Is Chewy Marshmallow With Brown Butter And Sea Salt Vegan?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look past the marketing claims and go straight to the ingredient label. When analyzing this product, two major red flags immediately disqualify it from a vegan diet. Let's break down exactly what is in this treat and why these specific ingredients matter.

The primary non-vegan offender is the gelatin found in the marshmallow base. Gelatin is a protein obtained by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and/or bones with water. It is usually obtained from cows or pigs. In the food industry, it is used as a gelling agent to give marshmallows their unique spongy, elastic texture. Without gelatin, marshmallows would simply be sugary foam; however, because it is animal-derived, strict vegans must avoid it entirely.

The second major issue is the presence of butter and brown butter. The ingredient list explicitly calls out butter as a standalone ingredient and brown butter as a flavor component. Brown butter is simply butter that has been cooked until the milk solids toast, creating a deep, nutty aroma. Since butter is a dairy product (churned from cow's milk), it is not vegan. Additionally, the glucose syrup and modified corn starch in the marshmallow mix are plant-derived, but they cannot compensate for the animal-based gelatin.

Finally, the gluten-free crisped rice contains distilled monoglycerides. While these are often plant-derived, they can technically be sourced from animal fats. However, in this specific product, the butter and gelatin are the definitive deal-breakers. Even if the monoglycerides were plant-based, the combination of dairy and gelatin makes this product strictly off-limits for vegans.

Nutritional Value

From a nutritional standpoint, this treat is designed to be a high-energy indulgence rather than a health food. The combination of corn syrup, sugar, and glucose syrup creates a high glycemic load, meaning it will spike blood sugar levels relatively quickly. The addition of butter and brown butter significantly increases the saturated fat content, contributing to the rich mouthfeel but also adding to the calorie count.

If you are monitoring your caloric intake, this product is quite dense. A single serving likely contains a substantial amount of sugar and fat relative to its size. It fits into a diet only as an occasional treat, similar to a candy bar or a piece of cake. It offers very little in terms of micronutrients (vitamins or minerals) or fiber, as the rice and corn starch are refined carbohydrates. For those looking for a nutrient-dense snack, this would not be the recommended choice.