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How to Dehydrate Marshmallows & Make Marshmallow Powder

Learn how to dehydrate marshmallows for yourself, and take the next step with how to make marshmallow powder with this easy DIY! And yes, they are just like those fun cereal marshmallows you remember as a kid!

Excalibur dehydrator tray of dehydrated peppermint marshmallows and jar of marshmallow powder

Who doesn’t love a big steaming mug of hot cocoa? Especially if it’s been made with cream or milk, and a huge mountain of marshmallows or whipped cream?  If we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it up big, right? Calories be damned!

But how often have you been disappointed to go into your pantry and all you find are little envelopes of some cheap cocoa mix and a half bag of dried up, gummy, sticky marshmallows that are just sad? We have to fix that!

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One option, of course, is to make your own DIY cocoa mix that’s really tasty, and to vacuum seal your marshmallows so that they stay fresher, longer. And that’s an experiment you can do with your kids one day because it’s fun and they’ll want to do it over and over.

But there is an alternative!

You can dehydrate marshmallows!!! Really!  Dehydrating marshmallows is one of the easiest projects for a beginning dehydrator recipe.

There is virtually no prep work and little maintenance. Not only have you created a handy pantry staple for cocoa down the road, they are a super-fun snack treat for kids! Think of that lucky cereal that you buy in the spring with all the shapes — but better because you don’t have to contend with the icky cereal – just the good bits of crunchy sweetness!

How to Dehydrate Marshmallows

So go grab a few bags of marshmallows. The size and shape don’t matter, and the flavored ones can be really fun to do around the holidays.

 1. Cut larger marshmallows to smaller sizes:

While mini marshmallows can certainly go on the dehydrating racks, it’s helpful to cut larger ones down. It just makes the drying time go so much faster. You can use scissors or a knife, but I suggest keeping a wet cloth with you to occasionally clean the blades. Confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar) handy to dust your scissors or knife helps, too.

Dehydrated marshmallows on a wooden cutting surface

This does mean that the larger shaped marshmallows won’t have their shape any longer, but it could save you hours in drying time.

2. Lay marshmallows in a single layer, not touching

While there are many foods I am not so particular about separating (such as greens as they begin to shrivel almost within the hour), I do make a little effort to separate marshmallows so that they don’t stick and dry inefficiently.

But marshmallows are playful and like to roll and move, so don’t fuss over placement.

Dehydrating marshmallows on Excalibur Dehydrator trays

One Excalibur Dehydrator tray holds about half a bag of mini marshmallows easily, giving plenty of room to breathe.

READ MORE>> Tips for Buying Your First Dehydrator

3. Dehydrate Marshmallows at 150°F / 62°C 

Timing is dependent on how large your marshmallows are, the humidity level of your home’s atmosphere, the strength of your dehydrator, and the position of the Earth to Venus (just kidding on that last one – not really, but really).

  • Minis – generally take from 4-12 hours
  • Large – generally take up to 10-24+ hours

*NOTE: for large shaped or highly colored marshmallows, dropping them temperature down to 125F/35C may help stop some of the puffing that happens with things like Peeps marshmallows or the fancier marshmallows (see below)

However, know that you just can’t ever dry them too long. The longer they stay on the trays, you can be assured they are fully dried. I actually kept this latest batch in for over 24 hrs. Partly because it had been raining all day, and partly because I wanted them SUPER dry for doing the powdering.

► YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: How to Dry Cherries with a Dehydrator

How do you know when dehydrated marshmallows are done?

Dehydrated marshmallows are done when they are completely crunchy and shatter when you bit them or crush them in your hands. If you find a little area that still looks raw, dry them more.

But first, before you test, allow them to come to room temperature before testing. They stay a little soft while they’re still warm.

Handful of crushed dehydrated marshmallow to show final stage of dryness.

Also, understand that marshmallows don’t shrink the way other dehydrated foods do. Some of them may actually pillow up a little like these peppermint marshmallows do.

Skip to the 11:54 mark if you want to jump straight to the powdering phrase.

If you’d rather skip the work, you can purchase dehydrated marshmallows in bulk, but you’d want to repackage them for long-term storage. My son used to get this canister version for Christmas every year. He snacks on them and adds a little hot chocolate to his mug of marshmallow bits.

Oven Drying Directions

Unlike a dehydrator, ovens don’t go low enough to dehydrate without cooking, unless you have the new ovens with a dehydrating feature.

What you can do is set your oven at its lowest setting, and prop the door open to allow much of that heat to escape. I don’t have an accurate time frame as I’ve never done them that way, but you can expect anywhere from 5-12 hours in the same fashion.

Please be cautious if you have young children as they won’t know not to touch an open oven door that may be hot.

Air Drying Instructions

This is a cheat. You can just leave a bag that’s been opened but not sealed completely in your pantry. In about three months, you’ll have gummy, hard little marshmallows. Leave them a few months more and they’ll be rock solid dense little balls. NOT the fluffy, airy, crunchy delights that we’re talking about.  I hate it when that happens, but it does work!!

