Corn syrup is quite popular, but it has many drawbacks. It is not nutritious and only offers lots of calories. It also elevates your blood sugar levels, which may lead to diabetes, obesity, and other health related concerns. For the above reasons, people must want to find substitutes of corn syrup to make healthier dishes.

Corn Syrup Substitutes

Instead of using corn syrup in your recipes, you can try some healthy alternatives. Here are some suggestions:

• Maple Syrup: Obtained from the sap of a maple tree, it is an all-natural corn syrup substitute. You can find several grades of maple syrups – some of them are subtle and others are rather strong in taste. It also provides you with health benefits because it contains potassium, calcium and other minerals. Use the same amount of maple syrup to replace the amount of corn syrup required in a recipe.
• Honey: You can always replace corn syrup with honey and enjoy several health benefits of it. Honey contains vitamins, protein, antioxidants, and several minerals. You should use the same amount of honey to replace the amount of corn syrup specified in your recipe.
• Agave Nectar: It is another less processed corn syrup substitute. It tastes sweet but has a lower glycemic index as compared to corn syrup. You have to replace ¾ the amount of corn syrup with agave nectar for the same results.

• Simple Syrup: You can make a simple syrup  by granulated sugar to replace corn syrup in your recipes. One cup of this syrup is enough to replace one cup of corn syrup in any recipe.
• Brown Rice Syrup: Brown rice syrup is perfect for a one-to-one substitution. Prepared by turning rice starches into simple sugars, it works great for candy making because its consistency is quite similar to corn syrup. The only consideration is that it has a nutty flavor, so it might not work for all dishes.
• Golden Syrup: You may not find it as effective as honey, but its light, buttery flavor makes it great for a substitution. You can make it in candy making because its chemical properties are the same as corn syrup. Use the same amount of golden syrup to replace the amount of corn syrup.
• Cane Syrup: Cane syrup is made by raw sugarcane stalks. It works great in most dishes but may not be a good substitute for caramel and candy making. You can definitely use it in the pecan pie though.

Recipes for Corn Syrup Substitutes

It is also possible to make your own syrup to replace corn syrup. Here are some great recipes for you to try:

1. Simple Syrup

Ingredients

• ¾ cup of water
• 2 cups of white sugar
• A pinch of salt
• ¼ tsp of cream of tartar

Directions

• Take a large saucepan and add all ingredients to it. Stir it well until it boils.
• Reduce the heat and cover the pan for 3 minutes or until sugar crystals form at the sides of the pan.
• Remove the cover and simmer. Stir until it reaches the soft ball stage.
• Remove it from heat and let it cool. Use a covered container to store it at room temperature.
• You will get two cups of simple syrup usable for about 2 months.

2. Maple Syrup

Ingredients

• 1 cup of white sugar
• 1 cup of water
• 1 tbsp of maple flavored extract
• 1 cup of brown sugar

Directions

• Get a saucepan and bring the water, brown sugar, and white sugar to a boil in it over medium-high heat.
• Reduce the heat and stir in the maple extract. Simmer for about 3 minutes to get your maple syrup.
• Use two cups of brown sugar if you want your syrup to have a rather thicker consistency.

3. Agave Nectar

Ingredients

• 1 cup of hot water
• 1 cup of agave nectar

Directions

• Combine equal parts of hot water and agave nectar. Be sure to stir it well until it dissolves.
• Cool it completely. Keep it in your refrigerator between uses.
• It stays usable for a month.

4. Golden Syrup

Ingredients

• 50g of water
• 200g of sugar
• 600g of boiling water
• 2 slices of lemons
• 1 kg of sugar

Directions

• Take a large saucepan and pour water and sugar into it.
• Twirl the saucepan around on medium heat and caramelize the sugar.
• Add the boiling water along with 1 kg of sugar and lemon slices.
• Boil for 45 minutes on low heat until it comes to a boil and becomes thick.
• Cool and pour the syrup into bottles and store it in a cool place.

Here is a great video to help you understand how to make a perfect corn syrup substitute at home. It explains how to make corn syrup in a less processed way without sacrificing the consistency. You can use this syrup to make caramelized apples and other desserts. Check it out now!