Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is sweetest of them all? Well, marshmallows are in contention. Marshmallow brands typically whip up sugar, water, and gelatin to a solid but soft consistency to create these soft, squishy sweet treats. As versatile as they get, marshmallows satisfy your sweet tooth as standalone desserts or as fillings in cakes and pastries. They also float well atop warm cocoa, add texture to ice cream and desserts, and are even a part of those delectable s’mores roasted over campfires. Simply put, these fluffy sweets are a part of our joys, diets, traditions, and life.
Best Marshmallow Brands
The market is overflowing with marshmallow brands, from classic favorites to innovative newcomers. Let’s narrow down your options with a comprehensive list based on overall quality, flavors, textures, price, and other factors that matter.
1. Campfire: Overall Best Marshmallow Brands
As puffy, pillowy, and crispy as marshmallows can get, Campfire marshmallows have been the gold standard since 1917. Roast or enjoy them straight from the bag, and expect melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Campfire’s subtle, mild, almost vanilla vibe wins the taste test, leaving you clamoring for more. The best part: they’re allergen-free! No gluten, artificial colors, nuts, dairy, eggs, or wheat. Next time you seek Kosher marshmallow brands, you know where to find them. Also, Campfire spoils you for choice with several flavors and sizes like regular, Fruitswirlers, Giants, and Minis.
Pros |
Cons |
Perfect Texture | Nutritionally Sparse |
Nostalgic Taste | Messy to deal with when roasted |
Versatile | |
Allergen-free |
2. Dandies: Best Vegan Marshmallow Brands
A vegan’s delight, they are delectable, plant-based, gelatin-free, and additive-free. The brand replaces corn syrup with tapioca and vegan cane sugar to sweeten things up, naturally. Also, it’s easy to fall for their soft, fluffy, chewy texture crafted in a dedicated gluten-free space. These marshmallows offer slight resistance before melting in your mouth and delivering that pure, subtle, and authentic vanilla flavor. These sweet treats also lend themselves well to hot chocolates, s’mores, or anything you can whip up with marshmallows. However, the brand restricts your flavor choices.
Pros |
Cons |
100% Natural | Limited Flavor Variety |
Cruelty-free | Limited availability worldwide |
Versatile | |
Kosher under cRc’s supervision |
3. Trader Joe’s: Best Snackable Marshmallow Brand
Not your average marshmallows, they are dense, squishy, soft, and weighty, and retain their creamy texture when roasted. Get ready to indulge in the vanilla undertones accentuated by the balanced sweetness. Yes, they are sweet but not too much. The best part? They’re gluten-free, Kosher, and vegan. Speaking of versatility, these little treats are ideal for s’mores and crispy treats. On the downside, the brand offers them seasonally to maintain quality and freshness.
Pros |
Cons |
Retains texture when roasted | Pricier |
Dense, Soft, and Weighty | Seasonally Availability |
Vegan, Kosher, Gluten-free | Limited Flavor Variety |
Versatile |
4. Malvi Mallow: Best Luxury Marshmallow Brand
Malvi marshmallows meet all the criteria for a luxury brand: quality, creativity, and craftsmanship. These little cubes are handcrafted with precision and love from the finest ingredients. Think dried hibiscus, whole vanilla beans, and fair trade cocoa whipped up into fluffy goodness. Malvi takes the flavor to a new level with creative twists like raspberry hibiscus. Malvi marshmallows are not just delicious but downright fancy also, coming in elegant designs. However, they are pricier and not easily available at grocery stores. But then, luxury brands are rare and exclusive, aren’t they?
Pros |
Cons |
Handcrafted with All-Natural Ingredients | Pricier |
Bold, Diverse Flavor Profile | Not Easily Available |
Vegan and Gluten-free | |
Unique Flavors |
5. Jet-Puffed: Most Versatile Marshmallow Brand
Call them the Swiss Army knives of desserts — versatile, always handy, and easily available. They come in 30+ variants, like jumbo ones for roasting, mini ones for baking and topping, color-changing ones for a magical touch, and creme ones for delightful dessert spreads. They taste great and last longer, so you’re always prepared for a marshmallow emergency. However, they’re not for vegans or those looking for all-natural or low-sugar options.
