Sweet & Simple: Dehydrating Marshmallows as a Fun Sensory Project

This week, Greyson and I made one of our favorite and easy Fall treats —dehydrating marshmallows! It’s a perfect sensory project for her and such a fun way to make a treat we can enjoy all fall and winter.

From the start, Greyson jumped right in. She carefully lined the marshmallows on the dehydrator trays—though I’ll admit, a few disappeared along the way! Every time I caught her sneaking one, she just laughed and kept on working. It was the kind of giggle-filled project that makes me love these moments together.

Once the trays were full, she helped me set up the dehydrator. We started the temperature at 113°F and later bumped it up to 140°F. The marshmallows took a little over 10 hours to fully dry, and the whole time, Greyson kept peeking in to check their progress.

When they were done, she proudly took two canning jars and filled them up with the fluffy, crunchy marshmallows. Watching her scoop and stack them so carefully was such a joy.

Now we’ve got jars full of sweet treats, and we already have plans for how to use them:

Stirring them into hot cocoa or hot chocolate on chilly evenings
Munching them as a simple snack
Mixing them into trail mix for a fun twist

Greyson is especially excited to share with her Nonnie and her older sister Natalyn. I love how food prep projects like this give her a chance to create something she can gift and be proud of.

This was such an easy, hands-on activity, and it checked all the boxes—sensory play, learning, and sweet rewards at the end. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly fall project, I can’t recommend dehydrating marshmallows enough.

How to Dehydrate Marshmallows at Home

You’ll Need:

Marshmallows (mini work best, but any size can be cut down)
A food dehydrator
Canning jars or airtight containers for storage

Instructions:

Prep the Marshmallows: If using large marshmallows, cut them into halves or quarters. Mini marshmallows can go straight on the tray.
Arrange on Trays: Spread them out in a single layer on your dehydrator trays. (This step is perfect for kids to help with—it’s great fine motor practice!)
Set Temperature: Start at about 113°F and, if needed, increase up to 140°F.
Dehydrate: Let the marshmallows run for around 10–12 hours, depending on size and humidity. They should be completely dry, crisp, and a little crunchy.
Cool & Store: Let them cool fully, then place in airtight containers or canning jars. They’ll last for months if kept in a cool, dry place.

Ways to Use Dehydrated Marshmallows:

Add to hot cocoa or coffee
Mix into trail mix with nuts, pretzels, and chocolate chips
Use as a crunchy topping for ice cream or yogurt
Eat as a sweet, crispy snack

✨ Tip: If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can also try the oven method by setting your oven to its lowest temperature, lining a baking sheet with parchment, and drying the marshmallows for 2–4 hours.