When you want to add a rich, deep sweetness to your bagels, cookies, sauces, or glazes, barley malt syrup is your best bet.
This thick, dark brown, and sticky liquid boasts a unique malty taste that’s nutty and sweet with hints of caramel, toast, coffee, and fruit. Because of this, it can elevate any recipe!
However, its availability can sometimes be limited, making life difficult for an eager baker like yourself.
So if you can’t find barley malt syrup anywhere, don't worry! In this article, we'll explore the top substitutes for barley malt syrup to ensure your recipes remain delightfully delicious.
| Barley Malt Substitute | Description | Best Uses | Substitution Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agave syrup | Similar consistency and sweetness level to barley malt syrup | Roasted sweet potatoes, granola bars, muffins | 1:1 |
| Golden syrup | Sweet and mildly buttery flavor | Waffles, pancakes, granola | 1:1 (may vary depending on recipe) |
| Brown rice syrup | Mild, nutty, and sweet | Pancakes, bagels, baked goods | 1:1 (adjust for sweetness) |
| Maple syrup | Sweet and rich | Desserts, salads, marinades | 1:¾ |
| Dark or light molasses | Dark and sweet with a smoky burnt caramel flavor | Gingerbread, cookies, pecan pies | 1:1 (or 1:¼ for less sweetness) |
| Honey | Sweeter than barley malt syrup | Waffles, dressings, glazes, BBQ sauce | 1:1 |
| Korean rice syrup | Mild and sweet with grainy and earthy flavors | Glazes, cookies, pancakes | 1:1 |
| Coconut syrup | Mild, sweet, and nutty with a toffee-like taste | Pancakes, waffles, marinades | 1:1 |
| Sugar | Very sweet | Baked goods, beverages | 1:1 (adjust for sweetness) |
| Date syrup | Sweet with a rich caramel taste | Meaty dishes, vegetables, desserts | 1:1 |
| Black treacle | Dark and bittersweet with a slightly burnt flavor | Tarts, puddings, glazed hams | 1:1 |
| Pomegranate molasses | Sweet, tart, slightly tangy and musky | Marinades, dressings, sauces | 1:1 |
12 Best Barley Malt Substitutes You Can Try
Ever experienced being in the middle of whipping up something delicious in the kitchen, only to find that your barley malt syrup bottle is empty?
No need to put your cooking or baking on hold!
Here are several alternatives to barley malt syrup that you can use instead:
1. Agave Syrup
You can substitute barley malt syrup with agave syrup since both have a similar consistency and sweetness level.
This syrup, extracted from the agave plant, is low on the glycemic index, making it a healthy option.
However, when it comes to taste, note that barley malt syrup has a unique malty flavor. In contrast, agave syrup has a mild, sweet, neutral taste with a hint of caramel.
Though there is a difference in their flavors, agave syrup can still complement various dishes where barley malt syrup is typically used, such as roasted sweet potatoes, granola bars, and muffins.
Substitution instructions: Use agave syrup in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for barley malt syrup.
2. Golden Syrup
Golden syrup, or light treacle, is a variety of inverted sugar syrup that comes from sugar cane juice.
This British sweetener staple is characterized by its thick, viscous consistency and a sweet and mildly buttery flavor with slight notes of toffee and butterscotch.
While it does not taste exactly like barley malt syrup, it still provides the yummy sweetness needed in various recipes, such as waffles, pancakes, and granola.
It's also one of the most widely available sweet syrups in grocery stores, making it a convenient option if you run out of barley malt syrup.
Substitution instructions: Generally, though, golden syrup can be used in a 1:1 substitution ratio for barley malt syrup. But this may vary depending on the recipe’s required consistency and/or sweetness.
Don’t like store-bought golden syrup? Here’s a video on how to make your own homemade version:
3. Brown Rice Syrup
Brown rice syrup is a good substitute for barley malt syrup since it’s vegan and gluten-free — on top of being sweet and delicious.
Thick and syrupy, it has a mild, sweet flavor similar to honey.
Since brown rice syrup and barley malt syrup share a similar consistency, the former can be used as a replacement for the latter in pancakes, bagels, and several baked goods.
Substitution instructions: Brown rice syrup can be substituted for barley malt syrup in a 1:1 ratio. If consistency is not an issue, add a little more if necessary to achieve the desired sweetness level.
4. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is a rich and thick sweet syrup that’s popular as a topping for pancakes, waffles, and other breakfast foods.
Due to its distinctly sweet flavor with a hint of caramel, it can be a good substitute for barley malt syrup in various desserts. But you can also consider this natural sweetener for various savory recipes, like salads and marinades.
Just be careful when using it as it’s sweeter than barley malt. Don’t use as much of it as you would with barley malt syrup to prevent it from overpowering the other flavors in your dish.
Substitution instructions: Replace barley malt syrup with maple syrup in a 1:¾ ratio.
