what is a marshmallow made of

Quick Scoop

A marshmallow is usually made from sugar, corn syrup, water, and gelatin, plus flavoring and sometimes egg white or food coloring. Modern marshmallows do not use the marshmallow plant; that was part of the older historical recipe.

What gives it the fluff

The soft, spongy texture comes from whipping air into a hot sugar mixture and letting gelatin hold that structure in place as it cools. That’s why marshmallows feel light even though they’re mostly sugar-based.

Ingredients at a glance

Ingredient| Purpose
---|---
Sugar| Sweetness and structure 58
Corn syrup / dextrose| Helps texture and prevents crystallization 25
Water| Dissolves and cooks the mixture 58
Gelatin| Gives the marshmallow its bounce and shape 258
Flavoring / color| Adds taste and appearance 68

Historical note

Early marshmallows were made from the sap of the marsh mallow plant mixed with sweeteners and egg white, but today’s candy is a much more processed version of that original idea.

Bottom line

So, the short answer is: marshmallows are mostly a sweet foam made from sugar and gelatin, with air trapped inside.