Homemade Sugar-free Marshmallows
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These Sugar-free Marshmallows are fluffy, light, low-carb, and super fun to make. Plus you can easily vary the sweeteners for whatever your dietary needs are.
I’m all for fun treats for my kiddos (and for me too), but I’m not for all the sugar in store-bought marshmallows.
And did you know that most marshmallows have added food coloring in them? No joke. Well, now you can enjoy sugar-free keto marshmallows without the sugar and minus the food coloring as well.
This Homemade Sugar-free Marshmallow recipe is one of our all-time favorites. We used to make them with sugar, but now that we’ve gone low-carb, those days are over. But you can substitute the low-carb sweetener with a regular one if you’d like.
I first made these homemade marshmallows with my son. What fun to see water, sweetener, and gelatin turn into white fluffiness in a bowl, and then seeing them turn into marshmallows that tasted much better than anything I’d ever bought in a bag.
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Why Make Homemade Marshmallows
- Avoid food coloring: The blue food coloring is in store-bought mallows to make the white look brighter. Sheesh. I mean, you really really want to have brighter marshmallows, use a tad of this natural blue food coloring instead.)
- Avoid corn syrup: First of all, I want to avoid corn syrup due to almost all corn being GMO these days, but also because a lot of corn syrup has mercury in it due to the method of processing.
- Avoid Sugar: Sugar is just a huge problem, according to TONS of info on the web these days. And if you have candida, like I do, then sugar is a complete no-no. Sucanat, coconut sugar, honey, and others are better than white sugar, but still don’t work well for people who need to avoid the carbs.
- Fun with kids: Even if you don’t have kids, making these marshmallows is super fun for adults too!
- Save Money: Sugar-free marshmallows cost a small fortune. I just saw a measly 2.7 oz bag of sugar-free marshmallows for $1.99. Eek!!
We made these in August with some Grain-Free Graham Crackers and my Homemade Chocolate Chips and made our own sugar-free, grain-free S’mores. They were great! We shared them with a special visitor from Australia. She didn’t know what S’mores were, prior to coming to the US, but she does now and clearly they were a hit.
FAQs
Will These Sugar-free Marshmallows Roast?
Homemade sugar-free marshmallows simply don’t roast well. However, if you’d like to try it, you can let them dry for a few days before roasting and use just quick bursts of heat.
I haven’t tried this yet, but I read this should work so I’ll have to give it a run. It’s likely that allulose will work best for this.
Can You Make Marshmallow Shapes with These Marshmallows?
This recipe should work great in silicone molds. Just spray the molds with a (preferably healthy) cooking spray or coat the molds with a small amount of vegetable oil.
These molds would be SO much fun to use for Easter!
You can spoon the marshmallow mixture into a plastic bag, snip off the ends, and pump the mixture into molds more easily.
Can You Use Other Sweeteners?
Yes, in general, you can use any sweetener you’d like. If you’d like to switch the glycerin for another sweetener, a 1:1 ratio of water to sweetener, so it looks like that will work too. I haven’t tried it well, however.
One reader commented that she tried this recipe using only erythritol and it didn’t work out well. I haven’t tried this, but if you are going to, please try a small batch first or at least be prepared that it might not work out.
What Kind of Gelatin Is Best to Use?
One great company is Great Lakes – it’s made from pastured cows without antibiotics in their feed. There are a number of other good ones like Vital Proteins and Trim Healthy Mama.
Substitutions for Special Diets
- Vegan Option: For a vegan marshmallow option, use agar powder in a 1:1 substitution for the gelatin. I personally haven’t done this but it is supposed to work out just fine. Enjoy!
If you are attempting to make a vegan option, be aware that you might have varying results. You do need to let the agar sit on the water for about 1 hour before using it. Also, the results with agar can be variable, so please be aware. I am going to try to do some experimenting to see if I can figure out what makes them work vs. not work. - Xylitol: Any other healthy sweetener can be used instead of xylitol, but if using erythritol use 1/3 more. If using a liquid sweetener, you may need to use a different amount, so read How to Substitute Sweeteners first. Approx. 12 scoops (3/8 of a teaspoon) of stevia (see How to Use Stevia) will work. Use honey, maple syrup (read this post for help choosing maple syrup), coconut sugar, or sucanat for AIP.
- Glycerine: You can also substitute any healthy sweetener for glycerine. Again, though, if using a granulated sweetener a different amount may need to be used. If you’re on the THM diet, use xylitol or erythritol – again, use 1/3 more if using erythritol.
More Homemade Healthy Pantry Recipes
If you like this recipe, you’ll likely enjoy these recipes too!
– Powdered Sugar / Powdered Sugar Substitute
– Powdered Egg-Replacer (like Ener-G)
– Homemade Taco Seasoning
– Soft Pumpkin Cookies (these taste amazingly like Enjoy Life)
– Homemade No Bake Almond Joy Bars
Sugar-free Marshmallows
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons gelatin
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 1 1/2 cups allulose or xylitol (See Recipe Notes for alternatives)
- 1/2 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup vegetable glycerine (functions as a sweetener in this recipe. See Recipe Notes for Alternatives)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a medium to large-sized bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the cold water. Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes.
- In a heavy bottom sauce pan, stir sweeteners and remaining (hot) water.
- Heat sweeteners and water over high heat until the mixture reaches 240 – 245 °F, or the soft ball stage.
- Gradually (and carefully :-)!), while mixing constantly, add the hot mixture to the water and gelatin mixture.
- Slowly add the vanilla to the mixture while beating.
- Beat on high until the mixture form stiff peaks (almost like beaten egg whites).
- Pour into a lightly greased 8×8 pan. You can use whatever size pan you like to make either thick or thin marshmallows. The 8×8 pan will make pretty nice-sized thick marshmallows.
- Allow marshmallow to set. Then cut into desired sized. This can take 6-24 hours (I’ve never had it take that long), but you can put them in the freezer to speed it up — just don’t forget they’re in there :).
- If desired, coat with cocoa, raw or toasted coconut, ground up nuts – have fun with your toppings!
- Store in an airtight container and try to keep your kiddos out of them!
Notes
-
Vegan Option: For a vegan marshmallow option, use agar powder in a 1:1 substitution for the gelatin.
If you are attempting to make a vegan option, be aware that you might have varying results. You do need to let the agar sit on the water for about 1 hour before using it. Also, the results with agar can be variable so please be aware. I am going to try to do some experimenting to see if I can figure out what makes them work vs. not work. - Xylitol: Any other healthy sweetener can be used instead of xylitol, but if using erythritol use 1/3 more. If using a liquid sweetener, you may need to use a different amount, so read How to Substitute Sweeteners first. Approx. 12 scoops (3/8 of a teaspoon) of stevia (see How to Use Stevia) will work. Use honey, maple syrup (read this post for help choosing maple syrup), coconut sugar, or sucanat for AIP.
- Glycerine: You can also substitute any healthy sweetener for glycerine. Again, though, if using a granulated sweetener a different amount may need to be used. If you’re on the THM diet, use xylitol or erythritol – again, use 1/3 more if using erythritol.
- Roasting Tips: Homemade sugar-free marshmallows simply don’t roast well. However, if you’d like to try it, you can let them dry for a few days before roasting and use just quick bursts of heat. I haven’t tried this yet but I read it should work. It’s likely that allulose will work best for this.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
Are you a S’more or marshmallow lover too?
Hi! I just found your recipe and I’m really wanting to try it. But I mostly use marshmallows in recipes that require them to be melted/heated. Do these melt or roast well like regular marshmallows? If so, I’m game!
Hi there. They will melt but they don’t roast. Hope you enjoy them!
If I were to want to make something like rice krispie treats with these marshmallows, do they melt enough for that?
Yes – I’ve done that and it’s GREAT! Enjoy! You can even use them before they firm up.
How long should it set?
It can take 6 – 24 hours (I have NEVER had it take that long) but you can set them in the freezer to speed it up quite a bit (or outside if you watch for critters and it’s cold where you live :)!)
We only use honey as a sweetener… do you know if that would work with less water?
This is my substituting post. I think you will be OK either way though. https://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/baking-with-honey-sugar-for-baking/
I am also on THM.
