Substitutes for Honey: 20 Best Alternatives + FAQs!

Honey is a golden-colored sweetener with a viscous texture and a sweet flavor.

Bees take nectar from many flowering plants and use it to make this natural sugar substitute. As a result, the honey’s flavor, color, texture, and smell are determined by the flowers from which the bees collected nectar.

Honey can be used to sweeten baked items, marinades, dressings, and sauces, as well as beverages. What’s the best part? It’s a natural product that doesn’t need to be refrigerated.

It can only crystallize, but that does not indicate that it is spoiled. Place the jar in warm water and stir to bring the honey back to its original form.

Even though honey includes antioxidants that are beneficial to your health, you should take it in moderation due to its high sugar and calorie content.

However, if you are allergic to honey, are vegan, or want to test a different ingredient as a honey alternative, you have a variety of possibilities.

Molasses, maple syrup, liquid stevia, corn syrup, coconut nectar, apple sauce, sugar, yacon root syrup, golden syrup, or any of the following items can be used as honey substitutes in your recipes.

Continue reading to find out more about each replacement!

Honey Substitutes That Work

You can use a variety of honey replacements in your recipes. Some of them are also suitable for vegans and those with a honey allergy.

All you have to do now is choose the perfect product for your meals and match it with the other elements for a stunning end product.

No.1 Molasses, for starters.

Molasses is a sweet, thick fluid obtained from sugar beets or sugar cane during the sugar production process. Three times the juice is heated and crystallized. And each time, the sugar content of the juice decreases.

Molasses with the first sugar extraction—light molasses—contain more sugar than molasses with the second and third sugar extractions (dark molasses and blackstrap molasses). They’re all different in terms of color, texture, and flavor.

The sweetest molasses is light molasses, which can be used as a honey substitute. In a 1:1 ratio, it can be used in baked goods, barbeque sauce, and hot beverages.

No.2 Syrup made from maple trees

Maple syrup is prepared from the sap of maple trees that has been boiled.

The sap is boiled until it has a sugar content of 66% and a water content of 33%. Maple syrup comes in various hues and flavors, depending on the time of year the sap is gathered and the type of maple tree used.

It’s great on waffles and pancakes, as well as in barbeque sauces, salad dressings, frostings, and beverages. In pastries, baked goods, meat marinades, and sauces, maple syrup can be used instead of honey.

Honey can be replaced with high-quality maple syrup, a healthier option. You can substitute 1 cup of honey with 12 cups of sugar mixed with 34 cups of maple syrup in salty meals. You can replace 1 cup of honey with 12 cups of sugar mixed with 34 cups of maple syrup in sweet dishes.

Maple syrup is one of the vegan-friendly honey replacements.

No.3 Stevia liquid

One of the sweeteners derived from the plant is stevia.

This natural sweetener is made from the leaves of the stevia plant, which are free of calories, carbs, and artificial chemicals.

Stevia is 100-300 times sweeter than sugar and has a harsh aftertaste. It’s available in liquid or powder form in the store’s health food area.

1/3 teaspoon liquid stevia can be used to replace 14 cups of honey. Sauces, salad dressings, smoothies, and beverages can benefit from liquid stevia.

While stevia powder can be used in baked goods alongside other sweeteners, alternatively, you can use it on its own, depending on the recipe.

No.4 Corn syrup

Milled corn is used to make corn syrup. Corn starch is transformed into corn syrup, made up entirely of glucose. Corn syrup is divided into two types: dark and light corn syrup.

Dark corn syrup with a vanilla flavor has a more robust and darker hue than light corn syrup. They’re found in various fruit drinks, candies, and soft drinks.

In dessert sauces, cookies, baked goods, frostings, and barbeque sauces, use one teaspoon of honey instead of one teaspoon of light corn syrup. However, you can use 12 teaspoons of dark corn syrup instead of one teaspoon of honey if you have it.

