5-Ingredient Homemade Healthy Marshmallows (Easy)

These 5-Ingredient Homemade Healthy Marshmallows are the perfect sweet treat to pair with hot chocolate. They are made with the best quality ingredients with added health benefits that are much better for you than from your grocery store.

Okay, marshmallow lovers, let’s talk. We all know that marshmallows are fluffy little pillows of sugary goodness, but what if I told you there’s a way to enjoy them without feeling like you’re eating straight-up sugar cubes? Yep, we’re talking Healthy Marshmallows! 

These beauties are made with honey instead of processed sugar, and trust me, they’re just as fluffy and sweet as the store-bought kind. Plus, they’re made with unflavored gelatin and a touch of vanilla, so you’re basically whipping up a treat that’s simple, pure, and totally indulgent without all the junk.

Get ready to impress yourself (and everyone you know) with these homemade marshmallows that are so much better for you than the ones from the bag. 

Whether you’re roasting them over a campfire, melting them into your hot cocoa, or just snacking on them straight up (no judgment here), these healthy marshmallows are going to change your treat game forever. 

The best part about this recipe is you don’t need any special equipment like a candy thermometer. You only need the bowl of a stand mixer or a hand mixer and a large bowl.

Let’s get marshmallowing!

If you love this gluten free marshmallows recipe you may like to try my Gluten Free Sugar Cookies or my Christmas Rice Krispies.

WHAT ARE REGULAR MARSHMALLOWS?

Regular marshmallows are soft and fluffy confections made from sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, and vanilla flavoring. They are typically white in color and have a sweet taste.

Regular marshmallows are commonly used in various desserts, such as s’mores, hot chocolate, and rice crispy treats. They are also enjoyed on their own as a sweet treat.

Unlike the healthier alternative, which can be customized with different flavors and variations, regular marshmallows are the traditional and widely available version found in most grocery stores and the occasional local health food store.

I knew I’d be baking up a storm over the holidays! However, I never imagined myself making homemade marshmallows. 

To be completely honest I don’t eat a ton of them. Apart from roasting them over a fire while camping, I really only enjoy them in my hot cacao or morning coffee over the colder months. 

When I looked at the ingredients and sugar content when I last bought them I almost fell off my dinosaur. I figured it was time to get brave and whip up a batch of my own!

MAIN INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED FOR THE 5 INGREDIENT HOMEMADE HEALTHY MARSHMALLOWS

You will need the following simple ingredients listed below to make these fluffy marshmallows (the exact measurements, nutritional information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post):

• Water
• Grass-fed gelatin – can use Vital Proteins for the gelatin mixture.
• Honey – alternatively you can use pure maple syrup.
• Vanilla extract
• Sea salt
• Arrowroot powder or powdered sugar

HOW TO MAKE

1. Spray an 9″ x 11″ rectangle baking dish and cover with parchment paper (leaving it longer on the sides for easy removal).
2. In a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, add gelatin and half the cold water (2/3 cup).
3. In a medium saucepan bring the remaining 2/3 cup of water to a boil. Add the honey, vanilla, and salt and let boil for 1 minute. Then quickly add the water honey mixture into the bowl of the stand mixer bowl and begin mixing together on low speed.
4. After about 1 minute, turn mixer onto high speed and beat for 8-10 minutes. The marshmallow mixture should look thick and shiny. Almost as if you were mixing egg whites trying to get stiff peaks.
5. Once it’s done, quickly transfer to the pan using a rubber spatula, ensuring it’s even. Let sit for minimum 2 hours, preferably 4-5 hours or overnight.
6. Once it is set, dust countertop with arrowroot starch or icing sugar, and flip marshmallows onto the counter or onto a cutting board. Cut into 30 pieces with a sharp knife! If they are not sweet enough for your liking, sprinkle more icing sugar overtop.

TIPS AND TRICKS

1. When you get to the whipping step, whip it until it looks like thick marshmallow cream. Wait until it gets voluminous and shiny and almost has soft peaks.
2. Work quickly while scooping the mixture into a prepared pan, otherwise the texture may be off slightly.
3. When storing the marshmallows, don’t allow any moisture in them. Do not store them with a lid or use the refrigerator. Use a Tupperware container or stasher bag and keep it only slightly covered.

DIFFERENT FLAVORS YOU CAN TRY 

Once you have mastered making marshmallows, it can be fun to get creative! The most simple and straight forward flavour is vanilla.

If you want to get more creative, you can also use different types of extracts. Almond, peppermint, orange, etc to make the flavours festive! 

Peppermint marshmallows in a peppermint hot cacao, YUM! If you are adding cocoa powder to make chocolate marshmallows, or jams/fruit purees, you will probably need to add more gelatin to counter balance!

HOW TO STORE THE HOMEMADE MARSHMALLOW RECIPE

To ensure the freshness and quality of your 5-ingredient healthy homemade marshmallows, proper storage is key. Here’s how you can store them:

1. Place the marshmallows in an airtight container. Preferably one that is large enough to accommodate them without squishing or compressing them. This will help prevent them from drying out and becoming stale.

2. If you’re stacking multiple layers of marshmallows in the container, consider placing a piece of parchment paper or wax paper between each layer. This will prevent them from sticking together and maintain their shape.

3. Store the container of marshmallows in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Excessive heat or humidity can cause the marshmallows to become sticky or melt.

4. Unlike some store-bought marshmallows, these homemade marshmallows do not require refrigeration. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week without any issues.

5. We do not recommend freezing homemade marshmallows as the texture and consistency may be altered as they’re thawing. It’s best to enjoy them fresh or within the storage timeframe mentioned above.

FAQS

HOW DO I BLOOM GELATIN PROPERLY?

For the best results, sprinkle gelatin over half of the water in a bowl and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. This allows the gelatin to fully absorb the warm water, creating the perfect base for your honey marshmallows.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE HEALTHY MARSHMALLOW RECIPE TO SET?

You’ll need to let your own homemade marshmallows set for at least 4 hours or, ideally, overnight. Waiting until the next day ensures they are firm and ready for slicing.

CAN I MAKE THESE HEALTHY MARSHMALLOWS WITHOUT HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP?

Absolutely! This healthy marshmallow recipe uses honey as a natural sweetener instead of high fructose corn syrup. You can enjoy these fluffy treats knowing they’re made with natural sweeteners that are better for your body and taste just as sweet!

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO ADD EXTRA FLAVOR TO MY YUMMY  MARSHMALLOWS?

If you want to add a little extra flavor to your healthy marshmallows, try using extracts like peppermint or almond in place of vanilla. You could even melt some dark chocolate over the top for a sweet coating.

Other Sweet Treats You May Like To Try!

• Homemade Nescle Chocolate Crunch Bar Recipe
• Vegan & Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
• Gluten-Free Hot Chocolate Cookies
• Christmas Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
• Heart Shaped Jam Thumbprint Cookies
• Gluten Free Vegan Peanut Butter Cookies
• Easy Chocolate Marshmallow Squares With Rice Krispies
• Gluten-Free Christmas M&M Cookies
• Gluten-Free Oreo Cake Balls
• Melted Snowman Sugar Cookies
• Peanut Butter Butterscotch Cookies
• Vegan Starbucks Copycat Lemon Loaf Cake
• The Best Chocolate Pecan Caramel Turtles 
• Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Fudge
• The Best Chocolate Fudge Brownies

IF YOU TRIED THIS LARGE MARSHMALLOWS RECIPE PLEASE LEAVE IT A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THESE PALEO MARSHMALLOWS ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails