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Homemade Marshmallows without Corn Syrup

These healthy homemade marshmallows are made without corn syrup and are instead sweetened naturally with maple syrup or honey! They come together effortlessly and quickly, require just 4 ingredients, and are paleo-friendly! These marshmallows are fluffy, sweet pillows of goodness! There's a Snickerdoodle and Easter Peeps version!
5 from 4 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

Marshmallows

  • 1 cup water, divided
  • 3 tbsp grass-fed gelatin
  • 1 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • pinch sea salt

Snickerdoodle version

  • 1 1/2-2 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar *optional
  • 1 tbsp tapioca flour

Peeps version

  • food colorings, of choice

Instructions
 

  • Line a 9×9 square baking pan with parchment paper. Spray the parchment paper with spray oil.
  • In the bowl of your stand mixer, add 1/2 cup water, gelatin (and the cinnamon if making the snickerdoodle version!). Using the whisk attachment, let it whisk for a few seconds to incorporate. Then sprinkle the gelatin over top. Let it sit while you start the syrup.
  • In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, add the other 1/2 cup water, maple syrup or honey, and vanilla. Let the mixture boil until it reaches a temperature of 240F. This usually takes about 10 minutes, if you don't have a thermometer - this should be sufficient time!
  • Turn the mixer on low, then slowly pour the syrup mixture into the bowl. Once it's all poured in, turn the mixture to high and let it beat for about 2-3 minutes until it triples in size and is super fluffy. You'll know it's done when you lift the head of the mixer and the marshmallow fluff sticks like peaks to the whisk attachment. Be careful to not over-whip or it’ll thicken too much & turn into what looks like “brains”. The mixture should have tripled in size and stick to the whisk when you remove it while still being pourable.
  • Working quickly, pour the marshmallow fluff into the lined baking pan. You'll need to use a spatula to do so. You can use the spatula to help smooth the top of the marshmallows.
  • Place the marshmallows in the fridge for an hour or two or leave them on the counter for at least 2-3 hours until they're set and not super sticky. In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp tapioca flour, coconut sugar, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Sprinkle it over the top of the marshmallows.
  • Then use a sharp knife to cut them into squares. I like to cut the edges off to make cleaner squares.
  • Store marshmallows in a covered container at room-temperature for up to two weeks!

Easter marshmallows

  • If you're here for the PEEPS recipe: simply leave out the cinnamon and skip the coconut sugar & tapioca coating!
    When the marshmallow fluff is ready, simply add food colorings of choice, mixing well, until you reach the desired color.
    To make swirled marshmallows: once the marshmallow fluff is done, add a little to separate bowls (however many colors you want to do). Working quickly, add food coloring to each bowl and mix well. Then you can pour them into the pans in layers, dollop them randomly, or swirl! 
  • When the marshmallows are set, cut into squares OR use a bunny cookie cutter to cut out bunnies!

Video

Notes

    • If you're here for the PEEPS recipe: simply leave out the cinnamon and skip the coconut sugar & tapioca coating! Add food colorings of choice. To make swirled marshmallows: once the marshmallow fluff is done, add a little to separate bowls (however many colors you want to do). Working quickly, add food coloring to each bowl and mix well. Then you can pour them into the pans in layers, dollop them randomly, or swirl! 
    • Tips for cutting marshmallows: I’ve found it easiest to cut the mixture into marshmallows using scissors. Sometimes they can be difficult to cut with a knife.
    • How to make marshmallows without a candy thermometer: Typically, you’d want to use a thermometer to make sure the sugar mixture reaches around 242°F, but they will also work if you can get the mixture around 220°F. This usually takes about 10 minutes of boiling. If you don’t have a thermometer, simply boil the mixture for at least 10 minutes, as this should be long enough to get them to temp!
    • Can you make marshmallows vegan? You can make vegan marshmallows using agar agar. Here is a great vegan marshmallow recipe!
    • Can you roast paleo marshmallows? Yes! These will roast great, just like store-bought marshmallows.
Keyword gut-healthy marshmallows, homemade marshmallows, marshmallows without corn syrup, marshmallows without thermometer, paleo marshmallows, snickerdoodle marshmallows