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This delicious vegan alternative to honey makes the perfect vegan honey substitute for your favorite recipes. Naturally vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and refined sugar-free. It tastes just like honey!
This recipe comes courtesy of a request I received from a reader. It was brought to my attention that I have quite a few honey-centered recipes on my site, as well as a large vegan reader base, so I set off to create a vegan honey alternative that is vegan, tastes like honey and is cruelty free. I think I've succeeded! I've since used this vegan honey just as you would a conventional honey and it works beautifully as a 1:1 substitute. I hope you enjoy!
Jump to:
🍯 Veganism and Honey
Is honey vegan? As veganism is defined, no it is not. However, some people who are otherwise vegan, do allow for the use of honey. Just like many things in life, it comes down to personal choice and ethics.
📋 Recipe Features
- Creamy, sticky and drippy (just like honey!).
- Rich and sweet, with honey-like undertones.
- Works 1:1 as a substitute for conventional honey.
- Easy to make.
- Stores well.
- Vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free.
🔪 How-to Make
This recipe simply involves simmering some ingredients together for some time in a pot on the stovetop and allowing it to cool before using and serving. Easy peasy!
🥣 How-to Use
- Drizzle on pancakes, waffles and french toast.
- Stir into tea (great in chamomile tea!) or coffee.
- Used in baked goods just as you would other liquid sweeteners like agave nectar, maple syrup, brown rice syrup or, of course, traditional honey from bees.
💭 Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This recipe works with any granulated sugar, including raw.
The combination of orange and apple juices in this recipe really are what create a honey-like flavor in this recipe, however, you can replace the juices and experiment as you would like for some still-delicious natural sweeteners!
I tested this recipe a variety of ways and—hands down—the consistency (and slight sweetness) that tapioca provides really creates the closest flavor and texture to that of honey. You can still come up with some delicious flavored sweetener sans tapioca or with other thickeners of choice, but I was really aiming for the honey flavor with this recipe!
Maple syrup contains a compound called vanillin which is also found in vanilla bean itself. This subtle addition of maple syrup really adds some nice rich, vanilla undertones that rounds out the flavors and contributes to a honey-like taste.
With good care and the use of a jar with a tightly screwed on lid, this bee-free honey will keep in the fridge for up to 6 months.
🥣 More Vegan Condiments You Might Enjoy
Vegan Cultured Pepper Jack Walnut Cheese
📖 Recipe
Delicious Vegan Honey
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple juice no added sugar
- 2 cups coconut sugar or any granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons orange juice pulp free, no added sugar
- 5 tablespoons tapioca starch
Instructions
- In a saucepan over high heat combine apple juice, sugar, water, maple syrup, lemon juice and orange juice. Bring to a boil, turn heat to medium-low and let simmer (uncovered) for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Using a ladle, scoop about 1 cup of the mixture into a mixing bowl and add the tapioca starch. Whisk until smooth, then pour the mixture back into the saucepan. Simmer for 5 minutes longer, stirring frequently.
- Turn off the heat and let the vegan honey cool before storing and/or serving. It will continue to thicken as it cools and thicken even more after refrigeration. Keep stored in the refrigerator in a tightly closed jar for up to 6 months.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Equipment
Toni says
This is such a perfect alternative! Thank you s much for the recipe!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati says
Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!
Liza says
What a brilliant recipe! Thank you for developing this tasty vegan honey that's such a perfect accompaniment to toast, biscuits, tea, and many recipes. Another winner from Moon and Spoon and Yum!
Caitlin says
This recipe is actually amazing!! The perfect vegan substitute and great on so many things!
Kathleen says
Oh my, I cannot wait to make this, having some ladies over for a tea party and one of my friends while not vegan is allergic to honey! So this will be perfect, looks simple and delicious!
Lisa says
Great idea! I didn't even think to make my own honey until i saw this recipe.
Kristen says
This is such a great idea and it really does taste like honey!
Mandy Applegate says
This looks an amazing recipe and I can't wait to try it!
Claudia Lamascolo says
I love the ease of this recipe and it is certainly a great alternative!
Jayne says
Wow! this recipe took me by surprise. Who would have thought you could make your own delicious healthy honey. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Beth Sachs says
What a great idea! I'll be making this for my friend!
Kristen Wood says
Thank you!
Kechi says
I love that this is refined sugar free and that it is easy to make! Hope to make some; thanks for sharing!
Kristen Wood says
Thank you so much!
Savita says
What an amazing idea to make vegan honey. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Kristen Wood says
Thank you so much!
Charla says
As a healthy foodie this recipe ticks all the right boxes, coconut sugar and agave are usually my go to but I will definitely be trying this once I get some orange/apple juice this week, thank you so much!
Kristen Wood says
Thank you!
Heather Johnson says
interesting - definitely sharing with my vegan friend!