Yes, most marshmallows contain gelatin. Standard marshmallows from brands like Jet-Puffed, Campfire, and Rocky Mountain all use gelatin as a core ingredient — it’s what gives marshmallows their signature stretchy, squishy texture. The gelatin is typically derived from pork or beef collagen, which means traditional marshmallows are not vegetarian or vegan.
That said, there are gelatin-free marshmallow brands available (we’ll cover those below), and the type of gelatin used varies by brand — which matters if you follow a halal, kosher, or plant-based diet.
Here’s everything you need to know about marshmallow ingredients, which brands use which type of gelatin, and the best alternatives if you’re avoiding animal products.
- What Are Marshmallows Made Of?
- Why Is Gelatin in Marshmallows?
- What Type of Gelatin Do Marshmallows Use?
- Are Marshmallows Vegetarian?
- Are Marshmallows Dairy-Free?
- Are Marshmallows Gluten-Free?
- Best Gelatin-Free Marshmallow Brands
- How to Check if Your Marshmallows Contain Gelatin
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Bottom Line
What Are Marshmallows Made Of?
A regular marshmallow is essentially a sugar foam — sweetened, whipped up with air, and held together by gelatin. The basic recipe hasn’t changed much since the 1950s when Alex Doumakes invented the extrusion process that made mass production possible.
The standard ingredient list for commercial marshmallows includes:
- Sugar — the primary sweetener
- Corn syrup — adds sweetness and prevents crystallization
- Water — dissolves the sugar and activates the gelatin
- Gelatin — the structural agent that traps air and creates that chewy, elastic texture
- Cornstarch — used as a coating to prevent sticking
- Natural or artificial flavoring — typically vanilla
That’s it. Marshmallows are surprisingly simple — but gelatin is the ingredient that does the heavy lifting. Without it, the sugar mixture would just be a flat, sticky syrup. Gelatin is what makes marshmallows marshmallows.
If you’ve ever wondered how gelatin actually works in food or where it comes from, our guide on what gelatin is made of breaks it down in detail.
Why Is Gelatin in Marshmallows?
Gelatin plays a very specific role in marshmallows that’s difficult to replicate with other ingredients.
When gelatin is dissolved in warm water, its protein strands partially unravel. As the mixture cools, some of those strands wind back together into a tangled three-dimensional network, while others stay loose and flexible. This combination of firm and bendy structures is what gives gelatin its unique elasticity.
During marshmallow production, air is whipped into the gelatin-sugar mixture just above the gelatin’s melting point (around 95°F / 35°C). When the mixture cools, the gelatin matrix solidifies around the air bubbles, locking them in place. This is why marshmallows are puffy, soft, and bounce back when you squeeze them.
Gummy bears use the same basic science, just with a higher concentration of gelatin for a firmer chew. You can see how this works across other candies in our breakdown of which candies have gelatin.
What Type of Gelatin Do Marshmallows Use?
This is where it gets important for anyone following dietary restrictions. Not all marshmallow gelatin is the same.
Pork-Based Gelatin
Most major American marshmallow brands use pork-derived gelatin. This includes:
- Jet-Puffed (Kraft) — uses pork gelatin. General Mills has confirmed that the gelatin in their marshmallow products (like Lucky Charms cereal marshmallows) is also made from pork collagen.
- Campfire Marshmallows — pork gelatin
- Store-brand/generic marshmallows — almost always pork gelatin unless specifically labeled otherwise
Pork-based gelatin is cheaper and more widely available in the US market, which is why it dominates.
Beef-Based Gelatin
Some specialty or artisan marshmallow brands use beef gelatin instead. This is relevant for anyone avoiding pork for religious or personal reasons:
- Ziyad Halal Marshmallows — uses beef gelatin and is halal-certified
- Sugar Rush Marshmallows — uses beef gelatin to be more inclusive
- Various halal marshmallow brands available online and in international grocery stores
If you want to learn more about the differences between gelatin sources, our beef gelatin guide covers everything from sourcing to how it behaves in recipes. For halal-specific questions, our halal gelatin guide explains certification and what to look for on labels.
No Gelatin (Vegan Brands)
Several brands make marshmallows entirely without gelatin — more on these in the alternatives section below.
Are Marshmallows Vegetarian?
No. Traditional marshmallows are not vegetarian because gelatin is an animal-derived ingredient — it’s made by processing the bones, skin, and connective tissues of pigs or cows. There’s no way around this: if the ingredient list says “gelatin,” the product contains animal material.
This catches many people off guard because marshmallows look and taste like a simple sugar candy. But gelatin is fundamental to how they’re made. It’s the same reason why many other seemingly innocent foods contain hidden animal products — something we explore in more detail in our article on whether Jello is vegetarian or vegan.
What About Marshmallow Fluff?
Interestingly, Marshmallow Fluff (the brand name product by Durkee-Mower) and Smucker’s Marshmallow Topping are actually gelatin-free. They get their texture from egg whites and corn syrup rather than gelatin. This makes them vegetarian — though not vegan, since they contain eggs.
If you need a spreadable marshmallow product that’s completely plant-based, Ricemellow Creme by Suzanne’s Specialties is vegan and uses brown rice syrup as its base.
Are Marshmallows Dairy-Free?
