Date

Phoenix dactylifera Fruit

Date Fruit

At a Glance

  • Category Fruit

The Forktionary Angle

"Unpack the ancient superfood: from Middle Eastern culinary traditions to modern healthy eating, dates are more than just sweet."

Definition

A sweet, chewy fruit from the date palm tree, rich in natural sugars, fiber, and nutrients, commonly eaten fresh or dried.

Global Production Usage ~90% consumed as dried fruit
Natural Sugar Content ~60-70%
Shelf Life (dried, room temp) 6-12 months

Flavor Profile

The primary flavor notes for Date are:

Sweet Caramel-like Honeyed Chewy Slightly nutty

Chef’s Secret

To soften dates for easier blending or chopping, soak them in hot water or warm tea for 10-15 minutes. This also enhances their natural sweetness and makes pitting easier.

Best Substitutes

Dried Figs

in baking, similar texture
Ratio 1:1

Prunes

slightly different flavor
Ratio 1:1

Buying Guide

For dried dates, look for plump, shiny, and relatively soft fruits. Avoid those that are hard or shriveled excessively.

Recipes Using Date

15 Minutes Or Less 5 Ingredients Or Less Preparation Time To Make

Avocado Stuffed With Dates Portuguese Cape Verde

Discover a vibrant taste of Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, with this refreshing avocado salad! Inspired by a Portuguese author's culinary journey, this recipe features creamy avocados delicately stuffed with a sweet and savory date filling, subtly enhanced with port wine. Elevate this appetizer to a complete meal by adding succulent lobster or shrimp. Perfect for a light lunch or elegant dinner party, best paired with crisp white Dao wine. Learn how to prevent browning and achieve the perfect chilled filling for an unforgettable culinary experience.

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Cuisine Easy Sweet Main Ingredient

A Date With A Banana Smoothie

Start your day the healthy way with this delicious Date & Banana Smoothie! Naturally sweetened and packed with nutrients, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for busy mornings. Enjoy a creamy, flavorful smoothie in just minutes – the perfect blend of sweet and satisfying.

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Low Protein Low Protein 15 Minutes Or Less Cuisine

Arabian Delight

Indulge in Arabian Delight, a breathtakingly simple dessert that's perfect for ending any family dinner! This easy-to-make treat requires minimal ingredients and delivers maximum flavor, guaranteed to impress your guests. Made with creamy layers of bananas and dates (fresh or dried!), it's a taste of the Middle East you can enjoy in minutes. Get ready for wows!

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Low In Something Oven 60 Minutes Or Less Beginner Cook

Algerian Date Pudding

Indulge in this decadent Algerian Date Pudding, a treasured recipe from "70 Medecins de France: Le Tresor de la Cuisine du Bassin Mediterraneen" and featured in "The Good Cook: Classic Desserts." This rich and flavourful pudding combines the sweetness of dates with crunchy almonds and peanuts, creating a delightful texture and taste. Perfect for a special occasion or a comforting treat, this recipe is surprisingly easy to make!

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5 Ingredients Or Less Occasion Beginner Cook Bacon

A Date With A Pig

This ridiculously easy appetizer is a crowd-pleaser! With only two ingredients and minimal effort, you'll create irresistible bacon-wrapped dates that disappear in minutes. Perfect for parties, game day, or a romantic night in – get ready for rave reviews!

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Cakes Desserts Chocolate Cakes

Aunt Isabel's Bishop's Cake

This treasured recipe, passed down from Aunt Isabel (born 1900), is a delicious and slightly dense fruitcake perfect for Christmas. A true Methodist tradition, this updated recipe boasts a rich, moist texture, studded with dates, pecans, cherries, and decadent chocolate chips. Learn from my baking mishaps (and triumphs!) to create this unforgettable cake, thinly sliced and shared with loved ones. See the photos for visual inspiration!

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4 Hours Or Less Course Healthy 2 Kosher

Aunt Phyllis Passover Haroset Charoset

Experience the rich, complex flavors of Aunt Phyllis' traditional Sephardic haroset! This Passover staple is bursting with delicious sweetness and texture, perfect for your Seder plate. Made with [list key ingredients here, e.g., dates, apples, and walnuts], this recipe is easy to follow and will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Prepare to impress your family and guests with this unforgettable haroset recipe.

