The Best Honey Substitutes

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We have gathered The Best Honey Substitutes when you are all out of honey. These easy substitutes will save your recipes to still get that sweet taste.

Real Honey vs Fake Honey:

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.

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 substitute because of its consistency and the perfect vegan alternative.

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

You may also try:

Brown Rice Syrup
Coconut Nectar
Rice Malt Syrup
Blackstrap Molasses

1. Molasses:

Molasses is a great substitute for honey 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.

Substitute equal parts of molasses for honey.

2. Maple Syrup:

Maple Syrup is the best replacement for honey. 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 substitute for honey. 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

6. Golden Syrup:

Golden syrup is a great substitute because of its color but this substitute is made with refined sugar. It has the same consistency and similar in sweetness but it doesn’t have the flavor that honey offers.

Substitute equal parts of golden 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 parts of agave nectar for honey

9. Stevia:

Stevia can be used as a substitute for drinks, sauces or dressing. Keep in mind it doesn’t have the same consistency as honey and it will change the taste of your recipe.