Quick Answer
Many popular marshmallow brands are gluten free, including Jet-Puffed, Campfire, Kraft Jet-Puffed, Doumak, and Lundberg. Most major marshmallow brands do not contain wheat or barley, making them safe for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Always check the label to confirm gluten free status.
Gluten Free Brands
Jet-Puffed
Jet-Puffed is one of the most popular and widely available marshmallow brands. According to their website, all Jet-Puffed marshmallows are gluten free. This includes their regular size marshmallows, minis, and flavored varieties like s’mores, chocolate, and strawberry. Jet-Puffed marshmallows do not contain any wheat, barley, rye or oats.
Campfire
Campfire marshmallows are another major brand that produces gluten free products. On their FAQ page, Campfire states that all their marshmallows are gluten free. They use cornstarch instead of wheat-derived ingredients. Both their original and flavored marshmallows, like chocolate and honey graham, do not contain gluten.
Kraft Jet-Puffed
Kraft Jet-Puffed is the same as the regular Jet-Puffed brand in terms of being gluten free. Since Kraft acquired Jet-Puffed, all Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallows are gluten free just like the regular Jet-Puffed line. This includes their marshmallow creme as well.
Doumak
Doumak is a brand that makes premium gourmet marshmallows in many flavors. According to their website, all Doumak marshmallows are gluten free and wheat free. They do not use any gluten containing ingredients.
Lundberg
Lundberg produces marshmallow treats and cereals. Their marshmallow treats, including rice crispy treats, are certified gluten free. Lundberg does not add any gluten containing ingredients to their marshmallow recipes.
Other Potentially Gluten Free Brands
Kraft
Regular Kraft marshmallows contain modified cornstarch which may or may not be wheat-derived. Some people report sensitivity to regular Kraft marshmallows. But Kraft does make one variety called Fluffernutter that is certified gluten free.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s marshmallows contain modified food starch without specifying the source. It may be made from corn, but some people prefer to avoid Trader Joe’s marshmallows to be safe. Their ingredient labels can vary.
Albertson’s
Albertson’s or Signature Select marshmallows have modified starch that may come from wheat. It’s best to contact the company to check if their marshmallows are gluten free. Many store brands use cornstarch, but some use wheat starch.
Walmart
Great Value marshmallows from Walmart do not list gluten ingredients, but the source of their food starch is unknown. Most people consider them gluten free, but sensitive individuals may want to exercise caution.
Target
Market Pantry marshmallows sold at Target also contain an unspecified source of modified food starch. It’s likely to be gluten free, but Target does not confirm it. Check labels for wheat ingredients to be safe.
How Marshmallows are Made
Most marshmallows have just a few ingredients: sugar, corn syrup, water, gelatin, vanilla extract, and a starch thickener. Here is the typical process for manufacturing marshmallows:
- Sugar, corn syrup, and water are mixed together and heated to dissolve the sugar. Vanilla is added for flavor.
- Gelatin is dissolved in hot water then added to the sugar syrup mixture.
- The stiff gelatin and syrup mixture is whipped with air to make it light and fluffy.
- A starch thickener, like cornstarch, is mixed in to help the marshmallow hold its shape.
- The marshmallow fluff is poured into molds or extruded into ropes and cut.
- Cocoa powder or other coatings are applied while the marshmallow is still sticky.
- The marshmallows cure and dry at room temperature for 1-2 days.
The main steps that determine whether marshmallows are gluten free include:
– Using modified cornstarch instead of wheat starch as the thickening agent. Cornstarch is naturally gluten free.
– Avoiding malt extracts, which may be derived from barley. Most brands forgo malt.
– Using pure vanilla extract without additives that might introduce gluten.
– Not adding cookies, graham crackers or other gluten ingredients to flavored varieties. Most flavors are gluten free.
As long as the brand sticks to these practices, their marshmallows will be gluten free. Checking the label ensures no gluten sneaks in.
Are Homemade Marshmallows Gluten Free?
Making homemade marshmallows is a fun project and allows you to control the ingredients. Here are some tips for gluten free homemade marshmallows:
– Use corn syrup rather than barley-derived malt syrup.
– Choose gelatin that doesn’t contain gluten additives. Look for brands tested gluten free.
– Replace wheat starch with cornstarch or tapioca starch to thicken.
– Flavor with pure extracts, not cookie crumbles or cereal dust.
– Dust with powdered sugar instead of wheat flour.
– Substitute rice crispy treats if making rice krispie bars.
