How to Make Dehydrated Marshmallows

Dehydrating marshmallows is a fun and easy way to create a tasty snack or ingredient for your favorite recipes. As a seasoned dehydrator with years of experience, I’m excited to share my techniques for making perfectly dehydrated marshmallows.

The process is simple, requiring only a few ingredients and some patience. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced food dehydrator, you’ll love the sweet and chewy results. Let’s dive in and learn how to make your own dehydrated marshmallow treats!

I admit that I buy those envelopes of hot chocolate for the winter. My kids love it, it’s easy to mix with a bit of milk and be done. In a perfect world I would make homemade hot chocolate more often, but us busy moms don’t always have the time. So, thank you Swiss Miss.

The only problem is there are never enough marshmallows in those hot chocolate packets. I also love to use marshmallow during the fall and holiday seasons, but often buy more than I need for a recipe. This is why I took to dehydrating marshmallows.

I don’t waste them, and they stay good for much longer so I can use them when the mood strikes.

Keep in mind, that flavored marshmallows may have a bit of a different flavor when you dehydrate them! 

How to dehydrate marshmallows

Dehydrating marshmallows requires a few steps including cutting, laying them out and then placing them in the dehydrator. Below I outline the process in full to try and make it easy for you.

1. Cut larger marshmallows to smaller sizes

Cutting larger marshmallows to smaller sizes helps to reduce dehydration time. You an skip this step, but you will need to run your dehydrator for much longer. If I happen to be doing something more festive and use shaped marshmallows I will skip this step so the marshmallows do not lose their fun shapes. 

I do not even attempt to use large marshmallows, they take too much time. 

2. Place marshmallows on dehydrator tray in a single layer

Once you have cut them into a smaller size, you will lay them on a dehydrator tray. Make sure they are in a single layer and that no parts of the marshmallows are touching. Allowing the dehydrator to get the air all around the marshmallow will help them thoroughly dry. If they are touching you may wind up with wet spots. 

3. Dehydrate at 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-12 hours

How long you dehydrate for will depend on your dehydrator, humidity levels are and type of marshmallows you are dehydrating. Mine are usually done in about 10 hours. The crunchier they are in the end, the better for food storage.

You can increase the temperature to make them dry a little faster if you’d like. I tend to dry on the cooler side because I’m not cooking the marshmallows, I just want to remove as much moisture as possible.

When do you know the marshmallows are dehydrated?

The marshmallows are dehydrated when they are completely crunchy. They will shrink and achieve a wrinkly look. I usually start testing them at about 5 hours to see how far along they are in the process. Once they start to get crispy i stay close to avoid over dehydrating them.

How dehydrate marshmallows in the oven

To dehydrate marshmallows in the oven, you will need to place them on a tray and place them in your oven at a low temperature. Typically 130-140 degrees should work. Some prefer to keep their oven door open to avoid over dehydrating the marshmallows. 

I do not recommend the oven option. It takes much longer and can be dangerous if you have kids in the house. 

How to air dry marshmallows

This is a cheat option. You can just leave a bag that’s been opened but not sealed completely in your pantry. In about three months, you’ll have rock hard little marshmallows 

How to store dehydrated marshmallows

There are a few options for storing dehydrated marshmallows. 

• Store marshmallows in airtight containers with an oxygen absorber.
• Place marshmallows in a jar and use a vacuum sealer to seal it tightly.
• Use a zip top freezer storage bag and double-bag it, but be sure to remove the excess air.
• Use a mylar bag for long-term storage. 

Ways to use dehydrated marshmallows

• Hot chocolate
• Trail Mix
• Cereal snacks
• Just eat them!

Make homemade marshmallows

Now – if you really want to get into the basics of marshmallows, try this recipe for making your own marshmallows from marshmallow plant root from New Life on a Homestead. I talked to Kendra about dehydrating her version, which she’s never done, but how awesome would those be? Homemade marshmallows are awesome! Y

I have not tried making these yet, but they are on my list of things to do!