Ok, I have been cooking much like you for my 5 children for about 5 yrs now. I have yet to make successful completely sugar free marshmallows. This time I used your recipe, doubled it, used erythritol as my granulated sweetener and used a combo of almond milk and vanilla liquid Stevia as my liquid sweetener. Please tell me what I did wrong. It never got fluffy, just foamy.
So you used almond milk instead of water? Thanks!
I clicked on the vegetable glycerine. It said it was for your skin??????
The NOW brand is food grade so you can use it for either application :).
why wouldn’t you just say 1/2 tsp stevia??
If you mean for the 12 scoops, typically 1 scoop is 1/32 of a tsp so that wouldn’t be accurate. That being said, different stevias have different tastes and strengths so it all gets pretty confusing anyway. I am looking at different brands to figure it all out and choose one that I want to recommend now.
What kind of granulated sweetener do you recommend?
I’d use whatever is best for you. Sucanat will work as will xylitol and erythritol. And cane juice crystals. Thanks!
I know this has to be a dumb question, but how are these sugar free with all the sugar in the recipe? Does it evaporate? Thanks, love to make them soon for the Grandkids!!
If you make them with stevia or xylitol or veggie glycerine it has no sugar. Hope you like them!
I love the idea that you used Vegetable Glycerin. It just so happens that I have some in the cupboard and have used it in other recipes. What can you use on the outside of the Marshmallows, my husband does not like Coconut at all. AND I always have to Disguise the taste of coconut for my husband. Also, have you tired to melt them in a Sweet Potatoe dish? I was wondering how they melted and do they react the same as the store bought marshmallows do when melted or brown in a sweet potatoe dish? Thank you so much for your help. I love your creativity with different sweeteners. Sincerely, Cathi G.
They will melt but not brown in the same way. I think it you added a tad of agave or a browning sweetener that might help. I’ve been looking to that. You could use powdered sweetener or carob instead of coconut (or cocoa). if you just need a dusting you could use a starch. Blessings!
Do you happen to know the calories, carbs, and protein content of these? They look delicious!
Sorry, I don’t. I’ve been thinking about putting that all on my blog. I’ll look into it. You could do the calories of the whole thing and divide it out perhaps :).
Hi!
I’m not sure if I can find Glycerine in Sweden, I haven’t seen it anyway. Can you substitute it with liquid artificial sweeteners, or more specifically, have you tried to? 🙂
Best regards
//Jennifer
You can use a granulated sweetener but add some liquid. Like I outlined in this post. https://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/baking-with-honey-sugar-for-baking/
It is typically used as a cosmetic agent / skincare so check there. As long as you can find out it’s food grade it is OK to use.
Thank you so much for your reply! 🙂 I will definitely try this one out! I’m planning to add some protein powder to the mixture at the end, preferably vanilla casein, and perhaps it will end up more like a cream… 🙂
In that case, hello sugar & gluten free Mars bars! 😀
Neato – hope they turn out well!
Exactly how much water is used with the gelatin and how much “remaining” water is used in the pan with the sweetners? Thank you!
The recipe states to use the gelatin with the cold water and then the hot later :). I’ll try to reword it. Thanks.
Thank you so much for clarifying!
How long does it take to set?
After it’s in the pan? You can speed it up in the fridge :). I never timed it but it likely would take several hours out of the fridge but you could shorten it in the fridge or freezer considerably. Just a guess but 1 hour-2 in the fridge and 1/2 in the freezer?
omg I used to devour the ones with the toasted coconut!!! Definitely making some!!
I don’t have xylitol can I use something else. Honey comes to mind….?
Yes, that should work :)!
Make sure to use Birch xylitol as most xylitol is also processed from, you guessed it, GMO corn!
I always use birch or non GMO corn xylitol. Thanks. I am sorry, but that post on xylitol by Healthy Home Economist had many untruths in it so I had to delete the link. Thanks though. I am going to do a write up in the future.
How did I miss this one! I’ve made marshmallows before with honey, But love the use of xylitol.
The look so beautiful.
Have a great weekend friend.
Hugs,
–Amber
I just found this now. We will definately have to try them. My kids eat my home made goodies almost as fast as I can make them. Hubby’s usually lucky to get 1. lol
Would this recipe work with honey as the sweetener?
Yes, they should work just fine. 🙂