Homemade Sugar Free Marshmallow Recipe with Maple Syrup
Are you trying to remove refined white sugar from your home baking? If so, you’ll love this sugar-free marshmallow recipe, that lets you enjoy homemade marshmallows without the guilt. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup, they’re a delicious choice for home cooks and bakers looking for a healthier alternative to traditional marshmallows.
How to Make Marshmallows with Maple Syrup
Making your own marshmallows might sound intimidating, but it’s actually easy with simple ingredients and a few kitchen tools. This gluten-free and dairy-free marshmallow recipe is great for beginners, requiring minimal prep work and easy-to-follow steps.
In addition to using up my leftovers as much as possible, I’m also on a quest to make as many of my own pantry staples as possible, things like homemade spaghetti sauce and dill pickles. Over on my other site, An Off Grid Life, I also have recipes for making homemade Nutella and even crackers with sourdough discard.
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients first to make sure the marshmallow mixture comes together smoothly. That’s right, just four ingredients. You’ll notice this recipe avoids added sugar, relying on maple syrup as a natural sweetener.
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 3 tablespoons organic unflavored gelatin
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
If you love maple syrup, check out my recipe for Maple Blondies.
Instructions
Follow these simple instructions to create fluffy, delicious marshmallows that rival store-bought marshmallows. And these ones don’t include cornstarch. You’ll have perfect marshmallows every time with the right tools like a candy thermometer and a whisk attachment for your KitchenAid stand mixer.
- Line a 7×11 or 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- Sprinkle gelatin evenly over lukewarm water in a small saucepan and set aside for 5 minutes to bloom.
- In a stand mixer bowl, combine maple syrup and vanilla extract, whisking gently to mix.
- Once gelatin has bloomed, heat it over medium heat, whisking frequently until just about to simmer—this step dissolves the gelatin.
- Remove the hot syrup from the heat and carefully pour it into the bowl with the maple syrup and vanilla mixture.
- Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer with a whisk attachment, mix on medium-high speed for 10-12 minutes until stiff peaks form.
- Immediately transfer the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan, spreading it quickly and evenly with a spatula as it begins to set fast.
- Chill the marshmallows in the freezer for 30 minutes.
- After chilling, remove from the freezer, cut with a sharp knife into your desired shape, and enjoy.
These homemade sugar-free marshmallows store well in an airtight container in the fridge. Try them in recipes like my S’mores cookies or toasted until golden brown over a campfire.
Add them to a cup of hot chocolate. Or turn them into a fun no-bake St. Patrick’s Day snack for kids.
Sugar-Free Marshmallow Recipe FAQs
Still have questions about making marshmallows at home? Below, you’ll find answers to some common questions. If you don’t see your question listed here, please leave a comment below.
Can I use sweeteners other than maple syrup?
Yes, you can substitute maple syrup with sugar alternatives like powdered erythritol or other natural sweeteners. Be aware that different sweeteners may slightly change the taste and texture of your marshmallows.
How should I store homemade marshmallows?
Store these marshmallows in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll maintain their texture better in cooler temperatures and last about a week.
Are these marshmallows good for keto or low-carb diets?
These marshmallows are indeed lower in carbs compared to traditional marshmallows. Using maple syrup instead of pure sugar significantly reduces their sugar content and makes them suitable for those watching their blood sugar or following a low-carb lifestyle.
Making your own homemade sugar-free marshmallows with maple syrup is an excellent way to indulge your sweet tooth without the sugar spike. Whether enjoyed as a topping for hot cocoa or used in other sweet treats, these marshmallows will surely become a staple in your kitchen.
Homemade Sugar Free Marshmallow Recipe with Maple Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 3 tbsp organic gelatin powder
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Line a 7×11 or 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.
- Sprinkle gelatin evenly over water in a small pot and set aside for 5 minutes.
- Add maple syrup and vanilla to a large mixing bowl and whisk.
- After gelatin has bloomed, place on medium/high heat and whisk frequently just until the mixture is about to come to a simmer. We are just dissolving the gelatin.
- Remove from heat and pour into maple syrup and vanilla mixture.
- Start mixing using a hand or stand mixture with whisk attachment on medium-high. Mixing will take 10-12 minutes. Once you reach stiff peaks the marshmallow mixture is ready.
- Immediately transfer to prepared baking dish and spread using a spatula as quickly and evenly as possible. The marshmallow will start to set immediately.
- Place tray in freezer for 30 minutes.
- After chilling, remove from freezer and cut into desired size pieces.
