Have you ever drizzled honey on your pancakes, had it with warm water in the morning, or used it to sweeten dressings or marinades? You’ll be surprised to know how much honey we actually require each day. But what to do if you don’t have any in hand?
As we all know, honey is a sweet, viscous, golden nectar made by the hard work of thousands of bees. It is a widely used ingredient in recipes because of its sweetness and rich flavor.
Some of the best honey substitutes that you can try are maple syrup, applesauce, molasses, sugar, corn syrup, and malt syrup.
It depends on what you are making and what substitute you can use according to your recipe. We have discussed more than 20 alternatives; hopefully, you will find the one you need!
25 Best Honey Substitutes
1. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup, which comes from the sap of maple trees, is a great alternative to honey because of its resemblance in texture and consistency.
It tastes complex, with hints of caramel, vanilla, and butter. From a nutrition aspect, maple syrup contains a wide range of antioxidants and has low levels of minerals such as zinc, magnesium, potassium, and calcium.
You can drizzle it on your pancakes or mix it with natural yogurt. Maple syrup is best used in baking because it is a liquid texture. You can use a ratio of 1:1
2. Regular Sugar
Sugar is one ingredient that is always in your pantry and is the closest substitute for honey.
You have to dissolve sugar in hot water to make a liquid form. You can add milk, eggs, or water to resemble honey.
From a nutritional perspective, raw sugar contains fewer minerals like iron and calcium. To avoid the recipe being overly sweet, remember to taste it first.
You can use one tablespoon of sugar instead of one tablespoon of honey, but you should taste it first.
3. Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is a mixture of white sugar and molasses. Brown sugar has a richer flavor, a caramel-like color, and more minerals than raw sugar.
We can substitute honey using brown sugar by caramelizing the sugar in a saucepan with water. It will be a sweet, gooey substance that works well as a honey substitute.
You can use brown sugar to sweeten baked goods, sauces, and marinades. When substituting honey, use approximately 1 cup of brown sugar for ⅔ cup of honey.
4. Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is affordable, versatile, and one of the healthier alternatives to honey. It easily dissolves in liquid and resembles the consistency of honey.
Dark corn syrup is more like molasses and is better suited for baked goods. It is used to make candies or sweet sauces.
Substitute light corn syrup for honey in an equal ratio.
5. Barley Malt Syrup
Barley malt syrup is a vegan substitute for honey made from barley grains. Regarding flavor, it has a distinct, malty flavor that is not as sweet as honey.
From a health perspective, it is an excellent fiber and protein source. If you’re looking for a healthy substitute for honey, barley malt syrup is a good option. You can use it in your tea or coffee.
One con to using barley malt syrup is that it’s not gluten-free. The substitution ratio is 1:1.
6. Greek Yogurt
Despite not being as sweet as honey, Greek yogurt is still a good choice. Taste-wise, it has a slightly sour flavor.
It is low in calories, high in protein, and has good health benefits. Greek Yogurt works well in baked goods and oatmeal.
When substituting honey, use approximately 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt for every 1 cup.
7. Agave Nectar
Agave nectar originates from an Agave plant, which can only be grown in specific climatic areas like Mexico. It costs a lot because there is a limited supply.
Agave nectar is sticky, like honey, and flavor like caramel. In comparison, it has a thinner consistency.
It is a great sweetener for iced tea or cocktails and works well in baked goods like truffles, cakes, etc. You can use an equal ratio, but you should taste-test it first.
8. Molasses
Molasses is also known as “black treacle” because of its consistency. This thick, dark syrup is a byproduct of sugar cane and sugar beet. It has a sweet, warm, and slightly smoky flavor.
From a health perspective, it contains minerals like selenium, iron, copper, and calcium. They are primarily employed when baking muffins, cookies, and cakes. Three different types of molasses exist light, dark, and blackstrap.
One teaspoon of molasses can replace one teaspoon of honey. Dark molasses will work as well but it is darker and thicker, so you need only half a teaspoon.
9. Coconut Nectar
If you like using coconut products, coconut nectar is a good substitute. Both the coconut tree’s flowers and the sweet liquid inside the coconut plant are needed to make coconut nectar.
It is both vegan and healthy. It has nutrients like calcium, potassium, zinc, and iron. It has a thick viscosity similar to honey, despite not being as sweet as honey.
It can replace honey as a natural sweetener in tea, coffee, baking recipes, cooking, syrup over pancakes, toast, ice cream, raw food desserts, smoothies, and juices.
