What marshmallow brand is vegan? Your Guide to Gelatin-Free Sweets

November 15, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 50% of the U.S. population has purchased or consumed vegan products, a trend driving innovation in the confectionery industry. As a result, consumers are increasingly asking: what marshmallow brand is vegan? The answer lies in key plant-based ingredients that replace traditional, animal-derived gelatin.

Quick Summary

Many brands now offer vegan marshmallows, replacing animal-derived gelatin with plant-based gelling agents like carrageenan or agar-agar. Top options include Dandies, Trader Joe's, and Freedom Mallows, which are suitable for toasting, baking, or snacking. Shoppers should check product labels for vegan certification or gelatin-free ingredients.

Key Points

Dandies is a popular vegan brand: Dandies uses tapioca and carrageenan instead of gelatin, and offers several flavors, making it a market leader for vegan marshmallows.
Traditional marshmallows are not vegan: Most conventional marshmallows contain gelatin, a protein derived from animal collagen, making them unsuitable for vegans.
Vegan marshmallows use plant-based ingredients: Plant-based alternatives like carrageenan (from seaweed), agar-agar (from algae), and aquafaba (chickpea brine) replace gelatin in vegan recipes.
Trader Joe's offers a reliable vegan option: While often seasonal, Trader Joe's marshmallows are a well-regarded, gluten-free, and vegan option found in their stores.
Always check ingredient labels: Due to varying production methods and potential cross-contamination, it is essential to read labels for vegan certification or to ensure no animal products like gelatin or bone-char sugar are used.
Vegan marshmallows can be used for toasting and baking: Brands like Dandies and Trader Joe's are known to melt and toast well, making them suitable for s'mores, baking, and hot chocolate.

The Gelatin Dilemma: Why Traditional Marshmallows Aren't Vegan

Traditional marshmallows, like the popular Jet-Puffed variety, are not vegan because their signature fluffy, chewy texture comes from gelatin. Gelatin is a protein derived from animal collagen, typically sourced by boiling the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals like pigs and cows. This makes standard marshmallows off-limits for anyone following a plant-based diet. In contrast, marshmallows that are explicitly labeled as vegan use plant-based alternatives to achieve the same textural qualities without compromising on ethical standards. It is this key ingredient swap that defines a marshmallow as being truly vegan.

The Plant-Based Solution: Vegan Gelling Agents

Fortunately, food science has created excellent plant-based substitutes for gelatin that work perfectly in marshmallows. These innovative ingredients replicate the gelling properties of animal collagen, creating a delicious, cruelty-free treat.

Common vegan gelling agents and ingredients include:

Carrageenan: Derived from red seaweed, carrageenan is a popular food additive used to thicken and emulsify, forming a gel-like consistency in vegan marshmallows.
Agar-Agar: Another seaweed-derived gelling agent, agar-agar is used in many vegan desserts, including marshmallows, to provide a stable, jelly-like texture.
Aquafaba: The liquid from canned chickpeas, aquafaba is often used in homemade vegan marshmallow recipes as a superb egg white replacer, helping to create a foamy, whipped texture.
Tapioca Starch and Syrup: Many brands, including Dandies, use tapioca starch and syrup as binding and sweetening agents.
Soy Protein: Some recipes and commercial brands incorporate soy protein to add structure and fluffiness.

Top Vegan Marshmallow Brands to Look For

Today, the market offers a fantastic selection of vegan marshmallow brands, ensuring that no one has to miss out on s'mores or hot cocoa. Here are some of the most prominent names to watch for on your next shopping trip:

Dandies Vegan Marshmallows

Considered a pioneer in the market, Dandies is arguably the most recognized vegan marshmallow brand. They are known for their classic vanilla flavor and are highly rated for their ability to melt and toast just like traditional marshmallows.

Flavor Variety: Dandies offers seasonal flavors like pumpkin and maple, in addition to their classic vanilla.
Ingredients: Made with tapioca syrup, cane sugar, and carrageenan, they are allergen-free and free from artificial flavors or colors.

Trader Joe's Marshmallows

Trader Joe's has delighted its vegan customers by offering their own brand of gelatin-free marshmallows. While they are often a seasonal product, available mainly during the colder months, they are a popular and affordable option.

