S’mores Donuts on the Grill: Gooey, Crispy, Ridiculously Easy

Some food ideas sound completely bonkers until you actually try them. Grilling s’mores donuts? Yeah, I thought it was nuts too. But sometimes the craziest ideas turn out to be pure genius, and this is one of those times.

Let me set the scene. You’re standing at your grill on a warm evening, and instead of flipping another burger, you’re creating what might be the most ridiculously delicious dessert known to humankind. We’re talking about taking perfectly good glazed donuts and making them extraordinary with nothing more than some heat, melted marshmallows, and a chocolate sauce that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about dessert.

Why Grilled S’mores Donuts Work So Well

Here’s where the magic happens. When you throw a glazed donut on the grill, that sugary coating doesn’t just warm up—it transforms. The glaze melts, caramelizes, and creates this incredible crispy shell that crackles like the top of a crème brûlée when it cools. Meanwhile, the inside stays soft and pillowy. It’s like the donut gets a complete personality makeover, going from “eh, it’s okay” to “holy moly, I need twelve more of these.”

The beauty of s’mores donuts lies in their simplicity. You’re not reinventing the wheel here—you’re just making it roll a lot better. The marshmallow filling adds that gooey campfire nostalgia we all crave, while the chocolate sauce brings everything together in a way that makes your taste buds do a little happy dance.

Grilling donuts seems like something a college kid would dream up at 2 AM. But that first bite? Game changer. The contrast between the crispy exterior and the molten marshmallow center is nothing short of revelatory.

The Secret to Perfect S’mores Donuts

The key to nailing these s’mores donuts is temperature control. You want your grill at medium-low heat—somewhere between 300°F and 350°F. Too hot, and you’ll end up with charcoal rings instead of donuts. Too cool, and you won’t get that gorgeous caramelization that makes these treats special.

Start with good glazed donuts. I’m not saying you need to make them from scratch (though if you want to show off, go for it), but don’t grab the stale ones from the discount rack either. Fresh or day-old works perfectly.

How to Make Grilled S’mores Donuts

The Chocolate Sauce That Changes Everything

First, let’s discuss this chocolate sauce. This isn’t some afterthought—it’s the supporting actor that steals the scene. In a heavy saucepan, whisk together 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 1/2 cups of firmly packed brown sugar, and a pinch of salt. The brown sugar adds depth that regular white sugar just can’t match.

Slowly add 2 cups of half-and-half, whisking like your life depends on it to avoid lumps. Nobody wants chunky chocolate sauce—we’re going for silky smooth perfection here. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil. Then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2 minutes until it thickens just enough to coat the back of a spoon.

The Marshmallow Magic

While that sauce is working its magic, melt 1 ½ teaspoons of butter with 8 regular marshmallows (or 32 mini ones, if you’re feeling fancy) in a small saucepan. Stir constantly—marshmallows tend to go from perfect to burnt faster than you can say “s’more.” Once smooth, stir in ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and remove from the heat.

Assembling Your S’mores Donuts

Now for the fun part. Cut your six glazed donuts in half horizontally, like you would a bagel. Sandwich a generous spoonful of that gooey marshmallow mixture between the halves. Don’t be shy here—you want that marshmallow to ooze out a little when you bite into it.

Spray both sides of your stuffed donuts with cooking spray. This helps prevent sticking and promotes even browning.

The Grilling Process

Here’s where patience pays off. Place your s’mores donuts on the grill grate and cook for about 40 seconds per side, turning once. You’re looking for that gorgeous golden-brown color and the tell-tale sizzle of caramelizing sugar. The smell alone will have your neighbors peering over the fence.

Watch them carefully—the line between perfectly caramelized and blackened disappointment is thinner than you think. When done right, you’ll see the glaze bubble and turn golden, creating that crispy shell that makes these donuts so addictive.

Serving Your Masterpiece

Transfer your grilled s’mores donuts to individual plates and serve immediately with that warm chocolate sauce for dunking. The contrast between the crispy exterior, gooey marshmallow center, and rich chocolate sauce is nothing short of magical.

Why This Recipe Works Every Time

The genius of grilled s’mores donuts lies in their foolproof nature. Unlike some finicky desserts that require precise timing and technique, these beauties are forgiving. Even if you char them a tiny bit, they still taste incredible. The marshmallow filling stays warm and gooey, the chocolate sauce masks any imperfections, and the novelty factor means everyone’s too impressed to nitpick.

Tips for S’mores Donuts Success

Keep that grill temperature steady. If you’re working with a charcoal grill, make sure your coals are evenly distributed and not blazing hot. Gas grills make temperature control easier, but either way works beautifully.

Make the chocolate sauce first and keep it warm. Nothing ruins the moment like lukewarm chocolate sauce. If it starts to thicken too much, just whisk in a splash more half-and-half.

Don’t overfill the donuts with marshmallow. A heaping spoonful is perfect—too much and it’ll leak out all over your grill, creating a sticky mess that’s nobody’s friend.

These grilled s’mores donuts prove that sometimes the best ideas come from the most unexpected places. They’re ridiculously easy to make, impossible to mess up, and guaranteed to make you the hero of any backyard gathering. Trust me on this one—your grill was meant for more than just burgers and hot dogs.