Our Test Kitchen Found the Best Marshmallows
Updated: Apr. 23, 2024
Whether you're stirring up a mug of cocoa or building a campfire, the best marshmallows are a must. Our pros tried 10 brands. Check out their top picks.
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Must-Have Marshmallows
Whether you grab a bag or two to top your sweet potato casserole, make cereal bars or just toss in a mug of hot cocoa, having the best marshmallows is key for the tastiest treats.
Before you stock up on these sweets, though, make sure that you’re grabbing the tastiest bag you can find. After all, what good is Grandma’s ambrosia salad if the marshmallows are a flop? To find the best options out there, our culinary team put them to the test.
How We Tested Marshmallows
Our team rounded up 10 different brands of marshmallows including vegan and gourmet options for this marshmallow buffet. Our testers didn’t know which brand they were sampling to avoid any sort of bias. For this taste test, our team judged the marshmallows according to these criteria:
- Appearance: Most marshmallows are squat and round, but there are some cube-shaped ones out there! No matter the shape or size, they should look bright white and appetizing.
- Texture: A good marshmallow should be light, spongy and slightly chewy.
- Toast- and melt-ability: This is definitely a marshmallow-specific category! Good marshmallows should toast up to a perfect golden brown (unless you get too close to the campfire) and should melt easily for adding to recipes.
- Flavor: Marshmallows should taste sweet. Some may be flavored with vanilla. Whatever the case, they should taste pleasant and never artificial.
Check out which brands our Test Kitchen would happily add to these marshmallow-filled recipes.
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Best Classic Marshmallows
Jet-Puffed Marshmallows
This taste test confirmed what our team suspected was true: Jet-Puffed Marshmallows are terrific.
“These are the classic marshmallow,” says Sarah Fischer in the Test Kitchen. “They’re super fluffy and light.”
Jet-Puffed also got high praise on flavor and texture. Our team agrees that these marshmallows have a good chew to them and, while sweet, also have the slightest hint of vanilla to them for another layer of flavor.
These marshmallows also toast up perfectly golden with a thin crust on the outside and a soft, gooey center. Sure, eating a toasted marshmallow is sticky and messy, but it’s worth it with this brand!
And if you plan to melt the marshmallows to include in a recipe like Rice Krispie treats, you’ll have no issues with these Jet-Puffed mallows. They puff up big in the microwave but melt down to be smooth and sticky—just what you want for these types of recipes.
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Best Fancy Marshmallows
Hammond’s Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
While classic marshmallows are great for making cereal treats and fluff salads, sometimes you want to reach for something a bit fancier. Consider Hammond’s Vanilla Bean Marshmallows your next-level marshmallow choice.
Hammond’s don’t look like your traditional bag of mallows. Instead, these are cube-shaped and dusted with a bit of confectioners’ sugar and corn starch, much like homemade marshmallows.
Beyond the square shape, these marshmallows are a totally different flavor experience. When you open the bag, you’ll notice that each mallow is flecked with bits of vanilla bean. This rich vanilla flavor comes through along with the typical marshmallow sweetness. The texture here is soft and chewy—exactly what you want.
So what’s the best way to enjoy these gourmet marshmallows (besides right out of the bag)? Try these mallows in a mug of hot cocoa. One or two can take even a simple packet of hot chocolate mix to the next level. Also, they make for dynamite s’mores. “When toasted, these are delicious!” says Sarah.
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Best Giant Marshmallows
Campfire Giant Roasters
When mini marshmallows or even regular-sized marshmallows just won’t do, snag a bag of giant marshmallows. Our Test Kitchen’s favorite is Campfire Giant Roasters.
When we say these marshmallows are giant, we mean it! They measure about 3 inches across and are just as tall. Maggie Knoebel in the Test Kitchen describes these as “bright white with a soft, pillowy texture.” These Campfire marshmallows have a nice, sweet flavor—exactly what you expect when you pick up a bag at the store.
Where these marshmallows really shine, though, is around a bonfire. Oversized mallows like these are perfect for making s’mores. When toasted, these Campfire marshmallows get perfectly golden and the inside is soft and glossy. “The goo inside is just so good,” explains Maggie.
Of course, you don’t need to use these just for s’mores. You can use them in any marshmallow recipe that calls for melted marshmallows. They will take a little extra time to melt, but they’ll work just the same in the end.
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Best Vegan Marshmallows
Dandies Vegan Marshmallows
Vegans know that finding good vegan-friendly ingredients like marshmallows is a challenge. In our taste test, our team found a brand they truly loved and can call the best vegan marshmallows: Dandies.
Dandies are an excellent dupe for traditional marshmallows; they have that classic marshmallow shape, color and sweet flavor. Texture-wise, these marshmallows are a bit denser, but they have a chewy texture that our team enjoys.
If you plan to toast these marshmallows over the fire, you’ll be very pleased. “These caramelized so nicely,” says Sarah.
One thing to note: Vegan marshmallows don’t melt quite the same as traditional marshmallows. Melt slowly and stir, stir, stir is our Test Kitchen’s advice!
Check Out More Test Kitchen-Preferred Products
Our Test Kitchen is constantly testing food, kitchen gadgets and cleaning gear looking for brands that deserve the right to be called Test Kitchen-Preferred.
If you want to fill your pantry and fridge with the best products, check out these tests:
Originally Published: November 29, 2022
