12 Best Substitutes For Maple Syrup (Easy Options)

The 12 best substitutes for maple syrup, for pancakes, ice cream, and marinades, that have a similar consistency and the same rich caramel flavor as the original. I even show you how to make your own homemade maple syrup in your kitchen, which is very similar to some of the cheaper brands in the supermarket!

Jump to:

• What is Maple Syrup?
• ✨ Top Tip
• Maple Syrup Nutrition
• Substitutes
• 1. Brown Sugar Syrup
• 2. Honey
• 3. Agave Nectar
• 4. Brown Rice Syrup
• 5. Molasses
• 6. Golden Syrup
• 7. Corn Syrup
• 8. Yacon Syrup
• 9. Caramel Sauce
• 10. Buttermilk Syrup
• 11. Coconut Nectar
• 12. Sugar
• ❔ FAQs
• ✔️ Some Recipes With Maple Syrup You'll Love
• 13. Homemade Maple Syrup
• 📋 Recipe Card
• 💬 Reviews and Comments

What is Maple Syrup?

You'd be surprised to know that not all maple syrups in the grocery store are real maple syrup - some are manufactured!

Pure maple syrup is made from the naturally sweet sap of the sugar maple tree, cooked till most of the water has been removed. The result is a thick and rich, deliciously sticky pancake syrup that can also be poured on your bacon and waffles, or added into your baked treats.

There are 4 different grades of (real) maple syrup- generally, the darker ones have stronger maple flavor. This thick sweetener can be used in lattes, marinades, salad dressings, and food glazes.

Maple Syrup Nutrition

Some consider maple syrup to be a healthier alternative to sugar as it has a trace amount of minerals (but almost no vitamins.) However, a Harvard Health article states that, for most people, one type of sweetener (e.g. maple syrup) isn't better for you than another, unfortunately!

Maple syrup is naturally sweet- its sweetness can range from 2-66% depending on how concentrated it is! According to WebMD, it's high in calories and 1 tablespoon alone can have 12g of sugar and 52 calories!

That tablespoon will also provide you with 43% of your daily manganese requirement as well as zinc, calcium, iron, potassium etc.

Substitutes

If you ran out of this sweetener, here are the best substitutes for maple syrup for use in pancakes, marinades, salad dressing, drinks, and more.

Note: for substituting in baked goods, you may need to experiment a little as baking is an exact science and switching sweeteners will change the final texture of your baked good.

1. Brown Sugar Syrup

Brown sugar syrup is a great and pretty sweetener for drinks, which can be made with just two ingredients- click the link for the recipe!

Brown sugar syrup has the same caramel flavor and a similar texture to maple syrup.

Use 1 to 1 and ⅓ cups of sugar syrup to replace 1 cup of maple syrup.

If you don't have brown sugar syrup, you can use regular white sugar simple syrup in your bakes or to sweeten drinks but add a touch of vanilla extract to give it more flavor. (If not it will taste a bit flat.)

Simple syrup is super simple to make (pun intended)- simply heat equal amounts of sugar and water over medium heat till the sugar is all dissolved. You can even add different flavors such as with this lemongrass simple brown sugar syrup or this earthy green tea simple syrup!

2. Honey

Honey is a healthy(ish) and good substitute for maple syrup (if not vegan) as it has the same consistency. There are so many types of honey and choosing the right one can add the same luxurious taste as maple syrup.

Whilst honey is a great replacement for maple syrup when drizzling over pancakes, waffles or oatmeal, I wouldn't use it for baked goods as heating raw honey may destroy its health benefits!

Replace in a 1:1 ratio i.e. a cup of honey replaces a cup of maple syrup.

3. Agave Nectar

Agave syrup is often used as a way to sweeten tea without adding refined sugar (also margaritas 😉.)

Like maple syrup, it is thick and rich so can be used as a maple syrup substitute.

It's a little sweeter so, when replacing, start with less (start with ¾ the amount of maple syrup) then work your way up, to taste. (Note that this substitute may change the final consistency of your baked goods.)

