What is a good substitute for syrup?

There are so many substitutes for maple syrup that can replicate the taste and texture of the real thing; honey, molasses, simple syrup, brown sugar syrup, brown rice syrup, corn syrup, golden syrup, coconut nectar, agave nectar, white sugar, brown sugar, or keto syrup alternatives .

Is Karo syrup the same as corn syrup?

Karo syrup is a popular brand of corn syrup , which is obtained from corn starch that is derived from maize. It is a concentrated solution of several sugars, such as glucose (dextrose), derived from corn starch. Because of various sugars, corn syrup has a naturally mild sweet taste.

Can I replace corn syrup with honey?

Honey has a similar consistency as corn syrup, but it tends to be a bit sweeter. While it does make for a great swap in baked goods, it should not be used for candy making. Use a 1:1 swap for corn syrup, but do keep in mind that honey may impart a distinct flavor when using it as an alternative .

What is a good substitute for corn in a recipe?

Substituting Corn in Recipes Some of the popular alternatives include rice, quinoa, barley, potato, and cauliflower . These substitutes not only provide different flavors and textures but also offer various health benefits, such as being gluten-free, low in calories, and rich in nutrients.

What to do when you run out of syrup?

This is probably the easiest, fastest way to get a delicious maple syrup substitute: mix some jam (or jelly, or preserves, or marmalade) with a splash of water in a small pan over medium heat. Whisk until smooth, adding more water as needed until you get a nice, syrupy consistency.

Can I use glucose instead of corn syrup?

Essentially, glucose and corn syrup are the same thing . All corn syrup is glucose syrup, but not all glucose syrup is corn syrup. This means they can be used interchangeably, but as mentioned above, they are different types of glucose syrups that can aid in certain recipes.

What is corn syrup made of?

Corn syrups are produced from refined corn starch by subjecting the wet starch to acid or enzymatic hydrolysis, which convert the starch to dextrose, maltose, and dextrins.

Can you skip corn syrup in a recipe?

Unless you're looking to substitute corn syrup in a candy-making recipe, most any liquefied sugar will do—though the flavor may be affected.

What does corn syrup do in baking?

Corn syrup keeps sugar from crystallizing, a.k.a. hard sugar lumps forming in your otherwise smooth syrup , which is why you'll often see it in homemade candy or caramel recipes. Whether you're making brittle or butterscotch, adding corn syrup along with the sugar results in smooth, never-grainy caramel.

Can you substitute brown sugar for corn syrup?

Brown Sugar Use this in place of one cup of dark corn syrup, suggests GourmetSleuth. Brown sugar is an excellent substitute for dark corn syrup in baked goods , as both items feature a rich flavor -- and therefore, the swap may be indistinguishable.

What is corn syrup called now?

High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), also known as glucose–fructose, isoglucose and glucose–fructose syrup , is a sweetener made from corn starch.

Substitutes for Corn Syrup (2024)

If you're trying to avoid using corn syrup, or maybe just need to substitute it for something you have on hand, then you're in luck! We've listed eight excellent substitutes for corn syrup below. Before diving in, know that some of these alternatives do not have the same chemical makeup as corn syrup. Corn syrup is used in recipes to prevent crystallization for a softer texture, making it perfect for candy making, and it can also give shine and volume to recipes like caramel and chocolate sauces or ice creams and brownies. A few of these alternatives cannot be used for candy making, so take the time to read about each one before using it.

Corn Syrup Substitute

When substituting corn syrup, know that corn syrup’s sweetness level is around 77 Brix (a scale used to measure the dissolved sugar content of a liquid solution). Because corn syrup has a high Brix number, you’ll want to use a sweetener that has a matching (or similar) Brix number if you’d like the substitute to be just as sweet. However, finding a matching Brix number is not always necessary if you just want a corn syrup substitute that will mimic the other properties that corn syrup lends. Check out these corn syrup substitutes to use in your recipes.

1. Brown Rice Syrup

Brown rice syrup is one of the best substitutes for corn syrup. Brown rice syrup’s Brix level is at 78, making it almost at the same sweetness level as corn syrup’s 77. Brown rice syrup also prevents crystalization and can withstand candy-making temperatures. It also has a light brown color (making it a great light corn syrup substitute) and has the same viscosity as corn syrup. The only downside is the difference in taste. This syrup is made from rice starch that has a lightly toasted rice flavor that may not be suitable for all corn syrup substitutes.

