Some people don’t have maple syrup in their homes, and most of us have a point when we go to use it and find that we’re out. For most baked goods, you can substitute honey or molasses for maple syrup–but what about pancakes, waffles, or French toast? In order to answer this common question, I’ve come up with a list of the best maple syrup substitutes.
1. Brown Sugar Syrup
- The authentic syrup used by baristas
- Pump is not included
- The authentic syrup used at Starbucks
- Makes dozens of beverages
Brown sugar syrup is made with brown sugar, water, and corn syrup. It makes for a sweet substitute that can be used in the same quantities as maple syrup. The best part is this: you probably already have everything you need to make it–in your kitchen!
Just combine 1/2 cup of water with 3/4 cup of dark brown sugar (you can use light, but it won’t taste nearly as good). You can boil the mixture until thickened but allow it to cool before using. Some people prefer to add vanilla; others like their brown sugar syrup without anything extra at all.
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2. Molasses
- Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Blackstrap Molasses, Unsulphured, 16 oz
Molasses is a dark syrup that is a byproduct of turning sugar cane into granulated sugar. It has a delicious, slightly bitter flavor all its own. Some people think it’s downright bitterness itself compared to maple syrup–but molasses makes an excellent substitute in recipes calling for the latter.
In fact, molasses was used as a primary sweetener in early America! If you’re using the substitution in something like pancakes or waffles, use 1/4 cup of molasses for every cup of maple syrup called for in the recipe.
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3. Honey
- Nate's 100% Pure, Raw & Unfiltered Honey is a sweetener as nature intended, with one ingredient: Honey. All we add is the bottle.
- PURITY GUARANTEE: Every bottle of Nate's most-trusted honey has a purity guarantee to uphold strict testing standards that provide an unmatched level of care and precision that would make any honeybee proud.
- BEST TASTE: Our blend of honey varietals is crafted for exceptional taste, earning us an award-winning flavor through ChefsBestTM.
- RAW & UNFILTERED: Raw & Unfiltered means it is gently warmed for pourability and unfiltered to keep the natural goodness, like pollen, intact.
- DAILY DRIZZLE: Enjoy Nate's 100% Pure, Raw & Unfiltered Honey on anything needing a little natural sweetness - morning coffee or tea, oatmeal, yogurt - or as a better-for-you sweetener in baked goods.
Possibly the most common substitute for maple syrup, honey makes a good replacement in baked goods that aren’t going to be heated. That means you can use it in something like French toast or waffles–but stay away from pancakes.
Use 1/4 cup of honey for every cup of syrup called for in the recipe. Honey has a much stronger taste than maple syrup, so start with less and add more as needed.
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4. Corn Syrup
- Karo Light Corn Syrup
- 32 fl oz bottle
- Made with real vanilla
- Gluten-Free
- No high fructose corn syrup
While maple syrup is made from the sap of the sugar maple tree, corn syrup is a thick liquid that’s created when starch chains are broken down into glucose. It has a sweet taste and thick consistency, making it an easy-to-use substitute for maple syrup.
You can use 1/4 cup of corn syrup in place of each cup of maple syrup called for in the recipe–but be aware that because it’s so thick, your waffles or French toast may not cook right if you use it in something like this.
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5. Agave Syrup
- ORGANIC BLUE AGAVE SYRUP - Natural, low glycemic, multipurpose sweetener harvested from the core of the Blue Agave plant
- WONDERFUL ALTERNATIVE - Agave does not spike blood sugar like white sugar and corn syrup, so it makes a perfect substitute for granulated sugar or syrup. Try it in coffee, tea, oatmeal, yogurt, cereal or baked goods
- CLEAN, SIMPLE PRODUCTION - Agave is made by crushing and cooking the core of the agave plant and filtering out the plant fibers to make a deliciously sweet syrup. No chemicals are used to make this organic syrup
- USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, Fair Trade Certified, Kosher certified, naturally Gluten Free, and Vegan
- PACK OF 2 - Comes in Pack of 2 at 44 ounces a bottle
Agave syrup is a very popular option for those who need a maple syrup substitute. It doesn’t have quite as complex or intense of a flavor as real maple syrup, but its mild sweetness makes it ideal if you’re trying to cut back on sugar. Agave syrup isn’t made from tree sap. Rather, it’s made by extracting the moisture and fermenting the sugars in the pineapple-like plant called the blue agave.
