10+ Date Recipes to Spark Fun and Flavorful Evenings

Dates are a tasty, natural way to sweeten up meals and snacks. You can toss them into breakfast, desserts, or even savory dishes—they’re more versatile than folks give them credit for.

They’re also a healthier swap for refined sugar, bringing their own unique texture and flavor.

If you’re after a quick snack or want to impress guests with something different, date recipes are super easy and surprisingly crowd-pleasing. You’ll find plenty of ideas here that mix dates with pantry staples for treats that are honestly hard to resist.

Ingredients for Date Recipes

• Dates
• Optional fillings or toppings (peanut butter, nuts, chocolate—whatever you like)

Cooking Instructions

1. Remove pits from dates if they have them.
2. Stuff or combine with your favorite ingredients.
3. Chill or bake as the recipe calls for.

1) Stuffed Dates with Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate

This snack is almost too easy. Pit some Medjool dates, then fill them with creamy peanut butter.

The salty-sweet combo is classic, and it never gets old. Melt some dark chocolate and dip the stuffed dates in.

Chill them in the fridge so the chocolate sets. These are vegan and gluten-free, so they’re a safe bet for most folks.

Want a little crunch? Toss in some pumpkin or hemp seeds.

You’ll only need a couple minutes, but you’ll end up with a snack that feels way fancier than it is.

Ingredients

• 20 Medjool dates
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• Dark chocolate for melting
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds (optional)
• 1 tbsp hemp seeds (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Pit the dates.
2. Fill each date with peanut butter.
3. Melt the chocolate—don’t scorch it!
4. Dip the stuffed dates in chocolate.
5. Set them on parchment paper.
6. Chill at least 30 minutes, or until the chocolate’s firm.

2) Medjool Date and Almond Butter Energy Balls

You can whip up these energy balls in no time. Medjool dates bring the sweetness, and almond butter keeps things creamy and rich.

Just blend dates, almond butter, and a handful of nuts or seeds. Toss in vanilla or cinnamon if you’re feeling it.

Roll the mix into balls, chill, and you’re set. They’ll keep for days in the fridge, so make a batch for the week.

Ingredients:

• 10 Medjool dates, pitted
• ½ cup creamy almond butter
• ½ cup almonds or cashews
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds or flax seeds (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Add dates, almond butter, nuts, and seeds to a food processor.
2. Blend until the mixture is sticky and uniform.
3. Roll into 1-inch balls.
4. Chill for at least 30 minutes before eating.

3) Date Bark with Peanuts and Chocolate

Date bark is a no-bake treat that’s honestly addictive. Spread out pitted Medjool dates as your base.

Layer on peanut butter for a nutty kick. Melt some dark chocolate and pour it over the top.

Scatter chopped peanuts before the chocolate sets for crunch. Chill it all until firm, then break into pieces.

It’s sweet, salty, and ridiculously easy.

Ingredients

• Medjool dates, pitted
• Creamy peanut butter
• Dark chocolate
• Chopped peanuts

Cooking Instructions

1. Flatten dates in a single layer on a tray.
2. Spread peanut butter over the dates.
3. Melt the chocolate (microwave or stovetop).
4. Pour chocolate over the peanut butter layer.
5. Sprinkle peanuts on top.
6. Chill for about 30 minutes.
7. Break into pieces and dig in.

4) Soaked Dates with Cinnamon and Orange Zest

Soaking dates in orange juice softens them up and adds a citrusy note. Let them sit for 30 to 50 minutes.

Mix in cinnamon and orange zest for warmth and zing. The combo makes a killer spread or filling for breads.

You can blend everything in a food processor or mash by hand if you like it chunky. It’s a quick way to level up breakfast.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates
• ½ cup fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp orange zest

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak dates in orange juice for 30-50 minutes.
2. Drain (save a splash of juice if you want).
3. Blend dates, cinnamon, and orange zest until smooth.
4. Use as a spread or filling.

5) Banana Date Bread with Lime Twist

Lime zest totally wakes up classic banana date bread. It cuts through the sweetness, making each slice a little more interesting.

The dates add chewiness and natural sugar, while the lime brings brightness. Vanilla and a splash of lime juice round out the flavors.

This recipe is straightforward and probably uses what you’ve got in your pantry. It’s a fun twist if you’re bored with regular banana bread.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups mashed banana (about 2 large)
• 1 cup chopped pitted dates
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Zest and juice of 1 lime
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix bananas, dates, lime zest, juice, vanilla, sugar, oil, and eggs in a big bowl.
3. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.
4. Stir dry stuff into wet until just mixed.
5. Pour into a greased loaf pan.
6. Bake 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
7. Let cool before slicing.

