How to Make Date Paste

Medjool Date Paste is a one-ingredient natural sweetener that’s not just saccharine and flavorful but nutritious as well. This is the perfect condiment to use if you want to add a richer flavor and sweetness to your main dishes, desserts, and snacks without gaining the extra calories!

It’s truly one of the best ways to use Medjool dates because the paste can be used as a spread, filling, beverage sweetener, and more!

How to Make Date Paste

Preparing date paste is easier than you think, so the sooner we get started, the sooner you’ll experience its sugary goodness. 

Dates

Dry dates are healthy fruits that can be likened to caramelized raisins. They have a chewy texture that makes them easy to convert into a paste.

It is often overlooked as an excellent alternative to sugar, but it remains widely used in different cuisines, such as African and Middle Eastern cuisines.

The best thing about dates is that their sweetness is not overwhelming like sugar cane. In addition to their flavor, these are helpful for brain health, bone density, digestion, heart function, and sugar regulation. 

These can also be natural sweeteners for breakfast meals, drinks, desserts, smoothies, snacks, baked goods, and more! 

Directions

1. Soak the dry dates in small glass bowls with hot water for 30 minutes or with cold water overnight. 
2. Pour the contents and water into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. 
3. If you prefer a thicker consistency and an extended long shelf life, heat the date paste in a pan over medium-low heat until it bubbles.
4. Stir the contents with a spatula at regular intervals. 
5. Set aside to cool.
6. Transfer the date paste to a sterilized, airtight glass jar and refrigerate. 

Give it a taste to experience the delicious goodness of this paste! It serves multiple purposes in the kitchen and is a healthy alternative to processed sweeteners like refined sugar. Before you know it, you’ll be making this condiment now and then!

Tips

Buying dates

• Purchase plump dates that are not too dry or shriveled. 
• Discard ones with white spots because these are likely to have crystallized sugars. 
• Those with minimal tears can still be used to make the paste.
• Avoid dates that are too moist and clumpy.

Storing dates

• Room temperature dates can last up to two months. 
• Keep them in resealable bags, freezer bags, or airtight containers to refrigerate or freeze them for longer shelf life.
• Dry ones are best stored at room temperature, away from heat.
• If you opt for fresh ones, keep them refrigerated to retain freshness.
• Consume thawed frozen dates within six weeks.

Date Paste Variations

Aside from all-natural pure dates, you can also season the paste with salt, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and other flavoring agents.

If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can use a mortar and pestle, immersion blender, fork, masher, miller, and other similar tools or appliances. 

Moreover, there are different kinds of this fruit you can use. For instance, excellent options for this date paste recipe include Omani, Medjool, and Ameri because of their rich flavor and color!

Recommended Tools

• Small glass bowls: Soak the dates in water in small glass bowls. 
• Food processor or blender: Convert these into a paste with these appliances.
• Pan: Thicken the paste by cooking it in a pan.
• Spatula: Stir the contents with a spatula.
• Airtight jar: Store the paste in an airtight jar.

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How to Use Date Paste

Date paste serves multiple purposes in food and drinks. For instance, you can incorporate it into drinks, desserts, bread, smoothies, snacks, and other healthy recipes for breakfast, celebrations, and weekends.

Here are some of the dishes and beverages where you can incorporate date paste:

• Peanut Butter Granola Bars
• Overnight Oats
• Plantain Porridge
• Banana Bread
• Fat Burner Smoothie
• Fruit Salad

If you’ve been avoiding refined sugar, the date paste can be a natural sweetener for your dishes and drinks. Remember that the ratio is one tablespoon of sugar is equal to one tablespoon of paste!

Now, you can try to make the following recipes without sugar:

• Banana Bread
• Puff Puff
• Pancakes
• Vanilla Cake
• Twisted Korean Donuts
• Almond Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: Date paste can be kept for up to a month at room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is date paste used for?

Date paste is a sweetener for desserts, baked goods, drinks, smoothies, and other dishes. It can also be used as a spread or condiment for bread, salads, and more! 

How healthy is date paste?

It is healthier than processed sweeteners, making it an excellent option as a substitute. This condiment is an all-natural ingredient with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to benefit the brain, digestion, immunity, and bones!

Is date paste healthier than sugar?

Yes, this date paste is healthier than refined sugar because the former is an organic fruit that contains naturally healthy sugar for nutrients. Aside from sugar, it also helps the body and brain with plenty of health benefits.

What is date paste made of?

This homemade paste is made of all-natural and organic dried dates, usually the Medjool variant. It can be seasoned with sea salt, vanilla extract, and other flavoring agents for better flavor.

Is date paste healthier than honey?

Yes, it is! According to Joolies California Superfruit, Medjool date paste is healthier than honey. The former has less sugar and more vitamins compared to honey. Moreover, the paste itself can be an alternative to honey because of its taste and consistency!