The Best Marshmallow Substitutes

Fluffy, sweet and comforting, marshmallows are the ultimate treat. Whether it’s regular marshmallows or marshmallow cream, the treats made with them are irresistible.

But what if you want a healthier alternative or have run out of fluff for rice pudding treats?

What is the best substitute for marshmallows? The best substitute for marshmallows is Russian zephyr. It is similar to marshmallows in texture and flavor and can be used in the same way. You can also choose healthier or vegan alternatives by opting for sugar-free or gelatin-free homemade marshmallows.

Next, we’ll dive deeper into this topic and provide you with a few easy alternatives to marshmallows.

What are marshmallows made of?

Marshmallows, that soft, pillow-shaped treat, are many people’s favorite candy. They have a unique texture that makes you wonder what they are made of.

If we tried to classify the ingredient list of marshmallows, there would be a group of sweetening agents and a group of ingredients responsible for the texture of these sugary treats.

Typical ingredients for store-bought marshmallows are

• Sugar
• Corn syrup
• Cornstarch
• Jelly

The first two are the sweetening agents, responsible for the flavor of the marshmallows, which is essentially sweet.

Food coloring and various artificial flavors can also be added to marshmallows. But guess which ingredient is the main one?  The jelly.

It is the key ingredient, without which the marshmallows would not have the same texture, nor could they maintain their shape.

It might surprise you to learn that marshmallows existed centuries ago in ancient Egypt. However, the ingredient list was different then, and much healthier.

The main ingredients were honey and nectar from a mallow plant, from which these sugary treats took their name.

What are the substitutes for marshmallows?

When it comes to substituting for marshmallows, there aren’t many options to choose from. The truth is, marshmallows have a unique texture and feel that is hard to replicate with any other ingredient list.

But if that big bag of marshmallows that you ate a handful of once and then abandoned in your pantry has gone bad , we’ve got a few options for you.

Zephyr - Russian marshmallows

Called zephyrs, these fluffy Russian treats are quite similar to marshmallows in terms of their texture and sweet taste.

With similar ingredients, these treats provide the same taste and texture experience as marshmallows. They are mainly made of sugar and egg whites. Fruit purees are often added as well, to give them more flavor.

Although Russian marshmallows resemble meringues in appearance, they have a similar softness and fluffiness to marshmallows.

You can melt the zephyr using a double boiler and use it as you would melted marshmallows.

Healthy, Vegan Substitutes for Marshmallows

If you want a healthy substitute for marshmallow, it’s best to make your own. Depending on the ingredient you want to avoid, you can choose a suitable recipe for homemade marshmallows.

sugar free marshmallows

Traditional marshmallows are basically all sugar. But can they be sugar free and healthy like the good old days of ancient Egyptian cooking?

You may be surprised to learn that there are numerous guilt-free marshmallows that you can find online and in stores. If you’re looking for the healthiest marshmallow substitutes, these are the ones to look out for.

You can also try making sugar-free marshmallows at home, using sweeteners like xylitol, agave, or allulose.

gelatin-free marshmallows

Gelatin is not necessarily unhealthy. In fact, it has a number of health benefits, as it is rich in collagen and amino acids. However, if you are a vegan, you will know that gelatin is an animal by-product.

If you’re not so keen on having Jello in your dessert, try making marshmallows with agar agar. The latter is a great plant-derived gelatin substitute and creates a beautiful gel-like texture.

If you want to know more about the differences between gelatin and agar agar , we have an article about it.

There are many non-gelatin marshmallows that you can find at the market or order online.

What can I use instead of marshmallows in Rice Krispie Treats?

If you need a binder for Rice Krispie Treats but don’t have marshmallows at home, you can easily substitute a mixture of honey and peanut butter, like so:

1. To do this, put some honey in a saucepan and bring it to a boil over low or medium heat. Let it boil for 60 seconds so it becomes runny and easy to mix.
2. Turn off the heat and add the peanut butter in a 1:1 ratio and a few pinches of salt to balance the sweetness.
3. Mix well so that the butter is evenly distributed throughout the honey.
4. Pour the mixture over the cereals and mix well. Press into a pan lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Another option is to use a mixture of chocolate and peanut butter along with a small amount of honey to glue the puffed cereal together. Simply microwave some chocolate, peanut butter, and half a cup of honey. Stir to mix.

Once you mix it with cereal, press it into a proper pan, and cut it into bite-size sandwiches, these sweet treats will be gone in a jiffy and no one will give a thought to the missing marshmallows.

Related questions

Now that we’ve answered your marshmallow substitution question, we’ve put together some frequently asked questions on related topics below for your convenience.

Are there substitutes for marshmallow cream?

Marshmallow creme, also known as marshmallow fluff, is a sweet topping similar to marshmallows in flavor, but different in texture.

While marshmallows also have a very light and fluffy texture, marshmallow crème is quite stretchy and has a similar texture to melted marshmallows. It is easy to spread and is used to make the best sweet sandwiches.

Marshmallow cream can also be used to flavor a variety of baked goods, such as cakes and pies. In terms of ingredients, marshmallow creme, unlike regular marshmallows, is made with egg whites.

There are two substitutes for marshmallow cream: marshmallows and homemade fluff similar to store-bought marshmallow fluff.

How to make your own marshmallow cream?

If you’ve run out of marshmallow creme and don’t have time to go find a jar at the grocery store, you can easily make your own.

In fact, it’s a great way to replace store-bought marshmallow creme with homemade. Sure, it’s not a healthy alternative, but at least you’ll have control over the ingredient list.

Follow these instructions to make a homemade marshmallow custard substitute.

what will you need

• an egg white
• 250 g corn syrup (light)
• 75g powdered sugar
• 9.5g vanilla extract
• Salt

Instructions :

Here’s how to make a homemade marshmallow cream substitute.

1. Mix the corn syrup with the egg whites. Add two pinches of salt.
2. Beat the mixture until it thickens and increases in volume. It should take about 5 minutes if done with a powerful hand blender.
3. Add the sifted powdered sugar to the mixture of beaten eggs and syrup, and mix well on low speed.
4. Add the vanilla extract.
5. Refrigerate and use within 14 days.

This homemade marshmallow cream is a 1:1 substitute for marshmallow cream.

Remember that when working with raw eggs, you should always keep in mind that they can carry harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. It is important to use pasteurized eggs if you plan to eat raw egg whites.

How to use marshmallows instead of marshmallow cream?

As we’ve already mentioned, marshmallows and marshmallow cream are similar in taste but different in texture. You can use marshmallows as a substitute for marshmallow cream if you give it a fluff-like texture.

Here are two ways to use marshmallows instead of marshmallow cream:

1. Heat the marshmallows in a water bath with 2 teaspoons of corn syrup. Stir until the marshmallows melt and change texture.
2. Put the marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl, along with a piece of butter. Microwave until marshmallows are completely melted.

As for the proportions for substituting marshmallow cream for marshmallows, here’s how it works. Melting 16 large marshmallows, or 160 small ones, equals 1 cup of marshmallow cream.

You can also estimate it by eye and save yourself the trouble of measuring sticky dough.

What are some healthy alternatives to marshmallows for S’mores?

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of marshmallows? You most likely think of s’mores, fire-roasted marshmallows with melted chocolate pressed between graham crackers or crackers. What can be better?

While some people may argue that there are no alternatives to this sweet classic, others are on the hunt for healthier options.

If you’re trying to forego high-calorie foods, but don’t want to miss out on enjoying a few treats by the fire, these unique yet healthy alternatives to s’more are for you.

Here are some ideas of what you can substitute for marshmallows for healthier s’mores:

• Grilled brie cheese with an apple slice
• grilled peaches
• grilled pineapple

These ingredients will not reproduce the flavor and texture of the fluffy marshmallows at all. However, these tasty and wholesome treats will have your guests ordering s’more in no time.