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September has flown by without really feeling like fall at all. We actually had a huge heat wave here in the Midwest just last week! I have to admit, it has felt a little strange talking about fall foods like pumpkin pie and casseroles, when it has been so warm. I’m actually ready for the weather to cool off a little. It’s nice that it’s finally happening. I want to enjoy my sugar-free marshmallows next to a campfire!
Trying To Roast Low Carb Marshmallows
I actually planned this sugar-free marshmallow recipe a couple months ago, for when the cooler weather hits. Truthfully, it has been too hot to test out how well they roast over a campfire.
I did try “roasting” one over my gas cook top stove. Sadly, it didn’t work. As I held it over heat, it just started to melt and drip all over the place. That makes sense when you think about it, because sugar-free marshmallows don’t have any sugar to caramelize when roasting.
Another idea I had was using these marshmallows to make s’mores bars. Unfortunately, the marshmallow layer just melted and absorbed into the crust.
My Other Low Carb Recipes:
My Other Low Carb Recipes:
The good news is, low carb marshmallows are still delicious on their own. I understand the appeal of roasting, but they’re good even without that part. They do still get gooey before totally melting.
Besides, these are amazing for s’mores if you time the heat just right. You want to heat the marshmallows for just a few seconds, so that they just barely start to melt. Then, make the s’mores with them immediately, pressing down before they cool. Even though you don’t get the caramelized exterior, this method works!
Speaking of s’mores, they were the main reason I wanted to make sugar-free marshmallows. I wanted to pair them with the gluten-free graham crackers recipe that I was working on. With those, you can make sugar-free s’mores!
Homemade Marshmallows Without Corn Syrup
Marshmallows are usually made with a mix of granulated sugar and corn syrup to sweeten. The corn syrup is actually there to prevent the sugar from recrystallizing.
Some homemade marshmallow recipes use cream of tartar to accomplish this instead. That way, there is no corn syrup. But, I suspected that this wouldn’t work well with a sugar-free sweetener, like erythritol. It just never reacts to anything the same way as sugar does.
Instead of trying to find ways to reduce the crystals, my solution is to use a combination of powdered erythritol and vanilla stevia. The powdered sweetener takes a long time to crystallize. I’ve stored these for multiple days without having that issue. The texture is not 100% identical to traditional sugar marshmallows, but they are pretty close.
The other advantage of using two sweeteners is that they taste better than one alone. Combining the powdered erythritol and liquid stevia worked well here.
Like most recipes, these are gluten-free marshmallows. I don’t know of any kind that contain gluten, anyway. The main advantage with these is that you avoid the sugar, too.
How To Make Sugar-free Marshmallows
Just a few ingredients are required to make sugar-free marshmallows. For this recipe, you’ll need gelatin, water, sweeteners, sea salt and vanilla extract. If you don’t count the salt and water (they are usually omitted when counting ingredients), you only need four ingredients total. Pretty simple!
The only annoying part about making low carb marshmallows is that you have to beat them for a long time. It takes ten to fifteen minutes with a hand mixer! If you have a stand mixer, this is the time to take advantage of it. That way, you can do something else while it does its thing.
You want to beat the marshmallows until stiff peaks form, but don’t overmix. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to spread the marshmallow creme into the pan, and the texture of the final product may be off.
If you’re wondering how to store your marshmallows, they will be fine at room temperature. Line an air tight container with parchment paper and arrange them in a single layer. If you need multiple layers, line with more paper between them.
And, don’t forget to come back in a couple days for the gluten-free graham crackers. I’ll show you how I use them to make sugar-free s’mores!
More Low Carb Recipes To Love
Sugar-Free Marshmallows Recipe Without Corn Syrup:
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RECIPE CARD
Sugar-Free Marshmallows Recipe Without Corn Syrup
PrintIngredients
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- 2 tbsp Gelatin
- 1 cup Water (warm, divided)
- 1 1/2 cup Powdered erythritol
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla liquid stevia
- 1/4 tsp Sea salt
- 2 tsp Vanilla extract
Instructions
More TIPS about this recipe in the post above!
VIDEO + NUTRITION INFO + RECIPE NOTES below!
Line an 8x8 in (20x20 cm) pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
Pour 1/2 cup (118 mL) warm water into a large bowl (it will barely cover the bottom of the bowl). Sprinkle gelatin over the water and whisk immediately. Set aside.
Meanwhile, add remaining 1/2 cup (118 mL) water, powdered erythritol, stevia, and sea salt to a large saucepan. Heat over low to medium heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently, until the mixture is hot, but not boiling, and sweetener dissolves. (The color will change from opaque to slightly translucent, and remove immediately as soon as you see bubbles starting to form at the edges.)
- Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour the hot liquid into the large bowl with gelatin, while whisking constantly.
Using a hand mixer on high power, beat the mixture for about 12-15 minutes, until the volume doubles and the mixture looks very fluffy, like stiff egg white peaks.
- Transfer the marshmallow mixture into the prepared pan.
- Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight, until firm and no longer sticky. Use a sharp chef's knife to cut into squares.
SIMILAR KETO LOW CARB RECIPES
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 4 1-inch marshmallows each
NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database. You can find individual ingredient carb counts we use in the Low Carb & Keto Food List. Carb count excludes sugar alcohols. Net carb count excludes both fiber and sugar alcohols, because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.
More Low Carb & Keto Support!
If you want to know more about how to start a low carb diet, want to substitute sweeteners, need a food list, or need support, check these guides:
Low Carb & Keto Diet Plan
Starter Guide 
Sweetener Conversion Calculator 
Keto Low Carb Macro Calculator 
Low Carb Keto Food List
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34 Comments
Misti
Would this work in a recipe for Fudge???
