Packed with dates, nuts and coconut, this Date Roll is an easy-to-make, wholesome sweet treat with amazing flavor and chewy texture. This unique recipe is guaranteed to impress friends & family and is the perfect healthy Eid dessert!
Slices of this naturally sweet, delicious Date Roll make a great quick and easy dessert to enjoy as a snack or healthier dessert. With one bite, you’ll enjoy all of the different textures and flavors coming together. You’ve got the chewy dates combined with a nutty crunch and the irresistible shredded coconut on the outside. The slices freeze well, so you can always have some ready to enjoy!
Why you will love this recipe
- Quick & easy to make: Dates and nuts combined in a food processor with a few extra add-ins come together in a matter of minutes, and there’s no baking required. Roll into a log and let it chill in the fridge for about an hour, slice and enjoy!
- Made with nutrient-rich ingredients: You only need 3 main ingredients, plus flavorings. All of the ingredients are natural and contain great nutrition.
- Great to make ahead: These will stay fresh in the fridge for weeks, and even longer in the freezer! They’re delicious eaten cold straight from the fridge or freezer!
- Deliciously fudgy & chewy: The dates are chewy and naturally sweet while the nuts add a nutty flavor and the cocoa powder is rich and chocolate-y. They remind me of a fudgy brownie!
Ingredients needed
The ingredient list for this date roll recipe is very simple! Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Medjool dates: The base of the recipe to give the log structure and a soft, chewy texture.
- Nuts: Use any roasted nuts of your choice. Cashews, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or a blend are all great options.
- Coconut flakes: Desiccated coconut (dry coconut flakes) is a good source of fiber, healthy fats and it adds plenty of texture and an amazing taste.
- Flavorings: All you need is a little cocoa powder and vanilla extract to add rich, warm flavor.
- Salt: A pinch of salt goes a long way in bringing out all the wonderful flavors.
How to make this recipe
This date roll is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! Plus, it’s so much healthier than most desserts and so easy to make! Here’s how:
- Blend: Add dates and nuts to a food processor and blend until fully roughly chopped. Add the coconut, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt and blend into a rough paste.
- Form into a log: Remove from the food processor and roll the date filling into a log. I like to do this using parchment paper or plastic wrap.
- Roll in coconut and slice: Add shredded coconut to a shallow plate and roll the date roll in the coconut to coat. Place in the fridge for a minimum of an hour or two to firm before slicing. Slice into ½-inch disks.
- Store: Store in the fridge in a closed plastic bag. Keep date nut roll slices in the freezer in a ziplock bag to snack as desired. Enjoy!
Expert tips
- Type of dates: Be sure to use Medjool dates for this recipe. They have an incredible caramel-like flavor and a soft, chewy texture whereas regular dates, Deglet Noor, are usually smaller with a more firm flesh and not as much flavor.
- Remove the pits: You can buy pitted dates or dates with the pits. If your dates have the pit inside, simply split it open and pull out the pit before adding to the food processor.
- Toast the nuts: Use roasted or toasted nuts for an extra depth of flavor! To toast them yourself, add the nuts to a pan over medium heat, and stir occasionally for 2-5 minutes until they are fragrant and slightly golden. Remove from heat and allow to cool before adding them to the food processor.
- Chill to set: It’s important to chill the log in the fridge for at least 1 to 2 hours, so it’s firm enough to slice.
Frequently asked questions
Are date rolls good for you?
All of the ingredients in this date roll are simple, whole food items. In moderation, these are great for snacking or eating as a dessert. The dates are a natural source of fiber and contain many antioxidants.
What are date rolls made of?
This particular date roll recipe uses a simple combination of dates, nuts, coconut, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt.
Do date rolls need to be refrigerated?
Yes, store date rolls in the refrigerator or in the freezer for even longer storage. They are great to have on-hand to pull out of the freezer for a quick sweet treat!
Variations
Date logs are easy to change up and make according to your taste preferences! Here are some options:
- For the nuts: Any nuts will work – pecans, cashews, or walnuts.
- Rolling: You can choose to roll your log in coconut as written in the recipe, or try cocoa powder or crushed nuts.
- Additional flavorings: Feel free to add any spices or other flavorings that you like. You could sub the vanilla extract for almond extract for extra nutty flavor or even orange extract for a burst of citrus, or add in ground cinnamon for a cozy warm taste.
Storage recommendations
Place sliced disks in an airtight container and transfer to the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 2 weeks. You can also freeze them in ziplock bags for up to 3 months.
More date recipes
- Maamoul (date and nut cookies)
- Chocolate Date Balls
- Banana Date Smoothie
- Snickers Stuffed Dates
- Pumpkin Date Energy Bites
Date Roll
Ingredients
- 20 large Medjool dates, pitted and roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup roasted nuts of choice, cashews, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, or a blend
- 1/4 cup desiccated coconut (dry coconut flakes), plus more for topping
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Add dates and nuts to a food processor and blend until fully roughly chopped. Add the coconut, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt and blend into a rough paste.
- Remove from the food processor and roll the date filling into a log. I like to do this using parchment paper or plastic wrap.
- Add shredded coconut to a shallow plate and roll the date roll in the coconut to coat. Place in the fridge for a minimum of an hour or two to firm before slicing. Slice into ½-inch disks.
- Store in the fridge in a closed plastic bag. Keep date nut roll slices in the freezer in a ziplock bag to snack as desired. Enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