Pros |
Cons |
30+ Flavors | Non-Vegan & Non-Cruelty-Free |
Easily Available | Artificial Ingredients |
Long Shelf Life | High Sugar Content |
Sub-premium Prices |
6. Kroger: Cheapest Marshmallow Brand
Not the winner in our taste test, these marshmallows are a reliable and cost-effective choice. While other brands might charge $4 a pop, Kroger’s marshmallows come in at a sweet $1.20 a pack. You can also trust these soft, sweet, white (or pink) marshmallows to roast, bake, and top well. However, we found them loaded with sugar, unavailable in jumbo sizes, non-cruelty free, and more sticky and messy when roasted. Plus, you won’t find them at Krogers only.
Pros |
Cons |
Easy on the pocket | Non-Vegan & Non-Cruelty-Free |
Soft & Chewy | Artificial Ingredients |
Versatile | Sticky and Messy when Roasted |
Limited Availability & Flavor Variety |
7. Marshmelts: Best Vegetarian Marshmallow Brands
Marshmelts come from the house of Kandy Factory, the maker of Orileys Gummy Candy and Jelly Candy. These feathery, buttery, and chewy treats contain real fruit and 100% vegetarian ingredients, free from gluten, preservatives, egg whites, and artificial colors. The best part is the extra layer of powdered vanilla mist for a flavor boost and a slightly rougher texture. The water used in them comes straight from the air around us. How’s that for resource efficiency?
Pros |
Cons |
100% Vegetarian, Vegan, & Cruelty-Free | Pricier |
Soft, Chewy, Buttery, & Slightly Rough | Sticky and Messy |
Ideal for Roasting, Toasting, & Toppings | Too buttery for some |
Vast Range for all Tastes |
8. Peeps: Best Kids Marshmallow Brands
Peeps marshmallows have been an Easter staple for the past seven decades. Kids love their marshmallows’ cute little chicks, bunnies, and other shapes, decked out in colorful sugar coats. Hints of fruity and other flavors like strawberry, raspberry, and more add an extra punch to that sugary goodness. Even color choices are extensive, think Yellow, Pink, Blue, Lavender, and more. Plus, their versatility allows you to get innovative with crispy recipes. Peeps’ are your go-to option if you are ready to put up with artificial additives, an extra dose of sweetness, and variable texture.
Pros |
Cons |
Soft, Chewy, & Sweet | Too Sweet for some |
Vast Range of Shapes, Colors, & Flavors | Artificial Additives |
Good for Roasting, Toasting, & Toppings | Texture varies drastically |
Great Easter basket filler | Non-vegan & Non-cruelty-free |
9. Smashmallows: Healthy Marshmallow Brands
These gourmet marshmallows keep it simple, delicious, and healthy. The brand replaces ordinary sugar with organic cane sugar and clean ingredients to create marshmallows in various flavors, like Cinnamon Churro, Coconut Pineapple, Meyer Lemon Poppy Seed, Mint Chocolate Chip, and Cookie Dough. These sweet treats offer 80 Calories per 4-piece serving, making them ideal for those watching their weight. Plus, the resealable bags make them perfect for snacking on the move. Talk about convenience! On the downside, they come with certified kosher non-GMO bovine gelatin.
Pros |
Cons |
Made with Organic cane sugar | Contains non-GMO bovine gelatin |
Gluten-free & Non-GMO Certified | Pricier |
Diverse, Unique Flavors | |
Available in resealable bags | |
Low Calory Count per Serving |
10. HARIBO Chamallows
Call them pillowy clouds of sweetness – airy, delicate, and white (or pink). Just pop one in your mouth and let it melt away and ooze that heavenly marshmallow goodness. Toast them over a barbecue, dip them in chocolate fondue, or get creative with Chamallow lollipop creations, there’s no wrong way to enjoy them. Sadly, these marshmallows are unsuitable for vegetarians or vegans due to gelatine. The flavor options are also limited.
