Pair Dates with These Foods for a Delicious Snack (2024)

Sheela Prakash

Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor

Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.

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updated May 1, 2019

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Pair Dates with These Foods for a Delicious Snack (1)

Sticky, sweet dates have many wonderful uses. They can be chopped up for a salad, blended into a smoothie, or even made into caramels. They don’t, however, actually need that much fussing to be enjoyed. All on their own, they make for a pretty good snack. Add just one more ingredient to the equation and you’ve got a snack that’s truly great.

Even better, you don’t need to go out of your way to buy anything special. These fancied-up dates call for pantry ingredients that transform the dried fruit into something that not only feels like a treat for yourself, but can also be served to company. Here are seven combinations we love.

1. Dates + Roasted, Salted Almonds

The nuttiness of the almonds brings out the caramel notes in the dates, while the salt on the nuts keeps things balanced. Either stuff the pitted dates with a nut each or leave them out separately to pick at.

2. Dates + Dark Chocolate

Stuff pitted dates with small pieces of good, slightly bitter dark chocolate for a snack that also doubles as dessert. Bonus points if you stick these under the broiler for a minute to melt the

chocolate

3. Dates + Prosciutto

This one is sweet and salty bliss. Wrap pitted dates with thinly sliced prosciutto and try not to eat just one. A chilled glass of white wine goes nicely with this combo.

4. Dates + Soft Cheese

Stuff pitted dates with your soft cheese of choice. For something mild and creamy, go for ricotta. For something a tough tangy, go for goat cheese. Or for something a little wild, go for blue cheese.

5. Dates + Tahini

Set out a handful of pitted dates on a pretty plate, drizzle the pile with a little tahini, and then snack away. You can whisk a little honey or maple syrup and a pinch of salt into that tahini to make it extra perfect.

6. Dates + Cashew Cream

You don’t have to be vegan or dairy-free to appreciate the creamy nuttiness of cashew cream. Blend up a batch at home and then use it as a dip for pitted dates.

7. Dates + Marzipan

This is a classic dessert in many corners of the earth, like Algeria and even Scotland. Stuff pitted dates with a bit of marzipan for a sweet snack or fast and fancy dessert.

What’s your favorite way to eat dates?

Pair Dates with These Foods for a Delicious Snack (2024)

FAQs

What foods go well with dates? ›

Stuff them with nuts, coconut, fresh fruit, soft cheeses or even crystallised ginger. These are great for an afternoon pick me up, dessert or on the side of a cheese board. If you're feeling extra fancy, try stuffing them with nut butter and coating them in chocolate for a guilt free dessert.

What fruits pair well with dates? ›

They also taste great alongside other fruits, including apples, pears, and oranges. However, dates make a remarkable addition to various savory dishes.

What cheese to pair with date? ›

Various cheeses pair wonderfully with dates. Some popular options include creamy Brie, tangy blue cheese, sharp cheddar, aged Gouda, or even crumbly goat cheese. The sweetness of the dates complements the flavors of these cheeses.

How many dates per day should you eat? ›

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 dates be eaten with banana? ›

And better not with food. Because bananas are at the same time cool, heavy, dense, sweet, and slimy they have very similar qualities to Kapha!

Can dates be eaten with food? ›

There are several ways to add dates to your diet. One popular way to eat them is as a natural sweetener in various dishes. They also make a great snack. It's easiest to find dates in their dried form, though these are higher in calories than fresh fruit so it is important to eat them in moderation.

Can you eat dates and blueberries together? ›

The sweet tastes of the blueberries and dates blend delightfully to make this delicious drink.

Can you eat dates and eggs? ›

Can You Eat Eggs and Dates Together? Yes! Believe it or not, eggs and dates make an excellent combination. This Egyptian eggs with agwa recipe is one of our favorite dishes from our childhood.

Can I eat nuts with dates? ›

Yes, you can absolutely eat almonds and dates together. They can complement each other well in terms of taste and nutritional benefits. Almonds provide healthy fats, protein, and various vitamins and minerals, while dates offer natural sweetness along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

What are good date snacks? ›

You'll want to pick something a bit more savory as an appetizer, such as nachos, spinach dip, or hot pretzels. Plus, you'll want to have something sweet for dessert, such as brownies, cupcakes, or chocolate covered strawberries.

Can you eat dates with butter? ›

“The fibre in the dates slows down the absorption of sugar and when combined with the butter, it also causes a smaller spike in blood insulin and glucose after eating.”

How to make dates taste better? ›

Make your own trail mix by mixing dates in with your favorite nuts such as almonds, peanuts, pecans and walnuts and other dried fruits. A Different Drizzle. Blend dates with a small amount of milk until smooth then drizzle over whole wheat waffles, oatmeal, or French toast.

Are dates better than chocolate? ›

Whilst they are indeed a much healthier alternative to refined chocolate or sweets, they still shouldn't eaten in excess. They should be the equivalent treat. Treat them as such as you will not go far wrong.

Can you eat dates at night? ›

Dates are a terrific night snack because they're rich in fibre. Fibre gives you a sense of fullness and helps to reduce your midnight hunger because it takes a long time to digest. Therefore, eat dates if you ever have a sweet craving at night.

What are the healthiest dates to eat? ›

What is the best type of dates? All dates are good for your health, however, some varieties top the chart due to their yummy taste and high nutritional value. Medjool dates are said to be the most healthy by many, however, this will solely be dependant upon your taste for the dates.

Are dates good for your stomach? ›

Healthy digestion: Due to high soluble and insoluble fiber content, dates are ideal for healthy digestion. Dates may prevent constipation, diarrhea, and inflammation of the digestive tract. Promotes good gut bacteria: Dates are rich in essential compounds, such as amino acids, nicotine, and dietary fiber.

What foods are use by dates given to? ›

You will see use-by dates on food that goes off quickly, such as meat products or ready-to-eat salads. For the use-by date to be a valid guide, you must carefully follow the food's storage instructions.

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