I was out of brown rice syrup and needed a quick substitution for a recipe I was making. I had a feeling that honey would work, so I tried it. It wasn’t an exact replacement, but the recipe still turned out well. I’ve also used agave nectar as a brown rice syrup substitute and it worked great.
As a result of my tests, I’ve decided to put together a list of brown rice syrup substitutes for when you’re in a pinch.
Here are 11 substitutes for brown rice syrup, with the exact ratios to use as a replacement and how I’ve used them in recipes.
Substitutes for brown rice syrup
- Maple syrup
- Honey
- Corn syrup
- Molasses
- Barley malt syrup
- Date syrup
- Fruit juice
- Stevia
- Brown sugar
- Agave nectar
- Glucose syrup
Maple syrup
Looking for a healthy alternative to brown rice syrup? Try 100% pure maple syrup!
Maple syrup is a natural sweetener that can be used in place of brown rice syrup in many recipes. It is also lower on the glycemic index, making it a good choice for those watching their blood sugar levels.
To substitute maple syrup for brown rice syrup, use 3/4 cup of maple syrup for every 1 cup of brown rice syrup.
You may need to adjust the amount of other liquid ingredients in your recipe since maple syrup is more liquid than brown rice syrup.
But give it a try next time you’re in the kitchen – you might be surprised at how delicious maple syrup can be!
Honey
There are many times when honey can be used as a very healthy replacement for brown rice syrup.
One of the benefits of using honey is that it is a natural sweetener that contains numerous minerals and antioxidants. It also has a smooth texture that can be used to create a variety of different dishes.
Honey has a smooth texture and a mildly floral flavor that works well in both sweet and savory dishes. We’ve used honey to sweeten our smoothies, yogurt bowls, and baking recipes with great success.
When substituting honey for brown rice syrup, use 3/4 cup of honey for every 1 cup of brown rice syrup. This will help to ensure that you get the same sweetness and consistency in your dish.
Corn syrup
Corn syrup is often used as a replacement for brown rice syrup, as it has a similar taste. It is made from corn flour and is available in light or dark varieties, each with a slight difference in taste.
It is thinner than brown rice syrup but has nearly the same consistency.
Corn syrup has a long shelf life and does not need to be refrigerated. However, since it is rich in fructose, it is not a very healthy alternative.
Molasses
Molasses is a thick, dark syrup that is a by-product of refining sugarcane or sugar beets into sugar. It has a strong, slightly sweet flavor with a bit of bitterness and is a good source of iron and other minerals.
Because it is thick, molasses can be used as a replacement for brown rice syrup in many recipes. But the ratio will be a little different. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of brown rice syrup, you can use 1/2 cup of molasses instead.
When using molasses as a replacement for brown rice syrup, keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different. Molasses is bitter than brown rice syrup, so you might want to adjust the amount of other sweeteners in the recipe accordingly.
Barley malt syrup
Barley malt syrup is a thick, dark brown liquid made from malted barley. It is rich in maltose, making it sweeter than other liquids like corn syrup or honey.
It is also thicker, so you may need to use less of it when baking.
When substituting for brown rice syrup, use 3/4 cup of barley malt syrup for every 1 cup of brown rice syrup.
The subtle flavor of malted barley pairs well with baked goods like cookies and pies. It can also be used as a topping for pancakes or waffles.
Date syrup
Date syrup is a great substitute for brown rice syrup. It is made from date palm fruit and has a subtle sweetness. It also has a silky texture and is quite nutritious.
Date syrup is a good source of vitamins and minerals and is a healthy alternative to sugar. It can be used in baking, as a topping for pancakes or waffles, or as a replacement for honey in tea or coffee.
When using date syrup as a substitute for brown rice syrup, use 3 tablespoons of date syrup for every cup of brown rice syrup.
Fruit juice
Fruit juice can make an excellent substitute for brown rice syrup. Not only is fruit juice or fruit puree naturally sweet, but it is also relatively easy to make and even readily available. This makes fruit juice an ideal sweetener for smoothies, yogurt, and oatmeal.
