Date Substitutes
Dates are a sweet fruit that comes from the date palm tree. They are often used as a substitute for sugar and are considered healthy. However, dates are only abundant in the Middle East and may not be available or affordable for everyone.
Additionally, the woody seed inside dates can be inconvenient, especially when trying to create a smooth, date-based paste.
If you’re looking for a date substitute that will maintain the sweetness and texture of dates without the pits, read on for five of the best options.
What Are Dates?
Dates are a sweet fruit that comes from the date palm tree. They are oval and have a hard, brown shell. Dates are packed with nutrients, including fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6.
Dates can be eaten fresh, but they are often dried and sold in packages. When dates are dried, they become chewy and slightly less sweet. Dates can also be ground into a powder or paste, which is often used as a natural sweetener in desserts.
If you’re looking for a date substitute, it’s important to consider what properties of the dates you want to maintain. For example, are you looking for a chewy texture or a smooth paste? Do you need the dates to be sweet, or are you looking for something with a little more flavor?
Here are five substitutes for dates that can be used in a variety of recipes.
5 Dates Substitutes To Use In Your Next Recipe
1. Dried Apricots
Dried apricots are a great substitute for dates. They are oval in shape, have a hard, brown shell, and are packed with nutrients, including fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. Dried apricots can be eaten fresh or ground into a powder or paste.
When dried, apricots become chewy and slightly less sweet. They can also be ground into a powder or paste, which is often used as a natural sweetener in desserts. Apricots can be found at most grocery stores and are relatively affordable.
One of the benefits of using dried apricots as a date substitute is that they maintain the sweetness of dates without the pits. Additionally, they add a little bit of flavor to recipes. If you’re looking for a date substitute that will maintain the sweetness and texture of dates without the pits, dried apricots are a great option.
2. Dried Raisins
Dried raisins are another great substitute for dates. Raisins are small, dark-colored grapes that have been dried in the sun or in a dehydrator. They are chewy and slightly sweet, with a slightly higher sugar content than fresh grapes.
Raisins can be found at most grocery stores and are relatively affordable. The natural sweetness combined with the numerous health benefits makes raisins a great choice for those looking for a date substitute. However, raisins lack the creamy texture of dates, so they may not be the best choice if you’re looking for a date paste.
If a recipe calls for dates, sugar, or honey, simply use an equal amount of raisins.
3. Dried Cranberries
Dried cranberries may not be as sweet as dates, but they are a good option if you’re looking for a chewy texture. Packed with nutrients like fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C, dried cranberries are a healthy option.
Cranberries are tart, so they may not be as sweet as dates. However, they can add a lot of flavor to recipes. If you’re looking for a date substitute that will add a little bit of flavor to your recipes, dried cranberries are a great option.
You can easily find dried cranberries at most grocery stores. They are often sold in packages or in the bulk section.
4. Prunes
Prunes are sticky, sweet fruit that comes from plum trees. They are small and oval in shape, with wrinkled skin. Prunes are high in fiber and antioxidants and can be eaten fresh or dried.
Prunes are often used as a natural laxative, but they can also be used as a sweetener in recipes. When prunes are dried, they become chewy and slightly less sweet. They can also be ground into a powder or paste, which is often used as a natural sweetener in desserts.
Prunes are a great substitute for dates because they are sweet and have a similar texture. Additionally, prunes are relatively easy to find and affordable.
5. Dried Cherries
If you’re looking for a date substitute with a little more flavor, try dried cherries. Dried cherries are a good source of fiber and are also high in antioxidants. One of the benefits of using dried cherries as a date substitute is that they add a little bit of flavor to recipes while still maintaining the sweetness of dates.
Dried cherries are easily found in most supermarkets and can be a great addition to recipes like energy bars, cookies, and cakes.
While dried cherries are a great substitute for dates, they are not as sweet as dates. Additionally, they do not have the same chewy texture. If you’re looking for a date substitute that is both sweet and chewy, dried apricots or raisins may be a better option.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know the best substitutes for dates, you can experiment with different recipes. Keep in mind that some substitutes may work better than others depending on the recipe, so it’s important to experiment to find the perfect match.
