5 Easy Rice Syrup Recipes (Sweet and Savory) and How to Use Rice Syrup

Rice syrup is a versatile liquid sweetener made from cooked rice. It is milder than sugar and honey, fructose-free and vegan, dissolves easily in liquids, and helps bind, glaze and brown. Here are five easy brown rice syrup recipes, sweet and savory, plus tips for cooking and baking with rice syrup.

1. Rice Syrup Granola

Ingredients: 3 cups rolled oats, 1 cup chopped nuts, ½ cup dried fruit, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, a pinch of salt, ⅓ cup brown rice syrup, ¼ cup melted coconut oil, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

1. Heat the oven to 160°C (325°F) and line a baking tray.
2. Mix the oats, nuts, cinnamon and salt in a bowl.
3. Warm the rice syrup, coconut oil and vanilla until runny, pour over the oats and stir until everything is coated.
4. Spread on the tray and bake for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden.
5. Stir in the dried fruit and let it cool; the rice syrup will crisp the clusters as it cools. Serve with yogurt or milk.

2. Rice Syrup Glazed Carrots

Ingredients: 500 g carrots, 1 tablespoon olive oil, salt and pepper, 2 tablespoons rice syrup, 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil, chopped parsley or thyme.

1. Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Slice the carrots and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
2. Roast for 20 minutes until almost tender.
3. Warm the rice syrup with the butter, drizzle over the carrots and roast for another 5 minutes until glossy and caramelised.
4. Sprinkle with herbs and serve.

3. Rice Syrup Baked Apples

Ingredients: 4 apples, ¼ cup chopped nuts, ¼ cup raisins or other dried fruit, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 3 tablespoons rice syrup, 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil.

1. Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Core the apples, leaving the base intact, and place them in a baking dish.
2. Mix the nuts, dried fruit, cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of rice syrup, and fill the apples.
3. Top each with a little butter, drizzle with the remaining rice syrup and add a splash of water to the dish.
4. Bake for 30-40 minutes until tender. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or yogurt.

4. Rice Syrup BBQ Sauce

Ingredients: 1 cup ketchup, ⅓ cup rice syrup, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 garlic cloves (minced), 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, salt and pepper.

1. Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan.
2. Simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened.
3. Use as a marinade, glaze or dipping sauce. Rice syrup gives the sauce a glossy finish and helps it cling to grilled meat and vegetables.

5. Rice Syrup Roasted Nuts

Ingredients: 2 cups mixed nuts, 2 tablespoons rice syrup, 1 tablespoon melted butter or coconut oil, a pinch of salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon or chilli powder.

1. Heat the oven to 175°C (350°F) and line a tray with baking paper.
2. Toss the nuts with the rice syrup, butter, salt and spice.
3. Roast for 10-12 minutes, stirring once, until golden.
4. Spread out to cool; the coating hardens into a light, crunchy glaze. Enjoy as a snack or sprinkle over salads.

Tips for Cooking and Baking With Rice Syrup

• Sweetness: rice syrup is milder than sugar and honey. Replace honey 1:1, or use about 1⅓ cups of rice syrup per cup of sugar and reduce other liquids by about ¼ cup.
• Browning: syrups brown faster than sugar, so lower the oven temperature by about 10°C (25°F) or check baked goods early.
• Binding: rice syrup is excellent for no-bake energy bars and granola clusters; it holds ingredients together without baking.
• Colour: use brown rice syrup for a caramel note, or clarified rice syrup when you want a neutral colour and taste.
• Measuring: lightly oil the spoon or cup so the syrup slides off easily.

What Is Rice Syrup Used For?

At home, rice syrup is used to sweeten porridge, yogurt, pancakes, drinks and baking, and as a vegan replacement for honey. In food manufacturing it is used in cereal and granola bars, confectionery, baked goods, beverages, sauces, ice cream and baby food, where it acts as a sweetener, binder and humectant. Compare it with other sweeteners in our guides to brown rice syrup vs honey and brown rice syrup vs corn syrup.

How Is Rice Syrup Made?

Rice syrup is made by cooking rice and adding enzymes, traditionally from sprouted barley or koji and in modern production from purified natural enzymes, which break the rice starch down into sugars. The liquid is then filtered and gently cooked down into a thick syrup. Commercial producers like Agricoze control the enzyme process to make syrups with a consistent sweetness (DE), colour and thickness, including low sugar and high-maltose grades.

Looking for more ideas? Try our rice syrup desserts, or contact Agricoze for organic and conventional rice syrup in bulk.