Newsletter

How to Make 3-Ingredient Edible Play Dough Out of Marshmallows

Meghan Splawn
Meghan Splawn
Meghan was the Food Editor for Kitchn's Skills content. She's a master of everyday baking, family cooking, and harnessing good light. Meghan approaches food with an eye towards budgeting — both time and money — and having fun. Meghan has a baking and pastry degree, and spent the first 10 years of her career as part of Alton Brown's culinary team. She co-hosts a weekly podcast about food and family called Didn't I Just Feed You.
Follow
published Oct 7, 2020
Play

A simple mix of three ingredients creates a fun, stretchy confection that can keep your kids busy on a rainy afternoon.

Makes2 cups

Prep5 minutes

Cook1 minute

Jump to Recipe
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Post Image
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: CC Buckley

Edible play dough is one of my favorite little recipes to have up my sleeve. A simple mix of three ingredients creates a fun, stretchy confection that can keep your kids busy on a rainy afternoon.

Making edible play dough is much easier than making traditional homemade play dough (no boiling!) and way less messy than homemade slime, which means older kids can make it themselves or you can crank out big batches for multiple siblings. Here’s how to make edible play dough at home.

Credit: Joe Lingeman; Food Stylist: CC Buckley

Edible Play Dough: A Fun & Easy Treat

Beyond being great as a sensory play tool for toddlers, edible play dough is an actual treat to eat. (In a normal year, it’s one of my favorite things to send to school as a classroom treat, since it doubles as an activity. If and when that’s a possibility at your kid’s school, be sure to be extra vigilant with kitchen hygiene and package it in small airtight containers or zip-top bags to keep it from drying out.)

Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: CC Buckley

The process of making the play dough begins with melting marshmallows in the microwave. A little coconut oil (or vegetable shortening) keeps them pliable, and cornstarch thickens the marshmallows to play dough-like consistency. After mixing up the play dough, add a few drops of food coloring, or divide the dough and make a few different colors.

Edible Playdough

A simple mix of three ingredients creates a fun, stretchy confection that can keep your kids busy on a rainy afternoon.

Prep time 5 minutes

Cook time 1 minute

Makes 2 cups

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 12

    large marshmallows (about 2 cups)

  • 2 teaspoons

    coconut oil or vegetable shortening

  • Food coloring (optional)

  • 8 to 10 tablespoons

    cornstarch

Instructions

  1. Place 12 large marshmallows and 2 teaspoons coconut oil in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until the marshmallows puff up slightly, about 30 seconds. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired and mix well to combine.

  2. Add 8 tablespoons of the cornstarch and stir until a thick dough forms. Carefully remove it from the bowl to the counter — the dough may still be warm, so use caution. Knead by hand, adding more cornstarch a teaspoon at the time if needed (up to 6 more teaspoons), until no longer sticky but still pliable. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.

This post originally ran on Kitchn. See it there: 3-Ingredient Edible Playdough