No.5 Nectar made from coconut

Coconut nectar is a natural sweetener that hasn’t gone through much processing.

The sap from the palm tree blossoms is dehydrated to make coconut sugar. Still, the sap is only slightly heated to evaporate the water and thicken it for a liquid sweetener like this.

Caramel flavor to this nectar. It isn’t as sweet as honey, in any case. It can be used in baking and cooking, topping for bars, or to sweeten your tea or coffee.

In a 1:1 ratio, swap honey for coconut nectar.

No.6 Apple sauce

Apple sauce works well as a honey alternative in baked or cooked foods.

In muffins, cakes, bread, and other baked items, 1 cup apple sauce can be substituted for 1 cup honey.

Because apple sauce contains more water than honey, cut the liquids in your baked recipe. The main drawback is that applesauce cannot be used as a honey substitute in recipes that do not call for baking or cooking.

No.7 Sugar

You can substitute honey for sugar in a 2:1 ratio in the prepared and baked recipes if you don’t have any other sweetener on hand.

Because the sugar is solid, you can replace one cup of honey with 12 cups of liquids such as water, milk, or eggs.

If you boil 5 cups of sugar with 1 cup of water to make a thick sweet texture comparable to honey, you may use it in recipes that don’t require cooking. Cool it down and use it in place of 1 cup honey in the recipe.

Brown sugar can be used in place of honey in recipes like white sugar.

 No.8 Yacon root syrup

Yacon root syrup is dark with a sweet flavor and a thick consistency. It is a natural sweetener made from the roots of the yacon plant.

This syrup can be substituted for honey in desserts that do not require baking, like smoothies, salads, and pancakes.

Yacon root syrup is a vegan sweetener that aids in the reduction of cholesterol and blood sugar levels. As a honey alternative, use yacon root syrup in a 1:1 ratio.

The sole drawback is that it can’t be used in baking or cooking recipes because intense heat readily breaks down the complex sugars.

No.9 Golden molasses

Golden syrup is produced when sugar beet or sugar cane is refined into sugar. It has a honey-like texture and appearance yet tastes like caramel. Golden syrup is a less expensive substitute for honey that can be used in sweets, baked products, and topping for pancakes, granola, scones, waffles, fruit salad, and other desserts.

As a honey alternative, use the golden syrup in a 1:1 ratio.

No.10 Paste of date

Honey can be replaced with date paste, which is a healthy alternative. Dates are one of the sweetest fruits, making them an excellent honey alternative in various recipes.

Date paste is available for purchase or can be made at home. 1 cup dates, soaked for 8 hours, blended with 12 cups water and one tablespoon lemon juice

As cakes, biscuits, bread, and other baked items, this paste can be used in a 1:1 substitution for honey.

No.11 Rice syrup made from brown rice

Brown rice syrup is a vegan honey alternative because it is gluten-free and fructose-free. It has a little nutty flavor and is less sweet than honey.

This syrup can be used to top waffles, pancakes, and other desserts and in cooked foods and baked products. 1/2 cup honey can be replaced with 1 cup brown rice sugar.

No.12 Syrup made from barley malt

Another vegan sweetener is barley malt syrup, prepared from soaked and sprouted barley grains. Although it’s not as sweet, it has a malty flavor and a thick texture that reminds me of honey.

It’s good in baked products, as a topping, in desserts, and drinks. In a 1:1 ratio, replace honey with barley malt syrup.

No.13 Agave nectar (nectar of the agave plant)

Agave nectar is a vegan ingredient that is extracted from the agave plant. It has a similar sweetness to honey but a thinner texture.

In a 1:1 ratio, agave nectar can be used in place of honey. It’s great in drinks, salad dressings, waffles, pancakes, and baked goods. You can, however, be useless if it’s too sweet.

No.14 Jaggery

Jaggery is an unprocessed sugar made from palm or sugar cane. It can be used as a healthy substitute for sugar. It’s available in both liquid and granular form. Like a brick of sugar, for example.