You can use 1/4 cup of agave nectar in place of each cup of maple syrup called for in your recipe.
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6. Golden Syrup
- used in a variety of baking recipes and desserts
- Item Package Length: 5.689cm
- Item Package Width: 11.303cm
- Item Package Height: 14.605cm
Golden syrup is also known as inverted sugar syrup, and it’s created when cane sugar is heated in a solution of water and acid until the sucrose molecules break down into glucose and fructose. It has a light, delicate flavor that some report to be quite pleasant, while others claim it’s too sweet at times. Because it’s so thick, you can substitute golden syrup for maple syrup in baked goods–but don’t try using it in pancakes or waffles!
You’ll need 1/4 cup of golden syrup in place of each cup of maple syrup called for in the recipe.
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7. Caramel Syrup
- Enjoy the buttery richness of caramel, reminiscent of soft caramel chews with zero calories and zero sugar; Add a splash to coffee, lattes, cold brew and more
- Crafted with cold-filtered water, natural flavors and no sugar, our Sugar Free syrups are naturally fat free; Zero calories, zero sugar, zero carbs, keto-friendly, gluten free and kosher
- From caramel to vanilla to pumpkin spice to lavender and everything in between, our syrups and sauces help you create delicious beverages
- Perfect for flavored teas, lemonade, smoothies, energy drinks, refreshers, boba tea, water enhancers, Italian soda, coffee, lattes, cocktails and mocktails, snow cones, sparkling water, yogurt, overnight oats and more
- Founded in San Francisco in 1925 with handwritten family recipes brought home from Italy, Torani now crafts over 100 tantalizing flavors to help you embrace your inner flavorista
Caramel syrup is a surprisingly good substitute for maple syrup when it comes to pancakes and waffles. It has the same dark brown color but a slightly different flavor. If you use caramel syrup in place of maple syrup, add a few drops of vanilla extract. Otherwise, it might be too sweet without it.
Use only 1/4 cup of the caramel syrup in your pancake or waffle recipe in place of each cup of maple syrup called for in the recipe.
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8. Coconut nectar
- NUTRITIONALLY SUPERIOR TO AGAVE SYRUP - Since Coconut Sap is sweet right out of the tree, Coconut Nectar does not have to be boiled to make it sweet. This prevents the sugar in it from becoming fructose, which means it retains its naturally low glycemic levels and sweetness
- FROM SAP TO SUGAR - Coconut Crystals are created by allowing the sap from coconut blossoms to evaporate and thicken into a syrup, which only takes around 45 minutes. This is unlike most other sweeteners, which have to be boiled at high temperatures and condensed to concentrate the sweetness. Coconut sap contains a wide range of minerals, vitamins, and 17 amino acids
- DELICIOUS ALTERNATIVE - Our Coconut Nectar has a delicious, naturally sweet, caramel-like flavor. Since it is made from the tree's sap and not coconuts, they do not have a coconut flavor and are not considered an allergen
- VERSATILE NATURAL LIQUID SWEETENER- The naturally sweet and rich flavor of Coconut Nectar makes it an ideal sweetener for cookies, muffins, confections and in tea, coffee, and smoothies
- SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES - Agrochemicals and GMOs are strictly prohibited from our farms in the Philippines. We use environmentally sustainable organic farming methods and always follow fair trade practices so you can consume our products with confidence
This is a new product on the market that has some of the same properties as maple syrup. It has a slight coconut taste, but it has more of a caramel flavor and color than maple syrup and isn’t as thick. It’s not exactly like maple syrup, but some people like it better because it lacks the strong aftertaste common to most maple substitutes.
Coconut nectar can be used as a one-to-one replacement for maple syrup.
Maple Syrup Substitutes – Frequently Asked Questions
What is maple syrup?
Maple syrup is a sweetener created from the sap of sugar maple trees. The sap has a concentration of sucrose, fructose, and glucose–making it incredibly sweet!
