Cooking Substitutions, Recalculated

What can I use instead of honey?

Best substitute for 1 cup honey
1 1/4 cup white sugar + 1/4 cup water
White sugar + water — Dissolve the sugar in the water.
cups
Amounts below are for 1 cup honey

4 substitutes for honey

SubstituteUse this muchNotes
White sugar + water1 1/4 cup white sugar + 1/4 cup waterDissolve the sugar in the water.
Maple syrup1 cup maple syrup1:1; different flavor.
Agave nectar1 cup agave nectarMilder and slightly sweeter.
Light corn syrup1 cup light corn syrupNeutral; good for candy.

Honey is a liquid sweetener, so when you swap it you may need to adjust other liquids. Maple syrup and agave are the closest 1:1 stand-ins.

Tips

  • When swapping liquid sweeteners, reduce other liquids slightly.
  • Honey browns faster - lower the oven by 25F (15C).

FAQ

Can I use sugar instead of honey?
Yes - use 1 1/4 cups sugar plus 1/4 cup extra liquid per cup of honey.
Is maple syrup a 1:1 honey swap?
Yes, though it adds its own flavor; reduce other liquids a touch.