In addition, fruit juice is packed with healthy vitamins and nutrients. For example, strawberry juice is a good source of Vitamin C, while peach juice contains beta-carotene. Blueberry juice, meanwhile, is rich in antioxidants.
So, using fruit juice as a substitute for brown rice syrup can help to boost your overall health. Just make sure you avoid juices with added sugars.
Stevia
Stevia is a zero-calorie sweetener that comes from a sweet plant. It is many times sweeter than sugar, so you only need to use a small amount.
One downside to stevia is that it can have a licorice aftertaste if it is not used sparingly. But it works well as a substitute for brown rice syrup in many recipes.
In addition, stevia does not raise blood sugar levels like brown rice syrup can, so it is a healthier option for diabetics or those watching their blood sugar levels.
When using it as a substitute, remember that you just need to use one drop if the recipe calls for one cup of brown rice syrup.
Brown sugar
Brown sugar is a type of (sometimes partially) unrefined sugar that still contains molasses.
While brown sugar is not an exact replacement for brown rice syrup, it can be used as a substitute in some cases.
The main difference between the two is the consistency – brown sugar is more coarse than brown rice syrup. This is important to keep this in mind when using brown sugar as a substitute, as it may affect the texture of the final product.
However, brown sugar does have some benefits over brown rice syrup. First, it’s less processed so it retains more nutrients. And it is more easily available than brown rice syrup.
When used in the right recipe, brown sugar can be a delicious and cost-effective alternative to brown rice syrup.
Agave nectar
Agave nectar is a liquid sweetener that is derived from the agave cactus. It has a similar flavor to honey, and it can be used as a replacement for brown rice syrup in many recipes.
However, agave nectar is much more highly processed than honey or brown rice syrup. As a result, it is not necessarily a healthier choice.
If you are going to use agave nectar as a substitute for brown rice syrup, you should use 1/2 cup for every cup of brown rice syrup in the recipe.
Glucose syrup
Glucose syrup is a thickening agent and sweetener that is derived from starch. It is often made from rice or potatoes and can be used as a replacement for brown rice syrup in many recipes.
One benefit of using glucose syrup is that it provides the same level of sweetness with less sugar. Plus, it can help to thicken sauces and desserts without changing the flavor.
Another advantage is that glucose syrup is more heat stable than brown rice syrup, making it ideal for baking and cooking.
To substitute glucose syrup for brown rice syrup, use an equal amount of glucose syrup.
FAQs
What are the benefits of brown sugar over brown rice syrup?
Brown sugar is less processed than brown rice syrup, so it retains more nutrients. It is also more easily available than brown rice syrup. When used in the right recipe, brown sugar can be a delicious and cost-effective alternative to brown rice syrup.
How do I use brown sugar as a substitute for brown rice syrup in a recipe?
Brown sugar is more coarse than brown rice syrup, so you may need to adjust the recipe accordingly.
In general, you can use 1/2 cup of brown sugar for every cup of brown rice syrup in a recipe.
If you are using brown sugar as a substitute for brown rice syrup in a baking recipe, be sure to decrease the oven temperature by 25°F to prevent the brown sugar from burning.
What is the difference between brown rice syrup and glucose syrup?
The main difference between brown rice syrup and glucose syrup is that brown rice syrup is made from brown rice while glucose syrup is made from starch. Glucose syrup is also more heat stable than brown rice syrup, making it ideal for baking and cooking.
Is agave nectar a healthier option than brown rice syrup?
No, agave nectar is not a healthier option than brown rice syrup. It is much more highly processed than brown rice syrup, so it is not necessarily a healthier choice.
Conclusion
Brown rice syrup is a great sweetener for many recipes, but it can be expensive and hard to find. Luckily, several substitutes can be used in its place. And you might even have some of them lying around in your pantry!
Brown sugar, agave nectar, and glucose syrup are all viable options that will work in most recipes. If you don’t have these, there are still a lot of alternatives you can explore.
So figure out what works best for your recipe, adjust the recipe accordingly, and enjoy!