Best Pancake Syrup: The 7 Best, Ranked

The best pancake syrup isn’t always the real-deal maple stuff. This taste test was one of our most surprising to date. After trying many, many brands of maple syrup, we learned that several people on the Sporked staff actually prefer fake pancake syrup to actual tap-a-tree maple syrup. “Everything tastes like ham!” Sporked editor-in-chief Justine Sterling cried out halfway through our taste test. 

When it comes to pancake syrup, we largely preferred the fake stuff—syrup that tastes like butter and sugar and has absolutely no qualities of pig. While that might anger the citizens of Vermont, it’s the truth. Fake syrup reigns supreme. Here’s our ranking of the best pancake syrup you can buy.

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Best of the Best

The moment the Pearl Milling Company Original Syrup touched my tongue, I started craving pancakes. This is the syrup. It smelled like breakfast the moment you opened the bottle. The flavor was buttery and sweet and a little salty. The level of maple was powerful without being overwhelming. Sure, it isn’t pure, authentic, straight from the tree maple syrup, but nothing about it tastes artificial. It was perfect. I have no notes.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Real Maple

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 was by far the best fancy maple syrup we tried. The flavor is strong and totally authentically maple. 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.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Amazon

Rating:

10/10

Sporks

Best Buttery

You know her, you love her—she’s Mrs. Butterworth. This pancake syrup is a classic because it is so dang good. Like the name promises, it’s very thick and rich. It smells like delicious, buttery heaven. The scent alone makes me crave a stack of chocolate chip pancakes. This would instantly up the experience of 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.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart

Rating:

9.5/10

Sporks

Best Budget

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 really tasty. If you have a Costco membership, grab a jug the next time you’re shopping and give it a try on your flapjacks.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Costco

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best Splurge

This syrup is so decadent it is practically a dessert. I probably would not put Michele’s Gourmet Maple Creme Syrup on a toaster waffle on a Wednesday morning before work. I would, however, pour it on top of Nashville hot chicken and waffles during a lavish weekend brunch at a bougie restaurant. Then I would immediately take a multi-hour nap. This syrup is so sweet and full of maple flavor. Plus, I feel fancy when they use the word “creme” instead of “cream.”

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Target

Rating:

9/10

Sporks

Best for Families

If you have a big family or are in charge of cooking breakfast for a big group of people, grab some jugs of Hungry Jack Original Pancake Syrup. At 27.6 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!

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Ralphs

Rating:

8.5/10

Sporks

Most Fun

This is the best packaging…ever? The log cabin-shaped bottle is so cute. I would buy Log Cabin Pancake Syrup for the presentation alone. I think 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 had sweetness and creaminess like others we loved on the list, but it also had an unexpected hint of citrus. I never knew I wanted citrus in my maple syrup, but it turns out I very much do. I can’t wait to get a bottle of this and pour it over lemon ricotta pancakes.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart

Rating:

8/10

Sporks

Best Budget Runner-Up

The Great Value Original Syrup (Walmart’s alternative to Target’s Market Pantry) is another excellent cost-conscious option for the sweet breakfast lover on a budget. It had a nice thick consistency that wasn’t too drippy. The flavor scratched the itch for that buttery, fake maple taste that you want from a store-bought, non-maple labeled syrup. It wasn’t quite as good as the Market Pantry syrup, but it was very, very close. If you live closer to Walmart than Target, just buy this one.

Credit: Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart

Rating:

7.5/10

Sporks

Best Sugar-Free

I was shocked when I tried Cary’s Sugar Free Syrup. It is maybe the only sugar-free product I’ve ever had that didn’t have a truly hellish aftertaste. There was not 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 syrup. If you find yourself in need of a sugar-free version of syrup, this, in my opinion, is your only option.

Sarah Demonteverde / Walmart

Rating:

6.5/10

Sporks

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

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