3 Easy Ayurvedic Date Recipes - Dessert or Snack!

3 Simple Ayurvedic Date Recipes 

Explore three easy Ayurvedic recipes that can be created from Medjool dates as a snack, a dessert, or a meal. These include: Tahini Stuffed Date Boats, Pecan Pie Bites and Ayurvedic Date Shakes!

Dates are long revered as an Ayurvedic superfood. They are high in antioxidants and said to nourish our “ojas,” our immune boosting life force. Considered Sattvic in nature, dates make a delicious, tonifying sweet that is energetically grounding and promotes purity and peace of mind.

Research suggests dates boast many health benefits. Ayurvedically speaking, they help combat vata imbalances such as anxiety, stress, overwhelm, and lack of grounding. 

Benefits include:

• High in antioxidants such as polyphenols, carotenoids and lignans which manage risk of chronic disease

• Helps reduce inflammation

• Good source of fiber 

• Boosts brain health

• Contains bone-friendly minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and potassioum 

Sources: Healthline, BBC Good Food

It is no surprise that our modern ways of living and a pervasive culture of convenience can make it easy to grab sweets that lack substance, nutrition or sustained energy. 
The following three recipes are quick, easy and nourish the doshas with more physical and emotional vitality. Hope you enjoy! 

Tahini Stuffed Dates aka Date Boats!

Serves: 2 {makes 10 boats}

Time: 5 Minutes

Ingredients

•  5 Dates split with pits removed

• 1-2 Tablespoon of Tahini

• 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup

• 1 cap full of Almond Extract or ½ teaspoon

• Almonds (or Walnuts or Pecans)
  
  
  

How to make it

1. Cut dates in half and remove pits

2. In a small bowl mix together the tahini, vanilla extract and maple syrup. Consistency is to your preference. For a less gritty texture, add a little bit of water or oil/ghee. 

3. Spoon small amounts into the center of each date

4. Top with an almond (preferably blanched or with skin removed). 

5. Enjoy!
   
   
   

Vata: Mix a dab of ghee into your creation for extra grounding.

Pitta: Dust with coconut flakes on each date boat

Kapha: Enjoy in moderation, this is sweet, heavy and grounding. Experiment with walnuts. 

Pecan Pie Bite

Time: 1 Minute

This is my favorite dessert snack hack. I love these pecan pie bites when I’m out on a day of hiking, have a sweet tooth or need a little pick me up in the afternoon energy slump. It’s simple, takes no time, and really does taste like a pecan pie! 

Ingredients

• Dates

• Pecans

• Imagination :) 

How to make it

1. Cut dates in half and remove pits

2. Put a pecan in the center of a halved date

3. Bite in and enjoy! 
   
   
   

Ayurvedic Almond Date Shake

Serves: 2

Time: 5 minutes + optional soaking overnight

Kitchen tools: Blender / vitamix / magic bullet

The almond date shake is a classic go-to for a grounding yet energizing ojas building tonic. Ideal when the nervous system needs a reboot. This recipe is a *slight* adaptation of Dr. Lad’s Date + Almond Shake.

Ingredients

• 6 dates

• 10 almonds

• 1 cup of milk of choice warmed (I usually go oat)

• Splash or cap full of vanilla extract

• Pinch of cardamom

• Pinch of cinnamon

Prep

Soak the dates in 1-2 cups of water overnight (save the date water, you’ll use this!)

Soak 10 almonds overnight in separate dish. After soaking pinch the skins off.

Note: you can expedite or skip this prep by putting the dates and almonds in hot water for a few minutes.

How to Make It

1. In a blender add the soaked dates, date water, almonds with skins removed, vanilla, cardamom and cinnamon.

2. Warm the milk on medium heat in a pan

3. Pour milk into blender

4. Blend all ingredients

5. Serve and enjoy!

For an extra immunity boost: I love to add the adaptogen ashwagandha, which is boasts many benefits which include improved stress response, elevated mood and concentration, increased stamina said to be the vitality of horse.

Paavani Ayurveda makes a great ashwagandha supplement here. You can get 10% off your order with my affiliate code: GABY10. They also have a great write-up of the benefits on their blog.

Sweet Stewed Apples

A delicious delight when your body and heart need warm, grounding nourishment. Stewed apples are easy to digest and grounding, especially for Vata imbalances are in the colder Autumn and Winter months.

