How to Substitute Stevia for Honey
Honey is a delicious ingredient that adds a touch of sweetness to any dish or drink. However, you may not be able to enjoy this syrupy sweetener if you have a dietary restriction or prefer to limit your sugar intake. Substituting stevia with honey satisfies your sweet cravings without worrying about added sugars. Need some pointers on how to substitute stevia for honey? Check out our sugar-free honey recipe, some comparison considerations and replacement tips!
How to Substitute Stevia for Honey – Step by Step
Step 1: Blend 2 Tbsp. of bee pollen and 2 Tbsp. of water. Allow the mixture to sit for 5-10 minutes.
Step 2: To create the simple syrup, mix together a half cup of water and 4 tsp. SweetLeaf® Monk Fruit Organic Sweetener over a stove.
Step 3: Add simple syrup to bee pollen mixture and blend.
Step 4: Add 1 Tbsp. SweetLeaf® Stevia Maple Syrup and blend.
Step 5: Add your new sugar-free honey to your favorite coffee, tea or recipes and enjoy!
Things to Consider When Replacing Honey with Stevia
Taste Test: Compared to honey, stevia has a much more concentrated sweet taste. When replacing honey with stevia, you will want to start by adding small amounts to your food, beverage or recipe. You can always add more until you have reached your desired level of sweetness!
Measurement: The key to replacing honey with stevia is measuring the right amount. Start off with a few drops of liquid stevia or a small sprinkle of stevia powder and give it a taste! To make sure you get the right amount of stevia in your honey swap every time, check out this conversion calculator.
Consistency: Honey and stevia have very different consistencies. As you’re cooking and baking with stevia, you will want to test your recipe so that you achieve the texture you are looking for. Sooner than later, you will be a master stevia-swapper with perfectly delicious sugar-free treats!
Stevia vs. Honey – Which is Better?
While stevia and honey both deliver sweetness to whatever dish you are creating, they each offer differences that make them stand out from one another. While both sweeteners offer benefits like being able to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, a major differentiator is the amount of sugar in each product. If sugar is a main concern for you, then stevia is going to be the better sweetener for you. Stevia has no added or natural sugar, making it a completely sugar-free product. Honey, while not containing any processed sugar, contains natural sugars that could still affect someone with dietary restrictions.
Another way to evaluate honey and stevia is to look at their caloric contents. Stevia is sourced from a plant, is a natural sweetener and adds zero calories to your diet. On the other hand, honey will add calories when consumed. So if you are looking for a sweetener to help with things like weight loss and a healthier lifestyle, then stevia is the perfect choice.
We can also take a look at the glycemic index which is the measurement of how food affects our blood glucose levels. When you digest honey, it can have a potential impact of 61 GI on your blood glucose, depending on the type of honey and it’s composition. Stevia already has no calories in itself and has a glycemic index of 0, meaning that you don’t have to worry about your glucose levels rising.
When to Use Stevia Instead of Honey
The possibilities are endless when it comes to substituting stevia for honey in your favorite recipes. It is even more important for those with certain dietary restrictions. However, just because someone is vegan or implementing a sugar-free diet doesn’t mean they should have to sacrifice sweetness in their favorite everyday meals and snacks.
An easy and effective way of switching honey with stevia is within your drinks! Change up your coffee or tea routine by sweetening your drink with stevia instead of other sweetener options. Keeping your favorite morning drink sugar-free without losing the sweet taste is one of the many benefits of sugar replacements like stevia. You can even try adding a bit of sugar-free flavor with these flavored sweeteners!
Another excellent time to switch out honey for stevia is in your favorite savory dishes and baked goods. Whether you are making a meat marinade or are baking a healthier version of your favorite dessert, stevia could be a key ingredient the next time you are in the kitchen. Try out this delicious recipe for Cranberry Mini Loaves, but instead of the honey it calls for, swap it out for stevia! Check out our website for more recipes and sweet stevia swap inspiration!
