Re-Dehydrate Marshmallows and Bring Back the Crunch
You know how it goes — you reach into the pantry for marshmallows, expecting that perfect little crunch, only to find they’ve gone soft and chewy instead. That’s exactly what happened to me this weekend when I started making my Peppermint Popcorn (recipe below). I had to buy a fresh bag because the ones I had were soft and chewy, not crisp. And honestly, I didn’t even realize you could buy those tiny dehydrated marshmallows — the kind in Lucky Charms cereal — until just last year! They’ve quickly become a favorite in my kitchen, but they’re not exactly cheap. So before tossing out the soft ones, I decided to experiment and see if I could “re-dehydrate” them and bring back that crunch.
How to Re-Dehydrate Marshmallows in an Air Fryer
I used my air fryer on the Dehydrate mode at 160°F and lined the pan with parchment paper. I probably had about 2–3 cups of marshmallows, so they weren’t in a single layer — but that didn’t seem to matter. I set the air fryer for 6 hours, then let them cool completely once the timer finished.
They came out good as new — perfectly crunchy and crisp again! I popped them back into a zip-top bag, and they’ll be ready for my next batch of Peppermint Popcorn. So glad I didn’t toss them!
Other Ways to Use Dehydrated Marshmallows
Once you’ve brought your marshmallows back to life, there are so many ways to use them!
- ☕ Hot Chocolate Mixes: Perfect for topping a steaming mug of cocoa or packaging in jars for easy homemade gifts.
- 🧁 Baking Treats: Sprinkle over brownies, cookies, or cupcakes just before baking for a sweet, crunchy topping.
- 🍿 Snack Mixes: Mix with pretzels, peanuts, and chocolate candies for a fun movie-night snack.
- 🥣 Cereal or Granola: Add them to cereal (think DIY Lucky Charms!) or homemade granola for a little extra crunch.
- 🍨 Ice Cream Topping: Toss a handful over ice cream or sundaes for a nostalgic twist.
- 🎁 Gift Jars or Party Favors: Layer dehydrated marshmallows in small jars with cocoa mix, sprinkles, or candies — easy and adorable!
