milk products that come in various flavors, including plain, strawberry, mixed berry, blueberry, and peach. And, yes, vegan marshmallows do exist. Dandies Vegan Marshmallows are made with tapioca, but based on their appearance and taste, you’d never know the difference.

Pro tip: Save some marshmallows to top the smoothie and use a handheld culinary torch to brûlée the marshmallows for even more campfire flavor and vibes. Although you might not have the peace and quiet of a mountaintop cabin, you don’t (always) need a campfire to enjoy s’mores any day of the week after all, which will do… for now.

Campfire S’mores Smoothie Recipe

Yields 1-2 servings 

Ingredients1 cup Vanilla Whole Milk KefirA small handful of marshmallows (slightly toasted)3 Tbsp semi-sweet chocolate chips1-2 plain graham crackers

1. In a blender, combine the kefir, toasted marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers. Blend until smooth.

No campfire? No problem. You can make this no-bake, vegan, and gluten-free s’mores pie: