Sometimes you need honey but find yourself out, or you may prefer to skip using it for dietary reasons.
Whatever your reasons, there are ample alternatives to honey available. Discover if you have any suitable options at home and learn which substitutes work best for specific purposes.
The Best Substitute for Honey
In our family, we have a vegan member, and many vegans choose not to consume honey. For recipes meant for everyone, I favor using agave nectar as an alternative. It’s a syrup like honey, matching it almost identically in sweetness and floral characteristics. It works wonderfully in recipes calling for a few tablespoons of honey.
Most agave nectar you’ll find in stores comes in light or golden varieties, which are milder than the dark type. I prefer stocking the lighter kind for its versatility, but dark is great for recipes that benefit from a stronger flavor.
Unlike honey, agave nectar doesn’t crystallize and remains shelf-stable for years.
It’s safe to eat crystallized honey. Simply warm it gently, and it will return to a liquid form.
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Other Honey Substitutes
For recipes requiring 1/4 cup of honey or less, any of these sweeteners can substitute honey in a 1:1 ratio.
- Golden syrup: A popular UK ingredient made from sugarcane with a golden color.
- Maple syrup: Functions similarly to honey in recipes but offers a completely different flavor.
- Brown sugar: Provides similar moisture and color to honey in baked goods, dressings, and sauces when packed.
- Light or dark corn syrup: Although often criticized in processed foods, a bottle can be handy for occasional use.
- Barley malt syrup: Takes its time pouring and has a distinctive flavor, great in baked goods.
- Turbinado sugar or sugar in the raw: Coarse sugars like these perform well when swapped for honey in general.
- Molasses: Offers the most distinct taste, which can overshadow other flavors. Use carefully to avoid overpowering dishes.
- Sorghum molasses: This brown syrup, made from sorghum juice, is a rare find with flavors between honey, amber maple syrup, and agave nectar, typical of Appalachia and the South.
Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas
When It’s Not a Good Idea to Substitute for Honey
Some recipes need honey to deliver the intended taste, particularly those with “honey” in the title, like honey mustard or hot honey. If honey is specified in the name, consider sticking with it or adjusting your plans.
In many Jewish dishes, honey is both culturally and symbolically important, which is why some Jewish vegans may choose to include honey in their diets to honor their heritage.
However, a few vegans have crafted honey-free alternatives or “honee” versions that mimic clover honey available in stores quite convincingly.
Simple Tip!
One exception to the no-substitute rule is granola. Since granola is flexible and adapts well to substitutes, you can easily replace honey with another sweetener like maple syrup or brown sugar.
