Sweeteners play a very important role in cooking and baking. Apart from these functions, they are also known to maintain freshness, enhance flavour in processed meats, and act as a preservative in jams and jellies. There are plenty of sweeteners available on the market, such as table sugar, honey, jaggery, maple syrup, molasses, etc., and each of them has a separate function. However, during times of need, they can be used as a substitute for each other.
Speaking particularly about maple syrup, it is one of the most popular sweetener and topping ingredients used in cooking. It is made from the sap of a sugar maple tree and has an intensely sweet, a little bit buttery, and nutty flavour. Maple syrup is mainly used for pancakes, waffles, French toast, oatmeal, and porridge. However, the time and effort required for its production make maple syrup really expensive.
So, here are the six best substitutes for maple syrup you can use in your recipes:
Honey
Honey is the best substitute for maple syrup, as it has a similar consistency and is also deliciously sweet. Although the flavours of both of these sweeteners are different, you can use them as a substitute for maple syrup for baking as well as topping your pancakes. Honey can be used at a ratio of 1:1 (honey to maple syrup), and if possible, choose pure honey for the best flavour.
Molasses
Molasses is one of the byproducts of the sugar-making process. It has a thick and sticky texture with a dark brown colour. Mostly used for making gingerbread cookies, it can also act as a substitute for maple syrup. Their ratio can be 1:1, but molasses is a little thicker and more flavourful than maple syrup, so use it accordingly.
Date Syrup
Date syrup, also known as date honey or date molasses, is a sweet and thick syrup made from dates. If you are looking for a natural and healthy substitute for maple syrup, switch to date syrup. Loaded with fibre and antioxidants, it goes well with pancakes, muffins, and other desserts. Date syrup can be used in a ratio of 1:1 (date syrup to maple syrup). This syrup can also be used for your yoghurt and oatmeal bowls.
Coconut Sugar Syrup
Coconut sugar is a natural sweetener that is made from the sap of the coconut palm flower. It is another excellent substitute for maple syrup. To make this syrup, boil coconut sugar and water in an equal ratio and let it cool completely. You can replace maple syrup in a ratio of 1:1 with coconut sugar syrup. Its toasty and caramel flavour goes well with baking, oatmeal bowls, and pancakes.
Yacon Syrup
Yacon, or yacon root syrup, is a perfect replacement for maple syrup if you have any gut-related issues. The consistency of both is the same, but yacon syrup is slightly sweeter. So, the right ratio replacement can be 1:2 (yacon syrup: maple syrup). It goes well for baking, sweetening drinks, and drizzling over oatmeal and pancakes.
Agave Nectar
Also known as agave syrup, it is made from the agave plant and is often used as a sweetener in cocktails. You can use it as a substitute for maple syrup for baking cheesecakes, mousse, muffins, etc. Agave syrup can also be used to top desserts and porridge. As it is sweeter than maple syrup, the right ratio for using it is 1:2 (agave nectar to maple syrup).