Chocolate Campfire Oatmeal with Graham Crackers

Alternative title: S’mores Oatmeal 2.0. The original version was great, but I wanted to take another stab at it. It’s not often I have vegan marshmallows in my kitchen, so I wanted to create a s’mores-themed porridge that could be done with no marshmallows at all.

I know, I’m a rebel.

I promise you, this oatmeal is actually better than my original s’mores recipe, in my opinion. I can’t explain it, but I found this one way more enjoyable.

What you’ll need:

• 3/4 cup milk of choice or water
• 1/4 cup quick cook steel cut oats
• 1/3 cup grated zucchini + 2 tsp maple syrup OR 1 mashed banana*
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• scant 1/8 tsp liquid smoke (honestly, like 1-2 drops)
• pinch of salt
• graham cracker crumbles, for topping (~2 tbsp)
• chopped semi-sweet or dark chocolate, for topping (~1 tbsp)
• chocolate nut butter, for topping (optional, 1 or 2 tbsp)

How to make it:

1. Bring milk (I use an equal mixture of almond milk and water) to a boil, add oats, and reduce heat to medium.
2. Add zucchini and maple syrup, or one mashed banana, to the oatmeal. Stir.
3. Once more of the liquid has absorbed, add vanilla extract, liquid smoke, and salt. Stir.
4. When you’re pleased with the consistency of the oatmeal, transfer to a bowl. Top with graham cracker, chocolate, and chocolate nut butter, if using.

Just an FYI:

* Using a banana definitely gives a banana flavor but I kind of liked that.

Yes, you read that recipe right: liquid smoke.

Just a drop of this potent ingredient added the campfire feel that s’mores invoke. Then, topped with chopped dark chocolate that got all melty and luscious, this oatmeal felt even more like a real s’mores than the version that actually had marshmallows.

For graham crackers, I used my Nairn graham crackers that I reviewed last month. I specifically saved some of them to make this recipe, and it worked beautifully. Obviously, any graham cracker will work, but this was a great choice because they’re vegan!