How to Eat Dried Dates

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

A date is a sweet and versatile fruit that can be used in a variety of dishes. Although dates can be eaten both fresh and dried, dried dates are more common. Dried dates are simple to prepare, and they can be used in salads, smoothies, oatmeal, desserts, and many other kinds of dishes. Dates are naturally sweet and they make a great substitute for refined sugar.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Preparing Dried Dates

PDF download Download Article
  1. In general, dates can either be found in the produce aisle, or located with other dried fruit (such as raisins and prunes). Most of the time dried dates will be sold in packages, but some stores may sell them by weight. [1]
  2. Remove the pit . Many dried dates will already be pitted, but some will not. Look carefully at any packaging to see if your dates have been pitted or not. If there is no packaging, cut open 1 date to check. To remove a pit, make a lengthwise slit into each date. Use your fingers to wiggle the pit free and remove it. [2]
    • Even in packages of pitted dates, you will occasionally come across a pit. Watch out for this to protect your teeth!
    Advertisement
  3. Chop dates into smaller pieces. Steady each date with your non-dominant hand, and use a sharp paring knife to slice it lengthwise. Then turn the strips sideways and cut across them. Add chopped dates to oatmeal, salads, and other recipes.
    • If you are adding chopped dates to salads or oatmeal there is usually no need to soak them.
  4. Prior to blending dates for smoothies, dates balls, or other recipes it is a great idea to soak them. This softens the dates and allows them to release even more of their sweet flavor. Place dried dates in hot water for 10 minutes prior to using, or soak them in room temperature water overnight. [3]
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Using Dates in Recipes

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can pop dried dates right into your mouth for a quick and delicious snack. If your dates have not been pitted, bite into each date carefully and remove the pit. [4]
  2. Dates pair wonderfully with oats. Add a few chopped dates when simmering your oatmeal in the morning, or use them to make overnight oats. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 date per serving of oatmeal. Some recipe ideas include:
    • Date-sweetened apple pie oatmeal [5]
    • Espresso overnight oats with salted date caramel [6]
  3. Chopped dates are an excellent addition to traditional green salads, grain salads, and other vegetable medleys. For a salad with 4-6 servings, try adding 5-8 chopped dates (depending on their size). Some recipes ideas include:
    • Roasted cauliflower salad with chopped dried dates. [7]
    • Butternut squash and quinoa salad with dates
  4. Dates are an excellent way to sweeten foods without adding refined sugar. Soak dried dates in hot water for 10 minutes, then add them to your favorite smoothies. For 1 serving, try using about 3 pitted dates (depending on their size). [8] Some smoothie ideas include:
    • Peanut butter and jelly date smoothie [9]
    • Banana date smoothie [10]
  5. The sweet, sticky quality of dried dates makes them an excellent base for no-bake dessert balls. Add soaked dates to a food processor. Add in other ingredients, such as oats, chocolate chips, nut butters, chia seeds, coconut flakes, or cashews. Pulse the food processor about 10 times to create tiny chunks. Roll the mix in your hands to create small balls. Refrigerate for 1 hour before consuming. Some date ball ideas include:
    • Almond butter date balls [11]
    • Coconut date balls [12]
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I blend dates with ginger?
    Community Answer
    Yes. You can dress them up with anything you like.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4
  • Question
    Can I blend dates with coconut?
    Community Answer
    Yes! I do it all the time and my kids and I love it. It has a sweet taste and nice, creamy consistency.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
  • Question
    Can dried dates be added into Chapati?
    Dxhyuns
    Community Answer
    Absolutely! You can find many recipes and YouTube tutorials online to guide you through the process.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      Signs That a Potato Is Bad: Raw & Cooked
      How to
      Tell if Your Carrots Are Bad
      Easy Ways to Tell if Your Brussel Sprouts Have Gone Bad
      How to
      Tell if a Kiwi Has Gone Bad
      How to
      Eat a Star Fruit
      How to
      Store Collard Greens
      How to
      Ripen Mangoes Fast (& Tell When They’re Ripe)
      How to
      Eat Guava
      How to
      Eat Kiwi Fruit
      How to
      Cook Baby Corn
      How to
      Buy a Good Avocado
      How to
      Grow Okra
      How to
      Roast Parsnips
      How to
      Ripen an Unripe Pineapple
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/awesome-things-you-can-do-with-dates/
      2. ↑ https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-dates.html
      3. ↑ https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-dates.html
      4. ↑ https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/awesome-things-you-can-do-with-dates/
      5. ↑ https://minimalistbaker.com/date-sweetened-apple-pie-oatmeal/
      6. ↑ https://fitfoodiefinds.com/2016/04/espresso-overnight-oats-salted-date-caramel/
      7. ↑ https://blog.myfitnesspal.com/roasted-cauliflower-salad/
      8. ↑ https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/five-ways-eat-dates-180951928/
      9. ↑ https://minimalistbaker.com/peanut-butter-jelly-date-smoothie/
      1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-banana-date-smoothie-207636
      2. ↑ https://www.superhealthykids.com/almond-butter-date-balls-recipe/
      3. ↑ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/25786/coconut-date-balls/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Dried dates can make a tasty and nutritious addition to many different meals like smoothies and salads. It’s easy to enjoy dried dates plain! Simply bite into each date and remove the pit if there is one for a delicious snack. You can also use dried dates in smoothies to help sweeten them without adding refined sugar. Simply soak 3 pitted, dried dates in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them. Then add the softened dried dates into the blender as you make the smoothie. Dried dates can also make a great addition to salads. Try mixing chopped, dried dates through green salads or vegetable medleys. For more ideas on how to eat dried dates, like how to remove the pits, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 151,756 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement