Are marshmallows vegan? Usually not, but there are some brands of vegan marshmallows that you can enjoy! Included below is a list of marshmallows that even the strictest vegan can eat.
Marshmallows are an incredibly popular confection. Whether they’re being toasted over a fire or served in a mug of Vegan Hot Chocolate, marshmallows can be hard to resist. If you enjoy this sweet and spongy treat, you might be wondering if marshmallows are vegan-friendly.
Although there are vegan-safe marshmallows on the market, most products aren’t vegan. Marshmallows are commonly made with gelatin, a gummy protein that’s made from the body parts of animals. Thankfully, there is a vegan alternative to gelatin: agar-agar.
With that said, gelatin isn’t the only ingredient that you need to watch out for. Some marshmallow products also contain albumen, better known as egg whites. It’s especially common to find this ingredient in jarred products like marshmallow fluff.
Vegan marshmallow brands
The following information is true at the time of writing in January 2022. But things can always change, so it’s always important to check your labels.
You really should check every single time you buy something processed like marshmallows because companies can change their recipes at any time!
It’s common to see non-vegan ingredients in marshmallows, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t vegan options. Some of the best vegan-safe options include:
- Dandies All-Natural Marshmallows – these are my top pick. First of all, they taste the best. Check out the reviews on Amazon! Especially compared to some of the other products.
I also think the ingredients are the most natural. They’re:
Tapioca Syrup, Cane sugar, Tapioca starch, Filtered water, Carrageenan, Soy protein, Natural vanilla flavor.
They’re also verified vegan and made on dedicated vegan equipment in a peanut/tree-nut free facility.
The mini ones would be perfect for my Vegan Hot Chocolate Bombs!
You can find these in the US, Canada and the UK (and some other countries, I imagine). - Ananda’s Gelatin-Free Marshmallows – these are for the folks in the UK. They’re 100% vegan and Vegan Society Certified.
The ingredients are: British Sugar, Water, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Modified Starch (Sago), Rice Starch, Humectant: Vegetable Glycerine, Gelling Agent: Agar, Emulsifiers E475, 471, Antioxidant: Ascorbic Acid, Gelling Agent: Locust Bean Gum, Flavour: Vanilla Extract, Cornflour, Confectionery Sugar: Icing Sugar, Anti-Caking Agent: Tricalcium Phosphate, Salt
You can find these in many stores in the UK, and a shop in Marseille, one in Berlin and one in Maine, Massachusetts, US! I love how random that is. 😆 And lots of online stores. There’s a list here. - Trader Joe’s Marshmallows – these aren’t certified vegan but don’t contain any non-vegan ingredients. They also do not use bone char!
And note that the ingredient list is the exact same as Dandies. It could very well be that these marshmallows are manufactured by Dandies and just packaged as Trader Joe’s!
The ingredients are: Tapioca Syrup, Cane Sugar, Water, Tapioca Starch, Carrageenan, Soy Protein, Natural Vanilla Flavor. - Yummallo Vegan Marshmallows – these are advertised as being vegan, but they’re supposedly manufactured in a factory that also produces milk. If that’s true, then it’s quite possible that cross-contamination is happening.
The ingredients are: Sugar, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Water, Corn Starch, Dextrose, Carrageenan, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Natural Vanilla Flavor.
And if you’re a fan of marshmallow fluff, there are also products that don’t contain any albumen, like
- Smucker’s Marshmallow Topping
- Suzanne’s Specialties Ricemallow Creme
- Walden Farms Marshmallow Dip
Although none of them are certified vegan, none of them use non-vegan ingredients.
Although your options will be more limited, there are still plenty of ways for you to enjoy marshmallows while still avoiding animal products. If your favorite marshmallow brand isn’t on this list, check the labels of products you enjoy to see if they contain gelatin, albumen, or any other ingredients you’re trying to avoid.
What about marshmallows in cereal?
It’s also common to find marshmallows in certain sweet cereals. These marshmallows are dehydrated and change their texture when they’re exposed to liquid.
Like regular marshmallows, the majority of marshmallows found in cereals do contain gelatin. For example, one of the most famous cereals with marshmallows, Lucky Charms, isn’t vegan-safe.
With that said, there are some exceptions. If the brands you enjoy aren’t vegan, Sweet and Sara Dried Cereal Mushrooms are vegan and can be added to any cereal brand that’s safe for you to eat.
I hope I’ve answered your question on whether marshmallows are vegan or not! If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them below and I’ll be happy to answer. :)
