When it comes to choosing between fresh and dried fruits, you have a lot of options. You can choose to go with either one or both of them, depending on what you need in your dish
Dates are one of the various kinds of Middle Eastern fruits. Dates come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and most of them may be swapped out for one another without noticing a difference in taste or texture. They’re quite mild in flavor and have a pleasant sweetness.
Dates may be ground into a paste and used in place of other pastes in several recipes. Is there anything else you could use in place of dates if you didn’t plan ahead and didn’t have any on hand?
Yes! Raisins, Dried Cherries, Prunes, Dried Cranberries, Jujube, Dried Apricots, and Jaggery are just a few of the many dried and fresh fruits that may be used in place of dates. Find out which dates substitutes will work best for your dish today!
Best Dates Substitutes
#1 Raisins
Raisins are a great alternative to dates.
They’re both sweet and chewy, but raisins are less intense than dates and have a milder, more nuanced flavor.
They work well in baking goods—especially if you want the texture of the dried fruit to stand out—and they can be used in other dishes as well. They’re also easy to hydrate overnight if you want them softer and tastier!
#2 Dried Cherries
Dried fruits are a great way to add sweetness and flavor to your recipes without all of the calories that come with using sugar or honey. They’re also a great way to get some extra nutrients into your diet, like potassium and magnesium.
If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to swap out dates in your favorite recipes, dried cherries are one of the best options! They’re made from sweet and juicy sun-ripened cherries, so they have a wonderfully rich flavor that makes them taste almost identical to their fresh counterparts.
This is especially important when making pies or other baked goods where you’d normally use dates as a sweetener. The only difference between dried cherries and dates is how sweet they are: Dried cherries have less sugar than fresh fruit, but more than most other dried fruits like raisins or cranberries (which can also be used as substitutes).
#3 Prunes
Prunes are a great substitute for dates. They have a similar sweet flavor, but they also contain fiber and antioxidants.
Dates are often used in baking and other snacks because of their sweet taste and sticky texture. However, they do contain quite a bit of sugar, which is why some people choose to use prunes instead.
Prunes are small, dried fruits with a sweet taste that can be added to baked goods or savory dishes in place of dates. Prunes are also high in fiber and antioxidants, which makes them an excellent choice for anyone looking to add more healthy foods into their diet.
#4 Dried Cranberries
Dried cranberries are a great substitute for dates in recipes. They’re sweet, chewy, and tart, and they can add a little extra flavor to any savory dish.
Dried cranberries make a great addition to salads, baked goods, and even as a snack on their own. When substituting dried cranberries for dates in your recipe, you may want to use a little less sugar. The dried cranberries will be much tarter than the dates, so you don’t want them to overpower your dish.
You may also want to chop the cranberries up into smaller pieces so that they blend better into the dish. This will help them keep their shape throughout cooking—and make sure everyone gets some in every bite!
#5 Jujube
Chinese farmers have been cultivating jujube trees for more than four thousand years. In addition, it has a place in traditional Chinese medicine.
The flavor of the fruit is distinctive, combining elements of sweetness, flowery, and a little bitterness.
Jujube is delicious whether it is fresh, dried, or candy. The leaves may be used to brew a variety of beverages, including tea, syrup, and wine.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, jujube may help with both stress and sleeplessness. It may help the body fight off illness and promote better blood flow.
Jujube is a great substitute for dates because of all the good things it does for your body.
#6 Dried Apricots
Dates are a sweet fruit that is used in many recipes. However, if you’re looking for something more affordable and easier to find, then dried apricots may be a good option for you.
Dried apricots have a wonderful sweet flavor that will work well with many different recipes. They also have many health benefits including high levels of fiber and vitamin C. They are also low in calories making them perfect for anyone watching their weight or trying to lose weight.
You can also use dried apricots as snacks on their own or with cheese as gouda cheese or serve them as appetizers at parties or events.
#7 Jaggery
Are you looking for a sugar-free substitute for dates?
So, stop looking! For the most part, you may substitute jaggery for dates in any recipe calling for them.
The flavor is sweet, but the consistency is more like jam than honey. It’s similar to honey and maple syrup, and it’s derived from the sap of coconut trees. Gluten-free and suitable for vegan diets.
The flavor is something between spicy molasses and buttery caramel, which is the nicest way to describe it. When substituting jaggery for maple syrup, you may need to increase the amount used to get the desired level of sweetness.
FAQs
What are Medjool dates, and how are they different from ordinary dates?
Medjool dates are a type of date that has a softer texture because they are closer to being whole fruit compared to ordinary dates which have been chopped into pieces. They have a creamy texture which can be achieved by putting them in warm water for five minutes to make them easier to cut. In addition, Medjool dates taste delicious.
Ordinary dates are crunchy and dry as opposed to soft and moist. They can be described as yellowish-brown or dark brown in color and much smaller than Medjool dates in size.
Can maple syrup be substituted for dates?
Yes! Dates are a sweetener, and maple syrup is another option for replacing them. If you’re using maple syrup as a sweetener in your baking recipes, you can use 1 cup of maple syrup to replace 1 cup of dates. You’ll have to adjust the baking time if you’re baking with maple syrup instead of dates—check the instructions on your recipe for more information.