Keeping marshmallows fresh comes down to keeping them dry and cool. Find out three ways to do that.
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Soft, sweet, chewy, puffy marshmallows, if not stored properly, can get sticky and icky, depending in large part on the humidity level of where you live.
Do you have someone in the household who opens a bag of marshmallows, takes a handful, and then leaves the open bag on the counter or worse, tucked into a cupboard so you have no idea there are marshmallows going bad on your watch?
3 Ways to Keep Marshmallows Fresh
The freezer is your best option for keeping a bag of opened marshmallows fresh.
Properly packaged marshmallows will keep at least three to four months in your freezer, possibly longer.
Option B is storing the bag of opened marshmallows in your refrigerator.
You fridge is a slightly moister environment than your freezer so you’ll need to use a bit of cornstarch or powdered sugar in the bag to absorb any moisture in your refrigerator.
Just sprinkle a few teaspoons of cornstarch or powdered sugar into the bag of marshmallows, hold the opening closed and give it a couple good shakes.
Then put the opened bag into a resealable bag or airtight container.
Store in the refrigerator for two to three months.
Put Bread in Marshmallows Bag For Freshness
Perhaps you are camping or you have no space in your refrigerator or freezer or no access to refrigeration?
Tuck a slice of bread or a half a piece of bread into the opened bag of marshmallows, twirl the opening closed and seal it as tightly as possibly.
You could use a rubber band or a twist tie. Heck, in a pinch, I’ve even secured a bag with a teensy bit of duct tape or wrapping paper tape. Whatever works, right?
Marshmallows, as packaged, will last six to eight months after the “best by date” stamped on the bag as long as the bag hasn’t been opened.
Do you need recipes for using up those marshmallows you've kept fresh?
How about Shredded Wheat Easter Nests, Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats or S'mores Without Graham Crackers or Delish Smores Cookie Recipe or Best Ever Starbucks Copycat S'mores Bars.
What's In Marshmallows?
I like to call this explanation, better snacking through chemistry.
A typical marshmallow contains sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, plus some air, according to the American Chemical Society. A marshmallow is a foam, which has been stabilized with gelatin. The foam is composed of air suspended in a liquid sugar mixture.
That’s why marshmallows are so sensitive to moisture.
Yes, if you need to open a bag of marshmallows for a smores party of one or a recipe or a snack and you only eat a few, put the bag of marshmallows into a large airtight bag or a freezer safe container and store in the freezer until you need them again.
PRO TIP: Sprinkle a teaspoon or so of cornstarch or powdered sugar over the marshmallows or in the container and give it a shake before popping it in the freezer. The powdery ingredients will help prevent the marshmallows from sticking together. It will help break them apart if for some reason the marshmallows do stick.
If you don't have cornstarch or powdered sugar, try sprinkling a bit of potato starch or arrow root powder over the marshmallows instead.
Marshmallows get sticky due to their high sugar content and ability to absorb moisture from the air. The sticky texture is a result of the sugar molecules attracting and holding onto water molecules.
When marshmallows come into contact with moisture, like water or humid air, the sugar in them mixes with the water. This creates a syrup-like substance that coats the marshmallow and makes it sticky. The sugar in marshmallows really likes water and grabs it, causing the stickiness. So, when marshmallows get wet, the sugar and water combine and make them sticky.
Do you need recipes for using up those marshmallows you've kept fresh? How about Shredded Wheat Easter NestsChocolate Rice Krispie Treats or S'mores Without Graham Crackers or Delish Smores Cookie Recipe or Best Ever Starbucks Copycat S'mores Bars.
Get more marshmallow science from the American Chemistry Society.
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