As such, you can use coconut nectar to replace honey in a 1:1 ratio.
10. Brown Rice Syrup
Brown rice syrup, also referred to as rice malt syrup or rice syrup, is a vegan and gluten-free substitute.
It has a honey-like sweetness with a slightly nutty flavor. When you’re in a bind, you can swap rice syrup for honey if you don’t mind the nut-like flavor it adds.
On pancakes, baked goods, ice cream, and coffee and tea, brown rice syrup is used as a sweetener. Remember, it contains a lot of sugar and is not low in carbs to prevent a blood sugar spike. Use 1 cup of Brown rice syrup instead of 1 cup of honey.
11. Date Paste
Dates, as we all know, are naturally sweet fresh stone fruit. You can make them at home with the help of a blender.
Take water and dates and blend them into a puree with the help of a blender. You’ll have a super sweet and extra sticky paste that can be used as a substitute for honey.
You can use it in the morning oatmeal. Sweeten a smoothie or fruit-based cream. Add it to soups, stews, chilis, or sauces that need a bit of sweetness.
It tastes similar to butterscotch, toffee, and cinnamon. From a health perspective, it is rich in fiber and packed with antioxidants like phenolics and carotenoids.
12. Apple Sauce
Applesauce is a fruit-based substitute for honey. If you don’t have ready-made applesauce, you can make your own with just four ingredients: apple, water, sugar, and cinnamon. It is a puree made from apples.
One thing to keep in mind is the consistency of the water. To get it accurate, reduce the liquid in the recipe by 3/4 cup to make an excellent honey substitute.
You can use it in muffins, cakes, or cookies instead of honey. It will work perfectly well in some cooked and baked recipes.
13. Yacon Root Syrup
Yacon root syrup, a vegan substitute, is sweet and thick in consistency, just like honey. It is extracted from the roots of yacon plants.
Nutritionally, yacon root syrup lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It is best to use it in smoothie pancakes and muesli. One teaspoon of yacon root syrup can replace one teaspoon of honey.
14. Mashed Bananas
Can you believe that one mashed banana is also a honey substitute? Due to its sweet flavor and health benefits, it is a good alternative.
It adds the necessary sweetness to baked desserts like cakes, pies, and muffins. If the taste isn’t appropriate as per the recipe, add sugar to maintain it. One tablespoon of mashed banana can replace two tablespoons of honey.
15. Golden Syrup
Golden syrup is a thick syrup with a mild caramel flavor made from sugar, citric water, and water.
Golden syrup’s appearance and consistency are similar to honey. It works well in baked goods, yogurt, and oatmeal.
If using golden syrup instead of honey, a 1:1 ratio substitution is already adequate.
16. Stevia
Stevia is a natural sweetener made from the leaves of the stevia plant. Stevia comes in two forms: liquid or powder. As a honey substitute, liquid stevia is a good option.
It has zero calories and is a lot sweeter than sugar. So only a few drops can make your dish more flavorful and tasty.
It works well with tea, coffee, baked goods, cereals, and salad dressings. One teaspoon of liquid stevia can successfully substitute for one cup of honey.
17. Artificial Honey
Artificial honey is made from corn syrup and sugar. Its taste is similar and doesn’t contain any health benefits. Artificial honey can replace honey in beverages, baked goods, frozen desserts, tea, coffee, and other foods.
You can substitute it as a 1:1 ratio in recipes that call for honey. You can also use it to drizzle it over your desserts.
18. Erythritol
Erythritol is made by fermenting dextrose, a sugar derived from wheat or corn. It can add flavor to sweet recipes without calories or carbs. It is a low-sugar and calorie food. You can use Erythritol in cakes, chocolate drinks, low-calorie meals, and more.
Tip. If you have a digestion problem, don’t use it as a substitute, as it can lead to digestive issues.
As a substitute for 3 cups of honey, add a third cup of Erythritol.
19. Monk Fruit
Monk fruit is one of the most popular fruits in China and Thailand. A small green melon with more sweetness than honey can make a good substitute.
It is costly and used as a substitute in salad dressings, sauces, beverages, or baked goods.
You can use monk fruit sweeteners in liquid and powder forms, but the liquid is a good option compared to powder. Due to its sweetness, replace one cup of honey with one teaspoon of monk juice.
20. Jaggery
Jaggery is an unprocessed sugar produced from palms and sugar cane. It has a caramel flavor and is healthier than other sugars because it contains more minerals and vitamins.
