A few weeks ago, I started seeing lots of aquafaba-based marshmallow fluff and meringue recipes and photos pop up on some of the vegan blogs I follow. Although I’m definitely not a baker or dessert-maker, I was curious to try making aquafaba fluff myself. (“aqua” is Latin for “water” and “faba” is Latin for “bean” hence the name.) I had a can of chickpeas, some sugar and a Kitchen Aid mixer, so I was all set.
To make the fluff, you put the excess liquid you usually strain and rinse off of canned chickpeas into a Kitchen Aid mixer, start on slow, then increase the speed to high and it magically whips up into a beautiful marshmallow fluff in about 7-10 minutes. See the video below, via VeganBreak:
Discovered by Goose Wohlt, this technique was inspired by Jöel Roessel‘s chickpea brine experiments and has extended into the vegan community and beyond.
I first tried using the fluff in an angel food cake recipe, and it failed miserably. Then I tried to make another batch but ruined it by adding in ingredients before whipping the chickpea brine. By my fourth try, I had a beautiful fluff that I decided to add some xanthan gum and coconut cream to further thicken, and it worked beautifully! You can whip it up and serve as is, or throw some blobs into a dehydrator for a more sturdy texture. They refrigerate well and taste just like a gooey marshmallow with no beany taste at all.
VEGAN S’MORES
- Total Time: 10 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 large marshmallows
Ingredients
for the vegan marshmallows
- about 1 cup brine from 1 can chickpeas
- 1/3 cup superfine sugar or process regular sugar in a blender until fine
- 2 tsp xanthan gum
- ** 1/3 cup coconut cream [optional — see note in recipe below] (place unopened can upright in freezer for an hour or in refrigerator overnight to allow the fat to properly rise to the top of the can)
- pinch salt
for the rest
- vegan graham crackers
- dark chocolate, melted
Instructions
- Place the chickpea brine into a Kitchen Aid mixer. Using the whisk attachment, start on the low setting for a minute or two, then slowly increase to the highest setting for 7-10 minutes, or until the mixture is thick and frothy, and forms stiff peaks.
- Drizzle the sugar into the aquafaba. Wait one minute, then add in 1 tsp of the xanthan gum. Process one minute more, then add in another teaspoon of xanthan gum, whisking for 1-2 minutes more.
- ** I had a few readers express that adding the coconut cream resulted in the mixture deflating. I did not experience this, so add at your own discretion. If you leave the coconut cream out, this recipe will still produce a thick, marshmallow-y texture!! **
- If using the coconut cream, break up the coconut cream into small pieces and drop into the aquafaba very slowly (it will collapse if you add it in too quickly), then add the salt and process 1 minute more. The mixture should be airy and thick. Taste and add extra sugar or salt as needed.
- To create sturdier marshmallows, pipe or spoon 1 to 2 tablespoon-sized dollops onto a flexible, non-stick screen and place into a dehydrator. Dehydrate at 110 degrees for 8-10 hours, or until the outside has developed a texture firm enough to hold its shape. The inside should still be gooey and soft.
- Serve with vegan graham crackers and melted chocolate. You can lightly toast the edges of the marshmallow with a butane torch or a lighter if you want.
TIP: To make the mixture thicker or thinner, use a little more or little less xanthan gum. You can use straight out of the mixer as a marshmallow fluff, dehydrate for longer or shorter to obtain the desired texture. The coconut cream is optional.
Refrigerate if not using right away. It holds its shape and texture well after refrigeration.
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
For more aquafaba-based recipes, check out these blogs!
Seitan is My Motor | Homemade Vegan Marshmallows
Keepin’ It Kind | Vegan S’mores Waffles
Vedged Out | The Best Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies
Vegan Dad | Fluffy Tapioca Pudding
Mercedes Aspland says
This is such a great looking recipe and who would have thought you could make something like this from the water from a can of chickpeas. I'm still to try it but I have reserved the water from a can and this might be the one to try
MingusTrane says
We always cook dried beans (with a pressure cooker) rather than buy canned. Do you know if the recipe would work using the cooking liquid, or is there something different about the liquid in the can? Thanks for your thoughts!
erinwyso says
I suspect this works best with canned liquid, because it's thicker, but I'm not really sure. Head over to the Vegan Meringue Hits and Misses Facebook group page — there's tons of advice there, good luck!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VeganMeringue/
Anonymous says
MingusTrane–I've used both canned aquafaba and cooking water (from my pressure cooker). Both work fine. Good luck!
Anonymous says
This looks great! A much better alternative to store bought vegan marshmallows made with hfcs. And all with ingredients we all already have on hand!
Jenny says
So I just tried making this with a handmixer. After standing there, getting my hands/arms sore holding the mixer until the aquafaba reached stiff peaks, I added the sugar: Great. I added the first, then second teaspoons of xanthan gum: still great. I added the coconut cream and the salt: FAILURE. My beautiful glossy delight turned to soup! Could it be the added water in the coconut cream? Some kind of chemical reaction with the salt? #sadness
I baked some homemade graham crackers for the occasion, too! I was so excited! Your s'mores look amazing!
Jenny says
OHMYGOSH I JUST REALIZED MY MISTAKE. I accidentally used agar in place of xanthan gum. My bad. At least I figured out what I did wrong!
(Still bummed about the wasted ingredients, though. Oh well.)
erinwyso says
Jenny,
I applaud you for using a handmixer for this, that's dedication! I am not sure what happened with the coconut cream, but feel free to leave it out … it will still work without it—a little lighter and less heft, but it should still work. Not sure if the handmixing or extra moisture in the coconut cream affected it. If you haven't already, check out the Vegan Meringue Hits and Misses group on Facebook … there are some incredible tips and tricks in there. Good luck!
kevin bertram says
I have to say, I had the same problem as Jenny up there, but I definitely used xanthan gum. It's too bad… I had such a wonderful consistency before the coconut cream and then it totally fell flat. Went from bright white to off white, 2L in volume to 1L.
Next time I'll just stop before the coconut cream.
Otherwise a great recipe and a great blog too!
erinwyso says
Kevin, not sure what happened, perhaps the fat content was to high? But yes, this still works without the coconut cream, I would just add the xantham gum in slow and wait a minute before adding in more. Because you are not adding in fat, you'll need less xanthan gum than this recipe calls for.
Thanks for your kind words about the blog and good luck with your next batch of aquafaba!
erinwyso says
Jenny, I've tried this twice with little impact on the fluff, so I'm not sure what happened! However, I've updated the recipe with a note to leave the coconut cream out because deflation may occur.
Jenny says
Yeah, I just finally got around to trying this again with xanthan gum & as soon as I added the tiniest bit of coconut cream the meringue deflated. No fun!
alexveg says
hello!! i just found my first dehydrator and I was wondering– I have the round presto dehydrator, I'm not sure how to put the marhsmellows in it. I have the fruit leather trays,do you think I could dollop them on that? or maybe just parchment paper? thanks
erinwyso says
Yes, the fruit leather trays should be fine — the mixture is sturdy enough. Good luck and I hope you enjoy!
Anonymous says
Chiming in to say that I had the deflation problem with the coconut cream, but it took a while. I was able to add maybe 2-3 tablespoons of the cream before things went south. Maybe a smaller amount is safer? Maybe the fact that I keep my coconut cream in the fridge gave me a little more leeway?
Dana says
I just wanted to share, I whisked these by hand tonight so my vegan daughter can have s’mores at summer camp! –No better motivation.
It can be done. 🙂
Thecla says
This is so creative! I love your pictures as well! I’d love to give this a try.