How to Dye Marshmallows the Easy Way (Just 2 Ingredients!)
Learn how to dye marshmallows (and tie-dye!) with this wildly easy method. For crafting levels from zero to Martha Stewart, it’s so quick and simple that you’ll be coloring marshmallows for every holiday
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Here’s everything you need to know to dye marshmallows a pretty tie-dyed pattern! All you need are just a few ingredients. Marshmallows (we prefer the vegan marshmallows), natural food coloring, and water. We’ll also teach you how to get the prettiest of pinks or the most vibrant red you desire.
How to Dye Marshmallows (Even if You’re Vegan)
If you’re plant-based, you don’t have to miss out on the classic Easter festivities! Ditch the egg decorating but not the decorating fun with this two-ingredient Easter project. Vegan marshmallows provide the perfect canvas on which to swirl, dunk, and dye.
By using vegan marshmallows, you’re not just avoiding eggs, but also the gelatin found in conventional marshmallows. Gelatin is produced from animal collagen found in bones, hooves, snouts, and other undesirable animal parts leftover after slaughtering. Once you’ve read the full story on how gelatin is made, you’ll probably want to skip the Jell-O and all other gelatin-made products such as marshmallows.
Buying the Ingredients for Your Dyed Marshmallows
You can choose any organic marshmallow. If you are plant-based there are a couple of gelatin-free options for marshmallows. Dandies air-puffed vegan marshmallows hold up great and look gorgeous once dyed.
Whether your vegan or not, we recommend plant-based food coloring for their pretty hues. Not only that, by using plant-based coloring, you’re avoiding the artificial coloring and parabens in conventional food coloring. When shopping for plant-based coloring, try your local natural food store such as Whole Foods or try an online retailer.
Coloring Marshmallows Using Natural Dyes
When it comes to food dye, I tend to like liquid or gel, but any will work. India Tree’s natural food coloring will produce vivid colors and is made from vegetables including beets and cabbage. Watkins also makes all natural food dyes in a variety of colors. Both of the aforementioned dyes will allow you to color your marshmallows to be just as festive and vibrant as traditional easter eggs.
Serve your tie dyed marshmallows next to these pretty pink pickled beet deviled eggs. And if you need an easy egg dish try these veggie loaded paleo egg cups and plate it up with this orange, beet, and watercress salad.
How to Color Marshmallows at Home
Ingredients
Preparation
- Mix 3-4 drops of food coloring with ¼ cup water in a bowl or cup. Mix with a spoon. Add more dye or water until desired color is achieved.
- Dunk a marshmallow into the colored water mixture either using your gloved hands or skewers. You can do this bare-handed but you might have a bit of staining for a few days. Leave marshmallow in for no more than 5 minutes otherwise, it will start to disintegrate.
- For tie-dye marshmallows, dip a cotton swab in the colored water. Dab it onto a skewered marshmallow, leaving space in between each dot. Dip the other end of the swab into a different color and dab blank areas. The colors will start to bleed on the marshmallow and form a tie-dye effect.
- Dry marshmallows on a cooling rack at room temperature for 4-5 hours, until they are no longer sticky.
- For added flair, drizzle marshmallows with chocolate (white or dark) and sprinkle with candy or sprinkles!
*Our test kitchen independently evaluates and reviews products for the OA community. If you click on the links provided, we may receive compensation which helps to keep the lights on. Learn more.
