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Date paste could be the easiest natural sweetener you can make! Use it in your oatmeal, homemade almond milk, shakes and many other dishes to add a hint of sweetness. It only takes 5 minutes and 2 ingredients (one being water)!

The benefits of dates:
Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree, found at the top of incredibly tall palm trees, in clusters. Harvesting them can be difficult, as trees can get up to 75 feet high!
These dates can come in a variety of different kinds, but hands down, my favorite kind to eat are medjool dates. They are soft, sweet, chewy, caramel-y, and downright delicious. If you don’t love dates, it’s a good possibility you haven’t had the good kind. Fresh dates are where it’s at.
Besides being sweet and delicious, dates are also super healthy. They are high in fiber and disease-fighting antioxidants, may promote brain health, and so much more.
And once you realize how much natural sweetness they add to your dishes and desserts, you’ll be hooked. They are truly Earth’s natural sweetener.
I’ve used dates in a number of ways, such as in these Cherry Date Bars, Chocolate Covered Almond Dates, in oatmeal, or as a base for Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls. The options are really limitless.
But besides using dates in their whole form (without the pit of course), one of my favorite ways to prepare them is by making date paste. I love to create it in advance, then store the paste in my fridge for a number of different uses.
How can you use date paste?
You can add this date paste as a sweetener, to your oatmeal, or even homemade almond milk, Walnut Butter, shakes, smoothies, baked goods, and desserts. I also often use this in the place of maple syrup for some recipes. I’ve even given this to my nephew as baby food and he loved it! =)
I can only imagine how many more uses there are for this sweet fruit paste.
If you are trying to avoid processed sugars, this date paste is a brilliant substitute for sugar. And it’s sooooo ridiculously easy. All you need is water and dates.
How to make Date Paste:
First, add the dates and water to a food processor or blender. Blend on low at first, then increase the speed to high. And voila! You have date paste (yes, it’s that easy). This recipe makes 1 cup date paste.
Please note that it should be like a thick paste (see photos). But if it’s too thick and not moving in the blender, add more water in 1 tablespoon increments and blend again until smooth and to your desired consistency.
I recommend making a batch and storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or more.
I hope you enjoy making your very own date paste, and please comment below if you have other suggestions for how to use it!
Do you have extra dates that you don’t want to use in date paste? Try one of these recipes using this amazingly versatile fruit:
- Carrot Cake Bites
- Raw Brownies with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Cherry-Date Raw Bars
- Cinnamon Almond Date Bites
- Chocolate Covered Almond Dates
- Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls
- Vegan Caramel
And if you try this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo #veggie__chick on Instagram. I just love to see my recipes being made in YOUR kitchen!
Date Paste (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
Pin RateIngredients
- 1 cup packed pitted soft medjool dates - if not soft, soak the dates in water for at least 30 minutes and drain- see detailed notes below*
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- This recipe makes 1 cup date paste. Nutrition information is based on a serving size of 2 tablespoons. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Notes
- *The trick to making this date paste smooth is making sure you are working with very soft dates. I’ve found a couple stores in my area that have soft medjool dates, but unfortunately others where they are more firm. If you can only find firm dates, be sure to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes (or longer, depending on firmness) before adding them to the blender. It also helps to use a high-powered/high speed blender, which will break up the dates much better than a traditional blender.
- You can use this date paste to sweeten oatmeal, homemade almond milk, shakes, smoothies, baked goods, desserts, and more. I’ve even given this to my nephew as baby food and he loved it! =)
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in August 2017, but was republished in December of 2019 with tips, nutritional information, and FAQs.
Lois says
I made it for a chocolate sauce for sweet potato pancakes. Deliciousness! Thanks!
Christin McKamey says
Wow Lois, that sounds incredible!! =) You’re welcome!
Randy Eubanks says
I made your date paste and added it to a homemade balsamic dressing. It was fantastic! Thank you Christin.
Christin McKamey says
Wow, thanks Randy- that’s so awesome to hear. Adding it to balsamic dressing is a fabulous idea!! =)
Chocoviv says
This looks tasty!
Christin McKamey says
Thank you! It is!! =)