How to Make Date Syrup that is packed with delicious sweet taste, nutrition and is vegan!
I’ve wanted to share this date syrup with you for quite a while now, and personally, I think you’re really going to love it, for more than one reason. Cutting down on refined sugars? Ran out of honey or maple syrup? This is going to be your new best friend. I ended up making this as a resource when I needed some honey just to sweeten my greek yogurt and realised I had finished it all on this beautiful cheesecake. Years of baking + a little internet research led me to wonder and realise that I could make a sweetener out of dates!
Did you even know this was a thing?! I certainly didn’t. What you’re left with is a thick sweetener that takes the overly sweet nature of dates, and waters them down just slightly to reveal a sweetener that’s perfect for your oatmeal, your yogurt, and many recipes. As you can see, I was fine with grinding mine down and enjoying it as such. You could go even further and simmer it in a pot to reduce it down even more to a caramel-type sweet goodness that’s as syrupy as honey is. I’ll be honest and admit I ate a few spoonfuls. Just like that. I know, maybe not the best use of it but hey! All in the name of “recipe testing”.
How To Make Date Syrup
Ingredients
- 12 regular or 9 medjool dates, washed and dried (about 1 cup)
- 1 1/4 cups hot water
Instructions
- Soak the dates in the hot water for about 30 minutes - 1 hour - the longer you soak, you easier the dates will grind down.
- In a high speed food processor, add the dates and the water and blend for about 1 minute. Scrape down, ensuring everything is incorporated and blend again forabout 20 seconds.
- Store the date syrup for up to 3 weeks (depends on when you bought the dates of course).
Recipe Notes
I was fine with my syrup being a little chunky. If you want a smoother consistency, soak for up to 2 hours OR blend for longer.
Yes, I can eat a few spoonfuls – just like that.
Haha indeed Ginny!
This date syrup sounds delicious, Jessica! And I love how easy this is to whip up! Sounds like it would be a perfect addition to my morning oatmeal!
Thanks Gayle!
I have been wondering about doing this as a caramel substitution and it looks like it will work! Thanks for the great resource!
Thanks Nora!
I use a lot of date syrup or date paste as I like to call it in my baking. It’s such a healthier alternative to refined sugars.
It really is! Thanks Charlene!
This sounds delish! Though I would think of it like date sauce, similar to applesauce. So sweet and delish, prefect in yogurt or oatmeal or anything!
Thanks Sophia!
Love this idea!!!
Thanks Allie!
Loooove this! I’ve used dates as a caramel-like sweetener in muffins, cookie bars, apple sauce … the list goes on and on! But now my list is even longer, thanks to this wonderful post! Stirred into yogurt? Brilliant!! As a sweetener for oatmeal? Yes, please! Mmmmmm … using this “syrup” on pancakes? I’m all in! 😀
Haha thanks Shelley! You just added to my list of ways to use it!
Love this recipe, Jess! It’s a great natural alternative to refined sugars.
Thanks Olivia!
What a great idea – I think this would be awesome in oatmeal!
Thanks Kristi!
Oh my gosh, I am SO excited to try this date syrup, Jessica! It’s been on my to-do list for awhile, but now I’m thinking it just got pushed to the top. This looks and sounds SO good. 😀 Pinned!
Thanks Sarah and thanks for pinning!!
Yum! This would be perfect as a base for a salted caramel sauce.. that would be perfect swirled into a batch of coconut vegan ice cream.. don’t you think?! 😀
Oh gosh yes it would! Love the idea!
Love using dates instead of sugar in my granola bars so I’m so excited to try this date syrup! I could definitely eat it by the spoonful too, it looks awesome – pinning 🙂
Thanks Kelly! And thanks for pinning! 🙂
Jess, I grind up dates to use in granola bars but I never for once considered making a syrup. My mind is blown. I need a make a few jars of this, as well as try caramelizing it. The possibilities for delicious, healthy sweetening are endless!
So glad you got some new ideas Nancy! 🙂 thanks girl!
I never thought of making a syrup to keep on hand for sweetener purposes!! You are a genius!!
Haha thanks Zainab!
Wow Jessica, I’ve never thought of making date syrup! That’s genius! Such a healthy alternative to other sugary syrups, and I love dates! Sounds so easy to make, too. Thank you for this recipe!
Thanks Ashlyn!!
And of course you’re welcome. 😀
Holy moly this syrup looks so decadent and delicious!!
Thanks Jocelyn!
Hi !
How many days would it last?
Hi Fida,
It lasts weeks in your fridge, about 2-4 weeks depending on how fresh the dates are. I hope that helps!!