Product Substitutes

Can I Substitute Maple Syrup for Honey? (Agave? Corn Syrup?)

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substitute honey maple sm

It happens. You’ve just realized you’re in a bind — you ran out of honey just when you’re about to prepare one of your favorite recipes. Now, you’re wondering, can I substitute maple syrup for honey?

As a general rule, it works to substitute maple syrup for honey. Both are natural liquid sweeteners, have a similar consistency, and can be substituted one-to-one. That is a cup of honey for a cup of maple syrup or a teaspoon of honey for a teaspoon of maple syrup.

And maple syrup has a lower glycemic index (it would not inordinately raise your blood sugar level).

It also has a different flavor and is kosher for vegans. Now, raw honey is sweeter and thick syrup and has a more neutral taste, while maple syrup (surprise, surprise) has a more distinctive marked maple flavor.

But there’s a lot more to know. Below we’ll get more into the discussion and we’ll also look at other alternatives such as agave nectar or corn syrup.

Let’s dive right in.

substitute honey maple lg

Does maple syrup work the same as honey?

Maple syrup works almost like honey. Now, both honey and maple syrup are used as natural sweeteners. But, they are slightly different in nutritional value, color, texture, and flavor. Honey is sweeter and higher on the glycemic index.

It also tends to be thicker with a woodsy flavor, while maple syrup has caramel notes or caramel flavor.

Both have a sweet flavor, are a lot better than regular white sugar, and are great substitutes. So, note where a recipe calls for a cup of sugar. You’ve got choices now that we know maple syrup can be used in place of honey. However, the consistency of honey is different.

Let’s find out more about how these two natural sweeteners differ and the implication for how maple syrup works relative to honey.

If health benefits are high on your list, maple syrup is excellent.

It is a natural sweetener and a sweet syrup that is a healthier alternative than honey because of its lower glycemic index. In an age where a lot of us have become more discerning about our sugar intake, maple syrup is probably the way to go.

Why? Because honey has a higher glycemic index — which implies that it can easily spike one’s blood sugar level!

The body tends to store the excess sugar as fat. I suspect that’s probably not what you want. Honey’s glycemic index is 58, while maple syrup’s GI is 54. A cup of honey has 1,031 calories, while a cup of maple syrup has 840 calories.

Sugar beets and sugar cane are the most common plants used in the production of sugar. And to convert cups of sugar to cups of honey, there are easy-to-use converters online.

Maple syrup, a delicious syrup, is also derived from the sap of the maple tree.

It is collected and boiled to caramelize and thicken it. Since it’s derived from a plant, it’s great for vegans. Honey, on the other hand, is originally nectar, but because it is processed by insects, it is not vegan.

Maple syrup has a strong, distinct flavor relative to honey. You need to be mindful of this, as it can cause changes in the flavor of your food.

Because of its thinner consistency, maple syrup works well in baked goods, and honey’s thicker consistency makes it great for marinades and salad dressings, seeing as it’s easier for it to stick to food.

It is a great honey alternative. But both honey and maple syrup are great for muesli, granola, baked goods, and cereals. Be sure to check the required water content so that your baked goods can come out great.

Honey, too, can be substituted for maple syrup or other types of syrup. It is one of the best maple syrup alternatives. If you ever need to substitute 2 cups of maple syrup, you know that 2 cups of honey is a good estimate.

How much maple syrup do I substitute for honey?

A one-to-one substitution of pure maple syrup for honey is ideal, seeing as it is similar in texture and color to honey. But the flavor of maple syrup is much stronger. So for some recipes, a 50/50 blend of maple syrup and agave nectar may provide better flavor results.

It’s vital to bear that in mind.

Maple syrup is one of the best honey substitutes because of the similarities we have explored. It has a sweet taste and qualities that make it great for folks who are concerned about their sugar intake and blood sugar level. It’s awesome for vegans, too, seeing as it’s made from the sap of maple trees.

So, you can use equal parts of each as a substitute for the other.

What about corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup? We know that the latter is harmful, but what is the difference between corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup?

That’s what I got into in a recent article I published. In it, I explored whether corn syrup is as bad as high fructose corn syrup and looked at its advantage over regular corn syrup. I spoke about whether Karo corn syrup is high fructose. And I even revealed whether cane sugar is better than corn syrup.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Dark corn syrup is darker than light corn syrup and has a more nuanced flavor which could affect the taste of your food. Both are an example of invert sugars (meaning that they are liquid at room temperature).

What is the best substitute for maple syrup?

Honey is one of the best substitutes for maple syrup. It can be substituted one for one — that’s a cup of honey for a cup of maple syrup. But honey is sweeter, and its flavor is not as nuanced. And because it’s an animal byproduct, it’s not suitable for anyone on a vegan diet. 

