Ultimate Allergy-Friendly S’mores Popcorn: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free & Beyond!

If you adore the classic campfire flavors of s’mores but crave them in a convenient, snackable form, then this S’mores Popcorn recipe is your dream come true! Imagine your favorite combination of fluffy marshmallows, rich chocolate, and crunchy graham crackers, all transformed into a delightful treat you can munch on any time of day. What’s even better? This recipe is naturally gluten & dairy-free, with easy alternatives for egg, soy, and nut-free diets, ensuring everyone can enjoy this scrumptious snack!

This post is sponsored by Enjoy Life. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

As we celebrate Allergy Awareness Month and eagerly anticipate the start of summer, I’m thrilled to share a truly fantastic allergy-friendly treat with you! Summer brings with it a season of outdoor adventures, gatherings, and, inevitably, a lot of snacking. Whether it’s a family picnic, a lively parade, or an evening watching fireworks, there’s always an occasion for a sweet indulgence. However, for those managing food allergies, these spontaneous moments often require careful planning to ensure safe and enjoyable options.

This is where homemade allergy-friendly snacks become invaluable. I’ve always found popcorn to be a crowd-pleaser at any event – who can truly resist its irresistible aroma and satisfying crunch? But why settle for ordinary popcorn when you can elevate it? This recipe takes the beloved summer treat, s’mores, and artfully mashes it up with popcorn to create something truly special and safe for many dietary needs. It’s a delightful twist on a classic, offering all the gooey, chocolaty goodness without compromising on safety or flavor.

Crafting Allergy-Friendly S’mores Popcorn: A Guide to Safe Ingredients

Creating S’mores Popcorn that is both delicious and safe for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions is simpler than you might think, especially when you know which ingredient substitutions to use. The goal is to ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy this delightful dessert without worry. Let’s explore the specific ingredients that make this recipe a true game-changer for allergy-friendly snacking.

Essential Allergy-Friendly Ingredients for Gluten & Dairy-Free S’mores Popcorn:

Allergy-Friendly Popcorn: At its core, popcorn is naturally allergy-friendly, being a whole grain. To ensure it remains free from hidden allergens, I highly recommend buying plain kernels. This gives you full control over what goes into your snack. Avoid pre-buttered versions or flavored kettle corn, as these often contain dairy, soy, or other allergens in their coatings. Popping your own ensures a pure, allergen-free base for our s’mores creation. You can use an air popper for an oil-free option or pop it on the stovetop with a safe oil of your choice.
Allergy-Friendly Chocolate Chips: When it comes to chocolate, there’s one brand that has consistently stood by me for over seven years (and counting!) – Enjoy Life. Their chocolate chips are a fantastic choice because they are free from the top 8 common allergens and are made in a dedicated facility, minimizing cross-contamination risks. You truly wouldn’t guess they’re “allergy-friendly” because they deliver the classic chocolate taste, shape, and texture you crave. For this recipe, I used their dark morsels, which offer a rich flavor, but feel free to use their mega chunks for bigger chocolatey bites or their minis for a more even distribution.
Allergy-Friendly Graham Crackers: Once again, Enjoy Life comes to our rescue! They offer incredible crunchy cookies called Vanilla Honey Graham Crunchy Cookies. These gems taste and snap just like traditional graham crackers, making them perfect for that authentic s’mores experience. The best part? They are certified top 8 free, which is incredibly rare for a graham cracker substitute! Finding a reliable, safe graham cracker alternative can be a challenge, so their commitment to allergy-friendly products made in a dedicated facility makes them a go-to for many.
Allergy-Friendly Marshmallows: Most conventional marshmallows, even big-box brands like Kraft, are typically free of the top 8 allergens, which is great news for many. However, a common consideration is gelatin, which is often derived from animal products, making them unsuitable for vegan diets. For those seeking a vegan option, specialty brands like Dandies offer excellent alternatives. The only caveat with most vegan marshmallows I’ve encountered is that they often contain soy. This means achieving a completely vegan AND top-8-free marshmallow can be tricky. If you ever discover a vegan and soy-free marshmallow, please let me know! In the meantime, you can check out a helpful resource that lists which marshmallows are dairy-free and provides an ingredient comparison chart for major brands.
Allergy-Friendly Shortening (or Oil): For the binding agent in this recipe, you have a few options depending on your dietary needs. You can use a vegan butter substitute that is safe for your diet, or vegetable shortening. If soy is not an issue for you, regular vegetable shortening works perfectly. For those who require a soy-free shortening, brands like Spectrum offer excellent options. The amount you use will remain the same regardless of the oil type. Of course, if you can tolerate dairy, traditional butter can also be used. This flexibility ensures everyone can find a suitable fat for their needs.

