Date Paste

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love.

Here is a cooking truth that took me way too long to figure out: date paste is one of the most useful things you can keep in your fridge, and it costs pennies to make at home. Two ingredients, about twenty minutes of hands-on time, and you have a natural sweetener that beats the store-bought stuff on price and quality. This is the same paste you will find in energy balls, smoothie bowls, oatmeal toppings, and a bunch of recipes that call for honey or maple syrup but would be even better with dates.

YouTube Video

What Makes This Actually Good

• Two ingredients and one tool. A bowl, a strainer, and either a food processor or blender are all you need to turn dried dates into a smooth paste.
• Hot water does the heavy lifting. Soaking the dates softens them enough that even a mid-range blender handles it without breaking down.
• You control the sweetness and thickness. Store-bought date syrup or paste often has added ingredients. This is just dates and water, adjusted to whatever consistency your recipe calls for.
• Naturally free of dairy, gluten, nuts, and refined sugar. It works in vegan baking, smoothies, and oatmeal without any swapping or subbing.

Ingredients

• Dates. The whole point of the recipe. Pitted dried dates are cheap, shelf-stable, and naturally sweet enough that you do not need anything else. Look for Medjool if your store carries them, though any pitted variety works fine.
• Hot water. Softens the dates during the soak, then gets adjusted later to hit your desired thickness. Save some of the soaking water before draining so you have it on hand.

Reasons This Will Become a Regular

• Cheaper than buying date syrup or paste at the store, especially when you buy dates in bulk.
• Made from a single real food ingredient with zero additives or preservatives.
• Doubles as a natural sweetener in smoothies, oatmeal, energy bites, and baked goods.
• Stores well in the fridge for about two weeks or freezes for months without losing texture.
• Thick enough to spread on toast or thin out for use as a honey substitute in recipes.
• Clean label that fits vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets without any modifications.

Pairing Ideas

• Stirred into overnight oats or warm cereal for natural sweetness without refined sugar
• Spread on toast with nut butter. Works as a honey substitute that adds fiber and nutrients
• Blended into smoothies. Adds thickness and a caramel-like flavor that pairs well with banana
• Mixed into homemade energy balls or bars as a binding agent and sweetener
• Dolloped on Greek yogurt or cottage cheese bowls for a natural sugar boost

How to Switch It Up

• Cinnamon date paste. Mix in a half teaspoon of ground cinnamon after blending for a warm, dessert-like flavor that works great in oatmeal.
• Cocoa date paste. Stir in a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder after blending for a chocolate version that is solid in energy bites.
• Thinner consistency. Add extra water by the tablespoon until you get a drizzle-able syrup that works as a honey or maple syrup swap.
• Darker, more intense flavor. Use Medjool dates instead of regular soft dates for a deeper caramel taste and smoother blend.

Things Worth Knowing

FAQs

Equipment Needed

• Food Processor or a high speed blender
• Fine Mesh Strainer
• Glass Food Storage Containers
• 2-Cup Liquid Measuring Cup

Recipe

Date Paste

Recipe by StevenCourse: DessertCuisine: Other world cuisineDifficulty: Easy

Servings

20

servings

Prep Time

40

minutes

Cook Timeminutes

Calories

60

kcal

Resting Timeminutes

Total Time

40

minutes

A 2-ingredient natural sweetener made from dates. Use it as a healthier substitute for refined sugar in oatmeal, smoothies, granola, and baked goods.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (400 grams) pitted dried dates

• 1/2 cup water

Directions

• If using unpitted dates, remove the pits from your dates.
• In a large bowl, add your 2 cups of dates and pour enough hot water to cover the dates.
• Set aside for about 15-30 minutes to let the dates soften up.
• Drain the dates using a strainer and save some of the water, at least 1/2 cup.
• Add your dates and water to a food processor or powerful blender.
• Blend for about 1 minute or longer until it forms a thick paste-like consistency.
• Add water if needed.
• Store and use when ready.

Notes

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze in portions for longer storage.

Nutrition Facts