If you thought you needed a campfire or outdoor adventure to toast marshmallows, you’ll be excited to learn a hack for making them with a perfectly golden-brown exterior and gooey, melted center all without leaving the comfort of your kitchen: Use your air fryer. With just a couple of tips to make the experience more safe and mess-free, you’ll be on your way to a pan full of s’mores in no time at all.
Hot marshmallows are a mass of sticky goodness, so lining the air fryer drawer or shelf with parchment paper is the key to success. However, the paper can blow around as the fryer operates, potentially causing smoke or even fire if the paper gets too close to the heat. So, if you don’t plan to roast a full tray of marshmallows, you’ll want to weigh down the corners of the paper with a heavy object, like a spoon or knife. Be sure you’re using parchment paper and not wax paper because the wax melts at high temperatures.
Getting a toasty golden marshmallow in the kitchen
At first glance, the idea of toasting marshmallows in an air fryer might seem unconventional, but the process is surprisingly simple and yields delicious results. To begin, you’ll need a batch of fresh, standard-sized marshmallows — either store-bought or homemade. Small marshmallows might be light enough to blow around during the cooking cycle, and we want them to stay put. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the air fryer reaches the desired temperature, place the parchment sheet or liner inside, then add the marshmallows in a single layer.
Cooking times can vary depending on the size and desired level of toastiness, but typically, it takes about 3 to 5 minutes to achieve that perfect golden hue. Keep a close eye on the marshmallows as they cook, as they can quickly go from beautifully toasted to charred if left unattended. You’ll notice them expanding and beginning to puff up, which is your sign that they’re getting close to being done. If you prefer a lightly toasted exterior with a soft, gooey center, you can remove them from the air fryer at this stage. For those who enjoy a more caramelized finish, you can let them cook for an additional minute or two, but be cautious not to overcook them, as they can quickly become too brittle. Be mindful that they will be hot, and allow them to cool for a moment before indulging.
