15 Easy Medjool Dates Recipes (2024)

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Here are all the best Medjool dates recipes! This chewy, caramely fruit is perfect for naturally sweet treats like brownies, energy bars and smoothies.

15 Easy Medjool Dates Recipes (1)

Medjool dates are about to take over the world! This tasty fruit is enjoying massive popularity lately as a natural way to sweeten foods. They’re in many energy bars you’ll find in stores, though they can be used in sweet and savory recipes alike. Here at A Couple Cooks, we’re big Medjool dates fans, and have lots of recipes to prove it.

Here are some of our favorite easy Medjool dates recipes! The most popular is our fudgy date brownies, where dates and nuts magically combine into a texture just like a fudgy brownie. Medjool dates are the key component of energy bars recipes, and they’re fantastic for sweetening smoothies and our “healthy” milkshake. Ready to get cooking?

Medjool dates fun facts!

Before we get to the recipes: here are a few things to note about these caramely sweet superfoods:

  • Are Medjool dates dried? No, Medjool dates are fresh fruits! Medjool dates are harvested from the date palm tree and then packaged immediately. There’s no processing, so they’re not dried!
  • What is the white powder on Medjool dates? It’s perfectly normal, not mold! It’s just the natural sugars in the date rising to the skin.
  • Where to buy Medjool dates? Look in your grocery in the produce aisle (many times next to the bananas), or near the dried fruits. You can also order them online.
  • How to store Medjool dates? Store them at room temperature for 1 to 2 months, in the refrigerator for up to 6 months, and about 1 year frozen. (Source)

And now…our top easy Medjool dates recipes!

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Stuffed Medjool Dates

Our top Medjool dates recipe: goat cheese stuffed dates! These beauties are incredibly easy to make, and the flavor of this simple pairing is outrageous. Pair the sweet caramel chewiness ofMedjool dates with tangy, fluffy goat cheese, and the sweet-savory combo is out of this world. It also works as a quick snack or “side” for a healthy lunch, and involves no cooking at all. For plant based, use nut butter instead (peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or nut butter).

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Fudgy Date Brownies

The most "famous" of all Medjool date recipes? Raw brownies! You'll never believe the dark chocolatey flavor and chewy texture of this easy no bake treat. Simply blend together Medjool dates, cocoa powder and walnuts, and it forms a magical concoction that you'll have to taste to believe. We've been making these for years as a tasty naturally sweet treat: we hope you'll love them as much as we do!

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Superfood Pecan Energy Bars

The other arguably most popular Medjool date recipe: energy bars! Did you know that many of the energy bars you see in stores are made with Medjool dates? This recipe is like a copycat Larabar with a pecan pie flavor! It's made with pecans, dates, oats, chia seeds, and cinnamon. This tasty bar is full of nutrients and lots of fiber (10% of your daily need).

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Vanilla Date Smoothie

Got dates on hand? Let’s make aDate Smoothie! Medjool dates are ideal in smoothies: they’re a natural sweetener with a caramelly sweet flavor. They add a great source of fiber and enhance the creamy texture of a smoothie. Here’s how to make a naturally sweet smoothie using this tasty fruit.

What's a better way to use Medjool dates than wrapping them in bacon? Yes please! This tasty party appetizer is a classic, starring caramely dates, crispy bacon, and savory cheese. via Gimme Some Oven

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Cashew No Bake Energy Bars

Here's another fantastic energy bars recipe made with Medjool dates! This one is like a Larabar too, but it's made with cashews and almonds. The concept couldn't be easier: simply blend dates, almonds, cashews and cinnamon together in a food processor, then press it into an even layer. We like to freeze our energy bars for a few minutes before cutting them, which helps the dough set. For a seasonal variation, try adding Pumpkin Pie Spice!

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Photo Credit:www.eatingbirdfood.com

Date Bark

Date bark is like chocolate bark, but with Medjool dates as a base! This TikTok viral recipe combines dates with peanut butter, chocolate and peanuts. It tastes like a Snickers bar and is the perfect vegan and gluten-free treat to keep stocked in your freezer!

