Five Alternatives to Honey

Five Alternatives to Honey 1

Everyone is familiar with the classic honey bear that can be found in our pantry for several weeks or months, adding rich flavor and sticky sweetness to anything and everything that requires it.

But when your tea or cake needs sweetening, or when your salad dressing or meat marinade requires that thick, sweet nectar to bring everything together with balance, you need to know what to do in case that honey bear runs out of its sweet goodness.

There are lots of options available if you’re looking for a healthier, longer-lasting honey substitute or you just happened to run out. While many of these substitutions are ones you already have at home, you might need to make an extra effort to find the others. View our guide to find the top 5 honey alternatives that will taste just as good.

1. Coconut Nectar

Coconut Nectar
Coconut Nectar

When it comes to its nutritional properties, coconut nectar is a sweet and delectable substitute for honey that has a distinct, more neutral flavor. Coconut nectar, which is produced from the sap of coconut trees, has a low glycemic index and is rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It can also make you feel fuller for longer.

2. Agave Nectar

Agave Nectar
Agave Nectar

Since it’s a healthy substitute for honey and still has a pleasing sweetness that complements baked products, marinades for meat, salad dressings, and even oatmeal, agave nectar has grown in popularity.

3. Barley Malt Syrup

Barley Malt Syrup
Barley Malt Syrup

Made from sprouted barley, barley malt syrup is a versatile sweetener that’s frequently used in baked products or drizzled over pancakes. Its thick viscosity is comparable to honey’s, but it lacks honey’s sweetness and has a strong malty flavor that could alter the end product’s flavor character if used in excess.

4. Maple Syrup

Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup

While most kitchen pantries always have maple syrup on hand for dousing pancakes and waffles, it also works well as a temporary substitute for honey. Grade B maple syrup works well in savory recipes or baked products where honey lends sweetness and viscosity, while Grade A maple syrup is ideal for topping yogurt or porridge. Make sure you use real maple syrup instead of artificially flavored high fructose corn syrup when substituting maple syrup for honey.

5. Brown Rice Syrup

Brown Rice Syrup
Brown Rice Syrup

In many dishes, both sweet and savory, brown rice syrup works well as a less sweet but equally delicious substitute for honey. Since it lacks the sweetness of honey, you might want to use a bit more of it in baked goods to ensure that the sweetness is retained, and then modify the remaining wet components accordingly. Brown rice syrup is gluten-free and vegan. It may be added to yogurt or used to sweeten your favorite drinks.

Read Also: Five Alternatives to Tomato Sauce

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