Rice malt syrup is a popular sweetener used in baking and cooking, but it can be hard to find and expensive. Fortunately, there are other alternatives that work just as well. In this blog post, we’ll explore ten substitutes for rice malt syrup and how they can be used to make delicious recipes.

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What is Rice Malt Syrup?
Rice malt syrup is made by fermenting cooked brown rice with a type of mold called koji. The fermentation process breaks down the rice starch into simpler sugars, which are then strained off and collected. The resulting liquid is then combined with enzymes that break down the remaining starches, leaving behind a thick, syrupy liquid that has a mild flavor and light color. They have a high glycemic index of 98, which means that they can cause a quick spike in blood sugar levels.
But what if your recipe calls for rice malt syrup, don’t have any on hand? Have no fear! There are other options that can provide the same sweet taste and texture with a few slight variations. Let’s explore maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, date syrup, coconut nectar, barley malt syrup, molasses, corn syrup, and sorghum syrup as potential substitutes for rice malt syrup.
List of 10 best Rice Malt Syrup Substitutes
1. Maple Syrup
- Maple syrup is one of the most versatile ingredients out there.
- It’s ideal for baking, glazing, and making sauces, and its robust flavor complements many different dishes.
- It’s much lower on the glycemic index than rice malt syrup at 65, so it won’t cause a quick spike in blood sugar levels. Maple syrup has a more pronounced flavor than rice malt syrup, though, so you may want to use less of it when baking.
- When replacing rice malt syrup with maple syrup in recipes, use half the quantity as you would with rice malt syrup. However, keep in mind that maple syrup is more viscous than rice malt syrup so you may need to thin it out a bit with water or another liquid before use.
- The taste of maple syrup is sweet yet slightly smoky and nutty which makes it a great addition to pancakes or waffles or simply drizzled over ice cream or yogurt.

2. Honey
- Honey has long been known as a natural sweetener and comes in many varieties depending on where it’s sourced from.
- It works best when added to baked goods like cakes and muffins because of its thick texture and caramel-like sweetness which adds an extra layer of complexity to your recipe.
- When substituting honey for rice malt syrup in recipes, use half the amount of honey as you would with rice malt syrup (½ cup honey = 1 cup rice malt) but note that honey is sweeter than other syrups so you may want to reduce the sugar quantity accordingly when using honey in your recipes.
- You can also experiment by pairing different kinds of honey with different flavors – try lavender honey for something truly unique!

3. Agave Nectar
- Agave syrup has become increasingly popular over the last few years due to its mild sweetness and smooth texture which makes it perfect for drizzling over desserts like tarts or crumbles as well as adding a subtle sweetness to salads or marinades.
- When replacing rice malt with agave syrup in recipes, use half the amount (½ cup agave nectar = 1 cup rice malt).
- It has a milder taste than other syrups so if you’re looking for something less sweet then this might be the option for you! Its neutral flavor pairs nicely with many dishes like oatmeal cookies or even savory dishes such as tacos or burritos.
4. Brown Rice Syrup
- Brown rice syrup is made from cooked brown rice that has been fermented with enzymes.
- This produces a thick liquid syrup that has a rich flavor similar to molasses or honey.
- Brown malt rice syrup also contains more minerals than other alternative syrups including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and zinc.
- To use it as a substitute for rice malt syrup in baking recipes simply swap out the same amount of brown rice syrup as you would of rice malt syrup.

5. Date Syrup
- Date syrup is made from dates which are boiled until they form a thick syrup-like consistency.
- It has caramel undertones with an earthy sweetness that pairs well with dark chocolate flavors or nutty flavors like almond butter or cashew butter.
- It has a lower sugar level a glycemic index of 47 compared to rice malt syrup’s glycemic index of 98, so it is a great choice for those who want to reduce their sugar intake.
- To use it as a substitute for rice malt syrup in recipes, replace the equal amount of date syrup as you would of rice malt syrup.

