Marshmallows are one of the most popular treats in the world. Some people use them to make grilled s’mores, while others enjoy these soft treats as is.

But there are so many more things you can do with marshmallows, like dehydrating them.

How are marshmallows dehydrated? You can dehydrate marshmallows using a food dehydrator, oven, or air fryer. Dehydrating marshmallows takes 2 hours or more, depending on their size. The marshmallows need to be dehydrated at about 160°F for the caramels to dry out completely and not burn or caramelize.

This article is a complete guide to dehydrating marshmallows. Read on to learn how to dehydrate marshmallows using different methods, how to use dehydrated marshmallows, and tips to make the process easier.

What are marshmallows?

We all like marshmallows. Whether you use the marshmallows for baking, roasting, or plain, these fluffy treats are pure joy.

But while many people like to treat themselves to these fluffy treats, not everyone knows what’s inside.

Remarkably, marshmallows are made up of just a few simple ingredients: sugar, corn syrup, water, and gelatin.

To make marshmallows, the mixture of sugar, water, and corn syrup is cooked and brought to a boil. To give the marshmallows their specific texture, gelatin is added to the mix.

But to make the marshmallows fluffy and smooth, the key “ingredient” needs to be incorporated into the sweet concoction. Once the mix is ready, manufacturers form various shapes from the ready marshmallow mix.

You can also make marshmallows at home. The texture of homemade marshmallows is slightly different from commercially made ones.

Can you dehydrate marshmallows?

You can dehydrate marshmallows just like you dehydrate fruits and vegetables. Although dried marshmallows aren’t as healthy as fresh dried marshmallows, it’s certainly fun.

You can dehydrate marshmallows using various dehydration methods.

What does dehydration do to marshmallows?

Dehydrating foods makes them last longer, and marshmallows are no exception. Dried marshmallows are less likely to spoil due to their lower moisture content.

The key difference between regular and dehydrated marshmallows is obviously their texture. While regular marshmallows are squishy and mushy, dehydrated marshmallows are hard and crunchy.

When you bite into a regular fresh marshmallow, you see that it looks like a sponge, raw and somewhat wet. Dehydration, on the other hand, causes the inside of the marshmallow to dry out while retaining its fluffy appearance.

The flavor of the marshmallows does not change when dehydrated. They are still sweet and hold any additional flavor that is added to them.

What you should know before dehydrating marshmallows

Dehydrating marshmallows may seem like a fairly simple task. However, there are a few things you should know before dehydrating these candies.

Marshmallows do not shrink when dehydrated

As a general rule, food shrinks when it loses moisture. This is why many people expect marshmallows to get smaller when dehydrated.

If you wait for the marshmallows to shrink, you’ll burn them because unlike other foods, these soft treats swell up a bit when you dehydrate them.

The bigger the marshmallow, the longer it takes to dry

Marshmallows come in different sizes: mini, regular, and jumbo. Technically, you can dehydrate marshmallows of all sizes. However, the thicker the marshmallows, the longer they will take to dry.

You can dehydrate large and jumbo marshmallows. But we recommend that you cut them into smaller pieces first so that the dehydration process is efficient.

It’s better to spend a couple of minutes cutting the marshmallows than to wait hours for the jumbo marshmallows to dry completely.

And even then, with jumbo marshmallows, the risk of the center of the marshmallows going mushy and mushy is high.

Also, small dehydrated marshmallows are more versatile in terms of their uses. This is another reason to cut the large marshmallows first.

Don’t try to cut the marshmallows once they are completely dry, as they will simply crumble.

How to Determine When Marshmallows Are Completely Dry

You can follow the detailed instructions for dehydrating marshmallows, including running your oven at the proper temperature for the minutes the recipe suggests.

But you may end up with marshmallows that are still soft and chewy. Why is this happening?

The reason is that not all ovens work the same. Even if they did, the humidity in the room matters too. If where you live is too humid, it will take longer for the marshmallows to fully dry out.

That’s why it’s important to know how to determine the degree of doneness of dried marshmallows.

The best way to determine whether or not marshmallows are dry is to test one while it’s in the oven or in a dehydrator.

When you feel the marshmallow is crisp and hard, take them all out. It’s important to wait for the marshmallow to cool before checking to see if it’s done.

You can also try crumbling the marshmallow . If it crumbles, the marshmallow is well dehydrated. If it doesn’t crumble and looks raw on the inside, the marshmallow needs more time to dehydrate.

There is one thing you should know if you use a dehydrator. Marshmallows dried in a dehydrator may still be soft when you take them out. This is normal when using a dehydrator to dry the marshmallows.

To check whether the marshmallows are completely dry or not, you need to let them sit for about 15 minutes.

If this is your first time using a marshmallow dehydrator and you’re not sure how long it takes to get the job done, take out a few marshmallows and let them cool.

If they turn crunchy, turn off the dehydrator and remove the rest of the marshmallows as well.

