Corn syrup substitutes
Corn syrup substitutes — 6 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Honey
Same amount as the corn syrup
Natural sweetener with floral flavor. Similar consistency to corn syrup.
The best substitutes for corn syrup are honey, maple syrup, or golden syrup, depending on the use.
Corn syrup is a thick, almost flavourless liquid sugar: it sweetens mildly, it holds water so caramels and baked goods stay soft and chewy instead of drying out, and its own thickness is what gives a pecan pie filling or a glaze its body - it also keeps the rest of the sugar in candy from turning grainy, which is why candy recipes ask for it by name.
- Best for —
- baking
Updated 16 Aug 2026 · no sponsored swaps
- Jobs
- Moisture & hydrationsecondary
- Sweetnessprimary
- Thickeningsecondary
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of corn syrup |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honeybaking | Same amount |
| 2 | Maple syrupbaking | Same amount |
| 3 | Golden syrupbaking | Same amount |
| 4 | Brown rice syrupbaking | Same amount |
| 5 | Agave nectarbaking | Same amount |
| 6 | Sugar + waterbaking | 1 cup sugar + ¼ cup water per 1 cup corn syrup |
Honey
floral, slightly different · similar texture
Natural sweetener with floral flavor. Similar consistency to corn syrup.
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Sweetness
- Thickening
- Best for
- baking, candy making, glazes, desserts, pecan pie
Adds floral flavor instead of neutral sweetness. Works well in most recipes.
Maple syrup
maple, slightly different · similar texture
Natural sweetener with distinctive flavor. Similar consistency to corn syrup.
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Sweetness
- Misses
- Thickening — not covered
- Best for
- baking, candy making, glazes, desserts, pecan pie
Adds maple flavor instead of neutral sweetness. Works well in most recipes.
Golden syrup
caramel, slightly different · similar texture
British sweetener with caramel-like flavor. Similar consistency to corn syrup.
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Sweetness
- Thickening
- Best for
- baking, candy making, glazes, desserts, British recipes
Caramel-like flavor, similar consistency. Popular in British baking.
Brown rice syrup
mild, slightly different · similar texture
Natural sweetener made from brown rice. Similar consistency to corn syrup.
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Sweetness
- Thickening
- Best for
- baking, candy making, glazes, desserts, natural recipes
Natural alternative with mild flavor. Similar consistency to corn syrup.
Agave nectar
neutral, sweeter · similar texture
Natural sweetener with neutral flavor. Sweeter than corn syrup but similar consistency.
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Sweetness
- Misses
- Thickening — not covered
- Best for
- baking, candy making, glazes, desserts, vegan recipes
- Prep
- May need to reduce slightly due to sweetness.
Neutral flavor, sweeter than corn syrup. Lower glycemic index than corn syrup.
Sugar + water
sweet, neutral · similar texture
Simple substitute that mimics corn syrup's sweetness and moisture.
- Covers
- Moisture & hydration
- Sweetness
- Misses
- Thickening — not covered
- Best for
- baking, candy making, glazes, desserts, emergency situations
- Prep
- Mix 1 cup sugar with ¼ cup water. Heat gently to dissolve if needed.
Basic substitute when corn syrup isn't available. Lacks corn syrup's distinctive properties.
Questions
4 questionsCan I use honey instead of corn syrup?
Yes, honey is a good substitute for corn syrup. It has a different flavor but similar sweetness and can be used in most recipes.
What's the difference between corn syrup and honey?
Corn syrup is made from corn starch and is neutral in flavor, while honey is made by bees and has a floral flavor.
Can I use maple syrup instead of corn syrup?
Yes, maple syrup can work as a substitute, though it has a different flavor. It provides similar sweetness and can be used in most recipes.
Why is corn syrup so popular in cooking?
Corn syrup is popular because it prevents crystallization in candy making and adds moisture and sweetness to baked goods.
Tips for substituting corn syrup
10 tips- Choose your corn syrup substitute based on the recipe's needs
- For similar flavor: golden syrup or brown rice syrup work best
- For natural alternatives: honey or maple syrup are good options
- For emergency situations: sugar + water creates a basic substitute
- Corn syrup prevents crystallization in candy making
- Corn syrup adds moisture and sweetness to baked goods
- Corn syrup can be used in both sweet and savory dishes
- Corn syrup works well in pecan pie, caramel, and fudge
- Corn syrup can be used to make glazes and frostings
- Store corn syrup in a cool, dry place