The Tips You Need To Know For Microwaving Marshmallows (2024)

Matthew Wilson

·3 min read

You don't need a roaring fire to enjoy marshmallows. Just an ordinary kitchen microwave will do. Melted marshmallow fluff can be used in various desserts and dishes but also as a festive dip for those Graham crackers and gingerbread cookies. While it may seem simple enough — just toss the marshmallows into the microwave and hit start — melting marshmallows can be an extra sticky affair.

You will want to make sure that you approach it right to avoid a microwave full of sugary syrup and an afternoon scrubbing. There doesn't seem to be an exact number of marshmallows that you can microwave at one time. It really depends on the size of your microwave and your needs. However, we suggest you practice caution and go with a smaller number of marshmallows at first. This allows you to get a feel for how quickly they can melt. From there, you can increase the amount as needed. The most important thing to keep in mind is using a microwave-safe bowl. The last thing you want is a piping hot bowl that requires oven mittens or for your container to have melted due to non-microwavable plastic. Also, add a little bit of water to the mix to make things less thick when the marshmallows melt.

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How Long Do You Microwave Marshmallows

It's best to microwave marshmallows in short bursts. You don't want to let your marshmallows cook for more than 20 to 30 seconds at a time. It's best to check them about every 10 seconds to see how much they've melted. Marshmallows are a bit like butter in that regard. Likewise, you should stir the mixture so that the marshmallows melt evenly. You should also leave the bowl of marshmallows uncovered as it allows the heat from the microwave to directly heat the sweets.

Unlike when you cook marshmallows on the fire, you shouldn't expect marshmallows to burn. Instead, they should turn into a thick white liquid, which as mentioned above you can break up with water. Melting marshmallows should be a fairly quick process because marshmallows have an incredibly low melting point. They begin to melt at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. That being said, you should be careful when finished as it's likely that your marshmallows will be hot. 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. So it's something you want to use sooner rather than later.

Avoid Marshmallows Exploding In The Microwave

The Tips You Need To Know For Microwaving Marshmallows (2)

Failing to check your marshmallows in the microwave can have a rather messy side effect of microwaving marshmallows: They can explode, leaving the inside of your microwave looking like a sticky crime scene. Why does that explosion happen

It's all due to the air and gelatin inside of a marshmallow. A marshmallow is more than half air trapped by the elasticity of gelatin. That gelatin allows a marshmallow to expand, but it has its limits. When you apply the heat from the microwave, that causes the air inside of the marshmallow to expand. When it reaches a certain pressure point too quickly, the air will cause the gelatin to explode as it escapes causing quite a mess.

The reason this doesn't happen when roasting marshmallows is the Mallard reaction caramelizing sugar. So the best way to avoid having a mess is to microwave your marshmallow in small doses and keep mixing the mixture. This will get rid of any additional air inside and leave a gooey treat instead.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.

The Tips You Need To Know For Microwaving Marshmallows (2024)

FAQs

The Tips You Need To Know For Microwaving Marshmallows? ›

It's best to microwave marshmallows in short bursts. You don't want to let your marshmallows cook for more than 20 to 30 seconds at a time. It's best to check them about every 10 seconds to see how much they've melted. Marshmallows are a bit like butter in that regard.

How to microwave marshmallows? ›

You can also melt marshmallows in a microwave. Heat them in a large microwave-safe bowl with a couple of tablespoons of water. You'll need to check them every 10 seconds, stirring each time to ensure they melt evenly.

Why do marshmallows get hard after microwave? ›

When you take the marshmallow out of the microwave and it cools off, the bubbles shrink and the sugar hardens again. When the microwave marshmallow cools, it's dry and crunchy. We think that's because some of the water in the marshmallow evaporates when the marshmallow is hot.

Are microwaved marshmallows good? ›

Well, marshmallows are essentially made out of liquid, gelatin, sugar, and air. When heated in the microwave, the sugar in these sweet confections can burn and caramelize, and the marshmallows themselves can dry and dehydrate quickly without the added water.

How do you cook marshmallows perfectly? ›

Hold the marshmallow over the centre of the fire, close to but not touching the coals. Gently rotate the skewer, so the heat toasts the marshmallow evenly. You'll see it gradually change colour to a golden brown. Once it's toasted all the way around, your marshmallow will be ready to eat.

Do marshmallows brown in a microwave? ›

They quickly turn to steam and fill the air pockets in the marshmallow, causing them to expand. This is why you see your Peep grow! However, as steam escapes your Peep, the dehydrated sugar syrup left behind will heat up very quickly! You'll notice that the inside of your Peep may turn brown.

How does heat affect a marshmallow? ›

“Water molecules start to vibrate and heat and soften the sugar matrix. Also, the air bubbles heat up and expand. Since the sugar matrix surrounding the bubbles is softened, the bubbles are allowed to expand. The marshmallow expands and puffs up,” Wright said in an email.

Why do marshmallows get sticky when heated? ›

Why do marshmallows get stickier as they are heated? Use chemistry to explain your answer. The air bubbles and sugar matrix help contain the gelatin inside the marshmallow. When heat or moisture is added to the marshmallow the air bubbles collapse allowing the gelatin to move freely.

Why won't my marshmallows melt? ›

After marshmallows have been sitting around for a while, they start to dry out and the exterior gets firm. Most importantly, they don't melt nearly as well. Instead of becoming soft and gooey, they melt into a one giant blob.

Do Lucky Charms marshmallows expand in the microwave? ›

when you found out that these Lucky Charm marshmallows. are not some ordinary marshmallows? They're actually freeze dyed and shrunken, and if you microwave them, they actually expand to normal size marshmallows.

Why are my marshmallows soggy? ›

When I get notes about marshmallows that turn out "soggy" after storing, have a "dense" or "spongy" texture, or some that even seem to leak moisture upon cutting (gross!), underwhipping the marshmallow batter is almost always going to be the culprit.

What happens when you heat a marshmallow in the microwave? ›

Since the sugar walls are warm and soft, the bubbles expand, and the marshmallow puffs up. If it puffs up too much, some air bubbles burst, and the marshmallow deflates like a popped balloon. When you take the marshmallow out of the microwave and it cools off, the bubbles shrink and the sugar hardens again.

Why do marshmallows turn brown when heated? ›

You'll know it's ready when the sides start to turn a deep brown. This is what's known as the Maillard reaction; it's what happens between 140° and 165°C when parts of the sugars and amino acids react with each other, forming a complex mixture of delicious-tasting flavor compounds.

Can you melt marshmallows in the microwave to make fluff? ›

Microwave the marshmallows and corn syrup for 30 seconds. Make sure the marshmallows don't over-inflate or begin to burn.

Can you cook marshmallows over a stove? ›

Turn the stovetop to medium-high heat. If roasting over a gas flame, hold the marshmallow about an inch from the flame for a charred marshmallow and about 2 inches for a lightly browned roast.

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