Jaggery is a healthier alternative to sugar and can be used similarly. It tastes like caramel and goes nicely with coffee and tea. However, you may use it in pastries, baked products, and sauces as well.

In a 1:1 ratio, replace honey with jaggery.

No.15 Fruit of the monk

Monk fruit is a tiny green melon that grows wild in Thailand and China.

This fruit juice is sweeter than sugar and can be used as a honey alternative. Dressings, sauces, beverages, baked foods, and cooked goods can all benefit from it.

Monk fruit sweeteners come in various forms, including granules, liquids, and powders. One teaspoon of monk fruit liquid can be substituted for 34 cups of honey.

No.16 Erythritol

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol derived from wheat/corn starch that has been fermented. It can give your foods a sweet flavor without adding calories or carbohydrates.

Low-sugar and sugar-free foods often include erythritol. It works well with various desserts, candies, cookies, cakes, pastries, chocolate, dairy drinks, low-calorie beverages, and other dishes.

If you wish to use erythritol in baked goods, don’t use more than 12 cups because it will crystalize and cause the recipe to dry out. 1 1/3 cup erythritol can be substituted for 34% of the honey in the recipe.

No.17 Syrup of sorghum

Sorghum syrup is prepared from the grain of sorghum. It has a molasses-like flavor and a honey-like consistency. This honey-based sweetener can be used to top pancakes, biscuits, waffles, cornbread, and any other dish that calls for honey.

Sorghum syrup can be used in place of honey at a 1:1 ratio.

No.18 Dandelion syrup

Sugar, dandelion flower petals, water, and lemon juice make dandelion syrup. It has a similar color and flavor to honey but is thinner.

You can use it in pancakes, biscuits, muffins, beverages, and a variety of other honey-based recipes. In the recipe, replace one cup of honey with one dandelion syrup.

No.19 Allulose

Raisins, figs, wheat, jackfruit, and other items contain allulose, sugar alcohol. Its lower in calories and sweetness than sugar.

It comes in powder, syrup, and granule form. It can be used in cakes, pastries, sweet sauces, salad dressings, frostings, fillings, and various other dishes as a healthier alternative to sugar.

To replace one-third of a cup of honey, use 1 1/3 cup allulose.

No.20 Syrup made from inulin

Garlic, onion, agave, chicory root, wheat, and artichokes are all foods that contain this substance. Chicory root syrup contains inulin.

It’s used in various baked items, smoothies, drinks, and salad dressings. Because inulin is less sweet than sugar, it can replace a portion of the sugar in a recipe. However, replacing all sugar with inulin will require more significant amounts.

Gas, diarrhea, and bloating can occur if you take more than 20g of inulin syrup per day.

Baking using honey as a Substitute

Maple syrup, coconut nectar, golden syrup, apple sauce, monk fruit, molasses, brown sugar, date paste, and agave nectar are alternative sweeteners used in baking.

They’ll make the bake soft and flavorful.

Bread with Honey as a Substitute

Sugar, molasses, date paste, corn syrup, brown sugar, maple syrup, apple sauce, and agave nectar are bread’s most effective honey substitutes. They’ll all feed the yeast, improve the flavor and texture, and keep the bread moist, allowing it to stay fresh for longer.

Marinade with Honey Substitute

Maple syrup, molasses, or brown sugar can be used as a honey alternative in the marinade. They’ll caramelize the meat, giving it a taste and a crunchy texture.

Substitute for Honey in a Vegetarian Diet

Brown rice syrup, maple syrup, molasses, barley malt syrup, date syrup, sorghum syrup, coconut nectar, dandelion syrup, yacon root syrup, and agave nectar can all be used as vegan honey alternatives.

To add sweetness and improve the overall flavor, you can substitute them for honey.

Thoughts for the End

Honey is a more nutritionally dense alternative to sugar. However, suppose you’re willing to experiment with different flavors. In that case, you can use some of the alternatives listed on this page in your recipes.