Pancake syrup is a surprisingly divisive topic. Over the years, as we’ve searched for the best pancake syrup, it’s clear that readers fall into two camps: maple syrup purists who look down on the artificial stuff like the food science monstrosity it probably is—and, well, the rest of the general public. Let’s face facts: Most people prefer to slather their stack of pancakes with the version that has corn syrup and fake butter, okay? But hey, just because one thing is more popular doesn’t mean it’s actually better. In fact, it’s probably time we stop pitting the best maple syrup brands against the best pancake syrup brands. They are two entirely separate beasts. I mean, we’re still going to do it in this ranking for the sake of convenience, but that’s beside the point.
The best pancake syrup (aka, the fake stuff) should be thick, buttery, and unapologetically sweet. It should not taste like something that can be found in the natural world, but instead like a highly processed sugar elixir manufactured to suit the deranged, fructose-addicted, dopamine-seeking taste buds of our current evolution of man (or Buddy the Elf). In contrast, the best maple syrup begs to be evaluated like a fine wine. It should have a nuanced, woodsy flavor profile, powerful caramel depth, and smooth velvety finish. So without further ado, let’s get into our updated ranking of the best pancake syrup, shall we?
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- Cary’s Sugar Free Syrup
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I was shocked when I tried Cary’s Sugar-Free Syrup. It may be the only sugar free product I’ve ever had that doesn’t have a truly hellish aftertaste. There isn’t a hint of Splenda flavor to be found. Its texture is similar to Pearl Milling and Great Value, so this is a great option if you like a thicker, stickier pancake syrup. If you’re on the hunt for the best sugar free syrup that actually tastes good, this one is a game-changer. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Great Value Original Syrup
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Great Value Original Syrup is an excellent cost-conscious option for the sweet breakfast lover on a budget. It has a nice thick consistency that isn’t too drippy. It has that buttery, fake maple flavor that you want from a store-bought, non-maple-labeled syrup. It’s some of the best pancake syrup you can find for under $4. And in this economy, that’s pretty good. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Pearl Milling Butter Lite Syrup
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Look, people contain multitudes. I can adore the nutty, toasty, robust flavor of pure Canadian maple syrup (please see #3)—and I can also succumb to the siren song of salt and fake butter in Pearl Milling’s Lite Butter Syrup. Sometimes, I want my syrup to taste like movie theater popcorn, and I shouldn’t have to justify myself. Have you ever scraped your finger against the inside of your popcorn bag and licked it? That’s the flavor this finishes on. And even though the picture I’ve put in your head is objectively disgusting, I loved every second of this experience. We might as well opt for the lite version here, too—at 12 grams of sugar, it’s really not that much lighter, and it tastes pretty similar to Pearl Milling’s regular butter version. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Log Cabin Original Pancake Syrup
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Aside from Dolly Parton’s guitar-shaped pancake syrup, this is some of the best packaging… ever? A log cabin-shaped bottle is so cute. All foods should be sold in containers that look like other objects. Luckily, Log Cabin has the taste to back up its charming marketing ploy. The syrup is sweet and viscous like others we love on the list, but it also has an unexpected hint of citrus. I never knew I wanted my pancake syrup to taste like citrus, but it turns out I very much do (and, no, there isn’t any actual citrus in the ingredients, so this is another trick of food science). This is the best syrup to pour over lemon ricotta pancakes. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Hungry Jack Original Pancake Syrup
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If you have a big family or are in charge of cooking breakfast for a big group of people, grab some Hungry Jack Original Pancake Syrup. At 26.7 ounces, the jugs are massive and the syrup itself has that classic taste we all know and love. The best part? The jug is microwavable! Not only can you have delicious pancake syrup, but you can also have piping hot, delicious pancake syrup! What an absolute treat! —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs
- Dolly Parton Pancake Syrup
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Dolly Parton’s pancake syrup is a dupe for the stuff you get at McDonald’s. It’s thick, slow, and slightly sticky, with a nice caramel finish. It isn’t very salty or buttery—the emphasis is purely on perfecting that cozy sweetness that only the best pancake syrup achieves. Dolly, you truly can do no wrong. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Michele’s Gourmet Maple Creme Syrup
