Pantry & condiments
Vegan alternative to marshmallows: the best substitutes
Everything you need to replace marshmallows with a plant-based substitute — which one to use, the exact ratio, and the mistakes that ruin the result.
Short answer
Key takeaways
- Best all-round swap: Vegan marshmallows (Dandies, Freedom) (s'mores and hot chocolate).
- Ratio: 1:1.
- Pro tip: Aquafaba fluff won't hold a cube shape without agar — use it as a spread, not a sweet.
- 2 tested vegan alternatives to marshmallows in total.
Why marshmallows isn't vegan
Set with gelatin.
Best vegan substitutes
| Substitute | Best for |
|---|---|
| Vegan marshmallows (Dandies, Freedom) | S'mores and hot chocolate |
| Aquafaba marshmallow fluff | Homemade topping |
How to substitute marshmallows, step by step
- 1
Pick the right substitute for the job
For most recipes use Vegan marshmallows (Dandies, Freedom) — s'mores and hot chocolate. If you need a different texture, Aquafaba marshmallow fluff works for homemade topping.
- 2
Measure using the correct ratio
1:1. Weigh rather than eyeball it — small errors show up much faster when replacing marshmallows.
- 3
Adjust the method
Aquafaba fluff won't hold a cube shape without agar — use it as a spread, not a sweet.
- 4
Taste and correct
Plant swaps are usually a little less salty and less rich than marshmallows. Season at the end and add acid (lemon, vinegar) or umami (miso, nutritional yeast) if the dish tastes flat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Swapping by volume when the recipe measures marshmallows by weight — check the ratio above first.
- Using a sweetened or flavoured version in a savoury recipe.
- Ignoring the method change: Aquafaba fluff won't hold a cube shape without agar — use it as a spread, not a sweet.
- Assuming every packaged product labelled "plant-based" is vegan — some still contain milk powder, honey or egg. Scan the barcode to be sure.
Conversion ratio
1:1.
Pro tip
Aquafaba fluff won't hold a cube shape without agar — use it as a spread, not a sweet.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best vegan alternative to marshmallows?
- Vegan marshmallows (Dandies, Freedom) is the closest all-round swap — s'mores and hot chocolate. 1:1.
- Why isn't marshmallows vegan?
- Set with gelatin.
- How much do I use instead of marshmallows?
- 1:1.
- Any tips for getting it right?
- Aquafaba fluff won't hold a cube shape without agar — use it as a spread, not a sweet.
Not sure if a product contains marshmallows?
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