30+ Easy Recipes Using Dates
Dates, with their rich caramel-like sweetness, offer endless possibilities in the kitchen.
From the energy-boosting simplicity of date balls and the satisfying crunch of date bars to the natural sweetness of homemade date paste, these recipes showcase the versatility of dates in both sweet and savory dishes.
Experience the comforting warmth of a date and nut loaf, the elegant simplicity of stuffed dates, or the indulgent delight of bacon-wrapped dates.
What can I do with dates?
Dates can be used in many ways, including as a natural sweetener in smoothies and desserts, as a binding ingredient in homemade energy balls and bars, or as a snack stuffed with nuts or cheese. They’re also fantastic in savory dishes to add depth and sweetness!
What to do with chopped dates?
Chopped dates, whether dried pitted dates or fresh Medjool dates are going to be perfect for incorporating into baked goods, like muffins and pancakes for natural sweetness. They also make a great addition to oatmeal, yogurt, or homemade granola.
Do you have to soak dates before baking or cooking?
Soaking dates isn’t always necessary, but it can help soften them, making them easier to blend or mix into recipes. If your dates are very dry, soaking them in hot water for 10-20 minutes can rehydrate them, just be sure to drain them well before use.
Can you freeze dates?
Yes, you can freeze dates. Ensure they are well-sealed in an airtight container or freezer bag to prevent freezer burn. Frozen dates can last up to a year. Thaw frozen dates at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight.
Easy Recipes Using Dates
If you're pondering how to utilize your stash of dates or seeking inspiration on what to do with chopped dates, this compilation of easy date recipes is the perfect guide for you.
This foolproof Moist Date Loaf recipe is incredibly soft and satisfying. Crafted with succulent dried pitted dates, rich olive oil, and light brown sugar, this recipe is a breeze to prepare!
Chia seeds, medjool dates, oats, and chocolate are all packed into these small energy snacks called Chia Seed Date Bliss Balls. A quick and healthy snack made with only 5 ingredients!
This vegan sticky toffee pudding (or sticky date pudding) is just like the classic British dessert but without dairy and eggs! A warm and moist sponge cake is covered in a generous amount of gooey toffee sauce.
This homemade chunky granola recipe is loaded with dates and pecans. Tastier and much healthier than store-bought, its delicious eaten as a cereal, sprinkled on yogurt or eaten plain!
Indulge in these naturally sweet and nutritious Date Nut Ladoos, made with fresh Medjool dates, crunchy nuts and seeds, and aromatic cardamom.
Fudgy no bake date brownies are made with only 5 ingredients! They have a rich chocolate avocado frosting and are vegan, sugar-free, gluten-free with no coconut or butter.
These homemade twix bars use medjool dates for a perfectly sweet, totally satisfying healthier treat!
These quick and easy vegan date muffins come together in a few simple steps and are made without refined sugar!
A classic and delicious pairing of sweet and savory, this simple appetizer with bacon and dates is a crowd pleaser!
These easy to make, thick, soft and chewy Oatmeal Date Cookies are perfectly spiced and are great for a snack or a sweet treat.
Dates and plant-based milk are all you need for this amazing sauce that's delicious with fresh fruit, baked goods, and ice cream.
Dried dates and fresh strawberries combine for this delightfully sweet fruit spread. Perfect for toast, scones, or stir into your favorite yogurt.
This easy Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake with Butterscotch Sauce bakes in just 30 minutes and bathed in a 4 ingredient toffee sauce!
Making 2-ingredient homemade date syrup is so easy, you'll never buy this specialty condiment again.
This Easy Date Loaf with Walnuts is simple, moist, and is created with juicy Medjool dates. Bakes in 40 minutes and is delicious with a spread of butter!
This easy-peasy, no-bake date square recipe is simply put, delicious! They are luxuriously buttery with a toffee-like flavour and a lovely crunchy texture from the pieces of biscuit.
These delicious Caramel Date Cakes are also known as Sticky Toffee Pudding! They're an outrageously delicious British classic!
This sweet rava paniyaram recipe with dates and coconut is from South India. These breakfast balls are sweet and fluffy from the inside and crispy from the outside.
Coconut Ginger Date Oatmeal — Registered Dietitian Columbia SC
This recipe for coconut ginger oatmeal is sweetened with a healthy date cream, which adds a rich caramel flavor without added sugar!
Slurp on this 5 ingredient Cardamom Date Shake - a vanilla milkshake with caramel-flavored date fruit and a twist of aromatic cardamom.
These sugar-free fudgesicles are a delicious nod to nostalgic childhood summer treats like pudding pops or the beloved Wendy’s Frosty without all the added sugar.
These sweet little Vegan Snickers Bites are ridiculously easy to make and involve no baking and barely any labor. These vegan chocolates are the perfect treat for adults and children alike and anyone can make them regardless of cooking experience.
These healthy banana date oat muffins will quickly become a staple in your kitchen. Made with oatmeal, banana, dates, cinnamon and some brown sugar for sweetness, these muffins are hearty and delicious with every bite.
These Date Energy Balls are absolutely delicious (think oatmeal cookies!) and are super quick to make! They’re no-bake treat that are great for breakfast, snacks, dessert, or whenever you want them.
You can make these vegan and gluten-free almond date balls when you want to eat something sweet and healthy. They are delicious and easy to make!
These Feta Stuffed Dates make a flavorful savory appetizer! They're made with Medjool dates stuffed with a tangy whipped feta walnut filling and wrapped with prosciutto.
It doesn’t get easier than this 3 ingredient recipe for bacon wrapped dates with cream cheese! They are SO easy to make and sure to impress guests.
This incredibly moist date and walnut cake is easy to make and uses mostly pantry-staple ingredients.
This Healthy Whole Wheat Banana Bread is loaded with wonderful flavors - so rich and moist! Great for breakfasts or snacks and absolutely delicious toasted – it even freezes well, too!
All you need are 4 simple ingredients to create these irresistible treats with deliciously soft date centers. And the best part: they’re topped with melty chocolate drizzle and crunchy nuts for the perfect texture combo.
These 3 ingredient date nut bars are perfect to stop your sweet cravings. They are healthy, delicious and easy to make!
These chocolate peanut buThese chocolate peanut butter stuffed dates are a delicious healthy snack that's easy to make. They also freeze well for a tasty cold treat!tter stuffed dates are a delicious healthy snack that's easy to make. They also freeze well for a tasty cold treat!
This super sticky toffee pudding cake is made with brown sugar and dates and has a rich toffee sauce on top for the ultimate dessert!
This 5-ingredient easy baked feta dip with dates and hazelnuts is drizzled with honey and olive oil for a simple appetizer.
This is the perfect treat for an on the go breakfast/snack. They are also great for the holidays or for Ramadan/Eid. These date bars are made up of a crumbly shortbread like crust with a jammy date mixture middle.
5-Ingredient No-Bake Chocolate Date Energy Balls are made with all whole food ingredients and make for a lovely snack or healthy dessert. Vegan and gluten-free!
This Date Bark Recipe is basically a healthy candy bar. It's gooey, chocolatey, crunchy, sweet and salty. No wonder it's a viral recipe on social media!
Food for the gods is a popular Filipino treat. Similar to butterscotch bars but packed with dates and walnuts, they’re easy to make, delicious to eat, and a joy to give out to family and friends during the holidays.
With their rich caramel flavor, dates are a natural companion to applesauce! This homemade date applesauce is so delicious!
Did you enjoy this roundup of easy recipes using dates? Which one of these recipes are you going to make first? I would love to hear what you think by leaving a comment and star rating below, it’s much appreciated. Thank you! Sam x