Tools I use in my kitchen to dehydrate:

How to Store Dehydrated Marshmallows

Store in airtight containers or use a vacuum sealer to seal a jar if you want, but it isn’t necessary. You can use a mylar bag for long-term storage. You can also double bag into freezer ziptop style bags.

However, zip-top bags are not a great solution for long-term storage as they will allow air to permeate the plastic after a while. However, you can do smaller quantities in zip-top bags and then store in a larger, air-tight container with no problem.

Want to see how dehydrated marshmallows are made?

Ways to Use Dehydrated Marshmallows

Dried marshmallows aren’t just for tossing in cocoa anymore, although that’s a great use. Here are some other ideas on ways you can use dried marshmallows every day!

How to Make Marshmallow Powder

After dehydrating marshmallows, one of the first things you’ll think is, “How on earth will I use all of these?” I’d like you to consider marshmallow powder.

Excalibur dehydrator tray of dehydrated peppermint marshmallows and jar of marshmallow powder

Marshmallow powder is as easy to do as grinding herbs. They powder effortlessly (assuming they are completely dehydrated).

  1. Place marshmallows in your grinder of choice. I love the Nutri-Ninja bullet blender because it allows me to do more than a coffee grinder and doesn’t take up the room of a blender. But you can use anything.
  2. Pulse in spurts, occasionally shaking if needed to make sure the last bits get to the bottom to be ground.

How to Store Marshmallow Powder

It’s helpful to make only as much as you need. However, you can store dehydrated marshmallow powder in an airtight container, with a mason jar and a good lid preferred. Because of the ingredients, it doesn’t clump in the same fashion as dehydrated fruit powder, but over time, the sugars can tend to get clumpy, which is why you don’t want to store big batches of it.

►LEARN MORE: Guidelines for Storing Dehydrated Powders

How to Use Marshmallow Powder

This is still an area we’re experimenting with, but these are some practical ways to use it

  • Flavor hot cocoa. A mound of marshmallow powder looks so pretty on top of hot cocoa, and to watch it melt into the steaming liquid is like watching science and art combined.
  • Use it to dust snow for gingerbread house making. The cool thing is that powdered marshmallow looks more like snow than confectioners’ sugar. And it does blow away or melt in the humidity. And as it gets a little residual humidity in the air, it tends to stick well (almost like glue) and is pretty!
  • Sweeten tea. Yes, actually, it melts and can be used as a sweetener, and peppermint marshmallow powder adds a touch of sweetness and peppermint.
  • Dip cut fruit in it for a pretty presentation (and to help not-quite-sweet fruit taste a little better!)
  • Substitute powdered sugar in cookie recipes like Mexcian wedding cookies for an alternative flavor.

I’d love it if you’d leave a comment on a way you’ve used marshmallow powder!

Make Your Own Homemade Marshmallows

If you’re really intrigued by marshmallows, you can try some of these homemade varieties:

Historically, homemade marshmallows don’t always dehydrate well. But if you find yourself making them, and have a few leftover, give it a try so that you’ll know if your recipe works. I tried some raspberry ones that I recently purchased at a local farmer’s market and they did not. But I’ve heard tell that some folks have been successful at it.

Can you Flavor Store-Bought Marshmallows?

Sometimes, you will hear that there is a new flavored marshmallow on the market, but no matter how many stores you visit, you can’t find them. I ran into it this year with the peppermint marshmallows (and do NOT buy the Walmart version – they taste like Wint-o-green, NOT peppermint).

It is as simple as spritzing some flavor extract onto your marshmallows. Don’t soak them, but spritz them with a fine spray. I keep a small spray bottle I picked up in the travel section to use for spritzing jobs in the kitchen. I mix a little water with extract, and just spritz it on the surface of the marshmallows.

Flavors to try:

  • Peppermint
  • Raspberry
  • Cherry
  • Strawberry
  • Pumpkin spice – spritz the marshmallows with water and dust them with pumpkin spice. Or just dust them and try to tap it into the surface with your hands.
  • Chai tea blend

Can You Dehydrate Peeps Marshmallows?

Excalibur dehdyrator trays with Peeps before and after - dehydrated marshmallow peeps

Yes, yes you can! Learn more how to do that here.

Can You Dehydrate Lucky Charms Marshmallows?

Excalibur dehydrator tray of lucky charms marshmallows before and after

Why, yes, they are magically dehydrated! These are larger than the cereal box variety, but using the above instructions makes them crunchy marshmallow goodies.

However, we found that the red did not have the same results and could occasionally be not such a great bite, even though they were completely dehydrated. But they are so much fun.

Or..if you want to keep your dehydrator open for another project, you can get a big ol’bag of ‘Charms Cereal Marshmallows’ and add them to everything – even some Rice Krispies Treats!

