Best Vegan Honey Recipe
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This vegan honey is made with just 3 simple ingredients. It’s sweet, sticky, and perfect for drizzling or dipping.
No bees are needed for this liquid gold.
Apple juice, tea, and sugar transform into a plant-based honey with the look, feel, and flavor of regular honey. It’s perfect for anything that could use a bit of sweetness!
So, if you’re tired of using maple syrup every time a vegan recipe calls for honey, this recipe is for you.
WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?
Put this vegan honey alternative to the test and see how it measures up! Use it on everything-free cookies and cranberry whiskey sour.
Why You’ll Love This Vegan Honey Recipe
- This finger-licking vegan honey recipe only calls for 3 ingredients, and it’s all done in one pot!
- Sticky and sweet, this vegan apple honey is just like the real thing. Try it on baked goods, savory mains, or refreshing drinks.
- This bee-less honey is versatile and adaptable. You can make different flavor variations by adding extracts or using various kinds of tea!
Ingredients And Substitutions
Apple juice – Apple juice’s sweetness and hue make it the best base for vegan honey. Feel free to use store-bought apple juice for convenience!
Spiced chai tea – Adds depth to the vegan apple honey. You can also use red clover or any tea you like.
Light brown sugar – Granulated white sugar will also work for this bee-free honey.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Let It Thicken
Don’t take the mixture off the burner too soon or too late. If you take it off too early, your vegan honey will still be quite runny. If you take it off too late, it will get too thick and caramelize.
Know When It’s Ready
Cook the mixture to a point where the bubbles get thicker and stay on top longer. You should end up with less than half the liquid you started with.
Storage Tips
Pour the cooled plant-based honey into a jar, cover with a lid, then store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It will thicken more in the fridge, so let it come to room temperature first for the perfect honey texture.
Plant-Based Honey Recipe FAQs
How do you know if the vegan honey is done?
This vegan alternative to honey is done when it drips like a string from your spoon.
Does vegan honey taste like real honey?
This vegan honey substitute tastes like honey with a touch of apple juice and a hint of chai. You can use chamomile tea to give it that floral, honey flavor!
Can I double this vegan honey recipe?
Yes! If you need more of this vegan honey alternative, just double all of the recipe’s ingredients to make a big batch.
What can I use vegan honey for?
Use this plant based honey in recipes that call for sweet syrups and liquid sweeteners! Try it in cold brew, drizzle it over French toast, use it to round out the flavor of savory meals like sheet pan tofu and veggies, or as your sweetener for baked goods like vegan banana bread.
What is the best vegan substitute for honey?
It depends on where you will use it. Agave syrup is sweeter than honey, while coconut nectar has a subtle caramel-like taste. Maple syrup and brown rice syrup are other honey alternatives for vegans you can use in many recipes.
More Delicious Vegan Condiments and Dips
- Vegan Condensed Milk
- Stevia Simple Syrup
- Slow Cooker Vegan Dark Chocolate Fondue
- Snickerdoodle Dessert Hummus
- Sugar-Free Vegan Whipped Cream
I found this recipe for Agave Maple Syrup Substitute that I HAVE to try!
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Vegan Honey
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups apple juice
- 1 tea bag spiced chai tea
- 1 cup light brown sugar
Instructions
- Mix the apple juice, tea bag, and brown sugar in a medium-sized pot.
- Bring to a boil, stirring often.
- Leave the tea bag in the mixture for 1 minute after the start of the boil.
- Take the tea bag out. It may tear during stirring!
- Reduce to medium-low heat, bringing the mixture to a simmer. Stir periodically until the mixture thickens. This can take between 30 to 40 minutes.
- Remove the vegan honey from the heat and allow to cool at room temperature before placing it in the fridge.
Notes
- Don’t take the mixture off the burner too soon or too late. If you take it off too early, your vegan honey will still be quite runny. If you take it off too late, it will get too thick and caramelize.
- Cook the mixture to a point where the bubbles get thicker and stay on top longer. You should end up with less than half the liquid you started with.
- Pour the cooled plant-based honey into a jar, cover with a lid, then store it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. It will thicken more in the fridge, so let it come to room temperature first for the perfect honey texture.
The recipe doesn’t tell me what to do with the tea bag at all?
Hi Tabitha, here are the directions for you :).
Mix the apple juice, tea bag and brown sugar in a medium-sized pot. Bring to a boil while stirring often. Leave tea bag in mixture for 1 minute after the start of the boil, then remove (It will break open if you leave it in longer).
Lower the heat to a simmer (medium low heat) and stir periorically until the mixture starts to thicken. This will take approximately 30-40 minutes.
Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour in order for the honey to thicken. Place in storing jar and enjoy.
Thank you!