Homemade Vegan Marshmallow Recipe

Name: Homemade Vegan Marshmallow Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 140 min
Ingredients: ½ cup aquafaba ((chickpea liquid)); ¼ tsp cream of tartar; 1 Tbsp vanilla extract; ⅔ cup water; 1 Tbsp agar agar powder/flakes; 1¼ cups sugar; ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup powdered sugar ((for dusting))

posted by Alyssia Sheikh on November 29, 2019 (updated May 11, 2023)

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How to Make Vegan Marshmallows – Healthy Vegan Marshmallow Recipe without Gelatin

For a cleaner marshmallow option, give this homemade vegan marshmallow recipe a try! I’ll show you how to make vegan marshmallows without gelatin by using agar agar flakes instead.

They’re light, fluffy, and just as satisfyingly sweet as traditional ‘mallows. But, this vegan marshmallow recipe lets you skip the corn syrup, and relies entirely on plant based ingredients.

Typically, marshmallows get their fluffy, spongy texture from gelatin, which is produced from animal bones. Luckily, we can make completely gelatin free marshmallows using aquafaba and agar agar!

Don’t get me wrong—this vegan marshmallow recipe is still plenty sweet and sugary. But, it’s a far cleaner option than store bought marshmallows—no ultra processed ingredients or ultra refined sweeteners. Perfect for healthy vegan hot chocolate or vegan s’mores—or just enjoying all on their own!

How to Make Vegan Marshmallows without Gelatin

Full disclosure: this homemade vegan marshmallow recipe does take more time to prepare than buying vegan marshmallows at the store. And, the recipe can be a bit finicky. But, just be patient and I promise—they’re well worth the extra effort!

Let’s walk through how to make vegan marshmallows without gelatin and I’ll give you some tips based on what worked for me:

Prepare your Pans

To start, prepare two pans by dusting them with powdered sugar and set aside. I used two 8×8-inch cake pans when I made this recipe, but you’re welcome to use one larger pan if you have one.

Mix Aquafaba Marshmallow Base

To the bowl of a stand mixer, add aquafaba and cream of tartar. If you’re unfamiliar with aquafaba, it’s simply the liquid that’s inside a can of chickpeas. It has a thick, viscous texture that makes it great for vegan-ized treats like marshmallow fluff, as well as other vegan baked goods and desserts. Just drain a can of chickpeas over a measuring cup and use ½ cup for this vegan marshmallow recipe.

Using the whisk attachment, mix on high for about 6 minutes, until it’s nice and fluffy. Then, add vanilla and continue to whip for another 3 minutes until you see stiff peaks form. For a ‘meringue’ like this, the true test that it’s ready is to turn your bowl upside down and see if the mixture stays put! Set aside for a moment while you prepare your agar agar mixture.

Aquafaba Marshmallows without Gelatin — *Drain canned chickpeas over a measuring cup to collect aquafaba.*

How to Make Vegan Marshmallows without Gelatin — *Add aquafaba and cream of tartar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix on high for about 6 minutes, until it’s nice and fluffy.*

Homemade Vegan Marshmallow Recipe — *Add in vanilla extract. Continue mixing for another 3 minutes, until stiff peaks form.*

Test vegan meringue by turning the bowl upside down — *The true test of a ‘meringue’ like this is to see if it stays in the bowl when turned upside down!*

Boil Agar Agar & Sugar Mixture

On the stovetop, combine water and agar agar flakes in a small saucepan. Bring that to a boil, and allow to boil for 3 minutes while you stir continuously. Then, add in your sugar and continue to boil over medium-low heat for another 3 minutes or so. It’s important to pay attention here so you don’t let the mixture burn!

Finally, turn off the heat and you’re ready to combine the two vegan marshmallow mixtures.

Agar Agar Marshmallows Base Mixture — *Combine water and agar agar flakes in a small saucepan and bring to a boil for 3 minutes, stirring continuously.*

Add sugar and continue to boil — *Add sugar and stir, continuing to boil over medium-low heat for another 3 minutes.*

Stir to form hot sugar syrup — *Remove syrup mixture from the heat.*

Combine Aquafaba and Agar Agar Mixtures

Return to your aquafaba mixture that’s in the bowl of your stand mixer and add salt. Then, gradually pour in the hot agar agar syrup mixture as you beat on low for about 2 minutes. When it’s ready, the mixture should look white and shiny.

Transfer Vegan Marshmallow Recipe to Pans

Now, you’re ready to pour the combined mixture into your prepared pans! Distribute evenly and spread it into an even layer in each pan. Next, simply dust the tops of both pans with powdered sugar and allow them to cool for 1-2 hours.

Combine hot agar agar syrup mixture and aquafaba marshmallow mixture — *Add salt to aquafaba marshmallow mixture and gradually pour in hot agar agar syrup mixture, beating on low for about 2 minutes.*

Transfer vegan marshmallow recipe to pans — *Pour mixture into prepared pans, spreading into an even layer.*

Dust with powdered sugar — *Dust the top with powdered sugar and allow to cool for 1-2 hours.*

Cut into Squares and Dry In Warm Oven

Near the end of the cooling time, preheat your oven to 150°F (65°C)—or the lowest possible temperature. Then, carefully cut your cooled vegan marshmallow mixture into squares. It will be sticky! Transfer cut marshmallows to baking sheets lined with parchment, dusting them with powdered sugar on all sides.

Once prepared, you can turn the oven off and add the baking sheets to the warm oven for about an hour. You don’t want to cook these vegan marshmallows without gelatin but this step will help to dry dry out! And, if they still feel too wet or sticky after an hour, preheat the oven again, re-dust with powdered sugar, and repeat the drying process once more.

Cut into squares — *Cut cooled vegan marshmallow mixture into squares and carefully transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet.*

100-Calorie Healthy Hot Chocolates 5 Ways + Clean, Vegan Marshmallows!