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Photo Credit:www.eatingbirdfood.com

Nutty Date Oatmeal

Why not add dates to your breakfast? This oatmeal topping makes for a natural caramel-like flavor that amps up your morning. It’s delicious and can be prepped the night before for a quick, low effort breakfast. via Eating Bird Food

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Berry Brownie Yogurt Parfait

Here's a fun way to dress up those brownies made with Medjool dates: make them into a parfait! This parfait is a healthy spin on the standard, made with sweetened Greek yogurt. There's a gooey triple berry compote made with strawberries, blackberries and raspberries. And to top it off? Crumbles of raw brownies! They made for the perfect contrasting fudgy texture. A more decadent way to eat raw brownies? This Brownie Ice Cream Sandwich.

Ever tried a date shake? This Palm Springs signature drink is an unexpected combination that works: creamy vanilla ice cream and Medjool dates. Take one sip and it’s a revelation: creamy, aromatic vanilla ice cream is the ideal pairing for the caramel flavor of this fruit.

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Peanut Butter Buckeye Balls

Buckeyes are those gooey peanut butter balls covered in chocolate! While they're often eaten during the holiday season, you can eat these tasty morsels all year round. They're a sweet treat that is great for parties, gatherings, or book clubs. This recipe is a healthy spin on buckeyes using Medjool dates for the filling instead of butter! It makes for a decadent-tasting plant based dessert.

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Photo Credit:www.eatingbirdfood.com

Chocolate Covered Snickers Stuffed Dates

Craving a candy bar but want a healthier alternative? Stuff Medjool dates with peanut butter and cover them in chocolate, and they taste just like a Snickers bar! This crave-able sweet treat is the best combination of flavors and textures. via Eating Bird Food

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Cherry Vegan Energy Bars

These healthy vegan energy bars are similar to homemade Larabars, but with a little more texture. Like theraw brownie, they’re gluten-free and all natural, made mainlyof Medjool dates and nuts. This version uses hazelnuts for a more complex flavor, and dried tart cherries for a tangy note that compliments the sweet.

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Photo Credit:www.eatingbirdfood.com

4-Ingredient Date Caramel Sauce

This 4-ingredient date caramel is made with all real foods and tastes salty sweet! It's perfect for dipping apples or other fruit, and it's simple to whip up with just dates, vanilla, salt and almond milk. via Eating Bird Food

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Healthy Chocolate Milkshake

Last up in our Medjool dates recipes: this healthy chocolate milkshake! Here's a way to get your milkshake without feeling sick afterwards. You'll place coconut milk in an ice cube tray and freeze it, then blend the cubes with cocoa powder and Medjool dates. It tastes rich and chocolatey, but fresh and light at the same time!

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Stuffed Medjool Dates

★★★★★5 from 1 review
  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 24 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Here’s an easy finger food recipe: stuffed Mejool dates! They’re quick to make, and the sweet and savory combo keeps everyone coming back for more.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 24 Medjool dates
  • 4 ounces soft goat cheese* (helpful if it’s come to room temperature**)
  • 3 tablespoons pistachios
  • Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
  • Smoked paprika
  • Optional: honey

Instructions

  1. Use a knife to make a lengthwise slit into the dates, then remove the pits. Use a spoon to fill them with goat cheese.
  2. Crush the pistachios with a rolling pin.
  3. Top each with a tiny sprinkle of black pepper, sea salt and the tiniest bit of smoked paprika (just a tiny sprinkle has big flavor). Sprinkle on pistachio dust. If desired, add the tiniest drizzle of honey (again, use a small amount to heighten the flavor; too much and it overwhelms).

Notes

*For vegan, plant-based and dairy-free diets, trynut butter,peanut butter,almond butter, orcashew butter.

**The goat cheese is easier to work with at room temperature. If you don’t have time to set it out, just use your hands to mash it around in the package a little bit so it becomes softer.

  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Raw
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 date

Keywords: Medjool dates recipes

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More plant based treats

Mejool dates are perfect for plant based treats! If you like these, here are a few more healthy plant based desserts you might enjoy:

  • “Bliss Bites” Healthy No-Bake Cookies Truly bliss in a bite, these healthy no bake cookies are made with chocolate and peanut butter. Easy and delicious, they are an all-time fan favorite!
  • Chocolate Cherry Dessert Bites These decadent-tasting chocolate cherry dessert bites are made of clean ingredients: just cocoa, maple, coconut oil, oats, almonds and cherries!
  • Fudgy Vegan Brownies Naturally sweet, gluten-free, and plant-based, this fudgy vegan brownie recipe is rich but nutrient dense, made fully of whole foods.

