S'mores! Hot Cocoa! Rice Crispy Treats! The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Marshmallows
Thousands of years ago, ancient Egyptians made marshmallows from nuts, honey, and the sap of a plant called Althaea officinalis, also known as marsh mallow.
Instead of marshmallow root sap, most marshmallows on the market contain gelatin, which is derived from animal skin, bones, and connective tissue. But not every marshmallow is made this way. Vegan brands use plant-derived alternatives, such as carrageenan, extracted from red seaweed, and agar-agar, a gelatin-like ingredient derived from red algae.
Vegan marshmallows are just as tasty and versatile as their gelatin-based counterparts. You can eat them straight from the bag, bake with them, toast them over an open fire, or use them to make perfectly gooey s’mores.
If you’re craving marshmallows without the animal-derived ingredients, these brands offer completely vegan versions of the classic sweet treat. Happy snacking.
1 Dandies offers a range of seasonal flavors
If you’re looking for a bit more flavor than just the standard marshmallow, try Dandies. Made with carrageenan, all of its options—including vanilla, maple, pumpkin, and peppermint flavors—are vegan and totally allergen-free. In addition to its regular-sized marshmallows, it offers mini and jumbo marshmallows (perfect for s’mores) as well as the only vegan Marshmallow Cream on the market. SHOP AMAZON.
2 GoodMallow’s marshmallows are made with real fruit
GoodMallow always delivers on variety. Alongside its classic pillowy marshmallows, available in flavors such as Strawberry, Lemon Meringue, and Raspberry (all made with real fruit), the brand also offers filled varieties and even bunny-shaped vegan marshmallows. Shop Amazon.
3 Yummallo offers classic vegan marshmallows
Yummallo is a leading marshmallow brand and offers several different variations of the squishy candy. There’s Rainbow, Spaghetti Marshmallows, and even Unicorn Poop. But unfortunately, it hasn’t released any vegan versions of these options. However, it does offer standard vegan marshmallows made with carrageenan. SHop Walmart.
4 Freedom Mallows are a must for hot cocoa
After a decade of research, British brand Freedom Mallows launched in 2013 with a mission to share its vegan, allergen-free marshmallow recipe with the masses. Since then, its range has expanded to include Regular Vanilla Mallows, Mini Pink & White Vanilla Mallows, marshmallow-stuffed chocolate bars, and even hot chocolate kits. Shop Amazon.
5 Max Sweets’ marshmallows are sugar-free
For a healthier marshmallow option, reach for Max Sweets’ Max Mallow. The sugar-free brand uses carrageen for its vegan marshmallows and omits sugar, including sugar alcohols. Choose from flavors like Classic Vanilla, Burnt Caramel, and Huckleberry. Shop Amazon.
How to make vegan marshmallows
While a handful of brands offer vegan marshmallows, gelatin marshmallows still dominate the market. But you don’t have to buy marshmallows at all. You can make your own from home, using only the ingredients that suit you. To get you started, here are three different vegan marshmallow recipes.
