Is Maple Syrup Vegan?

The Vegan-Friendly Alternative

Australia is one of the world’s most vegan-friendly countries, with more than 1 in 10 Aussies (12%) on vegan or vegetarian diets. 

And for those who aren’t committing to a completely vegan diet, many are making an effort to cut down on meat by eating more plant-based foods. 

Whether you’ve been vegan for some time or simply want to reduce your meat consumption, it’s not always easy to know which foods are vegan – and this is especially true with sweeteners. 

The likes of honey and refined sugar are unsuitable for vegan diets, leading many people to seek alternative ingredients for their sugar fix. 

Richly flavoured and incredibly versatile, maple syrup is a popular substitute for many sweeteners. But is maple syrup vegan? Find out below.

Can vegans eat maple syrup?

Pure maple syrup – maple syrup made solely from the sap of maple trees, with no added flavours or preservatives – is completely vegan. This product is not to be confused with maple-flavoured syrup, which is mixed with other ingredients and may not always be vegan. 

With this in mind, you should always check the ingredients listed on the bottle of maple syrup before buying. Many shops in Australia sell mixed or blended maple-flavoured syrups alongside pure maple syrup, with these blends often containing non-vegan ingredients like honey or refined sugar. 

In particular, keep an eye out for the following on the label:

  • “Maple-flavoured syrup” rather than “maple syrup” 
  • Artificial colour or flavours 
  • Multiple ingredients listed 


As long as the bottle is branded as pure maple syrup, you can rest assured that it’s vegan-friendly. This is true for all four maple syrup grades, which vary in colour and taste but are all derived from the same natural process.

So, is maple syrup vegan?

Yes, pure maple syrup that’s made without any additives is completely vegan. Make sure to check the label of the bottle to confirm that it’s certified as vegan, as some lower-quality versions will be mixed with non-vegan ingredients like honey or refined sugar. 

Made by boiling down the sap from maple trees, pure maple syrup is an entirely natural product that serves as a great substitute for honey, as well as some refined sugars due to its additional health benefits.  

If you’re looking to try a plant-based diet, pure maple syrup makes an excellent addition to your pantry. Incorporating the sweetener into your cooking will allow you to enjoy a range of indulgent recipes, such as our vegan mac and cheese or this vegan Thai green curry. 

And if you don’t fancy those two, we have a whole host of other vegan recipes waiting to be discovered! 

Vegan

View our latest vegan recipes

Benefits of maple syrup

There are many health and nutritional benefits to maple syrup. Being completely free of additives and preservatives, as well as being a natural source of energy,  pure Canadian maple syrup holds many benefits for athletes, or those following a healthy lifestyle. 

Maple syrup is also rich in vitamins and minerals, including: 

  • Manganese, which looks after bones and connective tissue 
  • Riboflavin, combating tiredness and fatigue
  • Copper, again promoting healthy tissue – as well as boosting nervous and immune systems

Is all maple syrup vegan?

Pure Canadian maple syrup actually comes in four distinct grades, all with different flavour profiles, depending on when in the season sap is harvested from the maple tree. 

All four grades of pure maple syrup are vegan-friendly, however you still need to be careful in the supermarket, as some shops in Australia sell mixed, blended or flavoured maple syrups. These lower quality syrups can be mixed with sugar, fruit syrups or additives. 

It’s important when shopping for vegan maple syrup that you check the ingredients, as not all blended maple syrups will necessarily be vegan; look for pure maple syrup to ensure your maple syrup is vegan.

Best vegan recipes

So now we’ve covered that pure Canadian maple syrup is vegan-friendly, what are some of the best vegan recipes that you can make that add the balanced flavour profile of maple syrup?

From breakfasts and dinners to desserts, there’s excellent vegan meals you can make using maple syrup.

For those new to a plant-based diet, this vegan mac and cheese is devilishly indulgent and rivals any dairy-based alternative.

A popular dish with those looking to fuel their bodies post work out is this wonderful Asian broccoli salad with maple nut butter that’s packed with nutrients and flavour.

Not to forget drinks, this iced coffee vanilla latte is vegan and uses a rich maple syrup combined with espresso to create a sweet and simple beverage.

More about Maple

Maple syrup comes in four grades

The classification of maple syrup is based on its colour – which changes subtly throughout the spring harvest – and its flavour profile.

Maple syrup is an excellent source of energy

Maple products contain simple carbohydrates that turn into glucose and act as fuel during exercise, which is why they are a popular choice for athletes and fitness fanatics before, during, and after training sessions.

Discover more about using pure Canadian maple syrup to fuel exercise here.

Pure Canadian maple products are stocked all across Australia

From online suppliers to your local stores, find your local stockist of pure Canadian maple syrup here.

Hundreds of Delicious Recipes

Maple is a special addition to any recipe, from appetiser to dessert. Find one that’s perfect for you!