Standard marshmallows are made with gelatin, which is animal collagen, so they are not vegan. Purpose-made vegan marshmallows use plant gelling agents and are sold in most large supermarkets.
The problem ingredientGelatin, from animal collagen
Also commonEgg white in some recipes and in marshmallow fluff
Vegan versionsUse carrageenan, agar, aquafaba or soy protein
VerdictNot vegan (usually)
Where it hides
Bagged marshmallows and mini marshmallows
Hot chocolate topped as sold in cafes
Rice crispy squares and rocky road
Marshmallow fluff, which often uses egg white
S'mores kits and marshmallow-filled biscuits
Some breakfast cereals with dried marshmallow pieces
What a marshmallow is made of
A marshmallow is sugar and water whipped with a gelling agent until it holds air. The plant it is named after, marsh mallow root, has not been the gelling agent for well over a century.
Primary source 01 / 01
Gelatin is a collection of peptides and proteins produced by partial hydrolysis of collagen extracted from the skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals such as domesticated cattle, chickens, pigs, and fish.
Wikipedia contributorsWikipedia, quoted for its plain description of the ingredientGelatin, 2026
That is the whole answer. Gelatin is a slaughter by-product, and it is the ingredient doing the structural work, not a trace additive a brand might swap out. Our gelatin page covers its other appearances, from sweets to capsules to some filtered drinks.
Fluff, and the egg-white exception
Marshmallow fluff and creme are a separate product with a separate problem: many recipes use egg white rather than gelatin for aeration. That makes them unsuitable for vegans and, unlike gelatin marshmallows, sometimes acceptable to vegetarians, which is a distinction worth keeping straight when someone asks. Read the jar rather than assuming either way.
The vegan versions are good now
Vegan marshmallows replace gelatin with carrageenan, agar, soy protein or aquafaba, and the better brands toast and melt convincingly. They are sold in most large supermarkets and in every health food shop, usually labelled clearly on the front because the whole point of the product is that it solves this exact problem.
GelatinGelatin is boiled animal collagen, usually from pig or cow skin and bone. There is no plant version; the plant swaps are agar, pectin and carrageenan.
CollagenCollagen is the scaffolding of animal bodies: skin, bone, connective tissue. There is no plant version, so every real collagen supplement is animal-derived, and vegan collagen is a different thing wearing the same name.
Carrageenan (E407)Carrageenan is a thickener pulled from red seaweed. It has its critics on other grounds, but the vegan question is not one of them.
Agar (agar-agar, E406)Agar is the vegan answer to gelatin, a firm jelly set from seaweed. It has been doing this job in Asian kitchens for a very long time.
Frequently asked
Are marshmallows vegan?
Standard marshmallows are not. Their structure comes from gelatin, which is made from collagen taken from the skin and bones of cattle and pigs. Vegan marshmallows made with plant gelling agents are widely sold.
Are marshmallows vegetarian?
Gelatin marshmallows are not vegetarian either, since gelatin is a slaughter by-product. Some vegetarians make a personal exception, but the ingredient itself is animal-derived.
Is marshmallow fluff vegan?
Usually not. Many fluff and creme products use egg white for aeration rather than gelatin. Check the jar, since a few brands are plant-based.
What are vegan marshmallows made of?
Sugar and water whipped with a plant gelling agent, most often carrageenan, agar, soy protein or aquafaba. They toast and melt much like the standard version.
Do all marshmallows contain gelatin?
Nearly all mainstream brands do. Purpose-made vegan brands do not, and they say so on the front of the packet. If the label does not mention it, assume gelatin.
The sources
What each verdict rests on. Read them yourself.
Gelatin · Wikipedia contributors, 2026 · Quoted for what gelatin is and which animals it comes from.
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