How to make Date Honey (Healthy Sugar Alternative)

If you are trying to remove excess sugar from your diet, you should try adding date honey as an alternative. This natural sweetener is easy to make and adds so much more flavor to your recipes than white sugar.

Dates were used in biblical times to make “honey”. When I found this out, I had to make some for us. We use it as an alternative to maple syrup on pancakes.

What I found out was I actually prefer the date syrup over honey! The flavor is complex and deep. You’re going to love this date honey recipe and come back to it over and over again.

This post contains affiliate links. I may make a small commission on sales at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I make commissions on qualifying purchases

What is Date Honey?

Date honey is a thick, creamy syrup with a thick texture that is sweet and full of flavor because of dates natural sugar content.

A great alternative to regular sugar and is the perfect addition for recipes with added sugar.

It differs from regular honey and a lot of other sweeteners because of its high nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants! The nutritional benefits of dates are many!

Not only is date honey delicious, but this tasty syrup is also healthier than most alternatives!

You’ll love this easy recipe for date honey syrup!

There are a couple of different types of dates. There are Medjool and Deglet Noor. I use Deglet Noor dates because they are more cost effective to buy in bulk. But, Medjool dates would be even sweeter and have a deep caramel-like flavor.

I love healthy alternatives in my kitchen. Date syrup can be used as an alternative to agave nectar, honey, corn syrup, or maple syrup.

Looking for a healthy dessert recipe? TRY MY FRESH MILLED CHOCOLATE CAKE RECIPE!

Ingredients you need to make Date Honey

This recipe uses only 3 simple ingredients, pure natural dates, water, and vanilla!

• Pitted Dates – If you don’t have access to pitted dates, you can easily take the pits out yourself. It just takes a bit more time.
• Water – For best results, use filtered water.
• Vanilla Extract

Full ingredient amounts in the recipe card found below

Shop this post

These are the DATES I like to use.

A great pot to use is THIS SAUCEPAN.

To blend the mixture you can use a HIGH SPEED BLENDER or an IMMERSION BLENDER.

Want a maple syrup alternative? TRY THIS ONE!

Step by Step Instructions for making this recipe

Measure out 1 cup of dates and 1 cup of water.

Place dates and water in a large saucepan.

Heat over medium heat and bring to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce heat to a low boil for at least 30 minutes.

Remove from heat and allow to cool for 20 minutes.

Pour the cooked date mixture including the date juice into a blender and add 1 tbsp vanilla extract.

Add an additional 1/2 cup of water and blend until smooth, about a minute.

Immersion blenders would work great for blending the syrup as well.

You can add a little more water as needed to get a syrupy consistency. You can have a thick syrup like the consistency of honey, or a consistency more like maple syrup.

Allow the mixture to come to room temperature before refrigerating.

Store in the fridge in a glass jar or airtight container for 7-10 days.

Serving Suggestions

Use this date syrup recipe as an alternative to maple syrup over pancakes.

Date Honey is the perfect sweetener in savory dishes.

Top peanut butter or almond butter with a little date honey for an afternoon snack.

Pour over ice cream or greek yogurt.

Replace honey with date honey in salad dressings.

This healthy liquid sweetener goes so well with a bowl of oatmeal.