Quick Answer: How to Dehydrate Marshmallows at Home
Some of the best ways to dehydrate / dry marshmallows include using a food dehydrator, an oven, microwave, air fryer or freeze-drying. You can pick the method you like based on the availability of time and the appliance.
Marshmallows, a sort of confectionery curated from gelatin and sugar, are generally prepared and consumed directly. This low-calorie candy substitute will always satisfy your sweet tooth.
If you’re in search of ways to recreate the famous Lucky Charms marshmallow cereal, you should consider dehydrating your marshmallows.
But, there is a multitude of ways for doing so; which is the best?
We have included hours of research and experience in developing five simple ways for dehydrating marshmallows.
How to Dehydrate Marshmallows Using a Food Dehydrator
Time needed: 1 day
Dehydrating marshmallows with a food dehydrator will save you the time for checking up on your marshmallows constantly. You’d have fewer chances of your marshmallows ending up burnt.
Optimum temperature: 150 degrees Fahrenheit or 62 degrees Celsius.
- What will you need?
1. Dehydrating racks
2. A pair of scissors or a knife
3. Wet cloth
4. Powdered sugar - Cut down Large Marshmallows
Although mini marshmallows can go on the dehydrating racks, larger marshmallows should be cut down. It simply accelerates the drying process.
You may use scissors or a knife, but for a recommendation, carry a wet cloth with you to clean the blades on a regular basis.
It also helps to have a confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar) on hand to dust your scissors or knife.
The larger-shaped marshmallows would lose their shape due to this so that it could save you hours of drying time.
- Separate the Marshmallows
Make an effort to separate your marshmallows so that they don’t bind together and dry inefficiently.
Since marshmallows jump around, don’t be concerned about them staying put during the dehydrating process.
One Excalibur Dehydrator tray can comfortably accommodate half a bag of mini marshmallows, with plenty of breathing space. - Dehydrate the Marshmallows
Set the dehydrator to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. The amount of time needed depends on the size of your marshmallows and the humidity level at your place.
This also depends on the power of your dehydrator. Minis can take anywhere from 4 to 12 hours to complete. Large dehydrators can take anywhere from 10 to 24 hours.
Keep in mind that you can’t let them dry for too long. The longer they sit on the trays, the more thoroughly dried they will be.
Dehydrate Marshmallows Using an Oven
Time taken: About 10 to 12 hours
Optimum temperature: 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
What will you need?
- A few Shallow pans
- Tinfoil or baking sheets
- A pair of scissors or a knife
- Powdered sugar
- Wet cloth
Making use of an oven to dehydrate your marshmallows is one of the simplest methods available. However, keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t get burnt.
Preheat your Oven
Set your oven to 170 degrees Fahrenheit or the lowest available temperature. If your oven has convection, use it.
You can refer to how it’s done here:
Cut Down Large Marshmallows
Larger marshmallows should be cut into halves. This will accelerate the dehydrating process.
You can utilize a pair of scissors or make use of a sharp knife. It is recommended to carry a wet cloth along to clean the blades regularly.
It also helps to have a confectioner’s sugar on hand to dust your scissors. Because of this, the huge marshmallows would shrink in size.
Arrange the Marshmallows
Cover shallow pans with tin foil or baking sheets. Place marshmallows in a single layer with enough room between them, and they don’t clog.
Place them in the Oven
Heat on the lowest setting for an hour, then open the oven slightly to allow them to cool to room temperature.
Heat for another hour at the lowest temperature with the door slightly ajar. Overheating marshmallows can cause them to turn brown or black and become crunchy.
Set them to Cool
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and set it to cool as the marshmallows harden.
You can chill them to fasten the cooling and hardening process. It’ll take about 10 – 12 hours to dry the marshmallows completely.
Dehydrate Marshmallows Using a Microwave
Time taken: An hour or two
What will you need?
- A pair of scissors or a knife
- Powdered sugar
- Microwave-safe trays
- Wet cloth
Using a microwave to dehydrate your marshmallows is the quickest method available. This method is highly effective, but you need to constantly check on your marshmallows to make sure they don’t overheat and get burnt.
Half Large Marshmallows
Larger marshmallows should be cut into halves. This will accelerate the dehydrating process.
You can utilize a pair of scissors or make use of a sharp knife. It is recommended to carry a wet cloth along to clean the blades constantly during this process.
Rub confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar) on your hands to dust your scissors or knife. The large marshmallows would shrink in size because of this, and it could save you hours of drying time.
Arrange the Marshmallows
Place them in a single layer on a microwave-safe tray, leaving space for each one.
Place them in the microwave – Heat the marshmallows on high for 60 to 90 seconds in the microwave. You will be able to see the marshmallows expand in size during this.
Heat for an hour on the lowest level, then open the microwave slightly for another hour at the lowest temperature.
If using miniature marshmallows, reduce the microwave time to 30 to 45 seconds. Microwaving marshmallows too long will turn them brown or black and make them crunchy.
Let them Cool
Enable the marshmallows to cool for five minutes after removing them from the microwave. They will harden and shrink back to their original size during this time.