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This syrup is so decadent it’s practically a dessert. While I probably wouldn’t put Michele’s Gourmet Maple Creme Syrup on a toaster waffle on a Wednesday morning before work, I would pour it on top of Nashville hot chicken and waffles during a bougie weekend brunch. Then I would immediately take a multi-hour nap. This pancake syrup is so sweet and full of maple flavor. Plus, I feel fancy when they use the word “creme” instead of “cream.” —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Ralphs
- Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup
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“Damn, look at those jugs,” I said, eyeing these giant containers of pure maple in the aisles of my local Costco. For one of the best maple syrups we’ve tried to date, Costco’s Kirkland brand Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup is such a good price. You get a huge jug of good quality maple syrup at a price point that’s actually affordable, which is hard to find. It’s also organic if that’s something that’s a priority for you. It might not be the world’s most elite maple syrup, but it’s still some of the best maple syrup we tried. If you have a Costco membership, grab a jug the next time you’re shopping and give it a try on your flapjacks. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Costco
- Mrs. Butterworth’s Original Thick and Rich Pancake Syrup
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You know her, you love her—she’s Mrs. Butterworth. This pancake syrup is a classic because it’s so dang good. Like the bottle promises, it’s very thick and rich. It smells like delicious, buttery heaven. The aroma alone makes me crave a stack of chocolate chip pancakes. This would instantly improve the experience of eating a toaster waffle. This on a biscuit with some breakfast sausage? Get out of town! If you like a buttery syrup, Mrs. Butterworth’s is the best pancake syrup you can buy. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Shady Maple Farms Maple Syrup
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“Oh, that vanilla,” I said, out loud, trying this pure maple syrup straight off a spoon. (That’s how I tried most of these and I won’t be shamed for it.) With a rich blend of woodsy maple, warm caramel, and my favorite flavor note of them all, toasty vanilla, Shady Maple Farms Maple Syrup is easily one of the best maple syrups I’ve ever had. Don’t hate me for how dumb this sounds, but you can really taste the forest magic in this one. (It’s exactly what I imagine the maple syrup from Stardew Valley would taste like in real life, is what I’m saying.) Plus, it’s Canadian, which feels validating to my career as a professional taste tester. Maybe my taste buds are refined and mature after all? Who knows. Anyway, buy it. It’s great. —Ariana Losch
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Escuminac Extra Rare Maple Syrup
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It’s no surprise that one of the most expensive syrups we tried tasted good. Fancy things often taste good! But Escuminac Extra Rare Maple Syrup (which also hails from Canada) is the best fancy maple syrup we tried by far. The flavor is strong and authentic. It doesn’t have a weird aftertaste like some of the others. If you prefer real maple syrup, grab a bottle of this. And don’t worry, it’s not too rare. You can buy it on Amazon. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Liv Averett / Amazon
- Pearl Milling Company Original Syrup
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The moment the Pearl Milling Company Original Syrup touched my tongue, I started craving pancakes. This is the best pancake syrup because it lets you actually taste your pancakes rather than only tasting the powerful, slightly smoky flavor of real maple syrup. It smells like breakfast as soon as you open the bottle. The flavor is buttery, sweet, and a little salty. The maple flavor is there, but it isn’t overpowering. Sure, this isn’t pure, authentic, straight-from-the-tree maple syrup, but nothing about it tastes artificial. It’s perfect. I have no notes. —Jordan Myrick
Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon
Best Sugar-Free
Best Budget Pancake Syrup
Best Extra Buttery
Most Fun
Best for Families
Best Sweet
Best Splurge
Best Cheap Maple Syrup
Best Buttery
Best Maple Flavor
Best Real Maple
Best of the Best
Other Products We Tried: Runamok Sugarmaker’s Cut Maple Syrup, NOW Foods Certified Organic Maple Syrup, Butternut Mountain Farms, Coombs Family Farms Maple Syrup Pure Grade A, Market Pantry, Cap n Crunch Ocean Blue Maple Syrup, Crown Maple Organic Syrup, Kroger Pancake Syrup, Maple Grove Farms Maple Syrup, Anderson’s Maple Syrup, Private Maple Syrup, Good & Gather Maple Syrup, Trader Joe’s 100% Maple Syrup, Spring Tree Maple Syrup, MacDonalds 100% Pure Maple Syrup, Stonewall Kitchen 3 Piece Syrup Collection, Pearl Milling Company Syrup Original Lite, Great Value Butter Flavored Syrup
