Dates Facts

Learn fun dates facts, how dates grow, how to store and use them, and easy recipes kids can help make. This page includes chewy date granola bars and more ideas for using dates in snacks and baking.

Fun Dates Facts

Dates are available in late fall and winter.
Dates grow on palm trees in very warm weather.
Date palms can grow very tall.
Dates are naturally sweet and work well in snacks and baking.
Dates can be eaten as they are or chopped into recipes.

How Dates Grow, Buying Tips, and Storage

When Dates Are Available

Dates are available in late fall and winter.

How Dates Grow

Dates grow on a palm tree where the weather is very warm. The tree grows tall, reaching up toward the sun.

What to Look for When Buying Dates

Dates should be plump. Avoid dates that are hard.

Storage Tips

Store dates wrapped in the fridge so they do not absorb other odors. They also freeze well.

Kid Tip: Dates are sticky and naturally sweet, which makes them a fun ingredient for beginner snack recipes.

How to Use Dates

Choose plump, soft dates.
Chop the dates into small pieces if needed.
Add them to cereals, granola bars, cookies, muffins, or snack balls.
Dates can also be eaten just as they are.

Cooking Tip: Dates add natural sweetness and chewy texture to snack recipes.

Mini Activity

Explore a Date

Look at the outside of a whole date.
Cut it open and find the pit inside.
Feel the sticky inside texture.
Taste a small piece and describe the sweetness.

This is a simple way to help kids notice how dried fruit looks and feels different from fresh fruit.

Dates Nutrition Facts

Dates are high in vitamin C, iron, potassium, and fiber.

Dates are high in vitamin C.
They provide iron.
They contain potassium.
Dates are also a good source of fiber.

More Food Fact Resources

Recipe

Chewy Date Granola Bars

These chewy granola bars are naturally sweetened with dates and honey, easy to make, and great for kids to help with.

Category: Snack
Oven: 350°F
Skill Level: Beginner
Yield: 12 to 16 bars

Prep: 15 minutes | Bake: 15 to 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups cornflakes cereal
2/3 cup quick-cooking oats
1/4 cup bran cereal
1/2 cup chopped pitted dates
1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
1/3 cup honey or maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil, optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8x11-inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, gently stir together the cornflakes, oats, bran cereal, and chopped dates.
In a separate bowl, mix the peanut butter, honey or maple syrup, vanilla, and optional melted butter or oil until smooth.
Pour the peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until evenly coated.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and press down very firmly using the back of a spoon or clean hands.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until lightly golden on top.
Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan, then cut into bars.

Kid-Friendly Tips:

Pressing the mixture down tightly is the secret to chewy bars.
No eggs or mixers are needed, so this is great for beginner cooks.
Kids can safely stir and press the ingredients.
Adults should handle the oven.

Easy Variations:

Add mini chocolate chips after mixing, once the mixture has cooled slightly.
Mix in sunflower seeds or chopped nuts if desired.
Swap dates for raisins or dried cranberries.

Storage: Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or refrigerate for up to one week. These bars also freeze well for lunchbox snacks.

More Date Ideas

Date Snack Balls

Try snack ball recipes that use dates for natural sweetness.

Halva

Mix tahini, date paste, and honey for a simple sweet treat.

Date Muffins

Find another baking idea featuring dates.

Halva: A Tasty Treat

By Mrs. Reschly and Daughters, Pittsburgh, PA.

Mix 1 cup tahini, 1/4 cup date paste, and 2 tablespoons honey either by hand or in a food processor. Pat into a pan lined with plastic wrap, cover, refrigerate overnight, then cut and enjoy. The original page notes that it is sweet and very healthy.