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    Home » Condiments

    Delicious Vegan Honey

    Published: Apr 27, 2021 · Modified: Apr 25, 2022 by Kristen Wood

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    Disclaimer: You will find affiliate links for the products I use and love on this blog. I will earn from any purchases you make from these links, but it is at no extra cost to you. I appreciate your support!

    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!

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    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 vegan 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 alternative 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 honey.
    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 substitute 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

    Romesco Sauce

    Easy Vegan Cashew Pesto

    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 22 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Condiments
    Cuisine: Vegan
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 16 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
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    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

    Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 103kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 42mg | Potassium: 50mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 5IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 1mg

    Equipment

    Coconut Sugar
    Lemon Juice
    Tapioca Starch
    Have you tried this recipe?Please Rate + Comment Below!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Toni says

      May 03, 2022 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a perfect alternative! Thank you s much for the recipe!

      Reply
    2. Shadi Hasanzadenemati says

      May 03, 2022 at 4:35 pm

      5 stars
      Love how easy this recipe is. It’s perfect for our family!

      Reply
    3. Liza says

      May 03, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    4. Caitlin says

      May 03, 2022 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is actually amazing!! The perfect vegan substitute and great on so many things!

      Reply
    5. Kathleen says

      May 03, 2022 at 2:45 pm

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
    6. Lisa says

      January 16, 2022 at 8:34 am

      5 stars
      Great idea! I didn't even think to make my own honey until i saw this recipe.

      Reply
    7. Kristen says

      January 16, 2022 at 7:33 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great idea and it really does taste like honey!

      Reply
    8. Mandy Applegate says

      January 16, 2022 at 4:27 am

      5 stars
      This looks an amazing recipe and I can't wait to try it!

      Reply
    9. Claudia Lamascolo says

      January 16, 2022 at 3:42 am

      5 stars
      I love the ease of this recipe and it is certainly a great alternative!

      Reply
    10. Jayne says

      January 15, 2022 at 10:45 pm

      5 stars
      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.

      Reply
    11. Beth Sachs says

      November 01, 2021 at 3:42 am

      5 stars
      What a great idea! I'll be making this for my friend!

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        November 01, 2021 at 8:57 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    12. Kechi says

      November 01, 2021 at 3:02 am

      5 stars
      I love that this is refined sugar free and that it is easy to make! Hope to make some; thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        November 01, 2021 at 8:57 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    13. Savita says

      November 01, 2021 at 2:07 am

      5 stars
      What an amazing idea to make vegan honey. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        November 01, 2021 at 8:56 am

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    14. Charla says

      November 01, 2021 at 12:13 am

      5 stars
      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!

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        November 01, 2021 at 8:56 am

        Thank you!

        Reply
    15. Heather Johnson says

      October 31, 2021 at 9:49 pm

      5 stars
      interesting - definitely sharing with my vegan friend!

      Reply

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    About Kristen Wood

    Hi! I'm Kristen -- a mama, photographer, recipe developer and author of The Vegetarian Family Cookbook, Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners and Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook. I enjoy sharing both wildly creative and ridiculously practical gluten-free vegetarian recipes that are approachable for all. Everything you see here is infused with a bit of nature, magic and good health.

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