Almonds add firm crunch and gentle bitterness that keep dates' caramel sweetness from becoming syrupy.
dates
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
Extraordinarily sweet stone fruits from the date palm — with honeyed, caramel, and toffee notes that intensify with drying. One of the world's oldest cultivate…
56 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Fresh dates (deglet noor, medjool, barhi) are available briefly in autumn but most dates are consumed dried, where the concentrated sugars (up to 80% of dry weight) create an intensely sweet, chewy, complex confection. Medjool dates are the gold standard: large, soft, and so richly caramel-like they eat almost like soft candy. Pressing good dates through a sieve or blending them with hot water produces date paste — a concentrated natural sweetener that appears in Middle Eastern cakes, North African tagines, and as a sugar substitute in some baking. Date syrup (dibs tamr in Arabic) is a traditional sweetener drizzled over labneh, used in stews, and part of the Ramadan iftar meal. The combination of dates with salty, rich, or bitter ingredients — Parmesan, blue cheese, bacon, espresso — exploits the contrast between extreme sweetness and savory depth that has made stuffed dates one of the most reliably successful appetizers.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
almonds
apples
apricots
armagnac
bacon
bananas
brandy
butter, unsalted
buttermilk
cakes
caramel
cheese
cherries, dried
chicken
chives
chocolate
cinnamon
coconut
coffee
couscous
cranberries, dried
cream and ice cream
cream cheese
crème fraîche
currants
desserts
figs
ginger
hazelnuts
honey
lamb
lemon
lime
macadamia nuts
maple syrup
mascarpone
nuts
oats
orange blossom water
orange, juice
orange, zest
pecans
pepper, black
pistachios
prunes
quince
raisins
rosemary
rum
sugar, brown
sugar, white
thyme
vanilla
walnuts
wine, red
wine, sweet
almonds
Almonds add firm crunch and gentle bitterness that keep dates' caramel sweetness from becoming syrupy.
apples
Apples echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
apricots
Apricots echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
armagnac
Armagnac deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
bacon
Bacon's salt, smoke, and rendered fat balance dates' sticky sweetness—the whole devils-on-horseback trick, because apparently even appetizers need drama.
bananas
Bananas echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
brandy
Brandy deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
butter, unsalted
Butter, Unsalted gives dates creamy or salty richness that turns their sticky sweetness into a fuller dessert or appetizer pairing.
buttermilk
Buttermilk gives dates creamy or salty richness that turns their sticky sweetness into a fuller dessert or appetizer pairing.
cakes
Cakes provides a mild base that lets dates contribute chewy sweetness and a caramel-like accent.
caramel
Caramel deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
cheese
Cheese complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
cherries, dried
Cherries, Dried echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
chicken
Chicken gains sweetness and depth from dates, while the savory richness keeps the fruit from tasting merely sugary.
chives
Chives complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
chocolate
Chocolate deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
cinnamon
Cinnamon adds aromatic warmth that suits dates' molasses-like sweetness, especially in Middle Eastern and baking contexts.
coconut
Coconut complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
coffee
Coffee deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
couscous
Couscous provides a mild base that lets dates contribute chewy sweetness and a caramel-like accent.
cranberries, dried
Cranberries, Dried echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
cream and ice cream
Cream And Ice Cream gives dates creamy or salty richness that turns their sticky sweetness into a fuller dessert or appetizer pairing.
cream cheese
Cream Cheese gives dates creamy or salty richness that turns their sticky sweetness into a fuller dessert or appetizer pairing.
crème fraîche
Crème Fraîche gives dates creamy or salty richness that turns their sticky sweetness into a fuller dessert or appetizer pairing.
currants
Currants complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
desserts
Desserts complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
figs
Figs echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
ginger
Ginger adds aromatic warmth that suits dates' molasses-like sweetness, especially in Middle Eastern and baking contexts.
hazelnuts
Hazelnuts complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
honey
Honey deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
lamb
Lamb gains sweetness and depth from dates, while the savory richness keeps the fruit from tasting merely sugary.
lemon
Lemon complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
lime
Lime complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
macadamia nuts
Macadamia Nuts complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
maple syrup
Maple Syrup deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
mascarpone
Mascarpone deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
nuts
Nuts complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
oats
Oats provides a mild base that lets dates contribute chewy sweetness and a caramel-like accent.