Serves: 1-2

Time: 5 minute preparation | 15-20 minute cook

Ingredients

• 2 medium apples, any variety

• 3 tablespoons of water

• 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger

• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of cardamom powder

• Pinch of clove powder

• Optional: 1 tablespoons of ghee

Optional top with:

• Chopped nuts of your choice

• Sprinkle of coconut flakes

• Or place this compote on top of the coconut cardamom rice pudding

Directions

1. Chop an apple into bite-size pieces. You can leave the skin on but remove the core.

2. In a small saucepan mix spices into 3 tablesoons of water.

3. Add apples to a saucepan, mix well, and cover with the lid.

4. Simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, or until tender.

5. Let them cool, pour em into a bowl or top them on some coconut cardamom pudding and enjoy!

Modify for your Dosha

Vata: Spice it up with some extra ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves to warm the digestion. Enjoy a gracious dollop of ghee. Add some nuts for energy: almonds, cashews, coconut, macademia and walnuts are all aligned with Vata. Pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds can be added too.

Pitta: An extra pinch of cardamom and top it off with coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.

Kapha: Spice it up with some extra ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves to warm the digestion. Go light on the ghee. Skip the nut toppings or go light.

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Sources:

Slow Cooked Coconut Cardamom Rice Pudding

Enjoy this warm, grounding breakfast pudding or call it a dessert. This recipe is particularly pacifying for Vata and Pitta. The cardamom helps sooth digestion, while the warm coconut hydrates and nourishes the tissues of the body.

Serves: 6

Time: 10 Minutes Prep | 1.5-2 Hours Slow Cook or until liquid is absorbed

Kitchen Tools: a crockpot or slow cooker

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup short brown rice

• 1/4 cup shredded coconut flakes

• 1/2 can of full fat, organic coconut milk

• 2 cups of water

• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/4 tsp cardamom

• pinch of nutmeg

• 1 tablespoons of maple syrup to

Optional - Choose your topping(s):

• Stewed Apples for an Autumn to Winter delight. See recipe.

• A splash of nut or oat milk

• Sprinkle of coconut flakes

• Extra dash of cinnamon

• A dollop of ghee (especially for Vatas and Pittas)

Directions

1. In a crockpot or slow cooker, combine rice, shredded coconut, coconut milk, water, cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, and nutmeg

2. Place the crockpot on low. Cover and let slow cook for 1.5-2 hours or until liquid is absorbed.

3. Scoop into a bowl and serve with desired toppings!

Modify for your Dosha

Vata: Although coconut has cooling properties, its grounding natural fat and hydrating abilities can deeply nourish Vata Dosha. Skip the topping of dried coconut flakes (cooked is fine). For extra sweet and grounding taste, top with 2-3 chopped dates and add a small spoonful of ghee.

Pitta: Exceptionally beneficial for Pitta Folks as the sweet taste helps ground excess fire and the coconut is cooling. Maple syrup is also one of the best sweetener options for Pitta-types.

Kapha: This meal can be Kapha aggravating as it’s predominant taste is sweet. Enjoy this dish in moderation and avoid it in the late afternoon / dinner, so your body has time to digest it before sleep.

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Ojas Energy Balls

If you are craving a nutrient-rich energy kick in your diet, try this Ayurvedic recipe for Ojas Balls. This is a power-packed snack to increase immunity and vitality. According to Ayurveda, “Ojas” is our most refined by-product of digestion. It is the force that supports immunity and promotes longevity. Use this recipe as inspiration, and feel free to modify the ingredients to your taste.

Time: 15 Minutes

Serves: 10 Ojas Balls 

Ingredients:

• 10 dates

• 1/2 cup raw almonds

• 1/4 cup shredded coconut

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

• 1/4  teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/4  teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon shatavari powder

• 1 teaspoon ashwaganda

• 1 tablespoon raw honey

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• Handful of cacao nibs

• Splash of almond milk

• Pinch of Himalayan salt

*Ingredient quantities may differ from batch to batch. Improvise depending on your needs. Spice it to your taste preference.

Directions:

1. In a food processor or high-powered blender, combine dates, almonds, and coconut. The consistency will be very thick. If you are having trouble blending, use a splash or two of almond milk to soften the mixture. One alternative is to pre-soak the dates in almond milk for 10 minutes.

2. Add all spices. Taste to preference.

3. In a pan, toast coconut flakes until you can smell their aroma and the color is a light brown.  

4. Take your Ojas ball mixture and using your hands, form into small 1-inch balls. 

5. Roll each ball in the toasted coconut flakes until the surface is completely covered and voila! Enjoy your Ojas balls!

Original recipe written by yours truly for Basmati Publications.