Out of maple syrup and looking for a good substitute for maple syrup? Well, how about these 6 maple syrup substitutes that actually work? Keep reading to see how you can substitute maple syrup on pancakes, in granola, in cookies and more!
What is maple syrup?
Maple syrup is a type of syrup made from extracting the maple tree sap from the trunks of any species of maple tree. This sap is then boiled down so the water evaporates and leaves behind a concentrated syrup that is sweet, sticky and brown and called maple syrup.
What is the taste of maple syrup?
Maple syrup has a strong, sweet flavor with hints of caramel, vanilla, and prunes.
Maple syrup also comes in 4 different grades including golden, amber, dark or very dark. The darker the maple syrup the stronger its flavor.
Maple syrup substitutes
Honey (also a healthy substitute)
Honey is a thick golden viscous food substance produced by industrious bees.
Honey is a healthy substitute for maple syrup as it has a similar texture although their flavors are very different.
The best part is that honey can be used to substitute for all grades of maple syrup. Meaning that you are able to substitute dark maple syrup with darker, stronger tasting honey, and, you can also easily replace golden or amber maple syrup with light, milder honey.
Substitute on a 1:1 ratio. Use honey in place of maple syrup to top pancakes, waffles, in baked good and more.
Brown sugar (or brown sugar syrup)
Another good substitute for maple syrup is brown sugar or brown sugar syrup.
To make it, you’ll need some brown sugar, water and vanilla extract. Add all these ingredients into a small saucepan and reduce until a brown sugar syrup is formed. This homemade sugar syrup makes a great substitute for maple syrup on pancakes.
Note, if you’re using maple syrup as a sweetener, you can go ahead and use brown sugar as a replacement. This will work for baked goods and other recipes.
But keep in mind that maple syrup is 3 times sweeter than brown sugar so use at a ratio of 1:3. Meaning for every 1 teaspoon of maple syrup needed, replace with 3 teaspoons of brown sugar.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is another good maple syrup alternative in a pinch. Also, because corn syrup can be both light and dark, it is able to be substituted for any grade of maple syrup.
For example, the light corn syrup which is vanilla-flavored and milder in sweetness makes a great stand in for golden and amber maple syrup.
And, the richer, sweeter corn syrup which includes molasses, can be a stand in for the richer dark maple syrup.
Use on a 1:1 ratio. So, for every 1 tablespoon of maple syrup needed, use 1 tablespoon of corn syrup.
Keto maple syrup (as a healthy substitute for maple syrup)
Another healthy substitute for maple syrup is a keto maple syrup. You can purchase ChocZero keto maple syrup (as well as other brands of sugar free maple syrup for a good maple syrup substitute.
This is a healthy maple syrup substitute if you’ve decided to start a keto or low carb lifestyle and you’re looking for a maple syrup made for that specialized diet. Keto maple syrup will make a good substitute for maple syrup in granola, waffles and on pancakes.
Use on a 1:1 ratio.
Agave nectar
Another maple syrup substitute is agave nectar. Agave nectar is a syrup that is extracted from inside the blue agave plant.
Agave is a thin syrup that is 1.5 times sweeter than sugar, but with a more neutral flavor. Nonetheless, in a pinch, it can replace maple syrup in granola, teas, in baking, coffee and more.
Agave nectar is also vegan, like maple syrup, so, if you’re looking for a vegan alternative to maple syrup, you can find it in agave syrup.
When substituting maple syrup with agave nectar use on a 1:1 ratio. Meaning if a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of maple syrup, replace with 1 teaspoon of agave nectar.
Homemade maple syrup (with maple extract)
This is another great substitute for maple syrup.
How do I make maple syrup?
You will need 1/4 cup water, 1 cup sugar (separated in half) and 1 teaspoon of maple extract.
- Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Then dissolve 1/2 cup of sugar in the water.
- In another saucepan, caramelize the other 1/2 cup of sugar until it turns brown and frothy.
- At this point, add the dissolved sugar into the pot with the caramelized sugar and mix well until combined. Turn off the heat and let cool. Then add the maple extract. Serve
Now that you’ve found these 6 easy subs for maple syrup, let us answer some frequently asked questions about maple syrup!
Other questions you may have
What can I use instead of honey or maple syrup?
Agave nectar is another ingredient you can use instead of hone or maple syrup for any recipe.
How do you replace maple syrup in baking?
To replace maple syrup in baking, you can consider using another syrup like corn syrup, a sugar free maple syrup or a homemade maple syrup.