Finding a bag of marshmallows that you didn’t know you had can be very exciting, but it can also leave you wondering if they are safe to eat.
Do marshmallows expire? Marshmallows do expire, but they don’t really get rotten as other foods do. If a bag of marshmallows is unopened, it will usually stay good for 2 weeks to 2 months after the expiration date. After opening a bag of marshmallows, they will generally last about 2 weeks before “going bad”.
Let’s take a closer look on how to tell if marshmallows are bad, how to store marshmallows, and what to do if they are expired.
How Do You Tell If Marshmallows are Bad?
Bad marshmallows may be excessively sticky or chewy, may have hardened, or might have a stale taste. It’s also possible that your marshmallows could attract bugs, and if this is the case it’s safe to say that they shouldn’t be used.
Marshmallows can become sticky if they are stored somewhere humid. This is because the moisture from the humidity will get into the marshmallows, therefore causing them to become a sticky mess. This is one way that your marshmallows can “go bad”, though they are still safe to eat if this occurs.
Marshmallows can also harden and have a strange texture if they are left out or not sealed properly. Access to the air will make them harden and go stale quicker. If your marshmallows have a strange taste or texture, eating them won’t be an enjoyable experience and it makes more sense to just throw them out.
When it comes to old marshmallows, trust your judgment. It’s pretty easy to tell when they have gone bad if you focus on their taste and texture, and you can simply throw them out if you don’t think they are good anymore.
Is it Possible to Stop Your Marshmallows From Going Bad?
When it comes to expired marshmallows, there are some easy solutions to preserve their quality for a little bit longer. If they are sticky, you can use cornstarch or powdered sugar to reverse this. If they are overly chewy, you can put a slice of white bread in with them.
If your marshmallows are sticky or melted together, put a little bit of cornstarch or powdered sugar with them in a bag and shake it up. This will cause them to separate and get rid of any stickiness.
Putting a slice of white bread in with your marshmallows that have gotten a little too chewy will help get them back to their normal texture. This is because chewy marshmallows have absorbed moisture, and the white bread will pull out that moisture and leave them nice and fluffy.
Though it’s not possible to completely stop your marshmallows from going bad, these are some simple solutions that will be a quick fix. Taking care to properly store your marshmallows will also help to stop them from going bad.
What Happens If You Eat Expired Marshmallows?
Eating expired marshmallows shouldn’t harm you, especially if they aren’t exhibiting signs of being bad. If your marshmallows still seem fresh and it’s not too long after the expiration date, they are still perfectly fine to eat. Even if you eat some stale or sticky marshmallows that seem to have gone bad, it isn’t going to hurt you.
Marshmallows are basically just made with sugar, water, and gelatin. These three ingredients are things that have a very hard time spoiling. Sugar is also a common preservative, and it helps food stay fresh for longer. This makes it almost impossible for marshmallows to grow bacteria that will make you sick.
Eating expired marshmallows is almost always completely safe and shouldn’t make you sick. However, the experience may not be good if your marshmallows taste or feel gross, so it’s up to you if you want to eat them or not.
How Do You Properly Store Marshmallows?
Storing your marshmallows is pretty straightforward. Marshmallows can be stored at room temperature or in the fridge. Once you open your bag of marshmallows, you should make sure that it’s tightly sealed to keep them fresh for as long as possible.
To seal an opened bag of marshmallows, simply twist the opening and clamp it down with a food clip or rubber band. You could also transfer the marshmallows into an airtight container if you prefer. Whichever option you choose, just make sure that the marshmallows aren’t exposed to outside air as this could cause them to harden and go bad quickly.
If you live in a hot climate and want to keep your marshmallows from sticking together, storing them in the freezer or fridge is a great way to do this. It may also keep them fresh longer since the cold slows bacteria growth (though bacteria growth isn’t a super common issue with marshmallows).
If you choose to store your marshmallows at room temperature, just make sure you keep them in a cool and dry place away from the sun.
Can You Freeze Marshmallows?
Freezing Marshmallows is a very good way to make them stay fresh for longer. All you have to do is put them in a freezer bag or other freezer safe container, and they will freeze easily. Even better, it only takes about 10-30 minutes to defrost them on the counter, or you can put them in a hot drink and they’ll be ready right away.
You might worry that your marshmallows will have a strange consistency after you freeze them. However, if you store them correctly in an airtight container or bag, your marshmallows should stay super fresh and thaw back into their original state.
Final Thoughts
Overall, marshmallows don’t really “go bad” in the same way as other food, but their quality does deplete overtime and they can lose their freshness. Bad marshmallows won’t cause any harm to you if you eat them, but they probably won’t be very enjoyable either.
All in all, you will be able to tell if your marshmallows are bad, and it will ultimately be your decision on whether or not you want to consume them.
Whatever you decide, we hope that you will have some peace of mind after reading this article and be able to fully enjoy your marshmallows to your heart’s content.