Out of Honey, one case
Vegan honey substitute: best plant-based alternatives
10 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Maple syrup
Same amount as the honey
The best vegan honey substitutes are maple syrup (for similar flavor), agave nectar (for sweetness), or date syrup (for natural sweetness). These plant-based alternatives provide similar sweetness and texture without using animal products.
- Verdict —
- Tweak it
- What changes —
- different taste, similar texture
- Best for —
- baking
One casethe full honey card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of honey | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maple syrupbaking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 2 | Agave nectarbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 3 | Date syrupbaking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 4 | Rice syrupbaking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 5 | Coconut nectarbaking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 6 | Brown rice syrupbaking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 7 | Sorghum syrupbaking | Same amountTweak it | Tweak it |
| 8 | Golden syrupbaking | Same amountWorks | Works |
| 9 | Steviabeverages | ¼ tsp stevia per 1 tbsp honeyYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 10 | Monk fruit sweetenerbeverages | ¼ tsp monk fruit per 1 tbsp honeyYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
Maple syrup
different taste, similar texture
Maple syrup is the closest vegan substitute for honey in terms of sweetness and texture. It has a distinct maple flavor that works well in most recipes that call for honey.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, pancakes, waffles, glazes
Similar sweetness, distinct maple flavor.
Agave nectar
similar taste and texture
Agave nectar is sweeter than honey and has a neutral flavor. It's a popular vegan substitute that works well in most recipes, though you may need to reduce other liquids slightly.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, beverages, vegan recipes
Sweeter than honey, neutral flavor.
Date syrup
different taste, similar texture
Date syrup is made from dates and has a natural, caramel-like sweetness. It's a great vegan substitute that works well in most recipes and provides additional nutrients.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, smoothies, energy bars
Natural sweetness, caramel-like flavor.
Rice syrup
different taste, similar texture
Rice syrup has a mild flavor and is less sweet than honey. It works well in Asian cooking and vegan recipes where you want a subtle sweetness.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, Asian dishes, vegan recipes
Mild flavor, less sweet than honey.
Coconut nectar
different taste, similar texture
Coconut nectar is made from coconut palm sap and has a low glycemic index. It has a mild flavor and works well as a vegan honey substitute.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, beverages, vegan recipes
Low glycemic index, mild flavor.
Brown rice syrup
different taste, similar texture
Brown rice syrup has a mild flavor and is less sweet than honey. It's made from brown rice and works well in vegan recipes where you want a subtle sweetness.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, Asian dishes, vegan recipes
Mild flavor, less sweet than honey.
Sorghum syrup
different taste, similar texture
Sorghum syrup has a rich, molasses-like flavor and works well as a vegan honey substitute. It's especially good in baking and barbecue sauces.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, barbecue sauce, vegan recipes
Rich flavor, similar to molasses.
Golden syrup
similar taste and texture
Golden syrup has a similar flavor and texture to honey. It's popular in British baking and works well as a direct vegan substitute in most recipes.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, desserts, glazes
Similar flavor and texture to honey.
Stevia
different taste and texture
Stevia is much sweeter than honey and has no calories. It's good for low-calorie and keto vegan recipes, but you'll need to adjust the amount significantly.
- Best for
- beverages, low-calorie recipes, keto baking
Very sweet, no calories, keto-friendly.
Monk fruit sweetener
different taste and texture
Monk fruit sweetener is much sweeter than honey and has no calories. It's good for low-calorie and keto vegan recipes, but you'll need to adjust the amount significantly.
- Best for
- beverages, low-calorie recipes, keto baking
Very sweet, no calories, keto-friendly.
How it behaves in this recipe
Vegan honey substitutes are essential for those following a plant-based diet or avoiding animal products. The key is finding plant-based alternatives that provide similar sweetness and texture while maintaining the right flavor profile for your specific recipe. Many vegan substitutes also offer additional health benefits like lower glycemic index or additional nutrients.
Tips for substituting honey
10 tips- For baking: Use maple syrup or agave for best results
- In cooking: Date syrup or rice syrup work well for subtle sweetness
- For beverages: Agave or stevia dissolve easily and don't overpower
- In marinades: Maple syrup or date syrup add depth of flavor
- For glazes: Maple syrup or golden syrup provide the best shine
- In smoothies: Date syrup or agave blend well
- For energy bars: Date syrup or maple syrup work best
- In Asian cooking: Rice syrup or brown rice syrup are traditional
- For low-calorie recipes: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener
- In barbecue sauce: Sorghum syrup adds rich flavor
Notes on honey
- Mix different plant-based syrups for custom flavor profiles
- Use different types of natural sweeteners based on your taste preferences
- Try different ratios to find the good sweetness level
- Make your own date syrup or other natural sweeteners
- Experiment with different combinations for unique flavors
Questions
10 questionsWhat's the best vegan substitute for honey?
The best vegan substitutes for honey are maple syrup (for similar flavor), agave nectar (for sweetness), or date syrup (for natural sweetness). These plant-based alternatives provide similar sweetness and texture without using animal products.
Can I use maple syrup as a honey substitute?
Yes, maple syrup is an excellent vegan substitute for honey. It has similar sweetness and texture, though it has a distinct maple flavor. Use a 1:1 ratio.
What's the best vegan substitute for honey in baking?
For vegan baking, maple syrup or agave nectar work best as they provide similar sweetness and moisture content. Date syrup is also a great option for natural sweetness.
Can I use agave nectar as a honey substitute?
Yes, agave nectar is a great vegan substitute for honey. It's sweeter than honey and has a neutral flavor. It's especially popular in vegan recipes. Use a 1:1 ratio.
What's the best vegan substitute for honey in cooking?
For vegan cooking, date syrup or rice syrup work well for subtle sweetness. Maple syrup or agave nectar are also good options depending on your flavor preferences.
Can I use date syrup as a honey substitute?
Yes, date syrup is an excellent vegan substitute for honey. It's made from dates and has a natural, caramel-like sweetness. It works well in most recipes and provides additional nutrients.
What's the best vegan substitute for honey in beverages?
For vegan beverages, agave nectar or stevia work best as they dissolve easily and don't overpower the drink. Maple syrup is also a good option for hot beverages.
Can I use rice syrup as a honey substitute?
Yes, rice syrup is a good vegan substitute for honey. It has a mild flavor and is less sweet than honey, making it good for recipes where you want subtle sweetness.
What's the best vegan substitute for honey in smoothies?
For vegan smoothies, date syrup or agave nectar work best as they blend well and provide natural sweetness. Maple syrup is also a good option.
Can I use stevia as a honey substitute?
Yes, stevia can be used as a vegan honey substitute, but it's much sweeter than honey and has no calories. You'll need to adjust the amount significantly and add moisture to your recipe.