And it is a good idea not to use it in any preparation that a baby that’s not up to a year would eat because it can trigger botulism.

Honey has a similar texture to maple syrup, and it’s great for topping pancakes.

So, it can be used in place of maple syrup. Of course, its flavor is different, but it’s also good with sweet dishes or baking recipes such as cookies and banana blueberry muffins. It is one of the healthy maple syrup substitutes. You can also enjoy french toast with honey.

The next best substitute for maple syrup is making your own brown sugar syrup.

It’s very simple to do. Simply add ½ cup of brown sugar and ½ cup of water to a saucepan and heat over medium heat. Stir it until the sugar is dissolved for 1 to 2 minutes. Do not simmer. Cool it to room temperature before using it.

You can store it in a refrigerator for a month.

Is honey or maple syrup better for baking?

Both honey and maple syrup are great for baking. They are healthier than regular granulated sugar and are similar in terms of nutritional value. But maple syrup is healthier because it has a lower glycemic index, and because it is derived from the sap of maple trees, it is often preferred by vegans.

But it’s not as thick as honey.

So the kind of baking you’re doing might be the criterion for choosing one over the other. Honey is sweeter and has no fat. If you opt for real maple syrup, you will have to contend with its distinctive flavor. Honey, on the other hand, has a more neutral flavor.

Ultimately, it depends on you, as you consider your sweet recipes or sweet treats. But honey is sweeter. So it’s okay to sub as long as you use the best maple syrup.

If what you’re baking would be eaten by a baby, you want to stay off honey as it can cause botulism, a form of food poisoning in babies. Remember not to give honey (in any form) to a child that’s not up to a year.

What about dark molasses and light molasses? Both are a byproduct of making sugar. It’s sweet but has a slightly burnt flavor. There are different types of molasses — a function of how often the brown sugar contains molasses.

Dark brown sugar has more molasses than light brown sugar. It’s a common ingredient that does not have a clear alternative. In baking, you can sub ¾ cup of granulated white sugar and ¼ cup of water for 1 cup of molasses.

Dark molasses (the variant often used in gingerbread) is produced after the second boiling, while blackstrap molasses is produced after the third iteration. Brown rice syrup, barley malt syrup, date paste, and rice malt syrup are all healthier alternatives to sugar. Naturally, you’ll need at least a cup of dates to make date paste.

Coconut nectar is a great alternative for those with fructose sensitivities. Fructose is the sugar found in honey and fruit.

If you like, you can easily make pancake syrup, at home, with the following ingredients: 1 cup packed brown sugar · 1 cup sugar · 1 cup water · 1 teaspoon maple flavoring.

Can I substitute agave for honey?

Yes. You can substitute agave nectar for honey. In recipes calling for honey, both agave and honey are equal replacements — you can substitute one cup of agave for one cup of honey.

A key benefit is that agave is less likely to trigger allergic reactions seeing as it does not contain pollens.

It is a good substitute, seeing as it has a lower glycemic index relative to other natural sweeteners, so it’s a healthier alternative for folks with diabetes. But be sure to consult your doctor if you have diabetes before deciding on the sweeteners to use.

If you’re interested in sweetening drinks, agave works well, perhaps even better than honey. It dissolves better in water than honey. It dissolves easily in liquids regardless of the temperature.

So, if you’re looking to substitute agave syrup for honey while cooking or baking, a one-for-one substitution is okay and if you’re in doubt, opt for a slightly smaller quantity of agave. Agave is not as thick as honey.

This may or may not be an issue when you’re blending some salads and sauces. You may want to add other liquids gradually as it may require less of one to achieve the consistency you want.

If you plan to use agave in baking, be sure to increase the time slightly while reducing the temperature by 25% to avoid over-browning or a burnt aftertaste.

By the way, where can you find honey in the grocery store (and is it fake?).

Check out a recent article I published. In it, I showed what aisle the honey is in at Walmart, Kroger, Safeway, and Publix. I shared places where you can get real honey and even revealed whether the honey you find in grocery stores is real.

Just click that link to read it on my site.

Can I substitute corn syrup for honey?

Yes. You can substitute corn syrup for honey. Corn syrup and honey are equal replacements — you can substitute one cup of corn syrup for one cup of honey. An added benefit of this substitution is that you can use corn syrup while making candy and caramel as it prevents crystallization.

At the risk of stating the obvious, honey is a delicious substitute for granulated sugar, its flavor and texture are heavenly, and it has several health benefits. Still, you may want variety, or perhaps you’re vegan and are not interested in it because it’s an animal byproduct.