Yes. This is one area where marshmallows get a pass. Standard marshmallows do not contain milk, butter, cream, or any other dairy ingredient. The core ingredients — sugar, corn syrup, water, gelatin, and starch — are all dairy-free.
If you’re avoiding dairy specifically (but not all animal products), regular marshmallows are fine. Our article on whether gelatin is dairy-free explains this distinction in more detail, since it’s a common point of confusion.
Are Marshmallows Gluten-Free?
Yes. Basic marshmallows are naturally gluten-free. They don’t contain wheat, barley, rye, or any other gluten source. The cornstarch coating is also gluten-free.
The only exception would be flavored or specialty marshmallows with added ingredients — for example, s’mores-flavored marshmallows with graham cracker pieces. Always check the label on flavored varieties.
Best Gelatin-Free Marshmallow Brands
If you’re vegan, vegetarian, or simply avoiding gelatin, these brands make marshmallows without any animal-derived ingredients:
Dandies
Dandies is the most widely available vegan marshmallow brand in the US. They’ve been on the market for over a decade and are sold at Whole Foods, Sprouts, and many natural food stores.
Ingredients: Tapioca syrup, cane sugar, filtered water, tapioca starch, carrageenan, soy protein, natural vanilla flavor.
They use carrageenan (a seaweed-derived gelling agent) and soy protein instead of gelatin. Available in regular, mini, peppermint, and maple flavors. Dandies are also kosher and halal-friendly since they contain no animal products.
Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s sells their own brand of vegan mini marshmallows year-round. The ingredient list is nearly identical to Dandies (tapioca syrup, cane sugar, water, tapioca starch, carrageenan, soy protein, natural vanilla flavor), and many people suspect they’re made by the same manufacturer. At roughly $2.99 per bag, they’re also the most affordable vegan option.
Yummallo
A newer brand that offers vegan marshmallows in both vanilla and strawberry flavors, plus chocolate-covered varieties. Available at some grocery stores and online.
Freedom Mallows
A UK-based brand that handmakes vegan marshmallows. Harder to find in the US but available through online retailers.
How Do Vegan Marshmallows Compare?
Vegan marshmallows taste very similar to regular marshmallows — the main differences are subtle. They tend to be slightly less white (more off-white/beige), a bit firmer, and they don’t melt quite as quickly. For s’mores, hot chocolate, or Rice Krispie treats, they work well. The texture is about 90% there, and the flavor is essentially the same.
If you want to explore other ways to replace gelatin in recipes beyond marshmallows, our gelatin substitutes guide covers agar-agar, carrageenan, pectin, and more.
How to Check if Your Marshmallows Contain Gelatin
The fastest way: read the ingredient list. Gelatin will always be listed explicitly — there’s no alternate name for it that hides what it is.
Here’s what to look for:
- “Gelatin” — animal-derived, not vegetarian or vegan
- “Pork gelatin” or “beef gelatin” — specifies the source (not all brands do this)
- “Carrageenan” or “agar” — plant-based alternatives, signals a vegan product
- “Fish gelatin” — rare in marshmallows but occasionally used in kosher or halal products
If the packaging says “vegan,” “plant-based,” or “gelatin-free,” you’re good. If it doesn’t say any of those things and you can’t find the ingredient list, assume it contains gelatin — because in the marshmallow world, that’s the default.
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost all traditional marshmallows do. Gelatin is what creates the fluffy, elastic texture. The exceptions are specifically labeled vegan or gelatin-free brands like Dandies, Trader Joe’s, and Yummallo, which use plant-based alternatives like carrageenan and soy protein.
Most American marshmallow brands (including Jet-Puffed and Campfire) use pork-derived gelatin. Some specialty brands use beef gelatin, and vegan brands use no animal gelatin at all. If avoiding pork is important to you, check the label or contact the manufacturer directly, since many brands don’t specify the gelatin source on the packaging.
No. Standard Rice Krispie Treats contain marshmallows, which means they contain gelatin. If you make them at home using vegan marshmallows (like Dandies), the result is gelatin-free.
Yes. Homemade vegan marshmallows typically use agar-agar (a seaweed-based gelling agent) combined with aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) whipped to stiff peaks. The process is a bit different from traditional marshmallow making, but the result is similar — fluffy, sweet, and toastable.
Yes. Peeps marshmallow candy does contain gelatin. We’ll be covering this in more detail in a dedicated article soon.
It depends on the gelatin source. Marshmallows made with pork gelatin are not halal. Marshmallows made with beef gelatin from properly slaughtered animals may be halal if certified. Vegan marshmallows are inherently halal since they contain no animal products. Look for halal certification on the packaging to be sure.
The Bottom Line
Most marshmallows contain gelatin — specifically pork gelatin in the majority of American brands. This means they’re not suitable for vegans, vegetarians, or anyone avoiding pork for religious or dietary reasons.
The good news is that the vegan marshmallow market has grown significantly, with brands like Dandies and Trader Joe’s offering widely available alternatives that taste nearly identical to the original. If gelatin is a concern for you, checking the ingredient list takes about five seconds and will tell you everything you need to know.
For more on which sweets and candies contain hidden gelatin (and which don’t), check out our complete guide: Which Candies Have Gelatin?
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