Substitutes for Maple Syrup You Likely Already Have

Last Updated on September 18, 2021 by April

Have you ever had a craving for something sweet but have nothing to satisfy it? It can be very frustrating. Luckily, there are some things that you can eat without spending money on expensive ingredients or one-time use products. Here are some substitutes for maple syrup to try if you’re feeling like having something sugary and syrupy.

*Note: This recipe is not intended to replace actual maple syrup; it is simply an alternative option that people may want to consider using if they are out of maple syrup or want to try something different.

Maple Syrup Substitutes

Here are some popular alternatives to maple syrup. Some of these substitutes are better suited to baking, while others are great to pour onto pancakes.

Honey

Honey is the product of honey bees (Apis mellifera) and other insects such as butterflies and moths (order Lepidoptera). Honey bees transform nectar into honey by regurgitating it and excreting mixed with their digestive enzymes. This is then used to fill hexagonal wax cells where it’s stored for later use. Honey bees produce honey throughout the year, but only in tiny quantities in cool weather.

Honey can be substituted for maple syrup in a 1:1 ratio. Although the flavor won’t exactly be the same, it will still satisfy a sweet craving.

Caramel Syrup

Caramel syrup is a sweetened condensed milk that was cooked until it became a dark to medium brown color. After this, flavorings such as vanilla, butter, and corn syrup are added.

Caramel syrup is best when paired with cookies or roast. The thick and sweet flavor that it provides is not exactly like that of maple syrup, but it’s still a good substitute. Caramel syrup will also help to satisfy any craving for something sugary and syrupy.

Agave nectar

This is an excellent substitute for those wanting a health-related alternative to maple syrup. It has a lower glycemic index than maple syrup, meaning that it will not cause as drastic a change in your body’s glucose. However, consuming too much can still cause problems, so be sure to stay within the recommended limits!

Buttermilk Syrup

Buttermilk syrup is an excellent substitute for those wanting an alternative to maple syrup. However, it is important to note that buttermilk syrup can be expensive and that it does not store well in the fridge.

To make a buttermilk syrup for a single person, combine one cup of sugar with one quart of buttermilk in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture begins to simmer. Turn down the heat and continue stirring until it forms a thick liquid, approximately four minutes. Pour the mixture into a bowl and allow it to cool before putting it in an airtight container. Once cooled completely, you can either eat or use as needed!

Corn Syrup

Corn syrup is another type of substitute for maple syrup. Corn syrup is a common ingredient in many grocery stores, making it a good option for those who want something readily available.

You can use corn syrup as a substitute in the same amount that you would normally use maple syrup. Corn syrup can be used to sweeten up any dish or drink, or if you’re feeling adventurous, it can even be used in baking recipes where you might have previously used maple syrup!

Molasses

Molasses is a great substitute for maple syrup because it has a similar flavor and color to the original. Molasses, unlike honey, does not have any crystallized sugar and can be used as a substitute in any recipe that would normally call for maple syrup.

Coconut Oil

One of the best substitutes for maple syrup is coconut oil. You may use coconut oil instead of maple syrup on any cooking recipe to add some sweet flavorings. Coconut oil is a great substitute because it does not leave a sticky residue and can be used for desserts or baking recipes.

Although coconut oil isn’t sweet nor tastes anything like maple syrup, if you prefer more savory breakfasts, coconut oil may be a great alternative.

Unsure what to put on your pancakes? Try out these delicious pancake topping combinations!

How Maple Syrup is Made

Maple syrup is made by boiling sap from maple trees until it reaches the desired sweetness. The sap can be sourced from both tapped trees and trees that are cut down.

The sap is then boiled in a sugarhouse to evaporate the water content. It takes 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup.

How Regular Pancake Syrup is Made

Maple syrup and pancake syrup are not the same, though they may contain similar ingredients. Maple syrup is made by boiling sap from maple trees until it reaches the desired sweetness. The sap can be sourced from both tapped trees and trees that are cut down. The sap is then boiled in a sugarhouse to evaporate the water content. It takes 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup.

Pancake syrup is made by mixing white sugar and corn starch in water and heating it to thicken. Sometimes there’s also honey or molasses added to the mixture before heating.

Reasons to Replace Maple Syrup

There are a few reasons why you might want to use a substitute for maple syrup. If you don’t have any at your house or you’re looking for an alternative to the expensive ingredient, you might want to consider one of these substitutes.

If you prefer a less sugary option or if you’re looking for a healthier alternative that is still similar in flavor and color to maple syrup then a substitute may work better for you.    

Looking for a keto-friendly version of maple syrup? Check out this zero sugar maple syrup recipe from The Big Man’s World.

Final Thoughts

There are many reasons why you may want to replace maple syrup with a substitute. Some of these reasons include that the ingredient is either too expensive or not readily available in your location, and if you’re looking for an alternative to sugary foods.

If you’re cooking pancakes, then regular pancake syrup will be more suitable than other substitutes because it has similar ingredients as well as taste. I hope this article helped you figure out what to use instead of maple syrup.

If you have a favorite maple syrup alternative that wasn’t listed, please let us know in the comments!