Jordan Myrick
Ariana Losch
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.
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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
Tyler Bowers
Joe Rumrill
Naajia Shukri
Log Cabin makes an All Natural Table Syrup made from Brown Rice Syrup, Cane Sugar, and Brown Sugar that is significantly better than any of the other non-maple brands on this list. Please give it a try and you just might feel the same and include it the next time you update this list.
just now consumed a waffle topped w/ your most highly recommended syrup id est Pearl Milling Company . its flavor was decidedly mild . great disappointment . will not consume again. will leave remainder of bottle for the cockroaches .
You really should have separated pancake syrup from the real deal. As someone with a food background I’d have a difficult time recommending anything with High Fructose corn syrup in it ie just about all pancake syrup. It causes insulin resistance, diabetes and should be illegal in food.
I’m also maple syrup hater, at least when it comes to pancakes. Every one I’ve tried has completely overpowered the taste of the pancakes. Pancakes are not just a syrup delivery device, they’re the whole point of a pancake breakfast.
Side note – While Cary’s is not my fave for pancakes, it’s outstanding as a side sauce for bacon and sausage. It’s not-too-sweet maple hit takes them to a whole new level.
I love the premise of this site and have used it a couple times, but I really question the validity when corn syrup/HFCS is ranked higher than good quality syrup. I know it’s just personal preference, but one is just generic liquid sugar and the other has amazing natural flavors. I still love you guys, but we clearly have different tastes.
Oh, I just thought of the fix. These syrups shouldn’t even be on the same list. Have a Maple Syrup list and a Pancake Syrup list. They really are different products and this way us elitist maple lovers don’t have to fight with everyone.
And a list for alternate flavors – butter pecan, blueberry, other berries, etc.
“It is maybe the only sugar-free product I’ve ever had that didn’t have a truly hellish aftertaste. ”
Slap that on the label, Cary’s!
Also, I love that these are revisited, is there a way to see a change log, what replaced what, etc.?
Wanted to be excited about this website but I keep coming back to this list. Seeing this review nearly invalidates any food opinions from you guys. “After trying many, many brands of maple syrup, we learned that everyone on the Sporked staff hates actual, authentic maple syrup”. Hope you guys consider a re-do on this one. Respectfully, you got it wrong.
Hi Brandon! What are some real maple syrups you enjoy that we can taste? Thanks!
IMO, every Maple syrup I’ve ever had has been better than the generic fake syrups. I know some people do prefer them so I guess that leaves us at, agree to disagree.
Deeply disagree with this. Real maple syrup is miles above table syrup. This is actually a little baffling that there was a consensus, and makes me worried for other taste tests.
That Cary’s Sugar Free is SO good! We were served it in a restaurant once, and I had a 3-pack of it ordered from Amazon before we left the restaurant!
Thank you for that comment because I was deciding if I wanted to save the article just because of the sugar free one. You made my decision for me 😂
Fortunate to have grown up in NY State eating the real stuff! Still go home for a maple leaf candy! Thank you guys! Love your reviews!
Just because I like real maple syrup does not make me elitist! I heard your comments on “A Hot Dog is a Sandwich”. You followed on by saying you support local farms and grocery. I find blindly supporting fake syrup is supporting large multi-national corporations. Try cooking with this stuff.
Hi Colin! Local maple syrup isn’t available in most parts of the world (including anywhere I’ve ever lived) because maple syrup isn’t produced in most parts of the world. Having limited access due to where you live and “blindly supporting” are not the same thing. If you’re buying expensive, non-local maple syrup, you’re probably also buying it from a company that’s owned by a bigger company or you’re having “local” maple syrup shipped to you, which has a negative environmental impact. Plus, food deserts exists. My point is: I think it is elitist to looks down on others for using the more affordable option without thinking about why they might prefer the more affordable option. Hope this helps!
Jordan,
Thanks for the reply. First I wouldn’t have thought you or anyone would respond. I understand about locally sourced versus global. On the maple syrup front I fully understand that I live in an area where local maple syrup is readily found and I think it tastes soooo good. On the other side I don’t like our Avocados we get here. It is very random that we get a good one.
Finally, as someone who grew up on log cabin I have no elitist tendencies for those who use it/like it. I still find it delicious.
And once again a bunch of brands I’ve never heard of and can’t buy locally, except for Log Cabin of course. Where the heck are you getting your real maple syrup from that it tastes like pork? Are you getting a kind that’s dark and has a concentrated maple flavor? Stonewall Kitchen makes a delicious real maple syrup.
Actually you probably have heard of the winner, and likely had it as a kid. You just can’t call it Aunt Jemima anymore !
haha oh wow, this is a surprising list! I really do think real maple syrups are miles above.
Please don’t call these maple syrup because have of these aren’t actually maple syrup it’s just syrup