Out of Sugar, one case
Vegan sugar substitute
8 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Stevia
1 tsp stevia powder for every 1 cup sugar
The best vegan sugar substitutes are stevia, monk fruit sweetener, coconut sugar, date sugar, and maple syrup. These are all plant-based and cruelty-free alternatives to refined sugar.
- Best for —
- beverages
One casethe full sugar card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of 1 cup sugar |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steviabeverages | 1 tsp stevia powder |
| 2 | Monk fruit sweetenerbaking | ½ cup |
| 3 | Coconut sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 4 | Date sugarbaking | Same amount |
| 5 | Maple syrupbaking | ¾ cup |
| 6 | Agave nectarbaking | 2/3 cup |
| 7 | Erythritolbaking | Same amount |
| 8 | Yacon syrupbeverages | ½ cup |
Stevia
very sweet, slight aftertaste
Natural sweetener extracted from the stevia plant. Completely vegan and cruelty-free with zero calories and much sweeter than sugar.
- Best for
- beverages, yogurt, smoothies, tea, coffee
- Texture
- no texture change
Plant-based, zero calories, extremely sweet, may have slight aftertaste.
Monk fruit sweetener
similar, no aftertaste
Natural sweetener extracted from monk fruit. Completely vegan and cruelty-free with zero calories and no bitter aftertaste.
- Best for
- baking, beverages, all recipes, vegan cooking
- Texture
- similar to sugar
Plant-based, zero calories, no aftertaste, often blended with erythritol.
Coconut sugar
caramel, slightly different
Natural sugar made from the sap of coconut palm flowers. Completely vegan and cruelty-free with caramel-like flavor.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, beverages, vegan recipes
- Texture
- similar to brown sugar
Plant-based, from coconut palm sap, caramel flavor, slightly less sweet.
Date sugar
caramel, date-like
Natural sugar made from dried dates. Completely vegan and cruelty-free with rich caramel flavor and some fiber.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, vegan recipes, sauces
- Texture
- grainy, similar
Plant-based, from dried dates, caramel flavor, may not dissolve completely.
Maple syrup
maple, distinctive
Natural sweetener from maple tree sap. Completely vegan and cruelty-free with distinctive flavor and some minerals.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, beverages, glazes, pancakes
- Texture
- moist, sticky
Plant-based, from maple tree sap, distinctive flavor, adds moisture.
Agave nectar
neutral, slightly different
Natural sweetener from the agave plant. Completely vegan and cruelty-free with neutral flavor and sweeter than sugar.
- Best for
- baking, cooking, beverages, sauces, vegan recipes
- Texture
- moist, sticky
Plant-based, from agave plant, neutral flavor, sweeter than sugar.
Erythritol
similar to sugar
Natural sugar alcohol derived from plants. Completely vegan and cruelty-free with zero calories and no aftertaste.
- Best for
- baking, beverages, frosting, all recipes
Plant-based, zero calories, no aftertaste, may have cooling effect.
Yacon syrup
sweet, slightly different
Natural sweetener from yacon root. Completely vegan and cruelty-free with prebiotic fiber and minimal impact on blood sugar.
- Best for
- beverages, sauces, small amounts, vegan recipes
- Texture
- moist, sticky
Plant-based, from yacon root, prebiotic fiber, may cause digestive issues.
How it behaves in this recipe
Vegan sugar substitutes are plant-based and cruelty-free alternatives to refined sugar. They don't involve any animal products, testing, or processing, making them suitable for vegan diets and ethical consumption.
Tips for substituting sugar
12 tips- Stevia is extremely sweet - start with ¼ the amount and taste
- Monk fruit sweetener is often blended with erythritol for better texture
- Coconut sugar works well as a 1:1 replacement in most recipes
- Date sugar may not dissolve completely in liquids - best for baked goods
- Maple syrup adds moisture - reduce other liquids by ¼ cup
- Agave nectar is sweeter than sugar - use 2/3 cup for every 1 cup sugar
- Erythritol measures 1:1 like sugar and works well in most recipes
- Yacon syrup has prebiotic benefits but may cause digestive issues
- Always check labels to ensure sweeteners are vegan and cruelty-free
- Some vegan sweeteners may have distinct flavors - choose based on your recipe
- Store vegan sweeteners in cool, dry places to maintain quality
- Consider using sugar-free syrups and flavorings for variety
Notes on sugar
- Use natural flavors like vanilla, cinnamon, or cocoa powder to enhance sweetness
- Try sugar-free syrups and flavorings for beverages and toppings
- Use unsweetened chocolate and add vegan sweeteners to taste
- Experiment with sugar-free extracts and natural flavorings
- Consider using nut butters for natural sweetness and healthy fats
- Use fresh fruits or fruit purees to add natural sweetness and nutrients
Questions
8 questionsWhat is the best vegan sugar substitute?
The best vegan sugar substitutes are stevia, monk fruit sweetener, coconut sugar, and maple syrup. These are all plant-based and cruelty-free alternatives to refined sugar.
Is stevia vegan?
Yes, stevia is completely vegan. It's extracted from the stevia plant and doesn't involve any animal products or testing.
What about monk fruit sweetener for vegans?
Monk fruit sweetener is vegan and cruelty-free. It's extracted from monk fruit and doesn't involve any animal products.
Is coconut sugar vegan?
Yes, coconut sugar is vegan. It's made from the sap of coconut palm flowers and doesn't involve any animal products.
What about date sugar for vegans?
Date sugar is vegan and cruelty-free. It's made from dried dates and doesn't involve any animal products.
Is maple syrup vegan?
Yes, maple syrup is vegan. It's made from maple tree sap and doesn't involve any animal products.
What about agave nectar for vegans?
Agave nectar is vegan and cruelty-free. It's made from the agave plant and doesn't involve any animal products.
Is erythritol vegan?
Yes, erythritol is vegan. It's derived from plants and doesn't involve any animal products or testing.