Easy Date Paste
I’m sure you’ve heard of date paste. An easy-to-make, wholesome alternative to refined sugar. It works beautifully as a natural sweetener or a spread.
HOMEMADE DATE PASTE
THINGS YOU NEED
- Glass jar
- Blender or food processor
MEET MEDJOOL DATES
Dates are naturally very sweet, slightly chewy, and energy-dense fruits of a date palm tree. The most common and sweetest dates are amber to deep brown Medjool dates.
Yes, they are considered a superfood. They are packed with fiber and micronutrients. However, remember that they also contain natural sugar, so the best approach is to consume everything in moderation.
I eat 2-3 pitted dried dates with protein and fats, like cheese or nuts. They are tasty and filling.
DATE PASTE INGREDIENTS
- Dried Medjool Dates
- Boiling Hot Water
SOAK DRIED DATES
The idea is to soften the dried dates before blending. I like to soak them in boiling hot water for 10-15 minutes and up to overnight. Generally, I use just enough water to cover the dates.
BLEND SOAKED DATES
To blend the softened dates, pour all the dates, along with the remaining water, into a food processor or blender cup. Blend until smooth. With an immersion blender, it takes about 2-3 minutes.
HOW TO STORE HOMEMADE DATE PASTE
Date paste can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months or frozen for up to a year. Keep it sealed in an airtight container.
USING DATE PASTE IN BAKING
- Fillings: Blend the date paste with melted chocolate or pure nut butter for a delicious filling for cookies, bars, or chocolate slice bars.
- Mousse and Pudding – I use it to sweeten farmer’s cheese/ricotta mousse, and it’s delicious.
- Salad Dressing – Use it in place of honey or sugar in your favorite dressing recipe
- Drinks – You can also use it to sweeten your coffee, hot chocolate, or a milkshake.
- Bars/Balls – date paste acts as a natural sweetener and a binding agent. You can even use it to make Date Snickers Bars.
- Spreads -spread it over a piece of bread or my gluten-free lentil bagels.
- More date-sweetened recipes via Life Around the Table
WHY USE DATE PASTE?
Date paste is a favorite among health-conscious cooks and bakers—and for good reason! It’s a natural sweetener packed with fiber and antioxidants (via Health Line).
- Nutrient-dense food (via Dr. Mendel)
- It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
- Natural Sweetener
- Easy to prepare at home
- Rich flavor
- Low glycemic index
VIDEO STEP-BY-STEP
TRY THESE RECIPES
- Whole Wheat Sweet Potato Pancakes
- Apple Carrot Salad with Grapefruit and Coconut Whipped Cream
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Smoothie
- Banana Brownies via The Conscious Plant Kitchen
- Breakfast Trail Mix Recipe
Date Paste
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup tightly packed dried pitted Medjool Dates, 300 grams
- 1 ½ cup boiling hot water 350ml or just enough to cover the dates
Instructions
- Check the dates for the stones, remove if any are present.
- Pour the dried pitted dates into a glass or stainless steel jar/bowl. Bring water to a boil, then pour it over the dates, using just enough to cover the dates.Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes or up to overnight in the fridge.1 ½ cups dried dates, 300 grams1 ½ cups boiling hot water, 250 ml
- Process soaked dates with the remaining liquid in a food processor, blender or use an immersion blender and blend until smooth. If you’d like thicker paste, use only ½ of the remaining water.
Notes
- How long does the date paste last? Store in the fridge for up to 3 months or in the freezer for up to 1 year.
- Can I create flavored date paste? Sure, you can soak dates in coffee, rum flavored water, add vanilla, orange zest, or lemon zest along with hot water. Remove zest before blending.
