Are you looking for a substitute for honey? Honey substitutes can be necessary if you’re allergic, on a restricted diet, vegan, or have simply run out of it.
Regardless of what the reason may be, there are many pantry-staple honey substitutes and I will share the top 11 substitutes for honey in this post.
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11 Best Substitutes of Honey
If you are a vegan, you may be looking for substitutes for honey. Honey, while natural, is an animal product and therefore not suitable for a vegan diet.
But do not worry, there are plenty of plant-based substitutes that are just as sweet and versatile.
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Here are some of the best substitutes for honey that you can easily incorporate into your vegan recipes.
1. Maple syrup
This is probably the most popular substitute for honey. It is made from the sap of sugar maple trees, which are native to North America. The sap is collected in the spring and then boiled down to produce a thick, sweet syrup.
Maple syrup has a unique flavor that is rich, sweet, and slightly smoky. It is excellent in baking, as it can add depth and complexity to your dishes.
When using maple syrup as a honey substitute, keep in mind that it is not as sweet as honey, so you may need to adjust the amount you use to achieve the desired sweetness.
You can use it in baking, cooking, or simply drizzle it on your pancakes, waffles, or oatmeal.
To use maple syrup as a honey substitute in your cooking, simply replace the honey in your recipe with an equal amount of maple syrup. If your recipe calls for one tablespoon of honey, use one tablespoon of maple syrup instead.
Remember, when you are buying maple syrup, look for pure maple syrup, not maple-flavored syrup. The latter often contains high fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors, while pure maple syrup is a natural product with no added ingredients.
2. Agave syrup
Agave nectar or syrup is made from the sap of the blue agave plant of Mexico. Once extracted, the sap undergoes heating and filtering to convert it into a vegan, natural sweetener that is fit for consumption.
A lighter color is made from less heat and more filtration, while higher temperatures and less filtration give it a darker color.
Thanks to its neutral flavor profile, this sticky syrup is used in a variety of desserts and drinks, including tequila!
When used in baking, use an equal measure to replace honey and lower the temperature by 70-80 Fahrenheit (25ºC). I also add it to apple cinnamon oatmeal for breakfast.
A quick reminder that while agave syrup is a good replacement for sugar for diabetics due to its low glycemic index, it does have a lot more fructose.
3. Corn syrup
Corn syrup is a popular sweetener in many recipes and can serve as a viable substitute for honey. It is made from cornstarch, and while it does not have the same health benefits as honey, it can provide the sweetness you need in your cooking and baking.
The two varieties available are the mildly sweet, vanilla-flavored, transparent, light corn syrup, and the sweeter, molasses-flavored, caramel-colored, dark corn syrup.
Commercial corn syrup is popular in baking due to it being an invert sugar. It’s great for making cookies, glazes, and fudge, and is an excellent substitute for honey.
Just replace the honey in your recipe with the same proportions of light corn syrup or dark corn syrup, based on your preference.
4. Golden syrup
Golden syrup is an excellent substitute for honey. This thick, amber-colored sweetener is derived from sugar cane or sugar beet.
Also called treacle, this rich golden syrup comes in many grades, and is known for being thick, buttery, and caramel-like. You can use it on flapjacks, cookies, toffees, puddings, and of course, to make the famous golden syrup sponge pudding!
It also has a similar consistency to honey, which makes it a perfect replacement in recipes that call for honey as a binding agent.
5. Date syrup
Date paste or syrup is one of the oldest natural sweeteners, and it can be made at home if you have dates, water, and some lemon juice. It just takes blending them together to reach your desired consistency.
While generally more chunky and pasty than the average store-bought syrup, this not only vegan, but whole foods plant-based alternative is just as sweet as honey, and can be used in a 1:1 ratio when making substitutions.
Date syrup imparts a natural caramel-like flavor to baked goods and even helps in the browning process, making it a great option for baking.
6. Molasses
Molasses is the thick, dark, sticky syrup byproduct obtained during the manufacture of refined sugar from sugar cane or sugar beets.
Black treacle is a dense syrup made from cane molasses and is the British term for molasses.
Molasses has a texture similar to honey, although it is a bit thicker. It can be used as a substitute for honey in most recipes in a one-to-one ratio. Baked goods are particularly suitable for molasses, as it adds a unique, full-bodied sweetness to bread, cookies, and other desserts.
However, it is important to note that molasses has a stronger flavor than honey and imparts a rich, slightly bitter taste.
If you are preparing a dish where a strong sweetener might overpower other flavors, consider using a different vegan honey substitute.
7. Coconut nectar or coconut syrup
If you are looking for a vegan alternative to honey, coconut nectar or coconut syrup is an excellent choice.
This natural sweetener comes from the sap of coconut palm trees and has a rich, sweet flavor that is similar to honey.
Its coconutty taste adds a delightful twist to your recipes and being just as sweet and dense as honey, can be used at the same ratio in cooking and baking.
You can substitute it for honey in a 1:1 ratio. This means if a recipe calls for one tablespoon of honey, you can use one tablespoon of coconut nectar or syrup instead. It works well in baking, cooking, and even in beverages like tea or coffee.