My Mom made the BEST fudge, simply using Kraft’s recipe on marshmallow fluff. Obviously NOT an acceptable dessert for KETO.
Tried a few keto fudge recipes but they are NOT what I consider fudge. More like frozen chocolate bars & they melt immediately out of the freezer. The only thing I can think of that these recipes are not working, is they’re missing the marshmallow fluff.
If possible, I was thinking of using it prior to setting, to avoid having to melt the marshmallows again. What do you think?
Thanks 🙂
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Misti, I haven’t tried using it for that, and have not made fudge using regular marshmallow fluff either, so can’t say. Let me know if it works for you.
Jackie K Funk
Due to having type 2 diabetes & still want my sugar free hot chocolate but I also want marshmallows. These were PERFECT!!
Renee
The taste was pretty good. After they sat for a little while, the vanilla flavor got really intense, to the point you’d rather not eat them alone. They also got a little watery afterword. I think that was my fault; I don’t think I mixed it quite long enough. Also I’d recommend using a stand mixer instead. I think that would help with the texture.
TheArtemisMoon
Mine came out more like meringue. Is that how they are supposed to be? If not, what might have gone wrong? Thanks.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
I’m not quite sure what you mean. Was the texture too stiff? It’s possible that they dried out, or that you over mixed them.
Ron
Can you sub Agar for the gelatin?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Ron, Sorry, I haven’t tried that. Let me know if it works for you.
Maria
Hello! Will this recipe work well with popcorn (to make popcorn balls)? Is the end product sticky or does it firm up? Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Maria, I haven’t tried that. It’s sticky at first but then firms up when it sets. You could probably mix it before it sets? Note that with the popcorn it wouldn’t be low carb or keto, but if you are only avoiding sugar, it will still be sugar-free.
Cass
Any ideas on how to do this with pectin instead of gelatin? I’m trying to cut down on animal products. Thanks!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Cass, Sorry, I haven’t tried these with pectin. Please let me know if it works for you.
Allison Shaw
How many packets of gelatin would be equivalent of 2 tbsp?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Allison, I used gelatin that comes in a canister. If you’re using packets, it might vary by brand but usually a packet is 2 1/2 tsp. So, 2 tbsp would be 2 packets + another teaspoon (part of a 3rd packet).
Jessica
Will this marshmallow recipe work for cooking on a stick in a fire for smores? I understand that it probably won’t carmelize, but will it at least get gooey enough to eat with chocolate and some crackers from your recipe?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Jessica, They do get gooey, but much faster than “regular” marshmallows. Remove them from heat before they start to just melt and place between graham crackers with chocolate right away, then it does work. Not as perfectly as marshmallows with sugar, but still doable.
Kourtney
I really dislike the stevia aftertaste. With using vanilla extract and swerve do you find the stevia necessary?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Kourtney, You can try it without stevia, but they would be less sweet. You can’t really add more Swerve to compensate because it starts to crystallize and affects the texture.
Melody
Would this work with Swerve sweetener?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Melody! Yes, Swerve will work! I hope you like them!
Maria Morrey
Hi Maya, my name is Maria. I really want to start the Keto diet, but I have one problem. I am allergic to all artificial sugars, and I have tried them all. Anyway what can I substitute for the sweetener that I will need for a recipe?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Maria, What have you tried? I don’t use any artificial sweeteners, only natural sweeteners. You can find more info and a conversion chart in my sweetener guide. For this particular recipe you need a powdered sweetener.
Susan
Can I use non powdered xylitol instead of powdered or will it work if I put it in the blender first? Thank you. I have been wanting sugar free marshmallows for a long time.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Susan, The sweetener needs to be powdered, otherwise the marshmallows will set but they will be grainy/gritty. You could try powdering it yourself in a food processor or coffee grinder and see if that will get it fine enough.
Vicki Ponichtera
I have been looking and looking for a really good sugar-free marshmallow recipe, and today I found it! Thank you, thank you, thank you! A recipe I’d been using called for 1/2 cup of honey (not sugar-free, but better than sugar), and I wasn’t really happy with the taste. I came across your recipe today and immediately went into the kitchen to make them. I added 2 tablespoons of organic raw cacao to my batch, and YUM! I placed my batch in the pan and placed in the fridge, then I scraped the mixing bowl and put that into a cup of coffee (which is what I’m looking to do with these marshmallows). OMG! Wonderful! Thank you again!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Thank you, Vicki!
Kimberly
Hello, could nuts/seed/rice cereal be added before it sets to make krispie-like treats?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Kimberly, Yes! I love this idea!
Michelle K.
Have you tried “roasting” the marshmallows from above (with the marshmallows resting on a plate, or a graham cracker platform), using a crème brûlée torch? I wonder how that would work.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Michelle, I haven’t tried that. I’m not sure it would work since the marshmallows have no sugar to caramelize, but I think it’s worth a try! Let me know how it goes if you do.
Luna
Your marshmallows look amazing! I don’t have a stand mixer so this is gonna be some serious work out for the hands and arms. Hahaha.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Luna, this definitely would be quite the workout without the stand mixer. You should look into getting one, I use mine frequently and it’s totally worth it. This is the one I use: https://amzn.to/2ronelI
Tresa Lovejoy
Have you tried trying to follow a traditional recipe, and swapping the corn syrup for FiberYum and the sugar for powdered sweetener?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Tresa, This recipe already uses powdered sweetener. I haven’t tried it with fiber syrup, but let me know how it goes if you try!