9 Substitutes for Brown Rice Syrup in Granola Bars

Are you looking for a brown rice syrup substitute for your granola bars?

If you’re trying to make granola bars that are as natural and healthy as possible, then you might want to use something other than brown rice syrup.

And that’s just what we’re here to help you with—we’re going to introduce you to some great alternatives to brown rice syrup for your granola bars!

Now, we know that brown rice syrup is a popular ingredient for granola bars because it’s a great binder, but there are other things you can use instead of it.

You’ve probably already heard of honey or maple syrup as possible replacements, but what about date paste or nut butter?

If it’s a crunchy bar you’re after, try using nut flour instead.

If these options don’t sound great to you, don’t worry!

There are plenty more out there.

So, what’s the best substitute for brown rice syrup in granola bars?

The best substitute for brown rice syrup in granola bars is honey. It is easy to find and can be acquired locally or bought at a grocery store. It is sweet but still tastes great with other ingredients like nuts and dried fruit.

In this article, we’re going to talk about 9 different substitutes for brown rice syrup in your granola bars so that your next batch will be healthier than ever.

9 Substitutes for Brown Rice Syrup in Granola Bars

Brown rice syrup is a popular ingredient in granola bars, but that doesn’t mean you have to use it.

Why not try one of these substitutes?

1. Honey

I’m here to talk about how awesome honey is.

Honey is the perfect substitute for brown rice syrup in granola bars.

It has a natural sweetness, and it doesn’t have that artificial taste that other sweeteners can have.

It’s also one with nature, which means you can feel good about using it in your granola bars.

It’s important to remember though, that honey can burn easily.

So make sure you keep an eye on the oven when you’re baking the granola bars!

2. Apple juice

Like brown rice syrup, apple juice is mostly fructose, which makes it a great substitute for someone who wants to avoid glucose but keep their granola bar recipe as close to the original as possible.

However, unlike brown rice syrup, apple juice has a lower glycemic index of 41 (compared to brown rice syrup’s 98), which means that it won’t spike your blood sugar levels nearly as much as regular brown rice syrup will.

3. Maple syrup

Maple syrup is actually not that different from brown rice syrup when it comes to how much liquid you’ll need—for every cup of brown rice syrup in your recipe, just substitute one cup of maple syrup.

The flavor is a little bit different, though, which can make differences in how your recipe turns out.

Maple syrup is sweeter and has a more distinct flavor than brown rice syrup, so if that’s not what you’re looking for, then this might not be the right substitute for you.

4. Molasses

Molasses is made from cane or beet sugar and is a wonderful addition to granola bars or any other baked good.

Molasses has a distinctly sweet taste that can contribute to the overall flavor of your granola bar and give it a deep, rich taste.

When substituting for brown rice syrup, add one part molasses for every three parts brown rice syrup.

5. Agave nectar

Agave nectar is a natural sweetener that comes from the agave plant (which is also where tequila comes from).

It has a low glycemic index and is therefore beneficial for diabetics or those who are trying to boost their energy levels without surges and crashes.

Agave nectar is sweeter than sugar, so you can use less in your granola bars.

This makes it perfect if you’re trying to cut back on sugar in your diet.

To use agave nectar in place of brown rice syrup, all you need to do is swap them out one-for-one.

If your recipe calls for 1 cup of brown rice syrup, replace it with 1 cup of agave nectar. You don’t need to make any other adjustments!

Once that’s done, your granola bars will be just as delicious as ever!

6. Coconut nectar

Coconut nectar is made from sap collected from coconut tree flowers.

It has an extremely low glycemic index compared to brown rice syrup, so you don’t have to worry about your blood sugar spiking when you eat it.

It also tastes slightly like molasses or caramel, which means you’ll get a hint of extra flavor in your granola bars without overwhelming them with sweetness.

It’s also available at most health food stores and online retailers like Amazon.

Just make sure you buy the unfiltered kind—you need it to be as thick and goopy as possible so you can get all of the benefits!

7. Banana puree

Banana puree is made by simply mashing bananas and then heating them until they thicken up a bit.

You can use the puree as a direct swap for brown rice syrup in most granola recipes, though you may want to consider adding in some vanilla and/or cinnamon to enhance the flavor.

8. Date Syrup

Date syrup is a thick, dark brown liquid that has a caramel-like sweetness and a rich flavor that works well in granola bars.

It is made by blending together dates, water, and lemon juice.

The mixture is then boiled until it reaches the desired consistency.

If you use this substitute, you may want to reduce the amount of sugar in your recipe by about half.

9. Fruit Juice Concentrate

Fruit juice concentrate is high in fructose and works as a great substitute for brown rice syrup.

It’ll give your granola bars a sweet taste without having to add too much sugar.

You can use apple juice concentrate or orange juice concentrate, but grape juice concentrate is my favorite because it has the highest amount of fructose out of all three types!