Jaggery is used to make coffee and tea. It is a good substitute for baking desserts and bread.
When substituting jaggery for honey, replace honey with jaggery in a 1:1 ratio.
21. Dandelion Syrup
The dandelion syrup is for those who are allergic to bee honey. It is made from the petals of dandelions and has an identical taste and color to honey.
Due to its similar taste and color, it is considered the best substitute for honey. It can replace honey in cereals, pies, muffins, truffles, and cakes. As a result, replace 1 cup of honey with 1 cup of dandelion syrup.
22. Sorghum Syrup
Sorghum syrup comes from sorghum grain, which has a taste and consistency similar to molasses. It’s not as sweet as honey and goes well with pancakes, biscuits, and waffles.
The substitution for honey with sorghum is 1:1 replacing 1 cup of honey with 1 cup of sorghum syrup.
23. Allulose
Allulose is a good substitute for keto and low-carb diets because it is low in calories. Raisins, figs, and other fruits and vegetables contain this uncommon sugar.
It has a honey-like flavor but is less sweet than sugar. It is a good substitute for people who have diabetes as it has no impact on blood glucose or insulin levels.
You can use it to make baked goods and frozen desserts. You can substitute ⅓ cup Allulose with ⅔ cup honey.
24. Korean Rice Syrup
In Korea, Korean rice syrup, also known as Guiyal or Hiraki syrup, is well-liked for baking and cooking.
It is made from glutinous rice that is incredibly sweet with a texture similar to molasses. Although it has a milder flavor, Korean rice syrup has a consistency similar to honey.
As a glaze for desserts, it is usable. You will be pleasantly surprised by how delicious this syrup is when you add it to pancakes or crepes.
It is a good substitute for honey in baking because it retains flavor and consistency.
25. Cherry Syrup
The cherry syrup is for you if you don’t have anything else on hand or don’t see any other options that would work.
Then, take fresh cherries, filtered water, and granulated sugar, and blend them. It will work well as a honey substitute. Use cherry syrup over ice cream and fruit, stir it into beverages, or add flavor to baked treats.
A substitution ratio of 1:1 should suffice.
Short Recap For The Best Honey Substitutes
That was an extensive read on honey and its substitutes. You’ll find it simple to remember the following information about honey and its alternatives.
Best Honey Substitutes In Terms Of Flavor and Texture
- Molasses
- Golden Syrup
- Maple Syrup
- Yacon Root Syrup
- Dandelion Syrup
Best Honey Substitutes That Are Easily Available
- Sugar
- Maple Syrup
Best Honey Substitutes Should Be Least Considered
- Mashed Bananas
- Cherry Syrup
Best Vegan Honey Substitutes
- Maple Syrup
- Molasses
- Corn Syrup
- Date Paste
Best Keto Honey Substitutes
- Stevia
- Allulose
- Monk Fruit
- Erythritol
Best Low-Carb Honey Substitutes
- Stevia
- Allulose
- Monk Fruit
- Erythritol
Best Diabetic-friendly Honey Substitutes
- Stevia
- Allulose
- Monk Fruit
- Erythritol
How To Substitute Honey In A Recipe
25 Best Honey Substitutes You Can Try!
Ingredients
- Maple Syrup
- Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Barley Malt Syrup
- Greek Yogurt
- Artificial Honey
- Corn Syrup
- Agave Nectar
- Molasses
- Coconut Nectar
- Brown Rice Syrup
- Apple Sauce
- Yacon Root Syrup
- Mashed Bananas
- Liquid Stevia
- Jaggery
- Erythritol
- Monk Fruit
- Date Paste
- Dandelion Syrup
- Sorghum Syrup
- Allulose
- Golden Syrup
- Cherry Syrup
- Korean Rice Syrup
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 make the dish according to the recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the best substitute for honey in baking?
We can use maple syrup or any kind of sugar as a honey substitute.
What can I use in place of one tablespoon of honey?
You can use maple syrup, corn syrup, or molasses as a substitute for honey.
Can I replace honey with maple syrup?
Yes, you can use maple syrup instead of honey, whereas the taste of the maple syrup will differ from the original dish.
How much brown sugar to replace honey?
Brown sugar can replace honey. Use 3/4 cup of honey for every cup of brown sugar.
Which is the best vegan substitute for honey?
The best vegan substitute is Agave Nectar, Maple syrup, and date paste.
Which is the best keto substitute for honey?
The best substitute is Stevia, allulose, monk fruit sweetener, and Erythritol
