10 Best Corn Syrup Substitutes You Can Use!

Are you preparing to make some smooth and creamy fudge at home? Then you might need some corn syrup to finish your dish. But don’t worry if you don’t have any at home. I’m here to talk about the best corn syrup substitutes.

Some of the best corn syrup substitutes are agave syrup, brown rice syrup, honey, golden syrup, black treacle, and cane syrup. Corn syrup prevents sugar from crystallization, and using a substitute with similar properties is important. 

Corn syrup, as you know, is derived from corn starch. Besides lending sweetness to the recipe, corn syrup is also known for adding softness and shine. Moreover, it will keep the dish moist for a longer time.

Regardless of all its goodness, finding a good corn syrup can be hard sometimes. Finding an easily available yet effective corn syrup substitute can challenge many! But I promise, this article will be all you need to know everything about corn syrup substitutes. 

10 Best Corn Syrup Substitutes

Now that we have an idea of what corn syrup is, let’s move on to the crux of the article, which is corn syrup substitutes. 

1. Agave Nectar

Also known as maguey syrup or agave syrup, agave nectar is produced from the agave plant. It has a similar sweetness to corn syrup and has a neutral taste to it, and it can be used as a corn syrup substitute.

Agave nectar works well as a corn syrup substitute in dishes like chocolate sauces and pies. If you are cooking any such recipe, swap and use equal amounts of agave nectar as corn syrup.

However, since agave nectar has a different chemical composition than corn syrup, it can’t be used as a corn syrup substitute in making candies.

2. Brown Rice Syrup

It is a syrup made by breaking down starch from brown sugar and boiling it into a syrup. Brown rice syrup has consistency and mild sweetness similar to corn syrup and can be used as a corn syrup substitute.

If you love the roasted nutty flavor, chances are high that you will love brown rice syrup more than corn syrup. Brown rice syrup works well as a corn syrup substitute in most recipes and is great for making candies. 

3. Honey 

This is one of the most easily available corn syrup substitutes. Honey works well as a sweetener in most recipes that calls for corn syrup and can be termed as a corn syrup substitute.

However, honey doesn’t prevent crystallization and cannot be used to make candies. Also, honey has a distinct flavor, slightly different from corn syrup. Honey has strong sweetness than corn syrup.

Hence while using honey as a corn syrup substitute, make sure to use a milder-tasting one and keep in mind to combine honey with only those ingredients which compliments its overall flavor. While using honey as a corn syrup substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio.

4. Golden Syrup 

Golden syrup is made by refining sugar cane juice. It is widely available in most supermarkets and is an excellent corn syrup substitute. Golden syrup has similar properties to corn syrup.

Golden syrup has a similar texture to corn syrup and prevents crystallization. Hence, if you plan to make some candies or cook a fudge, get yourself a bottle of corn syrup. 

 Golden syrup has a mild sweetness and very well compliments most dishes that call for corn syrup. While using golden syrup as a corn syrup substitute, use a 1:1 ratio.

5. Black Treacle 

A byproduct of refining sugar, black treacle is a thick syrup commonly found in the United Kingdom. It has a strong sweet taste to it and has similar properties to corn syrup.

Hence if you manage to find some black treacle, you can use it as a corn syrup substitute.

Black treacle’s sweetness is well balanced by its light bitter taste. It can be used in most dishes that use corn syrup. If you make some sticky toffee pudding, nothing will work better than black treacle as a corn syrup substitute.

Black treacle’s taste is similar to that of brown sugar and molasses. Hence if you are cooking with it, make sure that the overall taste of your dish works well with the taste of black treacle. 

6. Cane Syrup 

With a light smoky flavor and mild sweetness, cane syrup is another ingredient that can work well as a corn syrup substitute. Cane syrup is made from raw sugar cane stalks and boiled down to make the syrup. 

It has a dark brown color and a flavor that has a medium intensity. It has notes of caramel and butterscotch and is perfect for all kinds of dessert. You can use it in the same amount as you’d use corn syrup. 

7. Tapioca Syrup

Just as its name suggests, this syrup is made from the scratches of the cassava plant. Tapioca syrup can be easily incorporated into dishes that call for corn syrup, as both have similar tastes and consistency. Hence tapioca syrup can be used as a corn syrup substitute.

However, tapioca syrup is less sweet than most of its other substitutes. But tapioca syrup has a very mild aftertaste and works well in ice creams and cakes. 

8. Sugar Water Solution

If you have some sugar and water at home, mix 4 cups of sugar with 1 cup of water. Boil it until it thickens. Your sugar water solution is ready to use. Sugar syrup adds a sweetness to the dish, like corn syrup, and can be used as a corn syrup substitute.

While using sugar syrup as a corn syrup substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio. Sugar syrup works well as a corn syrup substitute in most dishes, especially baked goods. 

9. Molasses

Molasses is the byproduct of sugar making process. It has less sweetness than regular sugar and a lower glycemic index. Hence it is an apt corn syrup substitute and works well with baked goods. 

Molasses comes in different colours. Irrespective of the color you can use it as a corn syrup substitute. While using molasses as a corn syrup substitute, follow the 1:1 ratio.

10. Maple Syrup

Maple syrup has a very specific flavor to it. However, if you want to substitute corn syrup in a pinch, maple syrup is an appropriate substitute. Maple syrup has a thinner consistency than corn syrup.

You can use a teaspoon of corn maple syrup for every 1 teaspoon of corn syrup. However, if you are using it in larger quantities, make sure that the taste of maple syrup is not overpowering and compliments the overall flavor of your dish. 

Short Recap Of Corn Syrup Substitutes

Now that we have seen almost 9 corn syrup substitutes, you must choose one according to your convenience. If not, here is a little token of help from my side!

Easily Available Corn Syrup Substitutes –

• Sugar Syrup
• Honey

Most Suitable Corn Syrup Substitutes –

• Agave Nectar
• Tapioca Syrup

Substitute Options To Consider Last –

• Maple Syrup

10 Best Corn Syrup Substitutes You Can Use!

Some of the best corn syrup substitutes are agave syrup, brown rice syrup, honey, golden syrup, black treacle, and cane syrup.

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Ingredients

  

• Maple Syrup
• Molasses
• Sugar Water Solution
• Tapioca Syrup
• Cane Syrup
• Black Treacle
• Golden Syrup
• Honey
• Brown Rice Syrup
• Agave Nectar

Instructions

 

• Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
• Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
• Use the substitute in the required amount and proceed to make the dish according to the recipe.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Conclusion

Corn syrup is something we use once in a while, and hence you wouldn’t even know whether you have corn syrup or not until you find an interesting recipe. Getting corn syrup just for a recipe is not a feasible idea.

Hence if you don’t have corn syrup at home, try cooking with any of these corn syrup substitutes. Most of the substitutes given above work well as corn syrup substitutes and can easily be available. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)