Freeze-dried marshmallows are what you find in breakfast cereal: crunchy, sweet and melting. Mini marshmallows are ready to use; large ones puff into big crunchy pillows.
They have more water than hard candy, about 16%, so they can run on a normal cycle as well as candy mode.
Prep and loading
- Spread minis in a single layer. Halve large marshmallows so they do not fuse.
- Leave room; they puff.
- Colored and flavored marshmallows work the same way.
How to tell it’s done
- Marshmallows are crunchy through the middle and shatter when squeezed.
Not sure? The weight check compares two weighings and the expected dry weight for marshmallows.
Problems and fixes
They deflated
Taken out before fully dry, or air got into the chamber warm. Let them finish.
Rehydrating and storing
Rehydrate: Not rehydrated; they melt in hot cocoa.
Store: Jars or pouches with an absorber.
Ways to use it
- Hot cocoa
- Cereal mix-in
- Rice treats
- Snack mixes
How much fits per batch
At a normal single layer, marshmallows load at roughly 0.6 lb of fresh food per square foot of tray. That works out to:
| Machine | Fresh per batch | Dried per batch |
|---|---|---|
| Harvest Right Countertop 360 | 1.5 lb | 1.29 lb |
| Harvest Right Small | 1.8 lb | 1.57 lb |
| Harvest Right Medium | 2.8 lb | 2.44 lb |
| Harvest Right Large | 4.6 lb | 3.99 lb |
| Harvest Right X-Large | 9.4 lb | 8.12 lb |
Related guides
Sources
- USDA FoodData Central: candies, marshmallows (water content)
- Utah State University Extension: Can I Freeze-Dry That? (2026)
- Penn State Extension: Let’s Preserve: Freeze-Drying
- Iowa State University Extension AnswerLine: Preserving by home freeze drying
Water content rounded from USDA FoodData Central (candies, marshmallows). Cycle times are typical ranges at default settings; thickness, load and your room change them. How we put these together.