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!

Vegan Marshmallow Recipe

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.
How to Make Vegan Marshmallows without Gelatin
Dust homemade vegan marshmallows with powdered sugar on all sides and transfer to warm oven as it cools. Repeat this drying process once more as needed.

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

Homemade Vegan Marshmallow Recipe

Homemade Vegan Marshmallow Recipe

How to Make Vegan Marshmallows without Gelatin
5 stars (3 ratings)

Ingredients

  • ½ cup aquafaba, (chickpea liquid)
  • ¼ tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
  • cup water
  • 1 Tbsp agar agar powder/flakes
  • cups sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ cup powdered sugar, (for dusting)

Instructions 

  • Dust two 8×8-inch pans with powdered sugar. Set aside.
  • Add aquafaba and cream of tartar to the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix with the whisk attachment on high for 6 minutes, until fluffy. Add vanilla and whip another 3 minutes until stiff peaks form.
  • In a small saucepan, combine water and agar agar, and bring to a boil. Boil the water for 3 minutes, stirring continuously.
  • Add sugar and boil over medium low heat for another 3 minutes. (Be mindful—don’t let the mixture burn!)
  • Turn off the heat. Add salt to aquafaba mixture and gradually pour in hot syrup, beating on low for 30 seconds at a time (for about 2 minutes). The mixture will turn white and shiny.
  • Add mixture to prepared pans, spreading into an even layer.
  • Dust the tops with powdered sugar and allow to cool for 1-2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 150°F (65°C), or lowest possible temperature.
  • Cut marshmallow mixture into squares and transfer to baking sheets lined with parchment. Dust marshmallow squares with powdered sugar on all sides.
  • Turn the oven off and add the cubed marshmallows to warm oven for about an hour to help them dry out.
  • (If marshmallows still feel too wet or sticky after an hour, repeat drying process: remove trays from oven and preheat to 150°F (65°C) again. Flip each marshmallow and dust with powdered sugar on all sides. Turn oven off and return trays to oven for another hour, as needed.)

Notes

Yields 60 vegan marshmallows (depending on size of cut).
Serving: 2vegan marshmallows, Calories: 43kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Sugar: 10g
Did you make this recipe?Share a photo and tag us @mindovermunch — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!