How to dehydrate marshmallows

There are some effective methods for dehydrating marshmallows. If you have a dehydrator, it certainly makes sense to use it for the marshmallows.

Having a dehydrator is not a problem at all. You can use your oven or an air fryer to dehydrate marshmallows.

Here are step-by-step instructions for dehydrating marshmallows in three different ways.

Dehydrate marshmallows in the oven

Everyone has an oven in their kitchen. Therefore, everyone can dehydrate marshmallows at home. Here are step-by-step instructions for dehydrating marshmallows at home using an oven.

Preheat the oven . Set it to the lowest possible temperature. Oven temperature should be below 200°F. If you set it higher, the marshmallows will burn or caramelize.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the marshmallows on it. Arrange the marshmallows in a single layer.
Stir the marshmallows every 20 minutes . This will help heat and dehydrate the marshmallows on all sides.
Take a couple of marshmallows out of the oven, let them cool, and try them. If they are dry and crumbly, remove the rest of the marshmallows from the oven.

Dehydrating marshmallows in the oven will take about 2-3 hours and a lot of care. Otherwise, the marshmallows may darken and burn. But the results are stupendous and comparable to those produced by a food dehydrator.

Dehydrating marshmallows in a dehydrator

Most people use food dehydrators to extend the life of healthy foods. But why not also use it for treats like marshmallows?

If you have a food dehydrator at home, you should put it to use for the fluffy treats. A dehydrator produces the best results with very little effort. Here’s how to dehydrate marshmallows in a dehydrator.

Arrange the marshmallows in a single layer on the dehydrator rack. Make sure there are no lumps of marshmallow. There should be enough space between the marshmallows for even dehydration.
Set the dehydrator temperature to 160°F.
b . Dehydration time depends on the size of the marshmallows and how many marshmallows you have in the dehydrator.
After about 2 hours, take out a marshmallow and let it cool. Once the marshmallow has cooled, check to see if it is crisp. If the marshmallows are crisp and not raw on the inside, remove the remainder from the dehydrator, allow to cool, and store in an airtight container .

You may be having the problem of marshmallows sticking to the air fryer grates. This occurs when the sticky inner part of the marshmallows heats up and is exposed to the cooking surface.

If you run into this problem, wait until the marshmallows are completely cool, and only then try removing them from the racks. Once the marshmallows have cooled, they should come off the racks fairly easily.

Dehydrating Marshmallows in the Air Fryer

You may be surprised to learn that you can also dehydrate marshmallows in an air fryer. An air fryer gives the same results as the oven or dehydrator, but in less time.

Follow these steps to dehydrate marshmallows in an air fryer.

Place the marshmallows on the air fryer rack or in the basket.
Leave space between the marshmallows for air to circulate and dehydration to be effective.
Set the air fryer temperature to 160°F.
Let the mini marshmallows dehydrate for 60 minutes in the air fryer . Larger marshmallows will take a little longer to dry completely.
After 1 hour, take out a few marshmallows to test. If they are dry and crisp after they have cooled, remove the entire batch from the air fryer.

Different air fryers will dehydrate the marshmallows at a different time. After a couple of uses, you’ll find out how long your dehydrator takes for different sizes of marshmallows.

Can you dehydrate marshmallows in the microwave?

You can dehydrate marshmallows in the microwave , as the microwave heats the food and causes its moisture content to evaporate.

However, the experience can be a success or a failure. We recommend trying dehydrating a small batch of marshmallows first to see how it works for you.

To dehydrate marshmallows in the microwave, place them in a single layer in a microwave-safe dish. Microwave on full power for 60 seconds. The marshmallows will puff up as they cook.

After 1 minute, wait for them to puff up, turn the marshmallows over and microwave for another minute.

Repeat these steps until the marshmallows are dry and crisp.

Can marshmallows be air dried?

Air-drying the marshmallows is considered another method of dehydrating. But this method doesn’t work the same as dehydrating marshmallows with heat. In addition, it has two major drawbacks.

First of all, air dried marshmallows do not have the same texture as those dehydrated with an oven, dehydrator or air fryer.

Second, it takes a long time to air dry marshmallows. You may have to wait weeks and even months for the marshmallows to air dry.

You can certainly try dehydrating the marshmallows by air drying them to see if you like the results. To do this, simply leave the marshmallows in an open bag.

You can leave them in the plastic bag they came in. You just have to open it so that there is a lot of air current.

Leave the marshmallows in a cool, dry place. They will gradually dry out and harden. But they won’t be as “fluffy” as dried marshmallows in an oven or dehydrator.

Air-dried marshmallows are best used in hot drinks.

How long do marshmallows take to dehydrate?

The time it will take for the marshmallows to dehydrate depends on their size, the appliance you use to dehydrate them, and the humidity where you live.

For example, it will take about 2-3 hours to dehydrate mini marshmallows in the dehydrator.

If you set the dehydrator temperature below 160°F, it will take about 1 hour longer for the marshmallows to fully dry.

