Vegan Honey (Refined Sugar-Free)

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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!

A jar of dark vegan honey resting on a white ceramic plate.

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
📋 Recipe Features
🔪 How-to Make
🥣 How-to Use
💭 Frequently Asked Questions
🥣 More Vegan Condiments You Might Enjoy
📖 Recipe
💬 Comments

Dried flowers resting on a white plate next to an open jar of honey substitute.

A jar of a dark liquid on a dark wooden table framed by green plants.

🍯 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.

A top view of an open jar of honey alternative.

An open jar of honey resting on a ceramic plate drizzled with a honey dipper.

📋 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.

A honey dipper dipping into a clear jar of dark liquid.

Aunlight hitting an open jar of vegan honey giving a rich golden hue.

🔪 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!

A saucepan filled with the liquid ingredients.

🥣 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.

A wooden honey dipper drizzling honey into an open clear jar.

💭 Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace the coconut sugar with a different sugar?

Yes! This recipe works with any granulated sugar, including raw.

Can I use different juices in this recipe?

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!

Why tapioca starch?

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!

Why maple syrup?

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.

How do I store vegan honey?

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.

Atop shot of a honey dipper coated in extra golden shiny liquid.

🥣 More Vegan Condiments You Might Enjoy

Vegan Cultured Pepper Jack Walnut Cheese

Vegan Gravy

Romesco Sauce

Easy Vegan Cashew Pesto

Sunlight hits a open jar filled with dark substance and topped with a wooden honey dipper stick.

An open jar of dark honey rests on a speckled ceramic plate next to colorful dried flowers.

a white ceramic plate on a dark wooden table with an open jar of honey and dried wildflowers resting on it

📖 Recipe

vegan honey in a jar sitting on a white plate

Delicious Vegan Honey

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!

5 from 28 votes

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Course: Condiments

Cuisine: Vegan

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 35

Total Time: 45

Servings: servings

Author: Kristen Wood

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

Please refer to the FAQ & Top Tips section of this post for valuable information and answers to some questions you may have!

You might also like: 12 Best Vegan Egg Substitutes.

Nutrition

Recommended Products

Coconut Sugar

Lemon Juice