29 Ways to Cook with Maple Syrup

March 05, 2017
Photo: Oxmoor House
Maple syrup's complex flavor profile allows you to sweeten dishes with fewer calories. Plus, pure maple syrup comes packed with antioxidants and potentially beneficial minerals. Substitute maple syrup for sugar in your oatmeal for sweetness with notes of caramel. Use maple syrup instead of honey in your morning smoothie. Mash carrots or spuds with maple syrup instead of sugar for an earthy sweetness you can't find in other natural sweeteners. Give maple syrup its due with these delicious ideas for making everyday dishes just a bit more flavorul.
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Maple-Mustard Roasted Chicken with Squash and Brussels Sprouts

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Maple-Mustard Roasted Chicken with Squash and Brussels Sprouts

We give the large bone-in breasts a head start in the oven so they will be perfectly cooked by the time the vegetables are done. This cut is also rather juicy; you’ll want to drain off the liquid from the pan before adding the vegetables so they can caramelize evenly. Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, and acorn squash are at their absolute best when roasted. The trick is to cut them into even pieces with a maximum surface area (halves or cubes) so they can benefit from all the direct heat. A sprinkle of hazelnuts is a fine finishing touch, but you can skip it if you like.

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Maple-Glazed Salmon

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Maple-Glazed Salmon

This weeknight recipes comes together quickly, but you can shave off a few additional minutes by premixing the seasonings and storing in an airtight container. Brushing the fillets with maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness.

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Maple Pumpkin Pie With a Message

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Maple Pumpkin Pie With a Message

To use up the leftover pumpkin, try adding some to a breakfast smoothie, or stir into pancake batter. Or combine with a splash of half-and-half, season with sage, and toss with pasta.

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Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Gastrique

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Maple Gastrique

The gastrique, a tangy-sweet glaze, is holiday worthy but also simple enough to pull off on a weekday.

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Maple-Pecan Bars

Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Maple-Pecan Bars
Reminiscent of pecan pie, gluten-free Maple-Pecan Bars deserve a spot at your dessert buffet. Use pure maple syrup to form the gooey brown sugar and pecan mixture needed to make these heavenly bars.

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Maple-Bacon Kale Salad

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Maple-Bacon Kale Salad

Here's a way to make the most of craveable flavors like bacon and maple, in a dish that's still got plenty of nutritional value. The bacon drippings go into the salad dressing, along with mustard, vinegar, and maple syrup for a simple side dish that pairs well with grains, veggies, pastas, or proteins. It's low in sodium and sat fat, but tastes luxurious! 

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Maple Onion Jam

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Maple Onion Jam

Friends will love this versatile onion jam. You'll love how easy it was to make for them. We call to spoon the jam into 4 (8-ounce) jars, but you can also opt for 8 (4-ounce) jars to spread the love a little further. Give in cute jars with a note to enjoy the jam on burgers, pizza, bruschetta, or pasta.

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Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Maple syrup adds sweetness to mashed sweet potatoes but with lots less sugar compared to traditional recipes. Two tablespoons of maple syrup adds just 4g of added sugar.

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Spicy Maple-Cashew Popcorn

View Recipe: Spicy Maple-Cashew Popcorn

For a more kid-friendly version, omit the ground red pepper. Store in an airtight container for up to two days.

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Maple-Bourbon Sour

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Maple-Bourbon Sour

The perfect mix of sweet maple, tart lemon, and the warmth of bourbon makes this cocktail a keeper.

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Maple-Glazed Chicken With Apple-Brussels Sprout Slaw

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Maple-Glazed Chicken With Apple-Brussels Sprout Slaw

Chicken cutlets can range in size from about 2 ounces each to close to 5 or 6 ounces each. For this dish, we chose the smaller ones.

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Gin and Maple Macerated Berries

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Gin and Maple Macerated Berries

In this fruit salad, sugar, lime, and gin soften and preserve berries while extracting their natural juices to become a syrupy sauce.

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Maple-Roasted Root Vegetables

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Maple-Roasted Root Vegetables

Maple syrup is the perfect addition to slightly bitter turnips, carrots, and beets, which become sweet and tender when roasted. The earthy sweetness helps char the outside, and results in a delicious (and fast!) weeknight side. Choose Grade B (or dark) maple syrup for richer flavor.

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Maple-Walnut-Banana Bread

Photo Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Maple-Walnut-Banana Bread

This gluten-free quick bread features a harmonious blend of bananas and walnuts wrapped in the sweetness of pure maple syrup. It makes an easy breakfast treat or an after-school snack.

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Maple-Walnut Cranberry Pie

Photo: Chris Court
View Recipe: Maple-Walnut Cranberry Pie

While the buttery, maple-scented filling is inspired by classic pecan pie, we swap in toasted walnuts and add chopped fresh cranberries for a beautiful pop of color and tart flavor contrast that cuts the sweetness.

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Maple-Peach Milk Shake

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Maple-Peach Milk Shake

Blend maple syrup, peaches, low-fat frozen yogurt, and low-fat milk to make this flavorful milkshake.

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Maple-Gingerbread Pots de Crème

Photo: Levi Brown
View Recipe: Maple-Gingerbread Pots de Crème

The crackly counterpoint to the silky custards occurs when you sprinkle a thin layer of sugar on top and broil to melt. The caramel hardens as it cools.

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Maple-Mustard Glazed Chicken

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Maple-Mustard Glazed Chicken

The tangy-sweet flavor combination of this sauce will work equally well with chicken thighs or pork. Even if you do not like mustard, this dish will convince you otherwise. The combination of the sweet maple syrup and savory stone-ground mustard creates a caramelized glaze over the chicken. Let the oven do the work for you as the flavors blend together for an easy chicken dinner. If you do not have fresh thyme on hand, dried thyme will substitute just fine and add an earthy flavor to the chicken. Serve with hot cooked rice and steamed haricots verts or a tossed green salad.

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Maple-Walnut Apple Crisp

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Maple-Walnut Apple Crisp

A crispy crust and gooey, sweet center make this wholesome treat something to write home about.

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Maple Grilled Salmon

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Maple Grilled Salmon

The sweet-sour marinade is cooked down to a syrupy glaze that's brushed on the salmon as it cooks. The citrus and maple flavors would also be tasty with pork. Garnish fillets with orange slices, if desired.

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Maple Bacon Chewy Crispy Bars

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Maple Bacon Chewy Crispy Bars

Stir 3 tablespoons maple syrup and 4 cooked, drained, chopped applewood-smoked bacon slices into melted marshmallows. Add cereal, and toss well to combine. Press mixture into prepared pan.

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Maple Old-Fashioned

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Maple Old-Fashioned

Try this recipe for a maple-flavored twist on the classic old-fashioned cocktail. To some, bourbon is the foundation for favorite concoctions; for others there's no way to take it but straight. The beauty of the spirit is that every way is the right way, provided you have the right bottle. Depending on the mixer, a cocktail bourbon needs to be either mild or so distinct it defines a drink's personality. If the only place that seems appropriate to add a splash is the bottom of an empty rocks glass, you have a winner for a great solo sipper.

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Maple-Pecan Pie

Photo: Courtesy of Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Maple-Pecan Pie

No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a pecan pie. If you have gluten-free family members, this pie will be a real treat for them.

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Maple-Pecan Sundaes with Cinnamon Crisps

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Maple-Pecan Sundaes with Cinnamon Crisps

Vary the nuts to your kids' preferences—walnuts or almonds would be equally tasty.

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Maple and Soy-Glazed Flank Steak

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Maple and Soy-Glazed Flank Steak

Make use of a budget-friendly cut of meat by marinating in a rich Asian marinade, which serves double-duty in this delicious recipe.

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Maple-Date Bars

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner
View Recipe: Maple-Date Bars

Moist and chewy, these date-filled bars make a satisfying afternoon snack or a nice treat to bring into the office. They travel well, since you can let them cool in the baking pan and carry them. Or, for a prettier package, place them in a cookie tin divided by sheets of parchment paper.

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Maple-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Photo: Charles Masters
View Recipe: Maple-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Maple syrup and bourbon infuse the pie with distinctive sweetness. For a decadent treat, top warm pie with low-fat vanilla ice cream.

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Crunchy Maple Granola

Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Crunchy Maple Granola

Think of this granola as a topping rather than a cereal. Instead of getting your kids all hopped-up on a full bowl (it’s loaded with delicious maple syrup), sprinkle it over yogurt with fresh blueberries or raspberries on top. You’ll still get the wonderful taste of the granola and the health benefits of the oats without too much sugar.

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Double-Maple Cupcakes

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Double-Maple Cupcakes

Syrup lovers rejoice for these sweet treats, as they're not shy on the maple flavor by any means. These pint-size desserts feature maple syrup in both the cupcake and the frosting, so there's no getting around that oaky, nutty taste. The frosting gets an extra dose of maple goodness thanks to the addition of maple flavoring. Finally, a way to enjoy that unique, maple flavor without suffering through soggy pancakes and sticky fingers. Top these cuties with a walnut or, for a sweet-and-salty twist, crumbled bacon with a smear of peanut butter.

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