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Time To Make Time To Make Amish Mennonite American

Amish Friendship Nut Bread On Demand

This beloved recipe uses a time-tested Amish Friendship Starter (see recipe #64793 by Kim D). Perfected over 5 years of baking, this version is a family favorite! Learn how to easily freeze your starter for up to 6 months, ensuring you always have this delicious bread on demand. Discover the secrets to a perfectly moist and flavorful nut bread, passed down through generations. Trust the old ways – this recipe is both delicious and convenient!

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Fruit Fruit Sweet Pears

Banana Pear Bread With Dates

This unbelievably moist and delicious banana pear bread is a game-changer! I ran short on ingredients for my usual banana bread, but this happy accident resulted in a family favorite. The combination of sweet bananas, juicy pears, and chewy dates creates a flavor explosion in every bite. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat, this recipe is easy to follow and always delivers exceptional results. Get ready to impress your loved ones!

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Low Cholesterol Number Of Servings Easy Course

Amazing Almond Milk

Create creamy, dreamy homemade almond milk in just 10 minutes! This simple recipe from the popular vegan cookbook "How It All Vegan" is perfect for cereal, porridge, or enjoying on its own. Learn how to make this delicious, healthy, and naturally sweet almond milk – a perfect dairy-free alternative.

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Preparation Beginner Cook Preparation Sweet

Ancient Egyptian Date Candy For 2 People

Journey back to 1600 BC with this authentic Ancient Egyptian date candy recipe! Unearthed from an ostraca, this sweet treat uses only ingredients available in the hot Egyptian climate: dates, figs, pomegranates, and grapes. This surprisingly easy recipe, made even faster with a food processor, lets you recreate a taste of history in just minutes. A delicious blend of sweet dates, warm spices, and crunchy nuts – prepare for a culinary adventure!

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Healthy 2 Yeast Dietary Course

Apple Date Granola Bread Bread Machine

This recipe creates a deliciously moist and subtly sweet Apple Date Granola Bread using your bread machine! The combination of applesauce, apple juice, dates, and crunchy granola delivers a delightful texture and flavor in every slice. Using room temperature applesauce and apple juice ensures even baking. Feel free to substitute muesli for the granola if preferred – just adjust the honey accordingly. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a healthy snack!

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To Go Oven Dinner Party Course

Apple Cider Pie

This irresistible Apple Cider Pie recipe is a delightful blend of warm spices and sweet apples, baked to golden perfection in a flaky crust. A perfect fall dessert, this pie is sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next gathering! The recipe includes easy-to-follow instructions and results in a comforting and delicious treat.

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Fruit Summer Kid Friendly Side Dishes

Aloha Delight Salad

Escape to paradise with this vibrant Aloha Delight Salad! A quick and easy fruit salad bursting with tropical flavors and a delightful mix of textures. Perfect for a healthy and refreshing snack or light dessert. This recipe, inspired by "Vegetarian Meals for People on-the-Go," is ready in minutes!

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Low Protein Dietary For Large Groups Fruit

A To Z Bread

This incredibly versatile and moist bread is a delicious way to use up leftover frozen berries! Packed with flavor and easy to customize, A to Z Berry Bread is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon treat. Make it your own by adding your favorite mix of frozen fruits, nuts, and spices.

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Healthy Low Cholesterol Iranian Persian Healthy

Adas Polo Persian Rice With Lentils

Experience the rich flavors of Persia with this incredible Adas Polo recipe! This hearty and aromatic dish combines fluffy basmati rice, savory lentils, sweet caramelized onions, and plump raisins, all infused with warming spices. Perfect served alongside succulent chicken or lamb, or enjoyed as a satisfying vegetarian option. This easy-to-follow recipe will transport your taste buds to the heart of Iran!

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15 Minutes Or Less 15 Minutes Or Less Main Ingredient Fruit

Banana Cereal For Daniel Fast

Start your Daniel Fast day with this quick and delicious banana cereal! This simple recipe is perfect for a healthy and satisfying breakfast that aligns with the Daniel Fast guidelines. Enjoy a naturally sweet and filling meal in just minutes.

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Preparation Bar Cookies Cookies And Brownies Course

Aunt Theresa's Date Bars

Decadent and irresistible Aunt Theresa's Date Bars! These chewy, caramel-like date bars boast a buttery oat crumble topping, making them the perfect sweet treat for any occasion. Easy to follow recipe, perfect for baking beginners and seasoned pros alike.

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