How to Eat Dried Dates: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

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Last Updated: June 10, 2024References

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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.

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Preparing Dried Dates

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  1. 1

    Find dried dates at grocery and health food stores. 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. 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!

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  3. 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. 4

    Soak dates to soften them before blending. 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]

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Using Dates in Recipes

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  1. 1

    Eat dried dates for an easy snack. 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. 2

    Sprinkle dates into your oatmeal. 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. 3

    Add dates to salads. 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. 4

    Blend dates into a smoothie. 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. 5

    Make date balls for a healthy dessert. 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]
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  • Question

    Can I blend dates with ginger?

    How to Eat Dried Dates: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (14)

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    Yes. You can dress them up with anything you like.

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    Can I blend dates with coconut?

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    Yes! I do it all the time and my kids and I love it. It has a sweet taste and nice, creamy consistency.

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    Can dried dates be added into Chapati?

    How to Eat Dried Dates: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (16)

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    Absolutely! You can find many recipes and YouTube tutorials online to guide you through the process.

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      About This Article

      How to Eat Dried Dates: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (24)

      Reviewed by:

      Marrow Private Chefs

      Culinary Experts

      This article was reviewed by Marrow Private Chefs. Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience. This article has been viewed 143,646 times.

      134 votes - 85%

      Co-authors: 11

      Updated: June 10, 2024

      Views:143,646

      Categories: Fruits and Vegetables | Holiday Cooking

      Article SummaryX

      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!

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      How to Eat Dried Dates: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

      FAQs

      How do you eat dried dates? ›

      How To Eat Dry Dates: Dry dates are hard to touch and need to be soaked in water for up to 5 hours to turn soft. Remove the seed and consume the pulp. Do not throw away the water yet as it gets infused with various nutrients and drinks it to ease digestion and constipation.

      How many dry dates to eat per day? ›

      So, if you want to snack on something healthy while also keeping your cholesterol in check, consider adding dates in your diet. Having five to six dates per day is enough for your health. Remember, since it has some amount of sugar added, don't have them in excess as it can lead to high sugar levels and diabetes.

      Can you eat dried dates by itself? ›

      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.

      Can we eat dry dates without soaking? ›

      Keep in mind that soaked dates may be easier to blend or chop for certain recipes. If you enjoy the natural chewiness of dates, eating them without soaking is perfectly fine as well.

      Can I eat dates directly? ›

      Dates can be eaten as is! They make a great snack (just remember to remove the pits). They are fantastic stuffed with all-natural nut butter as an energy booster or even dessert.

      Should I rinse dates before eating? ›

      Unaware of its consequences, dates are usually picked and graded with not very clean hands, and as a result, the date will be more permeable to germs. In addition, the fruit on the tree may be contaminated with dust or bird droppings and vermin. For this reason, it is recommended to wash dates before eating.

      Who should not eat dry dates? ›

      If you experience stomach pain, bloating, diarrhea, or skin rash after eating dried fruits, you may have an allergy or sensitivity to sulfites and should avoid eating Medjool dates. Sulfites in dried fruits may also worsen symptoms like wheezing for people with asthma.

      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.

      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.

      Should dried dates be refrigerated? ›

      Answer. Dates should be kept in an air-tight container and can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated up to 6 months, and frozen for up to 1 year. If purchasing dates in bulk meets your personal needs, you may opt to refrigerate or freeze any excess dates.

      Can we drink water after eating dates? ›

      It is also suggested to avoid drinking water immediately after eating dates as it can cause a cough. If you are about to enjoy dates and are also feeling thirsty at that time then it is better to drink water first and then enjoy your dates.

      Which is better, fresh dates or dried dates? ›

      It should also be remembered that, considering the same serving size, dried dates are higher in minerals, vitamins and sugar than fresh dates, as a consequence of the drying process. They can therefore give immediate energy but also lead to excess calorie intake if not consumed moderately.

      Do dates burn belly fat? ›

      Fibre helps to regulate digestion, promoting feelings of fullness and reducing the overall calorie intake. Dates are also a natural source of sugar. Therefore, they can provide a quick energy source without spiking blood sugar levels. However, it's important to note that eating dates alone can not reduce belly fat.

      What does dry dates do to skin? ›

      Dates are also known for being rich in antioxidants, so they give us protection from cell damage and inflammation. Eating raw dates also enhances the strength of the tissues in our body and provides softer and smoother skin. Another benefit of dates is treating skin allergies that usually break out all over the body.

      Why do you soak dates in water? ›

      WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SOAKING DATES? Soaking removes tannins or phytic acid present in dates making it easier for us to absorb the nutrients from them easily. Soaking also makes them easier to digest, according to Ayurveda expert Dr Dixa Bhavsar Savaliya.

      What is the benefit of eating dry dates? ›

      Dried dates are rich in iron. Iron deficiencies are common, and many people who lack iron in their diet often experience fatigue. The combination of high iron content and carbohydrates found in dried dates can provide a helpful boost of energy.

      Do dates need to be refrigerated? ›

      Dates should be kept in an air-tight container and can be stored at room temperature or refrigerated up to 6 months, and frozen for up to 1 year. If purchasing dates in bulk meets your personal needs, you may opt to refrigerate or freeze any excess dates.

      Are dried dates a laxative? ›

      Relieves Constipation

      The soluble fibre in dates helps in healthy bowel movements and eases the passage of food through the intestinal tract, relieving the symptoms of constipation. To achieve the laxative effect- soak dates in water overnight, then consume in the morning.

      How many dates to eat per day to soften the cervix? ›

      Another study showed that pregnant women who ate 6 dates a day for 4 weeks before their due date had a shorter first stage of labor and their cervix was softer before delivery. Eating dates in late pregnancy has also been shown to lessen the need for oxytocin, the medication used to start or speed up labor.

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