Dehydrate Marshmallows Using an Air Fryer
Time taken: About 2 to 3 hours
Optimum temperature: 160 degrees Fahrenheit
What will you need?
- A pair of scissors or a knife
- Powdered sugar
- Wet cloth
- Racks
- Airtight bags
Using an air fryer to dehydrate your marshmallows is a safe alternative to other methods.
You can instantly dry a handful of marshmallows without worrying about them overheating.
Half the Large Marshmallows
Larger marshmallows should be cut into halves. They can dehydrate much quicker if they are cut into smaller pieces.
You can utilize a pair of scissors or make use of a sharp knife. It is recommended to carry a wet cloth along to clean the blades constantly during this process.
Rub confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar) on your hands to dust your scissors or knife. The large marshmallows would shrink in size because of this, and it could save you hours of drying time.
Arrange the Marshmallows
Start with placing marshmallows on a rack in a single layer. Make sure you do not place them on each other.
If you don’t do a single coat, your drying would be uneven. Make sure there’s enough room between each marshmallow.
Dry the Marshmallows
Preheat the air fryer to 160 degrees Fahrenheit and dry for around 2-3 hours.
Allow the marshmallows to cool – Let your marshmallows cool once they have hardened. Vacuum seal or store the dried marshmallows in an airtight bag or container.
Dehydrate Marshmallows by Freeze-Drying
Time taken: 16 to 20 hours
What will you need?
- A pair of scissors or a knife
- Powdered sugar
- Wet cloth
- Tinfoil or baking sheets
Cut the Big Marshmallows
Bigger marshmallows should be cut into mini ones. They can dehydrate much quicker this way if they are cut into smaller pieces.
You can utilize a pair of scissors or make use of a sharp knife for doing this. It is recommended to have a wet cloth ready for cleaning the blades during this process.
Dust your hands with powdered sugar to dust your scissors or knife. The large marshmallows would shrink in size because of this, and it could save you hours of drying time.
Arrange the Marshmallows
Place the marshmallows in a shallow tray lined with tin foil or a baking sheet. Then put the trays in the Harvestraight.
Set the Timer
Freeze the marshmallows first for 9 hours and then set the final drive to 7 hours. When the process is over, open the drain valve to allow the steam to escape.
You can learn how this is fine from here:
Defrost the marshmallows in the machine until they are dehydrated. If not, choose a longer drying time.
The marshmallows will expand in size after being freeze-dried.
Assorted Marshmallows vs. Plain Marshmallows – The Right Marshmallow to Dehydrate
Colored marshmallows are usually inferior to regular marshmallows due to their flavor or color.
This causes the formation of the dried marshmallow to be disfigured, whereas plain marshmallows retain their shape after drying.
Knowing When Marshmallows are Dehydrated Properly
You will have to pick any random marshmallow from the bunch and squeeze it lightly. They are fully dehydrated if they have hardened up and don’t feel soft.
However, if the marshmallows are still slightly soft and give in when squeezed, you need to dry them for a longer duration.
The Perfect Marshmallows Size to Dehydrate
Any size marshmallow will suffice! Larger marshmallows can simply take longer to dehydrate completely.
Smaller mini marshmallows, on the other hand, would be quicker. Go for medium marshmallows if you can’t decide on which one to pick.
The Right Way to Store Dehydrated Marshmallows
Place the marshmallows in an airtight container to keep them fresh. Your marshmallows can be preserved in this manner for months if properly stored.
You can also stretch the shelf-life much further if you have a vacuum seal device. Vacuum-seal marshmallows to keep them fresh for up to a year.
Continue drying for a few more hours if any moisture remains inside the jar after 24 hours.
Our Take on which Method is Best
Dying your marshmallows in an air fryer is the best option if you are looking for something safe and don’t have to worry about them burning.
However, air fryers are only limited to a handful of marshmallows, so go for food dehydrators, ovens, and microwaves.
There are chances of your marshmallows getting overheated and turning completely black, so keep a constant watch on them when using these three methods.
Freeze drying marshmallows is also a convenient way to dehydrate them in bulk, but it will consume a lot of time.
FAQs
When dehydrated, marshmallows are crunchy and crumble when biting or crushing them in your hands, and they are ready.
Before you test them, allow them to come to room temperature. Because they are still warm, they will stay a little soft. Some of them, like peppermint marshmallows, may even puff up a little.
My marshmallows stayed pretty much the same size. Now, depending on the brand you purchased, you can get a different result.
When completely dried, the marshmallows will usually remain nearly the same size. It may also expand.
Try to lower your microwave’s time to just 30 to 45 seconds if using miniature marshmallows.
The oven-hot air approach does not alter the times. Fill an open bag of marshmallows.
Place them in a cool, quiet, and dry location, such as the pantry.
Bottom Line
We’ve gone through five easy methods to dry marshmallows for various purposes, especially for making Lucky Charms.
We are hoping that this article has proved to be of some benefit to you on how to dry them at home with ease.
Share it with your colleagues and family, and drop a few comments below regarding any questions you have. All your doubts and feedback will be acknowledged.