Honey Substitutes

When you head to the store to shop for honey there are multiple options to choose from. You will probably notice the difference in the consistency, price and color. This is because of where the honey came from.

These substitutes will help with your dessert recipes if you are out. Try these other substitute options for help with your recipes Chicken broth substitutes, Fresh Basil Substitutes and Substitutes for Greek Yogurt.

Real Honey vs Fake Honey

Real honey comes from a beehive which is from the nectar. You will notice on the label that real honey will be labeled as raw honey. Which means that it comes from the beehive and it is not altered.

Fake honey has been altered in some way. Sugar and preservatives have been added therefore it doesn’t offer the same health benefits that real honey does.

How Long Does Honey Last?

The great thing about honey is it will last forever. If stored in an air tight container, honey will keep it even if it crystalizes or darkens overtime.

Best Substitutes for Honey in Baking

Adding honey to your baking recipes adds a natural sweetener and helps in binding the ingredients together. It can even add moisture to those delicious muffins.

When choosing a substitute for honey in your baking recipe, you want to choose something that resembles the honey in the recipe.

Best Honey Substitutes

There are many options to choose from when needing a honey substitute. Maple Syrup offers the best liquid substitute because of its consistency and the perfect vegan alternative.

It also has a neutral sweetness that honey offers and great in many dessert recipes such as cookies, muffins or granola or beverages.

You may also try:

• Brown Rice Syrup
• Coconut Nectar
• Rice Malt Syrup
• Blackstrap Molasses
• Fruit Purees – Mashed Banana and Applesauce

1. Molasses

Molasses is a great honey alternatives but it is not as sweet. It goes through a process to break down the sugar therefore it is a popular substitute.

You can use light or dark molasses as a substitute but it does have a thicker consistency than honey. It may slightly change the flavor of your dish.

• Substitute equal parts of molasses for honey.

2. Maple Syrup

Maple Syrup is the best replacement for honey as it has similar texture. But make sure that it is 100% maple syrup. It is similar in sweetness and consistency.

The flavor is different so just keep that in mind when adding to your bake goods. You can even look at a sugar free option.

Barley Malt Syrup also closes resembles honey.

• Substitute equal parts of maple syrup for honey

3. Brown Sugar

We love using brown sugar for a substitute for honey. You can use light or dark brown sugar. Brown Sugar offers the same level of sweetness and the rich caramel flavor is similar to honey when cooked.

• Because brown sugar is drier you will need a little more – Substitute 1 cup of brown sugar to ¾ cup of honey.

4. Sugar

White sugar can be used as a honey replacement. When baking cookies, sugar offers a better consistency than honey does.

• Substitute equal parts of sugar for honey

5. Light Corn Syrup

If you have light corn syrup it is a great substitute for honey because of its sweetness it offers. It is similar in consistency and sweetness and works great in bake goods. Dark corn syrup is also a good substitute.

• Substitute equal parts of corn syrup for honey

7. Simple Syrup

If you have no other substitute, you can make your own fake honey. Making a simple syrup it as easy as mixing sugar and boiling water together. Keep in mind that it does offer the sweetness but the flavor will missing from this substitute.

Here are the easy steps in making homemade simple syrup:

• Bring water and sugar to a slow simmer in a pot.
• Continue stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Let sugar cool once it has dissolved before pouring into container.

• Mix together 5 cups of sugar and 1 cup of water to substitute a cup of honey

8. Agave Nectar

Agave Nectar is a good substitute but it browns faster than honey. We recommend using this substitute for sauces or marinades.

• Substitute equal ratio of agave syrup for honey

9. Stevia

Stevia powder can be used as a substitute for drinks, sauces or dressing and has zero calories. Keep in mind it doesn’t have the same consistency as honey and it will change the taste of your recipe. This is a great sugar free honey substitute and to keep blood sugar levels at the right amount. You can also substitute with a monk fruit sweetener for a keto honey substitute.

• Substitute with a teaspoon of liquid stevia for honey