You can find a similar recipe with more tips at Food Network’s Banana Date Bread with Lime.

6) Candy Bar Dates with Coconut and Caramel Filling

Candy bar dates are a ridiculously easy treat. Start by pitting some soft dates.

Blend more dates with coconut oil for a creamy caramel. Stir in shredded coconut for texture.

Stuff the caramel coconut mix into the dates. If you’re feeling extra, dip them in melted chocolate and top with more coconut.

They’re chewy, sweet, and taste way more decadent than they should.

Ingredients

• Soft, pitted dates
• Medjool dates (for caramel)
• Coconut oil
• Almond butter (optional)
• Shredded coconut
• Chocolate for dipping (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Remove pits from the dates.
2. Blend medjool dates, coconut oil, and almond butter until smooth.
3. Stir in shredded coconut.
4. Stuff each date with the coconut caramel.
5. (Optional) Dip in melted chocolate.
6. Sprinkle with coconut and chill until set.

7) Savory Dates Wrapped in Bacon

Dates wrapped in bacon are the kind of snack people fight over at parties. The sweet dates and salty bacon just work together.

If you want, stuff the dates with goat cheese, blue cheese, or even almonds. Wrap with bacon and bake until crispy.

You barely need any ingredients, but the flavor is huge. It’s a great party trick or a treat for yourself.

Ingredients

• Medjool dates
• Bacon strips
• Goat cheese, blue cheese, or almonds (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Stuff pitted dates with cheese or almonds if you like.
3. Wrap each date with half a bacon strip.
4. Place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes, until bacon’s crisp.
6. Let cool a minute or two before eating.

Get all the details at this bacon-wrapped dates recipe.

8) Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad with Chopped Dates

This salad is bright and crunchy, with the shaved Brussels sprouts giving it a light bite. Chopped dates bring just enough sweetness to balance the greens.

Toss in some Parmesan or Manchego and a handful of nuts for crunch. A lemon or date syrup dressing ties it all together.

You don’t even have to cook anything—just toss and serve. It’s a solid side dish or a light lunch if you’re in the mood.

Ingredients

• 1 lb shaved Brussels sprouts
• ½ cup chopped dates
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan or Manchego
• ¼ cup almonds or pistachios
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Wash and shave Brussels sprouts if needed.
2. Chop dates and nuts.
3. Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
4. Toss sprouts, dates, cheese, and nuts in a bowl.
5. Drizzle dressing and mix.
6. Let sit 15-20 minutes for softer sprouts, or eat right away.

9) Majoon – Middle Eastern Date and Nut Treat

Majoon is a sweet, smooth treat made from dates and toasted nuts. It pops up in a lot of Middle Eastern kitchens, and honestly, it’s hard not to love the rich texture and nutty flavor.

You just blend fresh dates with nuts—almonds, walnuts, pistachios, whatever you’re into. The nuts add crunch and give some depth to the creamy dates.

You can snack on Majoon or have it as a light dessert. It’s quick to whip up, and you don’t even have to turn on the oven.

Stick it in the fridge if you want it to stay fresh for a while.

Ingredients

• 2 cups pitted dates
• 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, pistachios)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Toast the nuts in a pan over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes, just until they smell amazing.
2. Toss the toasted nuts and dates into a food processor.
3. Blend it up until the mixture is mostly smooth, but with a little chunkiness left.
4. If you’re feeling fancy, add vanilla extract and pulse a couple more times.
5. Scoop it all into a container and chill before serving.

10) Date Cookies with Oats and Walnuts

These date cookies mix up the natural sweetness of dates with the crunch of walnuts. Oats bring a chewy bite that makes each cookie feel hearty.

They’re easy to make and work well as a snack or with a mug of tea. There’s just a hint of cinnamon—enough to warm things up, but it doesn’t take over.

You can bake them soft and chewy, or let them go a bit longer for a crispier bite. Using oats, walnuts, and dates means you get a treat that’s actually got some nutrition, too.

If you want, you can swap a few things to make them vegan or gluten-free.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup oil or melted coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Toss the oats, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl.

3. Add the chopped dates and walnuts. Give it a quick stir.

4. In a separate bowl, mix the oil and brown sugar.

5. Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir just until combined—don’t overthink it.

6. Scoop spoonfuls of dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

7. Bake for 10-12 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges look golden.

8. Let the cookies cool a bit before digging in.

Curious about more details? Here’s a oatmeal date walnut cookie recipe that might help.