Squishy, yet fluffy, it’s hard to beat the tempting texture and flavor of marshmallows. These treats never seem to get old when campfire season comes around. And as cool weather approaches, you might be stocking up outdoor firepits, firewood, and of course, s’mores ingredients. But if you lead a vegan lifestyle, you might wonder: Are marshmallows vegan?
Most marshmallows you find in major grocery chains are not vegan since they contain gelatin, an ingredient made of animal bones, tendons, and ligaments. However, there are several popular brands of marshmallows on the market that don’t use gelatin and are completely vegan.
Another pesky non-vegan ingredient you should be on the lookout for is albumen (egg whites). While it’s not typically found in regular marshmallows, it is a common ingredient in marshmallow creme or fluff (the stuff that comes in jars).
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Vegan Marshmallow Brands
As you can see, whether marshmallows are vegan can be a gray area. Luckily, if you’re on the hunt for a sweet treat, we might have just the thing for you. Let’s take a moment to look at some of the best vegan marshmallow brands.
1. Dandies Marshmallow Mini
One of the best known vegan marshmallow brands is Dandies, a Chicago-based company that sells “all natural marshmallows.” The vegan gelatin substitute they’re using is carrageenan (also known as Irish moss), which is completely vegan as it comes from dried red seaweed. These Dandies vegan marshmallows are also free from common allergens, such as nuts.
2. Trader Joe’s Mini Marshmallows
Both gelatin and gluten -free, the Trader Joe’s Marshmallows are another popular choice for vegans and plant-based consumers. Interestingly, the ingredients for Trader Joe’s vegan marshmallows are exactly the same and in the same order as Dandies:
“Tapioca Syrup, Cane Sugar, Filtered Water, Tapioca Starch, Carrageenan, Soy Protein, Natural Vanilla Flavor.”
3. Ananda’s Gourmet Marshmallows
Ananda’s is a British company that produces soy-free, vegan-friendly marshmallows in regular and mini sizes. They also ship internationally, which is great news if you live in the states.
4. Funky Mello Marshmallow Creme
If you’re missing the taste of marshmallow fluff, try Funky Mello’s line of vegan marshmallow cremes. The Austin-based company offers marshmallow cremes in a range of fun flavors, including classic vanilla, chai, even strawberry—making it possible to have your vegan marshmallow fluff and eat it too.
5. Freedom Mallows
Also based in England, Freedom Mallows creates gelatin-free marshmallows that are halal and kosher. They even make chocolate-covered marshmallows, which sounds mouthwatering.
6. Yummallo Marshmallows
Yummallo Marshmallows are free of gelatin, corn syrup, and gluten. The marshmallows are also available at Walmart at about $5 per 10-ounce bag.
How to Make Vegan Marshmallows At Home
Another option is to make vegan marshmallows. The process is surprisingly simple, and it only requires a few basic vegan ingredients.
Key Ingredients
Key Ingredients
- Aquafaba. Also known as chickpea water, aquafaba is the base of this recipe. You can obtain aquafaba by draining a can of chickpeas and saving the liquid.
- Cream of tartar. This ingredient is a must for this vegan marshmallow recipe. It acts as a stabilizer.
- Agar agar powder. Be sure to use agar agarpowder, not flakes. Agar agar is used in place of gelatin in this recipe.
- Powdered sugar.Powdered sugar prevents the marshmallows from sticking together.
You’ll also need a standing mixer with a whisk attachment, parchment paper, aluminum foil, and 8×8 baking pan. Alternatively, if you have an 8×8 dish with an air-tight lid, you can use this and forgo the aluminum oil.
If you don’t have a standing mixer, a hand mixer works just as well. Just be ready to put your arms to work!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. First, line the baking pan with parchment paper. Generously dust the parchment with powdered sugar.
2. In a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), combine the aquafaba and cream of tartar.
3. Mix on high for 5 to 6 minutes, or until fluffy and white. The mixture should form stiff peaks.
4. Add the vanilla. Beat for another 4 minutes until blended. Set aside.
5. In a small pot over medium-high heat, combine the water and agar agar powder. Bring to a light boil, mixing frequently to prevent the agar agar from sticking to the bottom. Cook for 3 minutes or until thick.
Add the sugar. Lightly boil for another 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
6. Once the sugar has dissolved, slowly add the agar agar to the aquafaba mixture, beating on low. Mix for 30 seconds until thick and combined.
7. Pour into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cover tightly and chill for at least 3 hours.
8. After 3 hours, sprinkle another layer of powdered sugar. Prepare a shallow dish or bowl with powdered sugar, and dust your knife with powdered sugar as well. This will help keep your marshmallows somewhat fluffy and reduce stickiness.
Slice the marshmallows into squares.
9. Carefully remove each square, and add to the dish of powdered sugar. Generously coat each side with sugar.
These marshmallows are best when used immediately, so only cut and coat what you plan to use.
Serve with hot chocolate, s’mores, or eat them on their own!
How to Make S’mores with Vegan Marshmallows
Due to the nature of these marshmallows, making s’mores will call for a different strategy than the traditional approach. Sandwich a marshmallow between graham crackers (Nabisco Original Graham Crackers are vegan) and add a piece of dairy-free chocolate. Microwave in 30-second intervals until warm. The marshmallows won’t melt like normal marshmallows, but they’ll definitely be delicious.
How to Store Vegan Marshmallows
Store the pan of marshmallows in the fridge, covered, for up to 5 days. Do not keep them at room temperature.
Vegan Marshmallows
Ingredients
- ½ cup aquafaba a.k.a. chickpea water
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 ½ tablespoons vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 tablespoon agar agar (powder) not flakes
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar plus more as needed
Instructions
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper. Generously dust the parchment with powdered sugar.
- In a large bowl, combine the aquafaba and cream of tartar. Mix on high for 5 to 6 minutes, or until fluffy and white. The mixture should form stiff peaks. Add the vanilla, then beat for another 4 minutes until blended. Set aside.
- In a small pot over medium-high heat, combine the water and agar agar powder. Bring to a light boil, mixing frequently to prevent the agar agar from sticking to the bottom. Cook for 3 minutes or until thick. Add the sugar. Lightly boil for another 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, slowly add the agar agar to the aquafaba mixture, beating on low. Mix for 30 seconds until thick and combined.
- Pour into the prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cover tightly and chill for at least 3 hours.
- After 3 hours, sprinkle another layer of powdered sugar. Prepare a shallow dish or bowl with powdered sugar, and dust your knife with powdered sugar to reduce stickiness. Slice the marshmallows into squares.
- Carefully remove each square, and add to the dish of powdered sugar. Generously coat each side with sugar. (The marshmallows are best when used immediately, so only cut and coat what you plan to use.)
- Store the pan of marshmallows in the fridge, covered, for up to 5 days.
Notes
- You can use a standing or hand mixer for this recipe. A standing mixer will be more convenient, but a hand mixer works great too. Be prepared to put your arms to work!
- Once you’ve combined the agar agar and aquafaba mixtures, you’ll have to work quickly. It will become sticky as it cools. To moves things along, we recommend keeping the dusted pan and spatula near your mixer.
- Nutrition information for this marshmallow recipe is an estimate calculated by the Spoonacular food database.
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Can I make rice krispy treats with these marshmallows? My DIL is vegan and I would like to make them for her this Easter.
Thank you
Hi Adrienne! I haven’t tried this, but I don’t think they’ll work in rice krispy treats, unfortunately. They don’t melt like normal marshmallows, so they’re better for things like s’mores or hot chocolate. I hope that helps!