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Home Β» Breakfast Β» Homemade Spicy Maple Syrup

March 1, 2022 (last updated December 17, 2022)

Homemade Spicy Maple Syrup

5 from 4 votes
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This hot spiced maple syrup is super easy to make and has just a few ingredients. It adds a spicy kick to sweets and a sweet and spicy addition to savory dishes.

Be sure to check out more of my recipes including this boozy, DIY bourbon maple syrup and my brandy white chocolate sauce.

Overhead view of spicy maple syrup in small glass pitcher on small round wood board. Spoon above pitcher with spicy maple syrup. Gray napkin on right.

Ingredients

Maple syrup is graded in four different levels. It ranges from golden to amber to to dark to very dark (you may remember it being A & B before). Golden is the lightest in color, sweetest and has the mildest maple flavor. Very dark obviously is the darkest, is slightly less sweet and has the strongest maple flavor. I prefer dark or very dark for this recipe. The maple flavor holds up better to the strong spices.

Cayenne pepper is what adds the spicy kick to this syrup. The recipe calls for an amount that in my opinion makes it mild to medium spicy. If you prefer it less spicy, you can reduce the amount of cayenne. If you prefer a hotter, spicier syrup then add more.

Paprika is a milder pepper that gives this syrup a little more depth of flavor with an earthy, sweet flavor. If you like smoky flavors, use smoked paprika.

Finally, salt is so important in a syrup that is super sweet and spicy. The salt brings a little bit of balance but also enhances the maple and pepper flavors.

overhead view of 3 wood spoons with paprika, cayenne pepper and salt. Metal measuring cup with maple syrup on small round wood board. Metal spoon to the right with maple syrup.

How to Make Spicy Maple Syrup

I thought about simmering the maple syrup with a hot pepper like a jalapeno, serrano or Thai chili. But hot peppers are very inconsistent in their level of heat and I want to be able to control the heat level in the syrup. So ground spices are the best option for this.

To get the spices to flavor the syrup, it is cooked on the stove for a few minutes. That’s really how simple this recipe is. However, the spices do not dissolve and give a very slight texture to the syrup. I have a texture snob in my house so I am sensitive to the subject! If you prefer it smooth without the spices, run the hot syrup through a coffee filter to remove the spices.


How to Use this Syrup

You can use this syrup in the traditional way on top of pancakes, French toast and waffles. The spicy salty flavor is such a nice balance to the sweet in breakfast foods.

White plate with 2 stacks of pancakes with butter and raspberries on top. Glass pitcher above poring spiced maple syrup onto stack. Gray napkin on right.
  • This syrup would also be wonderful on bread pudding, again adding a wonderful spicy kick.
  • What would bacon be without maple??? Brush the syrup on bacon for the last 3 or 4 minutes of cooking time.
  • I think that the perfect dish for this spicy maple syrup is chicken and waffles. The salty, spicy & sweet along with savory fried chicken and sweet waffles is the ultimate combination.
  • Finally this syrup would be a wonderful finishing glaze on pork chops or baby back ribs. Whether you put a spice rub on your ribs or a barbecue sauce, this syrup would be wonderful brushed on for the last 3 or 4 minutes of cooking.
Close up of spicy maple syrup in small glass pitcher on small white plate. Plate with stacks of pancakes in background. Gray napkin on right.
White plate with 2 stacks of pancakes with butter and raspberries on top. Glass pitcher above poring spiced maple syrup onto stack. Gray napkin on right.

Spiced Maple Syrup

Author: Janet Harlow
Course: Dessert, Sauces and Dressings
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 servings
This spiced maple syrup is super easy to make and adds a spicy kick to sweets and a sweet and spicy addition to savory dishes
5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Cook Time 5 mins

Ingredients
  

  • ΒΎ c maple syrup (amber or dark is recommended)
  • Β½ tsp salt
  • ΒΌ tsp cayenne pepper (add another β…› tsp or more if you like spicy heat)
  • ΒΌ tsp paprika

Instructions
 

  • ο»ΏThis syrup is mild-medium spicy. If you like it very mild use β…› tsp cayenne. I you prefer it closer to hot, add an extra β…› tsp cayenne
  • Place all of the ingredients in a small pot. Place on the stovetop over low heat.
  • Stir for 15 seconds or so.
  • Heat for another 4-5 minutes stirring often. Keep the heat low enough so it does not boil.
  • The syrup can be used as is, with the spices in it, but they do not dissolve. If desired, you can run it through a coffee filter (while still hot) to remove the spices. The cooking process will have flavored the syrup
  • Once cooled the syrup will thicken. Store in the refrigerator.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how it was! Tag @chefjanetk on Instagram.
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Posted In: Breakfast, Sauces and Dressings · Tagged: maple syrup

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