4. Brown Rice Syrup

This thick syrup has a nutty flavor. Made from fermented brown rice, it is somewhat similar in color and flavor and is a decent maple syrup substitute for pancakes.

As it's only mildly sweet, you will need to use more in comparison to the original amount of maple syrup. Start wutg using about 30% more, as a start, and adjust to taste.

5. Molasses

Light molasses has the same toffee flavor that maple syrup has. However, it is not as sweet and also slightly darker in color.

Mix with sugar (to taste) then replace in a 1:1 ratio with maple syrup.

Note: I do not recommend using dark molasses or blackstrap molasses as a substitute for maple syrup. The distinct flavor is an acquired taste. I can sometimes taste almost bitter-sour notes!

6. Golden Syrup

This liquid sweetener adds a thick, rich and almost buttery flavor to bakes. It's an inverted sugar syrup that is very popular in the UK- think treacle tart and the like! (The Lyle’s brand is one of the most popular.)

It can similarly be drizzled over crepes or French toast and makes for a great substitute for maple syrup. Replace in a 1:1 ratio or to taste. (Some people may want to mix in some sugar.)

7. Corn Syrup

This is an inexpensive sweetener that is used in a lot of Korean food, commercial baking applications and candy.

There is a light and dark version- the latter has more butterscotch notes and is a better maple syrup substitute (as light corn syrup only has a neutral, flat sweetness.)

Replace in a 1:1 ratio.

Note: I do not recommend High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) which is bad for one's health. Check your packet to make sure the manufacturer didn't add any HFCS to your corn syrup!

8. Yacon Syrup

Another great alternative to refined sugar, this natural sweetener is thick and rich. Perfect for pouring over a stack of pancakes!

Note that it has a slightly different flavor to maple syrup though, so don’t use it when you specifically need the maple taste.

9. Caramel Sauce

Caramel sauce can be used over pancakes, waffles and ice cream, like maple syrup. It’s also easy to make at home with butter and sugar, or coconut cream and sugar if vegan.

However, caramel can be a bit thicker- the thickness varies from brand to brand- so the substitution ratio will vary depending on the specific brand you’re using.

10. Buttermilk Syrup

If you've never heard of this pancake topping, you're in luck! It's rich, creamy and has a caramel flavor. I even show you how to make it below:

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of white sugar
• 1 Cup of Buttermilk
• 1 Cup butter
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Heat the sugar, buttermilk and butter over medium heat till it boils (about 5 minutes.)
• Stir in the baking soda and vanilla extract- use a deep pan as it will foam up!
• Serve immediately before the foam disappears!

Note: to intensify the caramel notes, you can brown the butter before adding the sugar and buttermilk. Alternatively, heat the 3 ingredients for a longer period of time till the sauce is nice and dark. (Keep stirring so that it doesn't burn.)

11. Coconut Nectar

Another good option if you're looking for a natural sweetener. Although it comes from the coconut plant, it doesn't have that strong coconut flavor that you get with coconut cream or milk.

Instead, it tastes almost like caramel!

Replace in a 1:1 ratio.

12. Sugar

When really in a pinch, brown sugar (preferred due to its caramel flavor), coconut sugar or even white sugar can do as a substitute- simply sprinkle it on top of your waffles and pancakes! However, as sugar is a dry ingredient as opposed to maple syrup being liquid, this will have an impact on the texture and flavor when added into baked goods.

Sugar will also caramelize more quickly in the oven, so you will need to reduce the temperature slightly or cover your bake with an aluminum foil for part of the baking process

❔ FAQs

📌 Real maple syrup has a rich, complex flavor profile characterized by a delicate sweetness with hints of caramel, vanilla, and woodsy undertones. So delicious on pancakes, waffles, French toast, glazes, sauces, salad dressings, and even cocktails!

📋 Recipe Card

Zhen started cooking Asian food because she loves to eat and, when she moved from Singapore to the UK for her MBA, good Asian food was in short supply. Today, she’s downshifted from a corporate life to full-time blogging about Asian food over at greedygirlgourmet.com and traveling comfortably- no backpacking!- in Korea and Singapore at alovelettertoasia.com.