🍯 Sweeteners

Regular Dates Substitutes for Medjool Dates: Complete Guide

Learn how to substitute regular dates for medjool dates in any recipe. Get exact ratios, cooking tips, and when this swap works best.

Quick Answer

Yes, regular dates are an excellent substitute for medjool dates using a 1:1 ratio. They have similar flavor and sweetness, just slightly smaller size and firmer texture.

Best Substitutes

Regular Dates

1:1

Standard dates with similar sweet flavor and chewy texture, just smaller than medjool dates

Best for:

bakingdessertsenergy barssmoothiescookingsnacking

Perfect substitute with similar flavor profile. May need to use 2-3 regular dates for every 1 medjool date in whole applications.

Deglet Dates

1:1 (by weight) or 1.5:1 (by count)

Smaller, firmer dates with similar sweetness

Best for:

bakingdessertsenergy barscooking

Good substitute but smaller size means using more pieces

Prunes

1:1

Dried plums with similar sweetness and chewy texture

Best for:

bakingdessertsenergy bars

Different flavor but similar sweetness and moisture content

Dried Figs

1:1

Sweet dried fruit with natural sweetness

Best for:

bakingdessertsenergy bars

Different flavor profile but similar sweetness and texture

Cooking Tips

  • 💡Regular dates work perfectly in any recipe that calls for medjool dates
  • 💡For whole date applications, use 2-3 regular dates for every 1 medjool date
  • 💡Regular dates may need a few extra minutes of soaking time compared to medjool dates
  • 💡When making date paste, regular dates work just as well as medjool dates
  • 💡Regular dates are often more affordable than medjool dates, making them a budget-friendly choice
  • 💡For energy bars, regular dates provide the same binding and sweetness as medjool dates

Frequently Asked Questions

Summary

Learn how to substitute regular dates for medjool dates in any recipe. Get exact ratios, cooking tips, and when this perfect swap works best for baking and cooking.