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Home Β» Baked Goods Β» Easy Homemade Agave Nectar (Syrup) Substitute

March 3, 2022 (last updated November 29, 2022)

Easy Homemade Agave Nectar (Syrup) Substitute

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This quick and easy substitute for agave syrup will work in any recipe that calls for agave nectar or syrup. Just 2 ingredients and 7 minutes is all you need.

This syrup would work well in my gluten-free vanilla almond flour cake and my grain-free, gluten-free banana blueberry muffins.

Metal measuring cup with agave nectar substitute on small round wood board. Spoon above the cup dripping with syrup. Pink napkin on right and glass jars in background.

What is Agave Nectar?

Agave nectar is extracted from the heart of the agave plant. You may also see it labeled as agave syrup, but these syrups sometimes have other ingredients added. Agave nectar has just one ingredient – agave.

Short of finding an agave plant and boiling it down to syrup, there are ways to make a quick agave nectar substitute with ingredients you have at home.

Glass jar with agave syrup substitute and meatal measuring cup with brown sugar on left. Measuring spoons with brown sugar in front. White wood background.

Agave Nectar Alternatives

There are other ready-made liquid sweeteners you could substitute for agave. Honey, maple syrup, coconut nectar and date syrup are other options but most of these syrups have a stronger flavor profile than agave. Using one of these syrups would likely have an effect on the flavor of whatever you’re cooking or baking. So I prefer this simple recipe that works extremely well in place of agave nectar.


Ingredients

Light brown sugar, like agave has more depth of flavor than plain sugar and works well as the base for this DIY syrup. I don’t recommend using dark brown sugar which has more molasses. The flavor of the molasses will come through.

Now to turn it into a syrup – Simply place the sugar with some water into a small pot. Heat it over low stirring often with a wire whisk. Cook for 5-6 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved. Pour it through a mesh strainer to remove any small chunks of brown sugar that did not dissolve.

It will seem a little thinner than agave syrup at this point, but the mixture will thicken as it cools. If you need to use it in a baking recipe right away, pour the syrup onto a large baking sheet to cool. With more surface exposed, it will cool it faster.

Close up of measuring spoon with brown sugar and metal measuring cup full of brown sugar. White wood surface.

How to Use Agave Nectar Substitute

This agave nectar substitute can be used in any recipe that calls for agave syrup or agave nectar. It may give a slightly different, barely noticeable flavor to the recipe. It is also darker in color. But it will work with any baked good, cocktail recipe or savory dish.

The syrup would also be wonderful on pancakes, waffles or French toast if you happen to be out of maple syrup. My husband loves to pour it over ice cream.

Overhead view of glass jar with agave syrup substitute. Round wood coaster underneath. Spoon above the jar with syrup. White wood background.

Easy Homemade Agave Nectar (Syrup) Substitute

Author: Janet Harlow
Course: Baked Goods, Sauces and Dressings
Cuisine: American
Servings: 1 cup
This recipe for an agave nectar substitute has just 2 ingredients that you have at home. Make it 7 minutes or less! Use it in any recipe that calls for agave nectar or syrup.
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Prep Time 1 min
Cook Time 6 mins

Ingredients
  

  • 1 c light brown sugar, packed firmly in the measuring cup
  • β…” c water

Instructions
 

  • Place the brown sugar and water in a small pot.
  • Place on the stovetop over low heat and stir with a wire whisk to combine.
  • Continue heating, stirring often, for 5-6 minutes. Do not let it bubble too much and do not boil.
  • After 6 minutes or so, all of the brown sugar should be dissolved.
  • Pour through a mesh strainer into a large bowl.
  • Let it cool before using in baking recipes. To cool it more quickly, pour the syrup onto a baking sheet. With more surface area exposed it will cool in a few minutes.
  • Store at room temperature in a sealed jar or container.
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Posted In: Baked Goods, Sauces and Dressings

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