Save this recipe for your next trip.
Last updated: July 2026 | 10 min read
Written by Alex Schult
Editor in Chief of 4wdTalk.com. 15+ years of off-road and overlanding experience with 1,000+ hours on the trail.
This recipe was tested on an actual overland trip. Amazon affiliate links support 4wdTalk.com at no extra cost to you.
In This Recipe
Why This Recipe Works for Overlanders
Foil packet smores bananas solve the problem of wanting real smores without packing skewers, a fire ring big enough for open flame, and a bag of full-size graham crackers that crush flat in the cook box. This recipe gets the same three flavors, chocolate, toasted marshmallow, and graham cracker. All three land in a single foil packet cooked flat on coals.
I started making these after one too many trips where the graham cracker sleeve turned to crumbs before we even reached camp. Crushing the crackers on purpose solves that problem instead of fighting it. The crushed crackers mix into the pocket alongside the marshmallows and chocolate. Every bite gets a little crunch instead of saving it for a final assembled sandwich.
This is the dessert that reads as more effort than it actually takes. A plain banana boat is already good. Crushed graham crackers add the toasted-sugar flavor and texture that makes it taste like an actual smore, not just melted chocolate and marshmallow. If you have made our Foil Packet Banana Boats before, this is the same technique with one more ingredient doing a lot of work.
Graham crackers hold up fine in a cooler or dry box for a full trip. This recipe works as easily on night one as it does on the last night out. Crush them ahead of time and they take up almost no space in the cook kit.
Equipment You Need
This recipe uses the same core kit as every foil packet camping recipe. Heavy-duty aluminum foil at 0.94 mil (Reynolds Wrap Heavy Duty) handles the coal contact without tearing. Long-handled tongs pull the packet off coals without burned knuckles. Heat-resistant gloves rated to at least 500F handle the flip. A small spoon works best for eating the banana straight out of its peel once it comes off the coals.
Gear for This Recipe
TempPro TempSwift 1 Sec Meat Thermometer Digital for Kitchen Cookin…
Ingredients
Serves 4 | Prep 5 min | Cook 10 min | Medium coals
- 4 bananas, unpeeled
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 2 graham crackers, crushed
- Foil, one sheet per banana
Step-by-Step Instructions
Home Prep
Pick bananas that are ripe but still slightly firm and pack them separately from anything that could bruise them. Crush the graham crackers into coarse crumbs at home. A resealable bag and a rolling pin work better than trying to crush them at camp. Measure the marshmallows and chocolate chips into a shared sealed container alongside the crushed crackers.
At camp, slice each banana lengthwise through the peel, cutting deep enough to open a pocket but not all the way through the bottom skin. Layer marshmallows, chocolate chips, and crushed graham crackers into the pocket, pressing down gently so the filling stays put. Wrap each banana in its own sheet of foil, sealing the top so nothing spills.
At Camp
Build a bed of medium coals, glowing orange with a thicker layer of gray ash than a hot fire needs. Place the wrapped bananas directly on the coals, peel side down so the fruit does not scorch. Leave them undisturbed rather than flipping, since the peel already protects the fruit.
Cook 8 to 10 minutes total, until the marshmallows have melted. The graham crackers should soften just enough to hold together without going fully mushy. Open carefully, since trapped steam releases fast. Eat straight from the peel with a spoon while the marshmallow is still warm and the crackers still have a little bite.
Coal Bed Math
Coal temperature determines whether the marshmallows melt fully while the graham crackers keep some texture in this recipe’s short 8 to 10 minute window. Use this table to read your coal bed before placing packets.
| Coal Stage | Temperature | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Hot | 500F+ | Searing, quick shrimp packets |
| Medium-Hot | 400-500F | Taco meat, potatoes and onions |
| Medium | 350-400F | Smores bananas, banana boats |
| Medium-Low | 250-350F | Chocolate fondue, delicate desserts |
Field Tips
Crush the graham crackers into coarse crumbs, not fine powder. Coarse pieces hold a little bite after 8 to 10 minutes of steam. Fine crumbs turn to paste and disappear into the marshmallow instead.
Layer the filling with graham crackers in the middle rather than on top. Crackers pressed against the hot foil floor of the pocket can scorch before the marshmallow on top even melts.
Store the chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers away from your sleeping area overnight, not just in a sealed bag in the cook box. Sugary, scented food draws bears and other wildlife into camp, especially in bear country like the Sierras or Big Bear. The National Park Service has guidance on storing scented food safely on its bear safety food storage page. It is worth a read before any trip through bear country.
Crush the graham crackers at home, not at camp. A rolling pin and a cutting board work far better than crushing crackers by hand. Do this step at home, not in a moving vehicle or at a picnic table.
Coal and Cleanup Gear
Variations and Substitutions
The base foil packet smores bananas build takes well to swaps once the wrap technique feels natural. Try one change at a time so the cook time stays predictable.
- Peanut butter addition: Add a spoonful of peanut butter to the pocket alongside the marshmallows for a richer, nuttier filling.
- Cinnamon graham swap: Use cinnamon graham crackers instead of plain for a warmer, spiced flavor throughout.
- Dark chocolate swap: Use dark chocolate chips instead of milk chocolate for a less sweet, more grown-up version.
- Toasted coconut: Fold in a spoonful of shredded coconut for texture and a slightly tropical note.
- Nut topping: Add chopped pecans or almonds alongside the graham crackers for extra crunch.
- Caramel drizzle: Add a few caramel candies to the pocket for a gooier, sweeter filling that melts alongside the chocolate.
- Plain banana boat: Skip the graham crackers for the simpler original. See our Foil Packet Banana Boats recipe for that version.
Storage and Leftovers
Foil packet smores bananas taste best fresh off the coals and do not hold well as leftovers. The banana continues to soften after cooking and the graham crackers lose their crunch. A boat left to sit turns mushy within an hour.
If a boat does not get finished, scoop out the filling into a small container. Store it in the cooler for up to a day rather than saving the banana itself. The marshmallow, chocolate, and graham mixture works well spooned over oatmeal the next morning. A dedicated trash bag for used foil keeps the drawer system clean and supports a Leave No Trace pack-out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know when foil packet smores bananas are done?
Check that the marshmallows have melted and the graham crackers have softened just enough to hold together. Peel back a corner of the foil to check, then reseal and cook a couple more minutes if the marshmallows are still holding their shape.
Why did the graham crackers turn to mush instead of staying crunchy?
Crushing them too fine or leaving them layered directly against the hot foil floor of the pocket is the usual cause. Use coarse crumbs and layer them in the middle of the filling instead of on top or bottom.
Can you use full graham cracker squares instead of crushed?
It is not recommended. Whole squares do not fit well in the banana pocket and cook unevenly. Crushed crumbs distribute through the filling and cook at the same rate as the marshmallow instead.
What is the difference between smores bananas and plain banana boats?
Smores bananas add crushed graham crackers to the same marshmallow and chocolate filling used in the base banana boat recipe, adding the toasted-sugar flavor of a real smore.
How do you keep bears away from the marshmallows and chocolate?
Store sugary, scented ingredients away from your sleeping area overnight. Use a sealed container or vehicle rather than a tent, especially in bear country like the Sierras.
Can you make foil packet smores bananas ahead of time?
Crush the graham crackers ahead of time, since that step works far better at home with a rolling pin. Slice and stuff the bananas at camp right before cooking.
Can you use a different cracker instead of graham crackers?
Yes. Digestive biscuits work in a similar way. They run less sweet than graham crackers and give a slightly different flavor to the finished filling.
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