10+ Dates Recipes for Easy and Delicious Treats

Dates are a tasty, natural way to add some sweetness to all sorts of dishes. You can toss them into snacks, desserts, or even savory meals.

They’re easy to prep and bring that rich, caramel-like flavor that just works in so many recipes.

You might be surprised at how versatile dates really are in the kitchen. Whether you want a quick snack or something a little fancier, dates slide right in.

Let’s check out some simple and delicious ways to enjoy dates in your cooking.

1) Stuffed Dates with Peanut Butter and Dark Chocolate

Try stuffing dates with peanut butter and dunking them in dark chocolate for a quick, creamy treat. It’s naturally sweet and honestly, ridiculously easy.

Medjool dates work best since they’re soft and easy to open. Just remove the pit, fill each date with a spoonful of peanut butter, and then dip them into melted dark chocolate.

Set the dipped dates on a tray and let the chocolate harden in the fridge. You get salty, sweet, and a little crunch in every bite.

Ingredients:

• 20 Medjool dates
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 6 ounces dark chocolate (preferably 70% cocoa)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Slice dates open and take out the pits.
2. Fill each date with about 1 teaspoon of peanut butter.
3. Melt chocolate in a bowl over a double boiler or microwave in short bursts.
4. Dip the stuffed dates into the chocolate.
5. Place them on a lined tray and chill for 20-30 minutes until set.

2) Date Balls with Almonds and Coconut

Date balls with almonds and coconut are a super simple, healthy snack. You get the natural sweetness from dates, a nice crunch from almonds, and that tropical coconut flavor.

Soak the dates to soften them up, then blend with almonds and shredded coconut until sticky. Roll into small balls—tablespoon size works well—and coat with extra coconut if you’re feeling it.

These bites make a great grab-and-go snack. Keep them in the fridge and they’ll stay fresh for days.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups pitted Medjool dates
• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak dates in warm water for about 2 minutes.
2. Drain dates and toss them in a food processor with almonds and ½ cup coconut.
3. Blend until everything sticks together.
4. Roll into tablespoon-sized balls.
5. Coat each ball in the rest of the coconut.
6. Chill for 30 minutes before eating.

More details? Here’s a date almond coconut protein balls recipe.

3) Medjool Date Bark with Peanut Butter and Chocolate

Medjool date bark is a no-bake treat you can throw together in minutes. Layer soft dates with creamy peanut butter and dark chocolate for a chewy, candy-bar vibe.

No fancy tools needed. Spread peanut butter over the dates, pour on melted chocolate, and let it set.

Add peanuts or a little sea salt for crunch if you want. It’s a quick snack or dessert that feels pretty indulgent but uses natural stuff.

Ingredients

• 30 Medjool dates, pitted
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 150 g dark chocolate (85%)
• 1 tbsp coconut oil or cacao butter
• Optional: peanuts or sea salt for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Line a tray with parchment paper.
2. Spread peanut butter on the parchment.
3. Arrange dates in a single layer over the peanut butter.
4. Melt chocolate with coconut oil over low heat.
5. Pour chocolate over the dates and peanut butter.
6. Top with peanuts or sea salt if you like.
7. Refrigerate for at least an hour until set.
8. Break into pieces and eat.

4) Banana Date Bread with Lime Zest

Banana date bread with lime zest is soft, moist, and naturally sweet. Dates bring a deep flavor, and the lime zest brightens it up.

It’s a clever way to use up ripe bananas. Enjoy it plain or with a swipe of butter.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups mashed banana (about 2 large bananas)
• 6 ounces pitted dates, chopped
• 4 teaspoons finely grated lime zest (about 3 limes)
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup sugar

Cooking Instructions

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

Want more detail? Here’s the banana date bread with lime recipe.

5) Savory Dates Soaked in Cinnamon Tea

Try soaking dates in hot cinnamon tea for a new twist. It softens the dates and adds a warm, spicy flavor that’s great in savory dishes.

Once soaked, drain and mash the dates. Mix them with nuts or use as a sweet-spicy spread.

It’s a simple way to add depth without making dates the main event. Works well as a snack or in meals.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dates, pitted
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cinnamon stick

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil water with the cinnamon stick.
2. Pour the hot cinnamon tea over dates in a bowl.
3. Let them soak until cool, about 30 minutes.
4. Drain and mash or use whole.
5. Stir into your favorite savory recipes.