Dehydrated Roasted Marshmallow S'mores

Can You Dehydrate Roasted Marshmallows?

Yes! Roast marshmallows under the broiler of your oven on each side, then place into dehydrator to dry. Drying roasted marshmallows make the best s’more snack as it includes all the flavors with that twist of a crunch!

Dehydrating Seasonal Marshmallows

Every season brings out a new flavor of marshmallows, but nothing like what fall and Christmastime bring.

The flavors of fall have led way to all sorts of twists on marshmallow flavors and shapes. While Peeps started it long ago, the last few years have brought a flurry of flavors to play with.

Dehydrator trays of fall flavored marshmallows for dehydrating.

Dehydrate them all. Really – they work the same. The only ones I don’t recommend drying are the ones from really off-brand manufacturers (stories that they melt and make huge messes) and stuffed marshmallows.

Fall pumpkin spice dehydrated marshmallows on trays and being crushed in fingers to show dryness.

DIY HOT COCOA MIX

Here are some Make Your Own Hot Chocolate Recipes you might want to try, too!

More Marshmallow Ideas

DIY Banana Split Trail Mix

Dehydrated roasted marshmallow s'mores on dehydrator tray on wooden surface.

Dehydrated Roasted Marshmallow S’mores

Close up of Crunchy S'more Trail Mix spilling out on a table top.

Crunchy S’mores Mix with Dehydrated Marshmallows

Dehydrated Marshmallow Pops - S'more and Peppermint

Dehydrated Marshmallow Pops

Marshmallow Peeps in rainbow order around a Nesco dehydrator tray

How to Dehydrate Peeps Marshmallows

Recipe

Excalibur dehydrator tray of dehydrated peppermint marshmallows and jar of marshmallow powder

How to Dehydrate Marshmallows

Create fun 'cereal-worthy' marshmallow treats by dehydrating all varieties of marshmallows! They pop in your mouth, make an awesome powder, and are a fun first dehydrating project for kids and adults, alike!
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Course: Preserved Food, Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Drying Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 2 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 40kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 bag Mini marshmallows

Instructions

Dehydrate Marshmallows

  • Open bag
  • Place on dehydrator trays
  • Dry at 150°F / 57°C for 6-8 hours until a cooled marshmallow shatters in your hands or mouth.
    Handful of crushed dehydrated marshmallow to show final stage of dryness.
  • Store in an airtight container

Make Marshmallow Powder

  • Put dried marshmallows into a blender
  • Pulse until you have a rough powder
  • Run on full grind until you have a fine powder
  • Store in an airtight container

Video

Darcy’s Tips

FYI – regular marshmallows do not shrink. They keep their same basic size.
Drying Large Marshmallows
Typically, these take much longer to dry – so expect in excess of twelve hours. Cutting them in half or quarters will help.
Peeps or other ‘colored’ marshmallows
Lower the temperature to 125°F to help them slow the puff as they tend to enlarge. You’re welcome to do this with the regular marshmallows, it just extends the drying time (but they don’t puff or shrink).

Nutrition

Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.03g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 1mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 7g | Calcium: 0.4mg | Iron: 0.03mg

Nutritional information is an estimation only. Nutrient information for dehydrated foods is based on fresh. Use 1/4 of the servicing size for the same nutrient information. Thus 1 Cup of fresh fruit has the same sugars as 1/4 dried.

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15 Comments

  1. Hello. i wondered if I can put Some of the powder into the recipe of homemade icecream. And how much?
    Greetings from the netherlands

    1. You can, but I can’t tell you how much – powders are always by taste.

  2. Avatar for Carol Ann Huddleston-Biggs Carol Ann Huddleston-Biggs says:

    If you don’t have a Dehydrator, can I use my oven?? What temperature and for how long ?? Thank you.

    1. Same temperature – until they are dry. If your oven doesn’t go to 150F or lower, the marshmallows will likely melt.

  3. Avatar for Rhonda Rupe Rhonda Rupe says:

    This is day three and my marshmallow powder is showing signs of moisture what can I do?

    1. Day three of – having been powdered? Are you storing it in an airtight container? Have you been getting in and out of the jar? What kind of marshmallow is it? Have you tried drying it a bit more and storing it with a desiccant pack?

  4. Avatar for Maria Oemig Maria Oemig says:

    Do you have a recipe for Sugar-free Cappuccino mix?

  5. Avatar for Valerie Kitchen Valerie Kitchen says:

    You can also use marshmallow powder when making hard candy (tack candy)! This will keep the pieces from sticking together and is very delicious!

    1. So basically like using powdered sugar. Thanks for the tip.

  6. Wonderful!
    A fun powder flavor to use in milkshakes and to top icecream,
    Also great for decorating cakes cupcakes and cookies!

  7. Do you flavor the marshmallows prior to dehydrating?

    1. Yes, if you flavor after, you’ll add more moisture to the marshmallow.

      1. What do you flavor the marshmallows with prior to dehydrating?

Comments are closed.