How to Store Dehydrated Marshmallows

We already know that dried marshmallows last longer. But this is true only if you store them properly.

Store dehydrated marshmallows in an airtight container or bag. You can use a plastic container, a glass jar, or a resealable bag.

Before transferring the marshmallows to a container, make sure that it is dry. Close the container tightly after each use.

If the marshmallows get soft again, you can dehydrate them one more time to make them crisp.

How long do dried marshmallows last?

An unopened bag of marshmallows has a very long shelf life: 8 months or more, depending on the manufacturer and storage conditions. When you open the bag of marshmallows, it’s best to eat them as soon as possible.

Over time, marshmallows become sticky from the sugar they contain or harden from contact with air.

If you’ve opened a bag of marshmallows, used a few, and don’t know what to do with the rest, dehydrating the marshmallows is definitely a good idea. For best results, dehydrate the marshmallows while they are still fresh.

Properly dehydrated marshmallows stored under the proper conditions keep well for up to 12 months.

Dried marshmallows can become soft again as a result of improper storage conditions. In this case, you can try to rehydrate them or just throw them away.

We also recommend discarding white marshmallows when you notice they have turned a light yellow color. Color changes indicate that the marshmallows are stale.

How to use dried marshmallows

Dried marshmallows are a great sweet and crunchy snack. But you can do many more things with them. Here are some ideas for using the dehydrated crispy marshmallows.

Cover the hot chocolate . One of the most popular uses for dried marshmallows is to use them to top hot chocolate. Since dried marshmallows last longer and don’t stick together, it’s a good idea to use them to make hot chocolate kits.
Use them in cereals. You can add dried marshmallows to a cereal mix to add texture and flavor. But even mini marshmallows can be too big to fit into your cereal mix. Therefore, if you plan to use dried marshmallows like this, cut them into smaller pieces first.
Mix them with the Rice Krispies. Mix the crispy marshmallows into another crunchy treat. Dried marshmallows will improve the texture of the Rice Krispies and add more flavor to them.
Use them for baking. You can add dried marshmallows to cookie and brownie batters, as well as use them to decorate cakes.
Make granola bars. If you don’t want to make the healthiest granola bar, adding dried marshmallows to the mix is a great option. They will sweeten your granola bar and add a nice crunch to it.

Are dried marshmallows better for hot chocolate?

When you add marshmallows to hot chocolate, they dissolve and become sticky. In addition, they reduce the temperature of the drink, which allows you to enjoy it earlier.

But why do many sources recommend dehydrating marshmallows for hot chocolate? Are dried marshmallows better for hot chocolate?

Dried marshmallows eventually absorb the liquid and end up just like regular marshmallows in hot chocolate. However, they take longer to dissolve, making for a more enjoyable hot chocolate experience.

Plus, you can dehydrate a bag of mini marshmallows, store in an airtight jar for months, and have a topping on hand for your hot chocolate.

4 Tips for Dehydrating Marshmallows

Dehydrating marshmallows is not a very complicated task. However, knowing a few tips and tricks to make the process easier is always helpful.

1. Use powdered sugar when cutting large marshmallows.

When cutting large or jumbo marshmallows into smaller pieces, use powdered sugar to dust your scissors or knife. This will prevent the marshmallows from sticking to your tools.

It’s also helpful to have a damp cloth handy along with the powdered sugar, as you’ll need to clean your scissors or knife from time to time.

You can use the powdered sugar not only to dust the cutting tool you are using, but also to coat the cut marshmallows. In this case, we recommend that you mix one part powdered sugar with one part cornstarch.

Once you’ve cut the marshmallows, dredge them in this mixture to prevent them from sticking together.

2. Keep marshmallows away from each other during dehydration

When you transfer the marshmallows to a cookie sheet to dehydrate them, try to keep them separate.

It is also important that the marshmallows are in a single layer. The more airflow you provide to the marshmallows, the more efficiently and quickly they will dry.

Arranging mini and tiny marshmallows so they don’t touch each other can seem like a time consuming task. However, doing so will reduce dehydration time and produce much better results.

3. Let the marshmallows rest for 24 hours

Once you’ve dehydrated the marshmallows, let them rest on the cookie sheet for 24 hours before storing in an airtight container or bag.

This will ensure that the marshmallows are completely dry before storing them in a long-term container.

This tip is especially helpful for those who are dehydrating marshmallows for the first time and aren’t sure if they are completely dry or not.

4. Make marshmallow powder

If you don’t know how to use dried marshmallows, make powdered marshmallow. Marshmallow powder is dried marshmallow powder that can be used as a sugar substitute in certain recipes.

Making powdered marshmallow is very easy. All you have to do is beat the dehydrated marshmallows with a blender or food processor until you get a powdery texture.

Transfer the marshmallow powder to a dry, sealable container and use it to sweeten coffee, tea, and other hot beverages. This sweet powder will also work as a sugar substitute in certain baking recipes.

Dehydrating Marshmallows - The Complete Guide