Pros |
Cons |
Airy, Delicate | Contains Gelatin |
Balanced Taste | Limited Flavors |
Versatile |
Tips to Choose Marshmallow Brands for Your Unique Needs
With so many marshmallow brands, selecting the one for your taste buds is the real deal. There’s no wrong choice when it comes to marshmallows—just pick the ones that make you grin from ear to ear. Here’s how to do it.
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Texture:
Regular Marshmallows: These are your classic, fluffy marshmallows—soft, airy, and perfect for toasting over a fire or dunking in hot cocoa.
Mini Marshmallows: These itty-bitty ones are great for topping off your favorite drinks or desserts. They melt in quickly and spread sweetness evenly.
Jumbo Marshmallows: If you’re all about that gooey center, go big with jumbo marshmallows! They’re just right for making epic s’mores or indulging in a sweet snack.
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Flavor:
Vanilla: The old faithful flavor that goes with everything. Vanilla marshmallows are a safe bet for any dessert adventure.
Fruit Flavors: Fancy a fruity twist? Try marshmallows in strawberry, raspberry, or lemon for a burst of freshness.
Chocolate: Get your chocolate fix with these marshmallows—perfect for s’mores or stirring into hot cocoa for an extra chocolaty kick.
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Color:
White: Keep it classic with white marshmallows that match any occasion or mood.
Pastel Colors: Add some fun to your treats with pastel marshmallows, guaranteed to brighten up your day.
Rainbow: Feeling playful? Go for the multicolored marshmallows that bring a burst of color to your snack time.
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Ingredients:
Gelatin-Based: Traditional marshmallows use gelatin, typically from animal sources. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, look out for plant-based options.
Natural vs. Artificial Flavors: Whether you’re a purist or don’t mind a little artificial flavor, there’s a marshmallow out there for you.
Specialty Marshmallows: Flavored Marshmallows: Dive into the world of unique flavors like caramel, mint, or even toasted coconut.
Stuffed Marshmallows: Get surprised by marshmallows with hidden fillings like chocolate, caramel, or peanut butter.
Decorative Shapes: Add a touch of whimsy to your desserts with fun shapes like hearts or stars.
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Intended Use:
Baking: Choose marshmallows that keep their shape when melted for your baking adventures.
Hot Chocolate: Float some mini marshmallows on top of your hot chocolate for a cozy treat.
Snacking: Simply grab your favorite flavor and texture for a delightful snack-time indulgence.
Conclusion:
Trust these marshmallow brands to cater to your every craving and requirement. Their expertise and diverse offerings make them your go-to choice for delicious, flavorful, and wholesome marshmallows. Upon thorough deliberation, we handpicked these brands based on price, ingredients, taste, texture, availability, and other criteria that matter. The idea is to narrow your options in various categories and help you choose well. Stay tuned for more informative content.
FAQs:
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Which is the best marshmallow brand?
Campfire marshmallows stand out as the top choice overall—healthy, delicious, cruelty-free, and well-balanced.
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Is marshmallow halal?
Some brands do offer halal options but not all marshmallows are halal. Read the ingredient list before buying.
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What are some marshmallow brands without pork gelatin?
A few popular gelatin-free marshmallow brands include Dandies, Trader Joe’s, Malvi Mallow, Marshmelts, and more.
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Feature Image by KamranAydinov on Freepik
A wordsmith, avid traveler, rationalist, brand loyalist, sports-freak, and an independent researcher, Rohit has authored 18000 writeups for some of the leading online and offline publications in the past 10 years. He digs into information, weaves narratives, and distills complex subjects into engaging content.