How to make date paste in just 5 minutes with only 2 ingredients. An all-purpose natural sugar substitute that can be used in place of any recipe that calls for sugar, syrup, or honey! This recipe is Paleo, Vegan, Whole30 compliant, and refined sugar-free!

What Makes This Recipe Great

This homemade date paste recipe is SUCH a lifesaver whenever I’m doing Whole30! It is the perfect 1:1 sugar substitute for virtually any sauce, condiment, or dressing recipe that requires sugar/honey/maple syrup/agave nectar/coconut sugar.

It is the best natural sweetener I have found. I use it in SO many things! To sweeten my coffee (only when I’m not doing a Whole30. If you’re doing a Whole30, no sweetened beverages!). In my BBQ sauce. In salad dressings. You name it.

Dates are simply wonderful. Nature’s candy!

A spoon in a jar of date paste next to two medjool dates

How to Make Date Paste

This recipe could not be simpler to make. It’s only two ingredients (dates and water!) and takes 3-5 minutes from start to finish. 

Ingredient Notes

  • Medjool Dates: I buy a pack of organic Medjool pitted dates from Costco (the best deal I’ve found!). There are other date varieties, but I prefer Medjool because they are plump and juicy. The bag I buy comes with the pits removed. If you get a bag with pits, make sure to remove the pits before blending!
  • Water
A cup measure of pitted dates

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. If your dates are very dry, soak them in hot water for at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours) to plump them up. If you just opened the carton and they’re still fresh and plump and juicy, no need to soak them.
  2. In your high-speed blender, combine the soaked dates and water. Blend on high speed for 3-5 minutes, until the dates are completely pureed into a paste, scraping down the sides a few times.
  3. Transfer to a sealed container (I love using half-pint mason jars), and store it in the fridge.
a photo of step by step recipe instructions

Expert Tips

  • If your Medjool dates are older and/or dried out, those can work too! Just give them a soak in warm water for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 day. Just keep them soaking until they’re juicy and plump again. This will make it much easier for your blender to break them down and make them into a silky smooth paste.
  • I prefer to make this recipe in my high-speed blender. I find that it makes a much smoother paste. I’ve made it in my food processor too, and it works, especially if the dates are extra plump and juicy.
  • You can buy store-bought date paste in a pinch, but it’s much more expensive. Homemade is budget-friendly and so easy! 

Storage Tips

a glass mason jar filled with a natural sugar substitute with a silver spoon resting inside

Recipe FAQs

Is date paste healthier than sugar?

It’s an all-natural sugar substitute, which means there’s no refined “added sugar”. Dates are the only sweetener that is Whole30 compliant. So much healthier, packed with nutrients, and delicious.

What do you use date paste for?

Everything! Use it for coffee, tea, yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, dressings, sauces, spreads, and dips. You name it!

Can I use this to replace sugar in baked goods?

Date paste is wetter than regular sugar, so keep in mind there will be a bit more moisture that you may have to offset with more of your dry ingredients. However, it’s minimal. I recommend trying it out and getting familiar with the way the paste feels and works. It’s very similar to honey or maple syrup.

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Homemade Date Paste | A Natural Sugar Substitute

How to make date paste in just 5 minutes. An all-purpose natural sugar substitute that can be used in place of any recipe that calls for sugar, syrup, or honey! This recipe is Paleo, Whole30 compliant, and refined sugar-free!
5 from 7 ratings

Ingredients 
 

  • 1 packed cup of pitted organic medjool dates, about 14-15
  • 3/4 cup of water

Instructions 

  • If your dates are very dry, soak them in hot water for at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours) to plump them up. If you just opened the carton and they’re still fresh and plump and juicy, no need to soak them.
  • In your high speed blender, combine the soaked dates and water. Blend on high speed for 3-5 minutes, until the dates are completely pureed into a paste, scraping down the sides a few times.
  • Transfer to a sealed container (I love using half pint mason jars), and store in the fridge. Will keep for 3 months.

Notes

Expert Tips

  • If your Medjool dates are older and/or dried out, those can work too! Just give them a soak in warm water for at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 day. Just keep them soaking until they’re juicy and plump again. This will make it much easier for your blender to break them down and make them into a silky smooth paste.
  • I prefer to make this recipe in my high-speed blender. I find that it makes a much smoother paste. I’ve made it in my food processor too, and it works, especially if the dates are extra plump and juicy.
  • You can buy store-bought date paste in a pinch, but it’s much more expensive. Homemade is budget-friendly and so easy! 

Storage Tips

Calories: 58, Total Carbs: 15.7g, Protein: 0.4g, Fat: -80g, Fiber: 1.4g, Net Carbs: 14g
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