orange blossom water
Orange blossom water gives dates a floral lift that fits their Middle Eastern dessert profile without making them heavier.
orange, juice
Orange, Juice echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
orange, zest
Orange, Zest echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
pecans
Pecans complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
pepper, black
Pepper, Black adds aromatic warmth that suits dates' molasses-like sweetness, especially in Middle Eastern and baking contexts.
pistachios
Pistachios complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
prunes
Prunes echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
quince
Quince complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
raisins
Raisins complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
rosemary
Rosemary gives dates a savory aromatic lift, useful when the pairing needs to escape dessert territory like a responsible adult.
rum
Rum deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
sugar, brown
Sugar, Brown deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
sugar, white
Sugar, White deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
thyme
Thyme gives dates a savory aromatic lift, useful when the pairing needs to escape dessert territory like a responsible adult.
vanilla
Vanilla deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
walnuts
Walnuts complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
wine, red
Wine, Red complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
wine, sweet
Wine, Sweet complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
Apples echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
Apricots echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
armagnac
Armagnac deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
Bacon's salt, smoke, and rendered fat balance dates' sticky sweetness—the whole devils-on-horseback trick, because apparently even appetizers need drama.
Bananas echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
brandy
Brandy deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
butter, unsalted
Butter, Unsalted gives dates creamy or salty richness that turns their sticky sweetness into a fuller dessert or appetizer pairing.
Buttermilk gives dates creamy or salty richness that turns their sticky sweetness into a fuller dessert or appetizer pairing.
cakes
Cakes provides a mild base that lets dates contribute chewy sweetness and a caramel-like accent.
Caramel deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
Cheese complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
cherries, dried
Cherries, Dried echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
Chicken gains sweetness and depth from dates, while the savory richness keeps the fruit from tasting merely sugary.
Chives complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
chocolate
Chocolate deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
Cinnamon adds aromatic warmth that suits dates' molasses-like sweetness, especially in Middle Eastern and baking contexts.
coconut
Coconut complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
coffee
Coffee deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
Couscous provides a mild base that lets dates contribute chewy sweetness and a caramel-like accent.
cranberries, dried
Cranberries, Dried echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
cream and ice cream
Cream And Ice Cream gives dates creamy or salty richness that turns their sticky sweetness into a fuller dessert or appetizer pairing.
Cream Cheese gives dates creamy or salty richness that turns their sticky sweetness into a fuller dessert or appetizer pairing.
Crème Fraîche gives dates creamy or salty richness that turns their sticky sweetness into a fuller dessert or appetizer pairing.
currants
Currants complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
desserts
Desserts complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
figs
Figs echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
Ginger adds aromatic warmth that suits dates' molasses-like sweetness, especially in Middle Eastern and baking contexts.
Hazelnuts complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
Honey deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
Lamb gains sweetness and depth from dates, while the savory richness keeps the fruit from tasting merely sugary.
lemon
Lemon complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
lime
Lime complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
Macadamia Nuts complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
Maple Syrup deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
Mascarpone deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
nuts
Nuts complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
Oats provides a mild base that lets dates contribute chewy sweetness and a caramel-like accent.
orange blossom water
Orange blossom water gives dates a floral lift that fits their Middle Eastern dessert profile without making them heavier.
orange, juice
Orange, Juice echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
orange, zest
Orange, Zest echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
Pecans complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
Pepper, Black adds aromatic warmth that suits dates' molasses-like sweetness, especially in Middle Eastern and baking contexts.
Pistachios complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
Prunes echoes dates' fruitiness while adding brighter acidity or a different dried-fruit note, keeping the sweetness layered instead of flat.
Quince complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
Raisins complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
Rosemary gives dates a savory aromatic lift, useful when the pairing needs to escape dessert territory like a responsible adult.
Rum deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
sugar, brown
Sugar, Brown deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
sugar, white
Sugar, White deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
Thyme gives dates a savory aromatic lift, useful when the pairing needs to escape dessert territory like a responsible adult.
Vanilla deepens dates' caramel side, pushing the pairing toward desserts, sauces, and sticky baked goods.
Walnuts complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
wine, red
Wine, Red complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.
wine, sweet
Wine, Sweet complements dates by either balancing their dense sweetness or adding texture, aroma, and contrast.