Ingredient substitution guide
Best substitutes for maple syrup
Best swap for maple syrup: Honey, use 3/4 as much; sweeter, floral rather than mapley.
How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy
What can I use instead of Maple Syrup?
The best swap for Maple Syrup is Honey, use 3/4 as much; sweeter, floral rather than mapley. Another option is Agave Nectar, use 3/4 as much; neutral flavor, thinner. The table below also lists Brown Sugar, 3 swaps in all.
| Swap | Ratio and notes |
|---|---|
| Honey | use 3/4 as much; sweeter, floral rather than mapley Diet and health: Not for babies under 12 months: the CDC says honey can cause infant botulism. |
| Agave nectar | use 3/4 as much; neutral flavor, thinner |
| Brown sugar | 3/4 cup brown sugar dissolved in 1/4 cup water per 1 cup syrup; less maple flavor, no need to cut other liquid How to use it: For a maple taste, stir in about 1/4 teaspoon maple flavoring per cup. |
Source and limits
These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated . We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.
The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:
- Ingredient Substitutions (FN198), NDSU Extension (opens in a new tab)
- Ingredient Substitutions (9.329), Colorado State University Extension (opens in a new tab)
- CDC, Foods and Drinks to Avoid or Limit (infants and toddlers) (opens in a new tab)
Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.
Buying more? Storage times for maple syrup