Looking for an alternative to Honey? You’re in the right place! Keep reading for my favourite simple Honey substitutes.
What is Honey?
Honey is a heavenly liquid sweetener made by honey bees. It’s about 80% sugar with the remainder being water.
The Best Honey Substitutes
1. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is the closest match to honey and will work with a 1:1 substitution. The flavour profile of maple syrup tends to be less aromatic and floral than honey but it does have it’s own characteristic flavour which can be equally appealing.
2. Golden Syrup
As with maple syrup, golden syrup will work as a 1:1 substitute for honey. You’ll get more complex flavour from honey but the simple caramelized sweetness of golden syrup will still be lovely.
3. Brown Sugar + Water
Regular brown sugar is essentially a solid form of golden syrup – so it works OK as a honey substitute. You’ll just need to adjust the quantity and add extra water. So by weight you’ll use 3 parts brown sugar and one part water.
4. White Sugar + Water
The main function of honey is to provide sweetness. So white sugar will work from that perspective. You’ll just need to add extra water as per the notes on brown sugar above. You’ll miss out on the extra floral and aromatic flavours from honey but it generally won’t be a problem.
5. Coconut Sugar + Water
Coconut sugar is a type of palm sugar made from you guessed it… coconut trees. It has a brown crumbly texture and delicious caramelly flavour. While it does contain more minerals than white sugar, it’s essentially the same as white sugar from a nutritional perspective. So can be used as a honey substitute in a similar way.
The Best Sugar-Free Honey Substitutes
1. Golden Monkfruit + Water
If I want to avoid adding carbs to a dish, a little golden monkfruit and water will be the closest match to golden syrup. Monkfruit tends to be much sweeter than sugar so start with less than you think you’ll need and add more to taste.
2. Stevia
Granular white stevia is another sugar-free option. It can have an unpleasant aftertaste but generally you won’t notice if there are lots of other strong flavours in your dish. As with monkfruit it tends to be more intense so start with less.
More Ingredient Substitutes
- The Ultimate Guide to Vegetable Substitutes
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Collard Greens
- Miso Paste
- Oyster Sauce
- Pesto
- Tahini
Also see see the Simple Ingredients Substitutes Index.
Have fun in the kitchen!
With love,
Jules x