You may remember grabbing a bag of marshmallows from the snack cupboard when you were a kid, only to find your brother had left the bag opened and the marshmallows had all become hard little rocks. That inadvertent “forgot to seal the bag” approach is still the most foolproof way to harden marshmallows — exposing them to the air — but is not necessarily the fastest way to do it. A combination of a short exposure to hot air, followed by a rapid cool-down, is the next best thing when you need to harden marshmallows quickly.
Place marshmallows on a microwave-safe plate, arranged in a single layer with space between each one.
Put the plate in the microwave and heat the marshmallows on high for 60 to 90 seconds. You should see them increase in size while they heat up.
Remove the marshmallows from the microwave and let them sit for five minutes. They will shrink back down to their original size and will harden during that time.
Place the baking sheet in the oven, close the door and turn off the heat. Leave the marshmallows in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
Take the baking sheet out of the oven and let it sit out in the air until the marshmallows are cool and hard. You can also put them in the refrigerator to speed their cooling and hardening.
If you are using miniature marshmallows, reduce the microwave time to 30 to 45 seconds. Times do not change for the oven hot air method.
Do not heat marshmallows in the microwave for more than two minutes — they will become brown or black and crunchy.
As a national security analyst for the U.S. government, Molly Thompson wrote extensively for classified USG publications. Thompson established and runs a strategic analysis company, is a professional genealogist and participates in numerous community organizations.Thompson holds degrees from Wellesley and Georgetown in psychology, political science and international relations.
As anyone who’s ever made a s’more knows, marshmallows get pretty sticky when melted or cooked. The last thing you want is to accidentally burn yourself with the sticky mixture. Likewise, if you leave melted marshmallows out too long then they’ll begin to harden.
As a national security analyst for the U.S. government, Molly Thompson wrote extensively for classified USG publications. Thompson established and runs a strategic analysis company, is a professional genealogist and participates in numerous community organizations.Thompson holds degrees from Wellesley and Georgetown in psychology, political science and international relations.
Take the baking sheet out of the oven and let it sit out in the air until the marshmallows are cool and hard. You can also put them in the refrigerator to speed their cooling and hardening.
Do not heat marshmallows in the microwave for more than two minutes — they will become brown or black and crunchy.
Place the baking sheet in the oven, close the door and turn off the heat. Leave the marshmallows in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes.
You may remember grabbing a bag of marshmallows from the snack cupboard when you were a kid, only to find your brother had left the bag opened and the marshmallows had all become hard little rocks. That inadvertent “forgot to seal the bag” approach is still the most foolproof way to harden marshmallows — exposing them to the air — but is not necessarily the fastest way to do it. A combination of a short exposure to hot air, followed by a rapid cool-down, is the next best thing when you need to harden marshmallows quickly.
If youre making homemade marshmallows or crispy rice squares, or if you just want to harden regular commercial marshmallows, remember that marshmallows become hard through exposure to air and cool temperatures.
This method works well if youre hardening marshmallows for a craft project for kids. The marshmallows become firm and dry, and they are not appealing to eat.
Storing them in a tightly closed container is the best way to keep them soft and fresh. Provide the opposite environment, and they become hard.
Spray the knife with nonstick cooking spray prior to cutting marshmallows and crispy rice squares to reduce sticking. A pizza knife works well for slicing through homemade marshmallows.
Melting marshmellows: Fast Video
FAQ
What happens if I melt marshmallows?
How do you melt marshmallows without hardening them?
How long does it take for marshmallows to get hard?
How do you fix runny marshmallows?
Does melted marshmallow Harden as it cools?
Yes, the melted marshmallow will harden as it cools and sets. As the mixture cools, the sugar and gelatin in the marshmallow start solidifying, giving it its characteristic texture.
Is marshmallow gluten free?
Most marshmallow are gluten-free, although, some may contain trace amounts of gluten. So, people with gluten intolerance must take the ones labeled as gluten-free.
How do you harden marshmallows if they’re too soft?
Chill the marshmallows for at least 1 hour to allow them to harden. Remove marshmallows from the refrigerator, and cut crispy rice treats or homemade marshmallows into squares. If they’re still too soft, return them and allow them to continue to harden. This method works well if you’re hardening marshmallows for a craft project for kids.
Can You harden marshmallows in the fridge or oven?
You can harden marshmallows in the fridge or oven. If you’re making homemade marshmallows or crispy rice squares, or if you just want to harden regular commercial marshmallows, remember that marshmallows become hard through exposure to air and cool temperatures. Storing them in a tightly closed container is the best way to keep them soft and fresh.