8. Brown rice syrup
Brown rice syrup, rice malt, or rice syrup is considered one of the best substitutes for honey.
It is made by exposing cooked rice to enzymes that break down the starches and turn them into smaller sugars. Then, the liquid is removed, leaving a syrup that is thick, sweet, and amber-colored, much like honey.
This substitute is not as sweet as honey, but it has a similar consistency and color, making it a good choice for recipes that call for a thick, sweet liquid. It works well in baking, sauces, and marinades.
One thing to note is that brown rice Syrup has a distinct flavor that is slightly nutty and not as floral as honey. Some people love this flavor, while others prefer a more neutral sweetener.
Substitute honey with the same amount of rice malt syrup in recipes as they have about the same level of sweetness consistency. It’s also safe to use for baking as well!
It’s difficult to find and a bit heavy on your wallet too. So remember while using this honey alternative, moderation is key.
9. Barley malt syrup
Mainly composed of maltose, this natural sweetener features heavily in vegan baking and is made by heating barley sprouts in vats till they form a dark, heavy, and concentrated syrup. It is considerably less sweet, with a malt-like taste similar to molasses.
Barley malt syrup is used the same way and in the same quantity, as you would honey. It has a similar consistency and you can replace it in your recipes without having to change too much about the recipe.
You can use it in baking, as it adds a lovely moistness to cakes and cookies. It is also a great addition to savory dishes, where it can balance out spicy or acidic flavors.
One thing to note is that barley malt syrup is not as sweet as honey. If you are using it as a substitute, you might need to adjust the quantity to achieve the same level of sweetness.
10. Liquid stevia
Liquid stevia is a natural sweetener derived from the crushed leaves of the South American Stevia plant and is about 10-15 times sweeter than honey.
This sweetener blends well in drinks, sauces, dressings, and even in baking. However, as it lacks the viscous texture of honey, it may alter the texture of your baked goods slightly.
This zero-calorie alternative has a glycemic index of 0. Just be cautious when adding it to your baking because it does tend to leave a slightly bitter aftertaste.
11. Vegan honey
Honey is not considered vegan because it is produced by bees, and consuming honey involves the exploitation of bees and their hives.
But anyone else interested in trying can find a surprisingly wide variety, albeit their price is not budget-friendly.
If you want to try something other than the classic sweeteners from above, look at the store-bought products developed as vegan honey substitutes. Here are the top three vegan honey brands you may want to try:
Homemade honey substitutes
Yes, you can make a sweetener similar to honey in your own kitchen. Would you have guessed that you can turn apples, chamomile, dandelion, and corn cobs into honey? Here is a list of recipes you can try:
Why do you need honey substitutes?
Honey has been used in cooking, making homemade remedies, burn treatments, and cosmetics for centuries. It’s packed with antioxidants and nutrients, and even has antimicrobial properties!
However, it takes 556 worker bees collecting nectar from 2 million flowers to create just one pound of this liquid gold.
And that’s before they even start the complex process of converting the nectar into the simple sugared liquid we all love.
Honey is not vegan
The truth is that the changing climate, large-scale pesticide use, and industrial exploitation are all leading to the extinction of our magnificent bees. And since it is ultimately made by them and for them, vegans refrain from consuming honey.
You simply ran out
Do you need a dollop of sticky goodness for your recipe and only then realize you’re fresh out? Or maybe you haven’t found time to go to the grocery stores yet. Either way, our list of alternatives for honey will come in handy!
You don’t like the taste
Honey is not just sweet! Depending on the source of the nectar, honey can vary greatly in taste, smell, and color. It can be fruity, spicy, smokey, floral, earthy, or even nutty. Its smell can be anything from fresh to pungent, and its appearance can be clear or dark-colored. Some people dislike this variation in organic honey, and the industrial blend is often super-sweet, making it common for many to dislike it.
You are allergic
While honey is safe for most people, some are allergic to it because of the pollen or bee proteins it contains. Although uncommon, there are some cases of severe reactions.
If you want to bake
Ayurveda, the ancient Hindu system of medicine, has a simple rule regarding honey: Never cook it! Even science has confirmed that prolonged exposure to heat changes everything about honey – its taste, color, texture, and benefits.
Studies by the National Center for Biotechnology found that heating honey above 100 Fahrenheit results in the loss of important nutrients, enzymes, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, making it bitter. So, honey is probably not your best option if your recipe calls for popping your pie in the oven at 350 Fahrenheit/
FAQs
If all else fails, you can always reach for the dry sugar (white or brown sugar) on your shelf. It is sweet, dissolves well, and is best used as a substitute in a 2:1 ratio. That is two spoons of white sugar for a spoonful of honey. To compensate for the liquid part of honey, add ¼ cup of liquids (as simple as water) to 1+¼ cups of sugar, for every cup of honey.
Liquid stevia is the closest substitute since it is already in liquid form. Erythritol, monk fruit extract, xylitol, and inulin can be used quite differently for cooking and baking.
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