Seasonal Availability: Look for both standard and mini varieties, with specialty flavors like peppermint appearing seasonally.
Features: These marshmallows are gluten-free, vegan, and kosher (pareve), and are praised for their taste.

Freedom Confectionary (Freedom Mallows)

This UK-based brand has been creating allergen-free, vegan marshmallows for over a decade. They offer a wide range of options, from mini mallows perfect for hot chocolate to larger ones for roasting.

Allergen-Friendly: Freedom Mallows are soy-free, gluten-free, and made without artificial colorings.
Availability: Available directly from their website, on Amazon, and in many UK retailers.

Yummallo Vegan Marshmallows

While Yummallo offers a wide range of confectionery, they have a specific line of vegan marshmallows. These are an accessible option, often found at large retailers like Walmart. However, it's crucial to ensure you're picking up the specifically-marked 'vegan' bags, as their other products contain gelatin.

Key Considerations When Buying Vegan Marshmallows

Beyond checking for the absence of gelatin, savvy vegan consumers should be aware of a few other points when purchasing marshmallows:

Sugar Processing: Some cane sugar is processed using bone char, which is not vegan. While most manufacturers of vegan marshmallows use vegan-friendly sugar, looking for organic or verified vegan sugar can provide extra assurance.
Reading Labels: Always double-check ingredient lists for less obvious animal-derived ingredients or potential cross-contamination statements if allergies are a concern.
Texture Differences: While modern vegan marshmallows are excellent, some minor textural variations exist compared to gelatin-based ones. For example, some find Dandies caramelize beautifully when toasted, though they don't get as gooey all the way through as traditional mallows.

Comparison of Popular Vegan Marshmallow Brands


Feature	Dandies	Trader Joe's	Freedom Mallows	Yummallo (Vegan line)
Gelling Agent(s)	Carrageenan, Tapioca Starch	Carrageenan	Carrageenan	Carrageenan
Gluten-Free	Yes	Yes	Yes	Not specified
Allergen-Free	Yes, also soy-free	Not specified	Yes, also soy-free	Not specified
Main Availability	Whole Foods, Thrive Market, Amazon	Trader Joe's stores	Direct website, UK retailers, Amazon	Walmart
Notable Features	Multiple flavors, great for roasting	Seasonal availability, mini and flavored options	Wide variety including chocolate-covered options	Good for baking, classic taste

Conclusion: A Sweet Shift for Everyone

The question of "what marshmallow brand is vegan?" is now easily answered with a growing number of delicious options available. Leading the pack are brands like Dandies, with their consistent quality and reliable vegan-friendly formulation. Trader Joe's provides an excellent, often seasonal, store-brand alternative, while Freedom Mallows caters to those with specific allergen concerns. As plant-based ingredients like carrageenan and agar-agar replace animal-derived gelatin, the quality and availability of these sweet treats continue to improve. Whether for campfire roasting, baking into crisp rice treats, or simply topping a mug of hot cocoa, today's market offers a perfect vegan marshmallow for every occasion. Check out the Dandies website for more information on their products: Dandies Vegan Marshmallows.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary non-vegan ingredient in traditional marshmallows is gelatin. It is a protein derived from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals and is used to give marshmallows their chewy, fluffy texture.

Vegan marshmallows replace animal-based gelatin with plant-based gelling agents. Common substitutes include carrageenan (from seaweed), agar-agar (from red algae), and ingredients like tapioca starch and soy protein for texture.

Yes, many grocery stores now carry vegan marshmallow brands. Dandies is a widely available option found at retailers like Whole Foods and on Amazon. Trader Joe's also offers a popular vegan marshmallow during certain seasons.

Yes, high-quality vegan marshmallows, such as those from Dandies, are designed to melt and toast similarly to traditional ones. They caramelize beautifully over a fire, making them perfect for s'mores.

While traditional Marshmallow Fluff may contain egg whites, some brands, like Dandies, now offer a vegan marshmallow cream. It's important to check the ingredients, as Smucker's Marshmallow Topping is also considered 'accidentally vegan'.

Yes, all Dandies marshmallows are 100% vegan, gluten-free, and kosher. They are made without animal products and are a reliable choice for vegans.

Some conventional sugar is processed using bone char, which is not vegan. However, most brands that specifically market themselves as vegan, like Dandies, use vegan-friendly sugar. Opting for organic sugar is another way to ensure it was not processed with bone char.