If you enjoy baking or making homemade granola bars and energy bites, you may have used brown rice syrup as an ingredient. Unfortunately, it's not always available. This guide will help you find the best brown rice syrup substitute, helping you achieve brilliant results.
What is Brown Rice Syrup?
Brown rice syrup is a thick, gluten-free liquid sweetener with a mild butterscotch flavor. It is made by fermenting cooked brown rice, breaking its starches into sugars. The liquid is then reduced into a thick, dark syrup.
Brown rice syrup has a high viscosity and is about half as sweet as refined white sugar. It has a low glycemic index of 25, so it does not spike blood sugar levels as much as other sweeteners. This makes it popular for energy bars, granola, and baked goods marketed as "healthy."
Reasons to Substitute Brown Rice Syrup
There are several reasons why you may want to use a different sweetener in place of brown rice syrup:
- Allergies: Brown rice syrup contains trace amounts of arsenic that can concern some.
- Availability: Brown rice syrup can be hard to find in some grocery stores.
- Cost: Brown rice syrup is more expensive than other liquid sweeteners.
- Flavor: The distinctive malty taste may not work well in some recipes.
The Best Substitutes for Brown Rice Syrup
When you need to replace brown rice syrup, there are several excellent alternatives to consider:
1. Maple syrup
Why it works: Maple is consistent with brown rice syrup. It offers pleasant, warm flavors like cinnamon and nutmeg that pair well with oats and nuts.
Example dishes: granola, energy bars, baked oatmeal
Measurement: Use 3⁄4 cup maple for every 1 cup brown rice syrup. Maple is sweeter, so you may need to reduce other sugars in the recipe.
2. Barley malt syrup
Why it works: Barley malt syrup has an almost identical flavor profile and color to brown rice syrup. It has the same thick, viscous texture.
Example dishes: granola bars, muffins, sweet breads
Measurement: Substitute 1 cup of malted barley syrup with 1 cup of brown rice syrup.
3. Dark corn syrup
Why it works: Unlike light corn syrup, this ingredient provides the same thickness and relatively mild sweetness. It has a neutral flavor that adapts well to recipes.
Example dishes: cookies, energy balls, bars
Measurement: Use a 1:1 ratio.
4. Honey
Why it works: Honey offers a thick viscosity and floral sweetness. It works well in most baked goods.
Example dishes: granola, crackers, cookies
Measurement: Use 3⁄4 cup honey for every 1 cup brown rice syrup. Reduce other liquids slightly.
5. Fruit purees
Why it works: Applesauce and pureed dates can provide thickness and natural sweetness. They are healthier than refined sugars.
Example dishes: energy balls, bars, muffins
Measurement: Replace 1 cup brown rice syrup with 1 cup unsweetened applesauce or 1 cup softened dates. Reduce other sugars slightly.
6. Date syrup
Why it works: Date syrup made from date palm fruit has a thick, dark brown consistency similar. It provides sweetness with vitamins and minerals.
Example dishes: granola, bars, dressings
Measurement: Use a 1:1 ratio.
7. Glucose syrup
Why it works: Glucose syrup provides a thick texture and neutral sweetness. It adapts well to recipes.
Example dishes: candy, ice cream, baked goods
Measurement: Use a 1:1 ratio.
8. Liquid stevia
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Why it works: Liquid stevia extract can provide super sweetness to recipes without added calories.
Example dishes: drinks, oatmeal, muffins
Measurement: Use 1 teaspoon liquid stevia for every 1 cup of brown rice syrup and reduce other sweeteners.
9. Agave nectar
Why it works: Light agave nectar has a consistency and mild flavor. Dark agave nectar has an even richer, darker color.
Example dishes: granola, bars, marinades
Measurement: Use a 1:1 ratio.
10. Dark molasses
Why it works: Dark molasses offers a thick, viscous texture and extremely dark color. It provides rich, strong caramel flavors.
Example dishes: gingerbread, baked beans, barbecue sauce
Measurement: Use a 1:1 ratio.
Common Uses for Brown Rice Syrup
Here are some of the most popular brown rice syrup recipes, along with the best substitutes:
Granola
It is often used to bind oats, nuts, and dried fruit together.
Substitute for brown rice syrup: maple, barley malt syrup, agave syrup
Cookies
Brown rice syrup helps cookies retain moisture for a chewier texture.
Substitute brown rice sugar syrup: corn syrup, honey, maple
Energy bars
This syrup gives a chewy texture and sweetness with less sugar spike than honey.
Substitute brown rice syrup: barley malt syrup, corn syrup, agave syrup
Muffins and quick breads
A bit of this syrup contributes moisture to a tender crumb.
Substituting brown rice syrup: maple, corn syrup, fruit purees, agave syrup
Crackers
It is used as a binder and sweetener in homemade crackers.
Best brown rice syrup alternatives: honey, maple, corn syrup
Pancake syrup
This ingredient is sometimes used to make homemade pancake syrup for a malted flavor.
Substitutes for brown rice syrup: maple syrup, corn syrup, honey, date syrup
Candy
Rice malt syrup helps make chewy candy textures like taffy or caramel without crystallization.
Brown rice syrup substitutes: glucose syrup, corn syrup, honey, date syrup
Cereal bars
A bit of brown rice syrup binds oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit in homemade cereal bars.
Brown rice syrup substitutes: barley malt syrup, maple syrup, corn syrup, date syrup
Helpful Tips for Substituting
When swapping brown rice syrup for other liquid sweeteners, keep these tips in mind:
- Reduce oven temperature by 25°F to prevent over-browning. Most substitutes caramelize faster than brown rice syrup.
- Add a splash of lemon juice or vinegar to enhance flavor complexity, as brown rice syrup has a malted flavor.
- Vegetable oil or extra eggs can help maintain moisture levels if a substitute is thinner than brown rice syrup.
- Taste dough or batter when testing substitutes to adjust sweetness and thickness as needed.
- Store baked goods with maple or honey substitutes in the refrigerator to retain moisture.
FAQs: Finding the Best Brown Rice Syrup Substitute
Can you replace brown rice syrup with maple syrup?
Yes, maple can replace this syrup in most recipes. It has a similar consistency and sweetness level. Use ¾ cup maple for every 1 cup brown rice syrup.
Is brown rice syrup the same as maple syrup?
No, these are two different ingredients. Brown rice syrup has a maltier butterscotch flavor than brown rice. Maple tastes sweeter with hints of cinnamon.
Can I use honey instead of rice syrup?
Yes, honey can be used. Honey is sweeter, so use ¾ cup of honey for every 1 cup of brown rice syrup. Honey also makes baked goods browner.
Is brown rice syrup healthier than sugar?
This syrup has a lower glycemic index of 25 than 65 for regular sugar. This means it impacts blood sugar levels less. But this ingredient is still high in calories, like sugar.
Make my day! - Share your thoughts...