If you want to eat less refined foods, white sugar is one of the first ingredients to minimize in your diet. Sadly, white sugar is hard to avoid. It’s found in sweet treats, sauces, salad dressings, marinades, beverages, and more. One strategy that can help is learning how to substitute honey for white sugar in your own recipes.
Honey is a natural sweetener that contains contains trace amounts of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, zinc, and antioxidants. It has a beautiful golden color, thick texture, and richer flavor than sugar, which can add depth and moisture to your recipes. However, these same qualities can produce unexpected results when you’re substituting honey for sugar — so you need some know-how to make this swap successfully.
Read next: The dos and don’ts of cooking and baking with honey
1. Use less honey than sugar
The first rule when substituting honey for sugar is to adjust the amount. Honey is sweeter than sugar, so plan on using less of it. The right substitution ratio is 0.75:1, meaning for every 1 cup of sugar called for in a recipe, swap in 3/4 cup of honey.
2. Reduce other liquids
Honey contains more moisture than sugar. You can adjust for that by reducing the other liquids in your recipe. For every 1 cup of honey you use, decrease other liquids by 2 to 4 tablespoons. To manage that range, start with 4 tablespoons and then add some back until the texture looks right. If you’re not sure, reduce liquids by 3 tablespoons.
3. Add baking soda for baked dishes
Using honey in lieu of sugar in a baked dish can produce a thick, overly dense texture. You can prevent that issue by adding baking soda to the batter. Baking soda reacts with honey to produce tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide gas. Those bubbles, in turn, lift the batter to deliver a lighter, airier texture.
4. Reduce oven temperature
Honey browns faster than sugar, so a lower oven temperature can help prevent burned tops. When substituting, lower the recommended oven temperature by 25°F or 15°C. You can also turn on the oven light so you can monitor your dish. That’s preferable to opening the oven door.
5. Respect flavor differences
Honey has a more complex flavor than sugar. It can be floral, fruity, or earthy depending on the variety, while sugar is mostly neutral and purely sweet. Honey also adds aroma and depth, not just sweetness, which can subtly change the overall flavor of a dish.
Lean into honey’s more layered flavor profile. You can also experiment with different honey variations to customize your recipes. Clover honey is mild, for example, while buckwheat honey is strong.
6. Choose appropriate recipes
Honey’s rich texture can be an upgrade for dense muffins and cakes, but it doesn’t work as well for crispier baked goods. A thin, crispy chocolate chip cookie, for example, will lose its crunch if you use honey instead of sugar.
Recipe types that work well with a honey-for-sugar substitution include:
- Banana, zucchhini, or carrot breads. Breads that are naturally moist can handle honey well without major texture issues.
- Blueberry, bran, or pumpkin muffins. Honey adds softness and a subtle flavor boost.
- Simple snack cakes. Opt for recipes that aren’t supposed to be light and airy.
- Oatmeal or peanut butter cookies. Cookies with chewy textures are your best bet.
- Vinaigrettes. Warm the honey slightly by placing the container in a bowl of warm water. This step makes it mix in better with other ingredients.
- Marinades for chicken, salmon, and pork. In marinades, honey enhances caramelization and balances savory flavors.
- Pancakes and waffles. Honey adds flavor and tenderness to the batter.
- BBQ and teriyaki sauce. Honey sweetens and adds a richer, more complex taste.
7. Use nonstick measuring cups and spoons
Honey is sticky and that makes it hard to measure. Opt for nonstick measuring cups and spoons which release honey more easily. You’ll get better measurements and have less waste.
Read next: How to substitute honey for brown sugar
Recipes that use honey instead of sugar
Here are five BlogChef-favorite recipes that use honey to sweeten and enhance flavor.
Substituting honey for sugar the right way
Substituting honey for sugar takes some adjustments and possibly some experimentation, but it’s worth the effort. Honey can elevate your baked goods, salad dressings, marinades, and sauces with its rich flavor and texture. Have fun working this ingredient into your daily cooking practice.
