The Best Vegan Marshmallows for S’mores, Krispie Bars and Snacks

The consistency of marshmallows comes from gelatin, making them one of the surprising foods you should never serve a vegan. But that doesn’t mean vegans have to give them up completely! You can make homemade vegan marshmallows, of course. You can also find plenty of vegan marshmallows at the grocery store, as brands and retailers are offering their own alternatives.

Generally, you can sub vegan marshmallows for traditional ones in any recipe, but there are a few things to know before you buy.

What Is a Vegan Marshmallow?

It’s a marshmallow that skips the gelatin altogether and uses another gelling agent to get that fluffy texture. Most brands use an ingredient called carrageenan, which is a compound extracted from seaweed.

Vegan marshmallows still have sugar and vanilla flavoring, ensuring you can make your favorite marshmallow desserts without having to sacrifice flavor.

If you’re baking with vegan marshmallows, note that you may need to incorporate extra time for melting. You can also use them in our best cereal bar recipes, but they will require a little bit more effort to melt. We recommend adding more time to your recipe, cutting the marshmallows into smaller pieces and being extra patient!

The Best Vegan Marshmallows to Buy

Put the Jet-Puffed marshmallows down and opt for a brand that doesn’t use gelatin. We have a few favorites below, but if you’re not sure how to tell whether your favorite brand is vegan, check out the ingredients list—the fewer ingredients the better, but make sure you don’t see gelatin or dairy products.

We’d like to recommend:

• Dandies: Our editorial team LOVES the flavor of Dandies vegan marshmallows. You can get a pack of Dandies vanilla marshmallows from Amazon for roughly $6, but that’s not even the best part. Dandies releases new flavors depending on the season, so you can get pumpkin and peppermint vegan marshmallows to satisfy your cravings.
• Trader Joe’s: The store’s brand of marshmallows is both gluten-free and vegan, making it a must-add to your grocery list. You can get jumbo, regular-size and even mini versions of these marshmallows, making them ideal for s’mores or baking.

Don’t forget the vegan chocolate bars for your s’mores!

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Black Bean-Tomato Chili

My daughter Kayla saw a black bean chili while watching a cooking show and called me about it because it looked so good. We messed with our own recipe until we got this easy winner. —Lisa Belcastro, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts

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Slow Cooker Coconut Granola

Here's a versatile treat with a taste of the tropics. Mix it up by subbing dried pineapple or tropical fruits for the cherries. —Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Banana Oatmeal Pancakes

These pancakes have less sodium per serving than other pancakes made from mixes. Decrease sodium even further by stretching the mix with banana, oats and walnuts. In our house we just sprinkle these with a little confectioners' sugar, because the fruit is so sweet you don't need syrup. — Patricia Swart, Galloway , New Jersey

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Grilled Bean Burgers

These juicy veggie patties have major flavor with cumin, garlic and a little chili powder. They hold their own against any veggie burger you‘d buy at the supermarket. —Marguerite Shaeffer, Sewell, New Jersey

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Rosemary Walnuts

My Aunt Mary started making this recipe years ago, and each time we visited her she would have a batch ready for us. The use of cayenne adds an unexpected zing to the savory combo of rosemary and walnuts. When you need a good housewarming or hostess gift, double the batch and save one for yourself. —Renee Ciancio, New Bern, North Carolina

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Grilled Lime-Balsamic Sweet Potatoes

For me, tailgating is about camaraderie and preparing food that’s good to grill. One of my favorites is sweet potatoes wedges. Yum! —Raquel Perazzo, West New York, New Jersey

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Hummus & Veggie Wrap-Up

I had a sandwich similar to this once when I stopped at a diner while on a long and arduous walk. I enjoyed it so much that I modified it to my own taste and now have it for lunch on a regular basis. Everyone at work wants to know how to make it.—Michael Steffens, Indianapolis, Indiana

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Grilled Cauliflower Wedges

This meal is incredibly easy, yet is packed with flavor and looks like a dish from a five-star restaurant. The grill leaves the cauliflower cooked but crisp, and the red pepper flakes add bite. —Carmel Hall, San Francisco, California

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Chia Seed Protein Bites

I keep these little bites on hand in my refrigerator and grab them for breakfast or snack on when I'm in a hurry. We have a lot of food allergies in our family and I like to keep healthy snacks around that everyone can eat. This recipe has no gluten, eggs, dairy or corn, so it's the perfect go-to treat in our house. —Tanja Miller, Peoria, Arizona

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Watermelon and Spinach Salad

Summer's the perfect time to toss up this watermelon salad. You'd never expect it, but spinach is awesome here. Eat it and feel cool on even the hottest days. —Marjorie Au, Honolulu, Hawaii

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Taco Pumpkin Seeds

Here is a hot idea from our Test Kitchen—toast seeds from a freshly cut pumpkin in taco seasoning and a bit of garlic salt. The combination packs a tasty punch! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Sauteed Squash with Tomatoes & Onions

My favorite meals show a love of family and food. This zucchini dish with tomatoes is like a scaled-down ratatouille. —Adan Franco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Sesame Almond Slaw

Crunchy veggies and noodles are coated in a tangy dressing in this pleasant slaw. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Quinoa Granola

This is a healthy and tasty snack that I feed to my kids often. They love it!—Cindy Reams, Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania

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Roasted Carrots & Fennel

This addictive vegetable combo is a fresh take on one of my mother's standard wintertime dishes. I usually add more carrots—as many as the pans will hold. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia

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Joe Froggers

Large, soft and chewy, these molasses cookies make a great snack. This classic recipe has a warm blend of spices that seems stronger the second day. Your family will definitely ask you to make these again.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Edamame Corn Carrot Salad

I came up with this easy salad while brainstorming light, protein-filled recipes. My vegetarian and vegan friends are especially big fans. —Maiah Miller, Monterey, California

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Garlic & Onion Cashews

You'll be set for either a quick snack or an easy hostess gift when you use this recipe. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California

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Salsa Bean Burgers

I created these based on a turkey burger recipe, and wanted to make them even better for you. Use a favorite salsa with just the heat you like to make it your own. —Jenny Leighty, West Salem, Ohio

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Grilled Potatoes & Peppers

My husband, Matt, grills this recipe for both breakfast and dinner gatherings. Besides the company, the potatoes are one of the best parts! —Susan Nordin, Warren, Pennsylvania

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Chipotle Lime Avocado Salad

I use my music to promote a healthy lifestyle, like eating your veggies. This bright salad is loaded with avocado, cucumbers, tomatoes and a little heat factor. —DJ Cavem, Denver, Colorado

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Roasted Cabbage & Onions

I roast veggies to bring out their sweetness, and it works wonders with onions and cabbage. The piquant vinegar-mustard sauce makes this dish similar to a slaw. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

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Summertime Tomato Salad

My crazy good salad has cherry tomatoes, squash and blueberries together in one bowl. Then I layer on the flavor with fresh corn, red onion and mint. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New Jersey

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Spicy Grilled Broccoli

My kids eat this spiced broccoli without cheese; it’s that good. It transports easily to the beach, park or tailgate party and also works on an indoor grill. —Kathy Lewis-Martinez, Spring Valley, California

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Kate Ellsworth