Are you making a recipe that calls for coconut sugar, but you’ve just run out? Don’t fret! Here is a coconut sugar substitute list you can use while cooking and baking in the kitchen!
Why Use Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar comes from the coconut palm plant. The sap from this plant is collected then dried. Simple!
You want to use coconut sugar in a way that the strong flavor would compliment the recipe. It would be great to sweeten a hot cup of coffee, sprinkled on a yogurt parfait, or certain baked goods.
Coconut Sugar vs. Sugar
Coconut sugar has the reputation of being ‘healthy’. But is it actually?
Coconut sugar does contain a few more minerals than table sugar. Coconut sugar contains zinc, calcium, potassium, and iron. If you are going to use a sweetener, this is an awesome bonus.
The thing is, the amount of these minerals are minimal. If you don’t enjoy the taste of coconut sugar over the taste of regular sugar, it may not be worth the swap!
Keep in mind that both types of sugars contain the same amount of calories and carbs: 15 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates per teaspoon.
The bottom line- treat both coconut sugar and typical sugar as one in the same.
Coconut Sugar Substitute List
1. Brown Sugar:
Brown sugar is simply regular old sugar with molasses. The closest coconut sugar substitute that you’ll be able to find is light brown sugar. Another difference between brown sugar and coconut sugar is that the granules of light and dark sugars are smaller than that of coconut sugar.
2. Sucanat:
Sucanat isn’t too popular of a sweetener. It is made from sugar cane just as regular sugar but is still a similar color to coconut sugar. Flavor-wise, it has a bit of a caramel-y taste, making it a decent coconut sugar substitute.
3. Sugar:
Sugar is probably your first instinct to replace coconut sugar with. Regular old cane sugar is sweeter than coconut sugar and has a less intense flavor profile. All in all, sugar is a pantry staple and can easily be a coconut sugar substitute.
4. Honey:
Honey has some awesome health benefits. It is more ‘natural’, has antibiotic properties, and more widely known: can help with a sore throat. A key difference is that honey is more liquified while coconut sugar is crystallized. Both are sources of a flavorful sweetener and can be used interchangeably!
5. Maple Syrup:
As expected, maple syrup has a caramel-maple flavor while coconut sugar has a coconut flavor. Another issue with using maple syrup as a coconut sugar substitute is that one is more liquified while the other is in granules.
6. Date Sugar:
Have you ever had a date? If not, it’s probably even less likely you’ve tried date sugar! It is not too popular of a sweetener, although it does provide some nutrition! It’s an awesome coconut sugar substitute, if you can find it in the store.
7. Stevia:
Stevia could be a category of its own. It is a non-nutritive sweetener, meaning it has no calories and is 100 times sweeter than regular sugar! Stevia isn’t a great coconut sugar substitute for these reasons. If you are looking for something sweet without the sugar, check out these 6 Sugar-Free Desserts to Cure Your Sweet Tooth!
8. Monk Fruit:
Monk fruit and coconut sugar have a couple similarities and a couple differences. They both have a low(er) glycemic index and come from plants. Where they differ is taste and nutrition. Monk fruit has no calories and is also much sweeter than coconut sugar.
When to NOT Use Coconut Sugar
Coconut sugar has large sugar granules. That means it takes more for the pieces to dissolve down. If you are making something that is just barely warmed, the sugar won’t dissolve and you’re sure to take a couple bites of whole coconut sugar!
In some recipes you do not want coconut flavors. That’s totally fine- just be sure to use a sweetener that will compliment the dish rather than distract from it.
Takeaways for Coconut Sugar Substitute
- Coconut sugar is awesome for certain recipes
- From a nutrition standpoint, coconut sugar and regular sugar are very similar
- Light brown sugar is one of the best coconut sugar substitute
- These are instances you should opt for a coconut sugar substitute over coconut sugar
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Still Craving Something Sweet?
If you want something sweet give one (or a few) of these sweet treats a taste! Be sure to post a picture on Instagram and tag me so I can see how it turns out!
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