Brown Rice Syrup Brix Level: 78 degrees Brix
Best As a Corn Syrup Substitute For: candy, marshmallows, fudge, baked goods, and granola

2. Maple Syrup

Maple syrup is another corn syrup substitute you can try out and is most likely in your pantry right now. Keep in mind, maple syrup is not the best corn syrup substitute as it has a lower viscosity, different flavor, and a Brix level that trickles between 66 and 68 (not as sweet as corn syrup). However, it can still be used for desserts like sauces, cookies, and quick bread! Plus, maple syrup comes in many different hues, so choose the best maple syrup grade for your corn syrup substitute.

Maple Syrup Brix Level: 66-68 degrees Brix
Best As a Corn Syrup Substitute For: sauces, cookies, and quick bread

3. Agave

4. Simple Syrup

Making simple syrup is also a great option if your pantry is truly looking sparse. Simple syrup usually has a 1:1 sugar-to-water ratio that calculates to 50% Brix, but you’ll want this mixture to be a lot thicker to mimic the viscosity of corn syrup. Instead, dissolve 1 cup of sugar in 1/4 cup of water to mimic corn syrup and bring the Brix level to around 80%. Since the only taste the simple syrup will bring is sweetness, you can use it for a variety of recipes like pies, sauces, and co*cktails. However, do not use it for candy making!

4:1 Simple Syrup Brix Level: 80 degrees Brix
Best As a Corn Syrup Substitute For: drink recipes, sauces, and pies

5. Tapioca Syrup

Tapioca syrup is another useful corn syrup substitute. It’s made from the root vegetable cassava so it’s mild in flavor. It's super easy to incorporate into recipes, has the same viscosity as corn syrup, and is around the same Brix level as corn syrup. Tapioca syrup is best for use in quick bread, cakes, ice cream, sauces, and marinades, but shouldn’t be used for candy making.

Tapioca Syrup Brix Level: 78-80 degrees Brix
Best As a Corn Syrup Substitute For: quick bread, cakes, ice cream, sauces, and marinades

6. Honey

Honey can be used as a corn syrup substitute, but be aware that honey’s Brix can reach up to 80%, making it a little sweeter than corn syrup. Honey also lends a more distinct taste, so remember when choosing your honey type that the lighter the honey, the lighter the flavor. Honey is not suitable for making candy or caramel because it crystallizes easily, but is great in beverages, ice cream, cheesecakes, salad dressings, marinades, and quick bread.

7. Golden Syrup

Golden syrup is scarce in the US and more commonly found in pantries across the UK, but if you happen to have a canister of this deliciousness, use it. Golden syrup is an excellent corn syrup substitute as it can be used 1:1 for corn syrup and is ideal for candy making. However, its Brix level is a bit higher than corn syrup, so keep that in mind. Otherwise, golden syrup has a lovely caramel flavor that complements any recipe, especially treacle tarts.

Golden Syrup Brix Level: 82 degrees Brix
Best As a Corn Syrup Substitute For: candy, marshmallows, fudge, caramels, sauces, and pies

8. Black Treacle

A cousin to golden syrup, black treacle makes a great corn syrup substitute, especially for dark corn syrup. While black treacle has a higher Brix level (80%), there is some pleasant bitterness in the flavor to balance out the sweetness. This other UK pantry staple is one of the main ingredients when making the British baked good sticky toffee pudding. Black treacle is technically suitable for candy making but note the significantly darker color and pronounced molasses notes.

Black Treacle Brix Level: 80 degrees Brix
Best As a Corn Syrup Substitute For: sauces, marinades, and baked good recipes with different cinnamons and winter flavors

Substitutes for Corn Syrup FAQ

There are a lot of questions surrounding corn syrup substitutes and when you can and can't use them. We've answered some of the most common ones below:

Corn Syrup vs High Fructose Corn Syrup

The difference between corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup is in their processing and chemical makeup. Corn syrup is a type of inverted sugar that's made from corn starch and is 100% glucose syrup. High fructose corn syrup is also made from corn starch, but some of the glucose is processed into fructose. Since high fructose corn syrup is more processed, it has many negative effects on the body.

Light Corn Syrup Substitute

The best light corn syrup substitutes are golden syrup, brown rice syrup, golden or amber maple syrup, agave, tapioca syrup, simple syrup, and light honey.

Dark Corn Syrup Substitute

The best dark corn syrup substitutes are black treacle, dark maple syrup, and buckwheat honey.

Corn Syrup Substitute for Candy

The best corn syrup substitutes for candy making are brown rice syrup and golden syrup.

Corn Syrup Substitute in Baking

The best corn syrup substitutes for baking are brown rice syrup, maple syrup, agave, tapioca syrup, honey, golden syrup, and black treacle.

Whether you’re avoiding using corn syrup, are allergic to corn, or don’t have it on hand, there are a ton of substitutes for corn syrup to try instead. Make sure that your corn syrup substitute can work for the recipe you’re making, and you’re good to go!

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