Published on / Last updated on

Categorized In:

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Tagged with:

  • Medjool Dates
  • Roundup

About the authors

15 Easy Medjool Dates Recipes (19)

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes for memorable kitchen moments! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

About Us

15 Easy Medjool Dates Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What do you do with Medjool dates? ›

Naturally sweet, medjool dates make a great addition to baked goods, especially if you're looking to reduce your added sugar intake. However, medjool dates aren't just for breads; they're also great as hors d'oeuvres, especially when they're stuffed with cheese or wrapped in bacon.

Should you refrigerate Medjool dates? ›

Dates are best stored in the refrigerator in an air tight container to help them retain moisture. They can be stored up to 6 months in the refrigerator, but may lose moisture the longer they sit. Large quantities of dates can also be frozen for up to one year.

How many Medjool dates to eat per day? ›

How many dates should I eat in a day? According to Sedivy, a serving of dates is about one-quarter cup. However, "if you're worried about the sugar amount, I recommend eating two to three large dates to reap all the health benefits associated with them," she says.

Do you need to soak dates before baking? ›

Dried dates are ready to use straight away - just slice off from the block or pick as many of you need from the box, but you can also soak them in a liquid like tea or various types of alcohol, to boost flavour and moisture.

Do you wash medjool dates before eating? ›

So keep in mind that you should wash it well before consuming dates so that you can safely eat it away from all kinds of contamination and germs.

What do dates do in a woman's body? ›

Apart from being an excellent substitute for refined sugar, dates can improve the skin, aid in losing weight, reduce belly fat, prevent hair loss, and provide support during pregnancy.

Are Medjool dates too high in sugar? ›

Medjool dates mostly contain carbohydrates, the majority of which are sugars. This may cause people who are trying to regulate their blood sugar, such as those with diabetes, some concern. Some evidence suggests that dates do not cause spikes in blood sugar and may in fact have a low glycemic index.

What is the best time to eat dates? ›

Morning is the best time to consume dates or we can take them as a pre-workout snack, and as an evening snack too. You can start your day with dates which helps and gives you a much-needed energy boost. They kick-start your metabolism and keep those mid-morning hunger pangs at bay.

Can dates cause gas and bloating? ›

The fibre present in the dates gives a feeling of gratification even after eating a small portion. It takes a long time to digest and leads to the problems of gas and bloating. People who suffer from health ailments like food allergies or diarrhoea should avoid eating dates.

Why do you put baking soda on dates? ›

The baking soda helps to soften the dates as well as lighten the texture of the cake. Boiling Water – used to soak the dates and once soaked, the dates including the liquid, is added to the cake. Butter – salted or unsalted butter is fine. Brown Sugar – used in both the cake and the caramel sauce.

What is the white stuff on Medjool dates? ›

The white stuff is the natural sugar crystalizing and making its way to the outside of the date. As they age, the sugars in the date will gradually move to the surface, forming little sugar white spots. Fret not, these are not mold.

How to bake with dates instead of sugar? ›

For baked goods: You'll likely need to add 1.5 or 2x the ratio of date paste in place of sugar. It's also important to note that moisture from the date paste can affect baking results. It's best therefore to use a recipe that already uses liquid sweeteners or specifically recommends date paste.

What are Medjool dates good for? ›

Medjool dates contain antioxidants and nutrients that may lower your risk of heart disease, promote digestion, and support heart health, among other benefits.

Do Medjool dates taste different than regular dates? ›

Medjool dates, often referred to as the “king of dates,” are larger and have a caramel-like flavor, making them a delicious, natural sweetener. On the other hand, people often use Deglet Noor dates in cooking and baking because they have a more subtle sweetness. They are also much cheaper!

Why is Medjool dates so expensive? ›

As is the case with many other types of luxuries, the production of Medjool dates is a difficult and labour-intensive operation, which is why they are so expensive. Because soft dates such as the Medjool are so delicate, the vast majority of them are harvested individually by hand rather than in enormous clusters.

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