It’s less processed and has a lower glycemic index, so it’s great for folks with diabetes, as it won’t cause a spike in blood sugar levels. Be sure to consult with your doctor if you have diabetes before deciding on the sweeteners to use.

But it’s not ideal to use honey for baking at high temperatures.

Simple syrup is a cocktail sweetener that earns its name because it’s equal parts water and granulated sugar. Golden syrup is made with water, sugar, and citric acid.

Conclusion

In the article, we learned a lot about different types of sweeteners.

We found out if maple syrup works like honey. We found out about the excellent alternatives to both maple syrup and honey. We learned that honey is a great alternative to maple syrup and vice versa. And that maple syrup is one of the best options for honey. We learned about agave nectar, a maple syrup replacement.

And we learned which one is better: honey or maple syrup.

Check out all my ingredient substitution articles:

15 Best Substitutes for Achiote Paste & Powder

9 Best Agar Agar Substitutes

15 Best White Balsamic Vinegar Substitutes

9 Simple Madras Curry Powder Substitutes

15 Best Browning Sauce Substitutes

13 Best Substitutes for Mustard Seed

15 Fool-Proof Lyle’s Golden Syrup Substitute Options

Can I Substitute Maple Syrup for Honey?

Hoisin Sauce vs. Oyster Sauce (Difference & Best Substitutes)

19 Best Substitutes for Potato Starch (and when to use them)

21 Best Paneer Substitutes (for your Indian recipes)

21 Best Turmeric Substitutes (you probably have on hand)

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11 Best Porcini Mushroom Substitutes (dried and fresh)

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Image by piviso from Pixabay and Image by Дарья Яковлева from Pixabay

Cornstarch vs. Corn Syrup – Key Differences & Substitutions

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Cornstarch and corn syrup are related, but they are different. So here, we’ll look at how they are used, how they differ, and how you can use one in place of the other: cornstarch vs. corn syrup.

Corn syrup is made from cornstarch. But it undergoes a process that transforms it into a thick surgery syrup. Cornstarch, by comparison, is a light powder that is not especially sweet. In some cases, corn syrup can be used as a thickener, the same way cornstarch is used as a thickener.

But cornstarch is incredibly versatile, having an array of uses.

In this article, we’ll find out if cornstarch can be used in place of corn syrup and if cornstarch is the same as high fructose corn syrup. But we’ll also discover if corn syrup can be used in place of cornstarch.

Let’s get started.

corn starch vs corn syrup lg

Can I use cornstarch for corn syrup?

Do not directly replace cornstarch for corn syrup. While corn syrup is derived from cornstarch, its consistencies, cooking qualities, and taste are different. Cornstarch is a thickening agent, while corn syrup is sugar. One cannot be substituted for the other.

You know that you can use corn syrup to soften the texture of a variety of food products, enhance flavor, prevent the crystallization of sugar cane (to prevent sugar from becoming solids after it’s been saturated), and add volume.

Cornstarch, on the other hand, is incredibly versatile. It is used in a variety of ways. It was originally used to starch laundry. In time, its many other uses were recognized.

It is often employed to thicken liquid-based foods such as custards, stews, soups, and sauces. When used in the right amounts, it’s tasteless and translucent.

Looking for a corn syrup substitute?

The following are some of the best substitutes for corn syrup:

  • Dissolved sugar
  • Honey
  • Molasses
  • Maple syrup
  • Agave syrup (sometimes called agave nectar)
  • Brown rice syrup
  • Golden syrup

Light corn syrup is used when you want a delicately sweet flavor, and dark corn syrup is used when you desire a more robust color and flavor. The latter would be better for your pecan pie.

Brown rice syrup is also a sweetener, but it is not necessarily the best substitute for corn syrup or sugar. In fact, it has more calories, although it is considered a great natural sweetener.

So for me, the best choice to replace corn syrup is agave nectar. This is because it comes in both a light and a dark form, and its mild flavor is perfect for a wide variety of different products.

Is cornstarch the same as high fructose corn syrup?

Cornstarch is not the same as high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), although all forms of corn syrup are made from cornstarch. When cornstarch is broken down into individual glucose molecules, the end product is corn syrup. And then, high fructose corn syrup is derived from corn syrup.

So while related, they are two different products.

To produce high fructose corn syrup, enzymes are added to corn syrup to convert some of its glucose to another sugar known as fructose. It’s naturally occurring in fruits and berries and is also referred to as “fruit sugar.”

Corn starch, as we found out earlier, is starch. It is a chain of glucose molecules joined together.

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS), on the other hand, is sugar, although not exactly the same as table sugar. It’s a mixture of glucose and fructose. These are examples of simple sugars. Glucose and fructose can be obtained when sucrose is hydrolyzed. This is known as invert sugar.

HFCS is often used in soft drinks.