5. Dark or Light Molasses
Known for its dark, rich color and strong, smoky burnt caramel flavor, molasses is a good barley malt syrup substitute for different recipes.
It’s definitely sweeter than barley malt syrup, and it has a slight bitterness to it that complements sweet baked goods like gingerbread cakes and cookies.
Keep in mind that aside from dark molasses, there's also light molasses. This will be the ideal molasses variety if you prefer a milder flavor and lighter color for desserts like pecan pies and cupcakes.
Substitution instructions: Molasses can be used to replace barley malt syrup in a 1:1 ratio. If you find it too sweet for you, go for a 1:¼ ratio instead.
6. Honey
Another sweetener you can use is honey, a great natural barley malt syrup alternative.
Boasting a thick, syrupy consistency and a sweeter taste than barley malt syrup, it’s great for waffles, dressings, glazes, and BBQ sauce.
Now there are different types of honey out there. Among the most preferred ones is clover honey due to its mild taste and light color.
However, you can also opt for dark honey if you want a strong, pungent taste to add complexity to your recipe.
Substitution instructions: Swap barley malt substitute for honey in a 1:1 ratio.
7. Korean Rice Syrup
Also known as maltose or maltose syrup, Korean rice syrup (ssal-jocheong) is a gluten-free barley malt syrup substitute made from cooked rice and malted barley powder.
This syrup boasts grainy and earthy flavors, giving it a wonderfully complex taste profile.
And it’s not as sweet as sugar or honey, so it perfectly captures the milder sweetness of barley malt syrup in glazes, cookies, pancakes, and other recipes.
Substitution instructions: A 1:1 ratio of barley malt syrup to Korean rice syrup is ideal.
8. Coconut Syrup
Commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine, coconut syrup can be used in place of barley malt syrup in different recipes.
You’ll find that it has a somewhat mild sweetness with a nutty, toffee-like taste and a gooey richness, so you can enjoy it on its own on top of pancakes or waffles.
But it’s also ideal for adding thickness and slight sweetness to marinades and sauces, just like barley malt syrup.
Substitution instructions: Coconut syrup can be used as a 1:1 substitute for barley malt syrup for the dish’s consistency.
9. Sugar
White, brown, or powdered sugar can also be used as a substitute for barley malt syrup in a pinch.
As you may already know, it’s a versatile sweetener with a wide range of uses, from serving as an essential ingredient in baked goods to beverages like fruit punch and lemonade.
And while sugar does not have the same malty flavor as barley malt syrup, its sweetness makes it a suitable substitute for desserts and pastries.
Substitution instructions: You may opt for a 1:1 ratio, but you can also use less sugar if you want the final product to be less sweet.
10. Date Syrup
Date syrup is a natural sweetener made from pureed dates and widely used in Middle Eastern cooking.
Because of its thick consistency, it’s a fantastic malt syrup substitute. Plus, its rich caramel taste and fruity flavor pair well with meaty dishes, vegetables, and desserts.
Substitution instructions: Date syrup can be used to stand in for barley malt syrup in a 1:1 ratio.
11. Black Treacle
Many mistake it for molasses, but black treacle is actually a darker, more bittersweet syrup with a slightly burnt flavor profile that makes it stand out.
Since it has a strong flavor, it is best for recipes that can handle its robust taste.
Additionally, black treacle is a common ingredient in British cuisine, making it a popular choice for those looking to make tarts, puddings, and glazed hams.
Substitution instructions: Replace barley malt syrup with black treacle in a 1:1 ratio.
12. Pomegranate Molasses
Completing our list is a Middle Eastern cooking staple called pomegranate molasses.
This syrup is made from reducing pomegranate juice with a unique flavor profile that’s sweet, tart, and slightly tangy and musky.
It lends sweetness to various recipes, although it’s not as sweet as the rest of the alternatives mentioned.
So feel free to use this if you prefer a less sweet barley malt syrup substitute for marinades, dressings, and sauces.
Substitution instructions: Go for a direct 1:1 swap.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Substitute Is Closest to Barley Malt Syrup?
Molasses’ dark color, thick consistency, and strong caramel flavor most closely resemble barley malt syrup.
So if you want to use a substitute that can help retain your dish’s original flavor profile, go for molasses.
What Is the Healthiest Barley Malt Syrup Substitute?
Some healthier substitutes for barley malt syrup include honey, coconut, and date syrup.
These natural sweeteners score low on the glycemic index and contain vitamins and minerals like potassium and magnesium.
Top tip: Choose organic honey or organic date syrup with slim ingredient lists to ensure you get a product without unhealthy fillers or additives.
Barley Malt Syrup Substitute: Top Takeaways
Don’t have barley malt syrup on hand? Now you know that there are many great substitutes for barley malt syrup that can be used in various dishes.
By experimenting with different substitutes, you can discover new flavors and textures that elevate your dishes.
So feel free to try out some of these substitutes in your next recipe. You might be surprised at how well they can help you create something new and delicious in the kitchen!
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