Try it for an easy, different way to enjoy dates. More ideas here.

6) Date Cookies with Cinnamon and Cloves

Bake up soft date cookies with cinnamon and cloves for a cozy treat. The spices pair perfectly with sweet dates.

Mix flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and cloves together. Add chopped dates and nuts if you want a little crunch.

Shape the dough into small balls, press them down, and bake until golden.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
• ¼ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup chopped dates
• ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• 1 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg.
3. Cream butter and sugar in another bowl.
4. Add dry mix to the butter mixture.
5. Stir in water and chopped dates. Add nuts if you like.
6. Shape dough into balls and place on a baking sheet.
7. Flatten slightly with your hand.
8. Bake 12-15 minutes until edges are light brown.
9. Let cool before eating.

Need more ideas? Check this date cookies recipe.

7) Date and Tahini Energy Bites

Make quick energy bites with dates and tahini. No baking, just blend and roll.

Add a little cinnamon or vanilla for extra flavor. These are perfect before or after a workout or when you need a snack.

You don’t need many ingredients, and a food processor makes it a breeze. Roll the mixture into small balls and chill.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 1 cup raw almonds
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of sea salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Pulse almonds in a food processor until finely chopped.
2. Add dates, tahini, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Blend until sticky.
3. Scoop and roll into balls.
4. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
5. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Find a similar recipe at Date Tahini Energy Bites.

8) Date and Nut Granola Bars

Date and nut granola bars are a healthy, homemade snack. Dates sweeten things naturally, while nuts and oats add crunch and energy.

Customize these bars with your favorite nuts—almonds, pistachios, whatever you like. You can skip baking if you want; just press the mixture into a pan and chill.

Add peanut butter or maple syrup to help bind the bars and boost the flavor. They’re great for breakfast or a snack on the go.

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed pitted dates
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup nuts (almonds, pistachios, or your choice)

Cooking Instructions

1. If baking, preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Blend dates into a paste.
3. Mix date paste, peanut butter, and syrup until smooth.
4. Add oats and nuts and stir until combined.
5. Press into a lined baking pan.
6. For baked bars, bake 15-20 minutes until edges brown.
7. Let cool before cutting.
8. For no-bake, chill the pressed mixture for at least an hour.

9) Caramel Sea Salt Date Snacks

You can throw together a quick, tasty snack with dates, sea salt, and a couple of pantry staples. These caramel sea salt date snacks hit that sweet-salty spot, and honestly, they’re so simple—no oven required.

Start by soaking the dates in hot water until they soften up. Next, blend the softened dates with almond butter and coconut oil until you get a creamy, caramel-like texture.

Spoon the mixture into little bites or just spread it out, whatever feels easiest. Sprinkle some flaky sea salt over the top.

Pop them in the fridge for at least half an hour. That’s it—ready for whenever you need a sweet pick-me-up.

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates
• 2 tablespoons almond butter
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon flaky sea salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the dates in hot water for 10 minutes to soften.
2. Drain the dates, then blend with almond butter and coconut oil until smooth.
3. Spoon the mixture into small bites or spread it out to chill.
4. Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top.
5. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

10) Majoon Date Paste Treats

Majoon is this rich, creamy treat made from date paste, nuts, and cream. It’s surprisingly easy to whip up at home.

Enjoy it as a dessert, or grab a piece as a snack. The combo of dates and nuts adds a satisfying texture and just the right amount of sweetness.

If you’re feeling fancy, serve it with ice cream. Or just chill it and eat as-is—sometimes simple is best.

Ingredients

• 750g vanilla ice cream
• 1 pack Persian cream or double cream (cold)
• 1 ripe banana (cold)
• 4 tbsp pistachios (cold)
• 4 tbsp date paste

Cooking Instructions

1. Let the ice cream sit out for a bit so it softens.

2. Toss the ice cream, Persian cream, and banana into a blender. Blend until everything looks smooth.

3. Stir in the date paste. Add the pistachios and give it another quick mix.

4. Pour the mixture into a dish. Chill it for about an hour before serving.