With the right substitutions, homemade marshmallows can easily be made gluten free. You can customize flavors and shapes for a unique homemade treat.
Ingredients to Avoid
When checking labels for gluten free status, watch out for these ingredients that contain gluten:
- Wheat starch
- Barley malt
- Malt extract
- Malt syrup or malt flavoring
- Oat fiber
- Cookie, graham cracker, or cereal inclusions
- Hydrolyzed wheat protein
- Artificial flavor (may contain gluten)
As long as the ingredients avoid these and specifically call out gluten free starches, the marshmallows will be gluten free. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer for confirmation.
Cross Contamination Risks
Even if the marshmallow ingredients are gluten free, there is a small chance of cross contamination during manufacturing. Factors that increase gluten cross contamination risks include:
- Facility that also processes wheat-based foods
- Shared equipment for gluten and gluten free products
- Use of gluten-containing starch in other products
- Airborne flour particles
- Poor cleaning procedures
Many brands take steps to avoid cross contamination and test products to verify gluten free status below 20ppm. But the risk is never zero. Very sensitive celiacs should contact manufacturers and assess their own tolerance levels.
Are Marshmallows Dairy Free?
Most marshmallows contain gelatin derived from animals, so they are not vegan or dairy free. However, some brands make dairy free marshmallows using plant-based ingredients.
Dandies is one popular brand of dairy free marshmallows. They use beet extract and vegetable gums instead of gelatin.
Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Enjoy Life also offer gelatin-free vegan marshmallows. Check ingredient labels for “gelatin” versus “vegetable gum” or agar-agar.
Making homemade marshmallows dairy free takes some experimentation. Replacing gelatin with agar powder, guar gum, and xanthan gum can work. The texture may be a little different than traditional marshmallows.
Nutritional Profile
Here is the nutrition information for a typical 1 oz (28g) serving of mini marshmallows (about 40 pieces):
| Calories | 100 |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbs | 25 g |
| Sugar | 23 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
As you can see, marshmallows are almost entirely carbohydrates from sugar. There is minimal fat or protein. They are considered “empty calories” with little nutrition.
Many people think of marshmallows as a sometimes food or dessert rather than a daily snack due to their high sugar content. But enjoyed occasionally, they can be part of a balanced diet, even for those with food restrictions.
Uses for Marshmallows
Beyond eating them straight from the bag, here are some fun ways to use marshmallows:
- Roasted over the campfire
- Add to hot chocolate or cocoa
- Make rice krispie treats
- Use in fruit and yogurt parfaits
- Make marshmallow pops by dipping in chocolate
- Use in s’mores, on graham crackers
- Add to trail mix or granola
- Top cupcakes or baked treats
- Use in cookies, brownies, cakes
- Add to pancake or waffle batter
Marshmallows pair well with chocolate and peanut butter. Their sweetness complements tart fruits like raspberries or strawberries. Let your imagination run wild with these fluffy white treats!
Storing Marshmallows
To maximize freshness, store marshmallows in an airtight container at room temperature. The cool environment helps prevent drying out.
Unopened packages can be kept 6-12 months past the printed “best by” date. Once opened, marshmallows last about 6 months.
If marshmallows get stale, revive them by microwaving 10 seconds to restore moisture. Stale marshmallows are still safe to eat, just less tasty.
Freezing extends shelf life for up to 1 year. Thaw frozen marshmallows before using to prevent a sticky texture.
Safety Precautions
Marshmallows are generally recognized as safe, but here are some precautions:
– Choking hazard for young children. Supervise little ones and cut into bite sizes.
– Pregnant women should heat thoroughly if using in homemade recipes to reduce risk of salmonella from raw eggs.
– High sugar content makes it a trigger for those with diabetes or metabolic conditions.
– Can cause contact dermatitis due to ingredients like gelatin. Stop eating if rash develops.
– People with soy allergies should check labels for soy lecithin.
Overall, commercially made marshmallows are very safe for the general population. But those with food allergies or conditions should check with a doctor.
Conclusion
Many popular marshmallow brands like Jet-Puffed, Campfire, Doumak and Lundberg are gluten free. Look for specific mention of cornstarch instead of wheat starch on the label. Some store brands may also be gluten free, but check carefully for questionable ingredients. With so many confirmed gluten free options, people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity can still enjoy these sweet, pillowy treats! Marshmallows are the perfect addition to desserts, snacks, and campfire fun for the whole family.