6. Coconut Nectar/Sap
- Coconut nectar or sap comes from the coconut tree flower bud and has an incredibly unique flavor profile with hints of maple and caramel underneath its light coconut aroma.
- The taste itself is quite different from other syrups - it has a sweet taste bit like caramel but not overly sweet which makes it great for baking recipes where you don't want too much sweetness overpowering the flavor profile of your recipes such as cookies or muffins or even some savory dishes like stir fries!
- When substituting rice malt syrup with coconut nectar or sap in baking recipes, use the same amount as you would of the rice malt syrup.
7. Barley Malt Syrup
- Barley malt syrup comes from sprouted barley grains that have been cooked down into thick syrup.
- It has a slightly nutty flavor and is slightly less sweet than rice malt syrup.
- It contains more vitamins and minerals than rice malt syrup, making it a great substitute for those looking for added nutritional benefits in their recipes.
- Barley malt syrup works well in baking recipes like muffins or cakes, but can also be used in savory dishes like stir-fries or glazes for roasted vegetables. When substituting barley malt syrup use ¾ cup for every cup of rice malt syrup.
8. Molasses
- Molasses comes from boiling down sugar cane juice until it becomes thick and syrupy.
- It has a more intense flavor than either rice or barley malt syrups and is higher in minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
- Molasses can be used as an alternative to honey or maple syrup in baking recipes like cookies or pancakes but should not be used in high quantities because it has a very strong flavor.
- When substituting molasses for rice malt syrup use ½ cup of molasses for every cup of rice malt syrup called for in your recipe.

9. Sorghum Syrup
- Sorghum is made by pressing the juice out of stalks of sorghum grass which are then boiled down until they become thick and syrupy.
- Sorghum is similar to molasses but lighter in color and milder in flavor making it an ideal substitute for honey or maple syrup when using it as a topping on pancakes or waffles.
- When using sorghum as a substitute for rice malt syrups use equal parts sorghum to replace the amount called for by your recipe.
10. Corn Syrup
- Corn syrup is made from corn starch and has a mild flavor with subtle hints of caramel.
- It is typically used to sweeten desserts like cakes, cookies, and pies but can also be used as a substitute for rice malt syrups in some baking recipes.
- When substituting corn syrup for the same amount of rice malt syrup use 1 cup of corn syrup for every 1 cup of rice malt syrup. It has a low glycemic index of 15 so it is a great choice for those conscious of their sugar intake.

People Also Ask [FAQs]
Although both rice malt syrup and sugar have a relatively similar glycemic index, rice malt syrup is slightly lower, making it a more preferable option for those looking to manage their blood sugar levels.
Rice malt syrup has a mild, caramel-like flavor and can be compared to butterscotch.
Warp Up: The Best Rice Malt Syrup Substitute
- There are a variety of syrups that can be used as substitutes for rice malt syrup when baking or cooking;
- Each type of syrup has its own unique flavor and nutritional benefits to offer so consider which one will work best in your recipe before making the swap;
- Brown rice syrup is high in minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and zinc; date syrup offers an earthy sweetness with caramel undertones;
- Coconut nectar/sap has a light coconut aroma with hints of maple and caramel; barley malt syrup contains more vitamins and minerals than other alternatives but is slightly less sweet;
- While molasses provides intense flavor yet should not be used in large quantities due to its strong taste.
- Finally, sorghum is similar to molasses but lighter in color and milder in flavor perfect for topping pancakes or waffles.
🍽️ Recipe
Top 10 Substitutes for Rice Malt Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 maple syrup
- 1 honey
- 1 agave nectar
- 1 brown rice syrup
- 1 date syrup
- 1 coconut nectar
- 1 barley malt syrup
- 1 molasses
- 1 sorghum syrup
- 1 Corn Syrup
Instructions
- As an alternative to Rice Malt Syrup, a range of different syrups can be used to sweeten recipes.
- These include the likes of maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, brown rice syrup, date syrup, coconut nectar, barley malt syrup, and molasses.
- Make your choice from the above list of alternatives and decide what works best for you.
- Each syrup has its own unique flavor and each can be used in different recipes.
- For example, maple syrup is great for baking while the richer molasses works better with savory dishes.
- Experiment and find which one you like best! When selecting an alternative to Rice Malt Syrup, it is important to pay attention to the sugar content of each.
Notes
- Depending on your dietary restrictions and preferences, you may choose to opt for a lower-sugar syrup such as date syrup, corn syrup, or coconut nectar.
- If you're looking for something with a richer flavor, molasses or sorghum syrup may be a better choice.
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