Customizing Your S’mores Popcorn: Tips for Perfection and Endless Variations

One of the most wonderful aspects of this allergy-friendly S’mores Popcorn is its incredible versatility. It’s completely customizable, allowing you to tailor it precisely to your taste preferences and dietary requirements. Are you a true chocolate connoisseur? Feel free to generously add more chocolate chips for an extra rich experience. Can’t get enough of those delightful Vanilla Honey Grahams? Pile on extra cookies for maximum crunch and flavor. This recipe truly encourages you to experiment and create a batch that feels and tastes just right for you.

Pro Tips for the Best S’mores Popcorn:

Achieving the Perfect Balance: While customization is key, start with the recommended quantities and then adjust based on your preference. Too much marshmallow can make it overly sticky, while too little might not bind effectively.
Even Distribution is Key: When pouring the melted marshmallow mixture, try to drizzle it as evenly as possible over the popcorn and graham cracker pieces. This helps ensure every bite gets a taste of that gooey goodness. Gently folding rather than aggressively stirring will prevent crushing the popcorn.
Don’t Forget the Salt: A tiny pinch of salt (a quarter teaspoon or less) added to your melted marshmallow mixture can beautifully enhance the flavors, creating a delightful sweet and salty contrast. This simple addition can truly elevate the s’mores experience.
Temperature Matters: Ensure your melted shortening and marshmallows are adequately warm to combine easily, but not so hot that they burn. Medium-low heat is ideal for a smooth melt.
Handling Sticky Situations: Greasing your hands lightly with a little extra shortening or a safe cooking spray before flattening the mixture on the sheet pan will prevent it from sticking to your hands.

Serving and Storage Suggestions:

This S’mores Popcorn is perfect for any occasion. Serve it in individual bags for party favors, in a large bowl for a potluck, or simply enjoy it straight from the pan! Its impressive appearance and irresistible taste make it a guaranteed hit.

When you’re not actively munching, be sure to store your S’mores Popcorn in an airtight container. This will keep it fresh, crunchy, and prevent the marshmallows from becoming too hard or sticky. But be warned: this snack has a notorious way of disappearing quickly! Many people tell me they find themselves sneaking bits here and there, and before they know it, a significant portion has vanished. Not that I’d ever do that, of course… ha!

More Allergy-Friendly Delights and S’mores Innovations

If you’ve enjoyed this delightful S’mores Popcorn and are eager to explore more safe and scrumptious treats, you’re in luck! Below is a curated list of our favorite allergy-friendly snacks and other creative s’mores renditions that are perfect for those managing food allergies. These recipes and resources are designed to help you navigate snacking with confidence and joy.

A list of allergy-friendly, store-bought snacks we frequently pack with us!
Gluten, Dairy & Oat-free Energy Balls
Allergy-friendly Dessert Tropical Trail Mix
No Nut Happy Trails Mix
S’mores Brownie Bars
S’mores Cookies
S’mores Popcorn (Another Version)
S’mores Parfaits

Gluten & Dairy Free S’mores Popcorn

Yield:
10 cups

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
20 minutes

If you love s’mores, but want it in a snack-able form–put it together with popcorn! You’re favorites: marshmallows, chocolate and graham, but made into something you can munch on all day long! Naturally gluten & dairy free, with egg, soy and nut free alternatives in the post details!

Ingredients

10 Cups of plain popped popcorn
6 Tbsp. shortening (see post for details)
6 cups Mini Marshmallows (see post for details)
1 Box of Vanilla Honey Graham Crunchy Cookies (or regular graham crackers if you can do them)
3/4 cup Enjoy Life Dark Morsels, or other chocolate chips that work for your diet

Instructions

Pop 10 cups of popcorn and discard all unpopped kernels. Place the popped popcorn in a large bowl.
Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil or a silicone mat.
Break up the entire box of cookies. Pour them over the popcorn and stir to combine.
Melt the shortening over medium-low in a tall sauce pan. Once it’s melted, add the marshmallows. Stir until they’re melted and then kill the heat.
Slowly pour 3/4 of the melted marshmallow mixture over the popcorn and broken graham cookies. Gently fold everything together.
Pour the marshmallow, popcorn and graham mixture onto a sheet pan covered with aluminum foil or silicone mat. Flatten with greased hands.
Drizzle the remaining marshmallow mixture over the popcorn on the cookie sheet for extra pockets of gooey-ness.
Pour the measured Enjoy Life morsels over the mixture, press to combine with greased hands.
Add additional marshmallows, chocolate chips or cookies to the extra gooey spots, if so desired.
Allow the popcorn to cool. Serve, and when not eating keep in an air-tight container.

Notes

Feel free to add more or less of the chocolate and cookie pieces to your liking. You may also want to add a pinch of salt to the marshmallow mixture if you’d prefer a sweet and salty combo.

Adapted from: Two Sister’s Crafting S’mores Popcorn

DON’T FORGET TO PIN IT, SO YOU DON’T LOSE IT! BE SURE TO ALSO CHECK OUT MY OTHER ALLERGY-FRIENDLY PINTEREST BOARDS FOR MORE INSPIRATION!