You’re in the market for honey. Where can you easily find it in the grocery store? 

Check out a recent article of mine where I shared if you could buy raw honey at Walmart and if honey in grocery stores is real. I also shared how to know if it’s real honey or not!

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Can you use corn syrup instead of starch?

Corn syrup can be used in place of cornstarch to thicken some types of sweet food, such as hard candy, fudge, and cake frosting. It is a sweetener that’s used to soften the texture of food, add volume and enhance flavor, in addition to other uses. 

So, it depends on the specific use.

In some cases, you can. They are both derived from corn kernels. But they have different consistencies, textures, and tastes. Naturally, they have a few common uses too. But if you want to sweeten something, this isn’t the way to go due to the lack of sugar content in cornstarch.

Cornstarch has a lot more uses because of its abrasive and deodorizing qualities, like baking soda.

Apart from its use in cooking, it has tons of uses outside the kitchen, such as industrial applications. In most of these instances, corn syrup would be grossly inappropriate.

Potato starch is considered the best substitute for cornstarch. But wheat flour is also frequently used to thicken products.

Why is corn syrup banned in the UK?

Corn syrup itself is not banned in the United Kingdom. But products made from genetically modified ingredients (GMOs) are, and most forms of corn syrup are made from GMO corn. 

Corn syrup imported from the United States is likely to have been made from genetically modified corn.

In the UK, there is a requirement that food that is genetically modified or that contains genetically modified parts have to be disclosed. And it has to meet a particular threshold.

Similar regulations over the food industry will become mandatory in America starting 2022. Of course, there isn’t absolute proof that GMOs have negative effects on our health. But the concern over them has been growing for over a decade.

Corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, are they the same thing? 

That’s the theme of a recent article of mine where I looked at whether corn syrup is as bad as high fructose corn syrup and the advantage of high fructose corn syrup over regular corn syrup. But I also revealed if cane sugar is better than corn syrup.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Is corn syrup made from corn flour?

Corn syrup is not made from corn flour; it’s made from corn starch. Corn starch is starchy and powdery because it’s made from the starchy part of the corn kernel. Corn flour, on the other hand, is a fine powder made from the whole corn kernel.

In other words, both cornstarch and cornflour are derived from corn. The first is made from the part of the corn that’s starchy, while the second is made from the whole kernel. Corn syrup is a derivative of the first (cornstarch).

But how’s corn syrup made?

There are two key steps in making corn syrup. The first is separating the starch from corn and then converting cornstarch into corn syrup. Water and sulfur dioxide are added to corn kernels. After the kernels have been softened, the germs (the inner part of the kernel) are removed. It’s then heated and pressed to release the corn oil.

After being separated, the starchy center is mixed with mill starch (a protein mixture) at high speeds.

Then any leftover protein is removed, leaving the starch ready to be converted into corn syrup. Hydrochloric acid is added to the mixture and then heated under pressure.

The heat and the breakdown of the acid create sugar in liquid form. The longer the period, the sweeter the corn syrup. Undesirable flavors and colors are removed, and then the mixture is evaporated to create the final product.

So, corn syrup and corn flour are different. What about corn flour and masa harina, are they the same?

A recent article of mine offers interesting info on this theme. I looked at if you could substitute corn flour for masa harina and if cornmeal is the same as cornflour. But I also shared how you can make masa harina.

Just click the link to read it on my site.

Conclusion

In the article, we found out if cornstarch can be used in place of corn syrup and if cornstarch is the same as high fructose corn syrup.

But we also discovered if corn syrup can be used in place of cornstarch. Then, we considered why corn syrup is banned in the UK (actually, it’s not). And we looked at a great substitute for both cornstarch and corn syrup.

Lastly, we explored if corn syrup is made from corn flour.

Check out all my ingredient substitution articles:

15 Best Substitutes for Achiote Paste & Powder

9 Best Agar Agar Substitutes

15 Best White Balsamic Vinegar Substitutes

9 Simple Madras Curry Powder Substitutes

15 Best Browning Sauce Substitutes

13 Best Substitutes for Mustard Seed

15 Fool-Proof Lyle’s Golden Syrup Substitute Options

Can I Substitute Maple Syrup for Honey?

Hoisin Sauce vs. Oyster Sauce (Difference & Best Substitutes)

19 Best Substitutes for Potato Starch (and when to use them)

21 Best Paneer Substitutes (for your Indian recipes)

21 Best Turmeric Substitutes (you probably have on hand)

Kaffir Lime Leaves vs Lime Leaves: Differences & Substitutes

11 Best Porcini Mushroom Substitutes (dried and fresh)

13 Top Substitutes for Nutritional Yeast (Simple Options)

Image by jette55 from Pixabay