One taste of the sweet, rich and smooth flavor of maple syrup leaves guests longing for more. Many of us think of maple syrup as a breakfast condiment or seasonal fall flavor to enjoy with a few select treats, however, there is much more you can do. According to Flavor & the Menu, maple has the “golden touch” and is “finding its way into vinaigrettes, rubs, roasts, cocktails, infused syrups, grill glazes and mounted sauces.” As it is seen in all of those categories, many chefs are also using it as a substitute for sugar or honey and adding it to savory dishes.
Maple brings sweet and savory dishes to the forefront on menus and the possibilities are endless. From snacks and salads, to cocktails, maple is making an appearance within all day parts, not just its typical breakfast scene. According to Technomic, their 2014 MenuMonitor study states that on commercial menus, “maple syrup mentions grew by 21 percent year-over-year,” with non-commercial operators following along with the trend.
We have compiled some great recipes for you to incorporate maple flavor into your menu:
Brunch: With “The Brunch Boom” being the craze, these Pumpkin Caramel Spice Waffles with Caramel Maple Syrup without question will be a menu favorite to the foodie brunch goers.
Snack: For a mid-day sweet and salty snack, entice your guests with this Maple Bacon Popcorn.
Dinner: A sauce featuring a blend of white balsamic dressing and maple syrup is the star in this pork dinner entrée.
Dessert: Pumpkin spice is taking the back burner with these dessert options and maple flavor is stepping in. From Maple French Toast and Bacon Cupcakes to Maple-Buttermilk Tarts, you will be sure to find a perfect dessert menu addition.
Transitioning maple beyond breakfast is the recommended move for you as an operator, since the versatility of maple is “another huge driver in declaring it a major flavor trend.” Here are some additional seasonal savory recipes featuring maple syrup, but expand your culinary creativity and see how you can incorporate maple flavoring throughout your menu past breakfast!
