Dates are the traditional way to break the fast, but they can do much more than sit on a plate. Here are seven quick ideas for iftar and suhoor using dates you probably already have.
1. Two-minute date shake
Blend 3 pitted Medjool dates, 250 ml cold milk (or laban), a pinch of cardamom and a few ice cubes. Smooth, filling and naturally sweet – a favourite for suhoor.
2. Stuffed Medjool platter
Slit Medjool dates and fill with walnut halves, pistachios or a strip of orange peel. Short on time? Our ready-made stuffed dates come in 250 g to 5 kg.
3. Date and tahini dip
Mash 6 soft dates with 2 tablespoons of tahini and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with apple slices or warm bread at iftar.
4. Overnight date oats
Mix 50 g oats, 150 ml milk, 2 chopped Safawi dates and a spoon of chia seeds. Leave in the fridge overnight for a ready suhoor.
5. Laban and Sukkari smoothie
Fresh Sukkari is so soft it blends in seconds. Combine 3 Sukkari, 200 ml laban and a banana.
6. Date energy balls
Blitz 10 dates with a handful of almonds and 2 tablespoons of desiccated coconut. Roll into balls and chill. They keep in the fridge for a week.
7. Date-sweetened Arabic coffee pairing
Keep it traditional: serve Sagai or Sukkari with gahwa after iftar. The crisp tip of Sagai balances the bitterness of the coffee.
Tips
- Always remove the stone before blending or serving to children.
- Soft dates (Medjool, Sukkari) blend best; drier dates can be soaked in warm water for 10 minutes first.
- Keep dates in the fridge – see how to store dates.
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