Does real Maple Syrup contain gluten?
Yes, real maple syrup does contain gluten–and should not be used by those who are on a gluten-free diet. Keep this in mind when you’re making your recipe, and make sure to read the label on the bottle of “maple syrup” carefully.
How can I substitute maple syrup in my recipes?
You have a few options when it comes to substituting maple syrup for something else. The best way is to opt for store-bought substitutes, which are inexpensive and easy to find. Vegetable oil or butter are also good alternatives, but keep in mind that they won’t give you quite the same flavor.
If you’re looking for something healthier, try using fruit juice–especially orange juice! Some people prefer honey or molasses instead of maple syrup–it just depends on what your tastes are!
Is Agave nectar healthy?
While Agave nectar does have a fraction of the calories that other sweeteners have, it’s not a healthy alternative to maple syrup. It’s still high in fructose which means it can be bad for your liver and cause weight gain. High-fructose corn syrup is actually made from Agave plants–so while it can work as a replacement, don’t use it often!
Is golden syrup vegan?
Golden syrup isn’t technically vegan because its production results in trace amounts of glycerol monostearate, an emulsifier produced from animal fat.
However, manufacturers claim that this ingredient doesn’t end up in the final product, and some vegans consume golden syrup anyway. It might not be exactly like maple syrup, but it still functions well in most recipes and has a similar flavor and color.
What is the best maple syrup substitute for vegetarians?
Golden syrup, coconut nectar, and even vegetable oil can be used as substitutes for maple syrup in recipes. If you’re on a vegetarian diet, it’s important to check the label on your bottle of “maple syrup” carefully. Some brands might contain animal fat! When this happens, golden syrup or molasses are good alternatives because they have similar levels of sweetness.
Why does vegan Maple Syrup taste so different?
While there are some brands of vegan maple syrup on the market that claim to be identical to regular maple syrup, most vegans agree that these products just don’t live up to their promises. This is largely due to the fact that most companies use a combination of tapioca starch and artificial flavors to imitate the taste of real maple syrup.
What is the best maple syrup substitute for diabetics?
It’s important to check your bottle of “maple syrup” carefully if you’re on a diabetic diet. Some brands might contain animal fat or corn syrup. If you’re looking for a replacement, try using fruit juice instead! Honey and molasses are also good alternatives, but they might not give your recipe quite the same flavor.
Are there benefits to coconut nectar?
Coconut nectar used to be somewhat rare in grocery stores. Still, it has made its comeback during the past few years because people have grown more curious about alternative sweeteners. While it isn’t exactly like maple syrup, coconut nectar is a better alternative for diabetics because it’s low in fructose. Keep in mind that it also contains 16 amino acids, antioxidants, and minerals–making it much healthier than other sweeteners!
Why do some maple syrup bottles say “blend of cane and maple sugars”?
Maple syrup manufacturers are legally obligated to list the percentage of ingredients that come from each type of sugar, so it’s important to pay attention to this label. If you’re looking for 100% pure maple syrup (the best option), make sure it says “100% Maple Syrup” rather than “Blend of Cane Sugar & Maple Syrup.” Although they both start with “maple,” these two products are significantly different!
How does molasses compare to maple syrup?
Molasses is actually a byproduct of refining cane sugar, so its flavor isn’t entirely unlike maple syrup. Keep in mind that there are various grades of molasses on the market, so if you’re working with a dark variety, you might need to use it as a substitute for both maple syrup and brown sugar.
What is the best maple syrup substitute for baking?
If you’ve run out of maple syrup and need to find a good replacement–molasses is probably your best bet. Keep in mind that it’s also important to swap two tablespoons of molasses for one tablespoon of real maple syrup. If that seems too strong, then try using half as much molasses and half as much honey or agave nectar instead!
Conclusion
It can be difficult to find maple syrup substitutes that will give you the same results as the real thing! However, if you know your recipes well enough and are aware of what each substitute tastes like on its own, this won’t be an issue for you at all. If anything, cooking is about improvising and creating new dishes from old ones–so have fun with it!
Last update on 2024-04-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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