Themes⚙
Tahini Date Bites with Sea Salt – No Bake Iftar Starter
Make quick no-bake tahini date bites with sea salt for a nutrient-rich iftar starter or healthy snack. Ready in minutes, vegan and gluten-free.
Tahini Date Bites with Sea Salt are no-bake, bite-sized confections that combine Medjool dates, creamy tahini, and a light dusting of flaky sea salt to create a balanced sweet-savory snack. Typically enjoyed at Iftar—the evening meal that breaks the daily fast during Ramadan—these energy-dense bites deliver natural sugars, plant-based fats, and a touch of sodium to help replenish the body after fasting. The recipe involves blending pitted dates with tahini until a cohesive paste forms, shaping the mixture into small rounds, then finishing each piece with a sprinkle of sea salt (and optionally, a coating of toasted sesame seeds or shredded coconut). Quick to assemble and free from refined sugar, dairy, and gluten, these bites offer a convenient, nutrient-rich alternative to traditional dessert options while showcasing classic Middle Eastern flavors.
Tahini Date Bites with Sea Salt – No Bake Iftar Starter
These mix-and-roll bites come together in under ten minutes and freeze beautifully, so you can prep a large batch well before sunset and simply set them out as guests arrive. Add-ins like cacao nibs or crushed pistachios let you tailor texture and flavor without complicating the ingredient list.
Prep Time
15 minutes
15 minutes
Cook Time
0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes
35 minutes
Ingredients
Medjool dates, pitted – 1 heaping cup (about 12 large)
- Runny tahini (plain sesame paste) – ⅓ cup
- Rolled oats – ½ cup
- Unsweetened shredded coconut – ¼ cup
- Pure vanilla extract – 1 tsp
- Ground cinnamon – ½ tsp
- Fine sea salt – ¼ tsp
- Flaky sea salt – a generous pinch, for finishing
- Dark chocolate, melted – ¼ cup (optional, for drizzling or dipping)
- Toasted sesame seeds – 2 tbsp (optional, for rolling)
- Chopped roasted pistachios – 2 tbsp (optional, for garnish)
- Ground flaxseed or chia seeds – 1–2 tbsp (optional, to boost fiber/protein)
Method
Pit the Medjool dates
- Place the pitted dates in a food processor
- Spoon tahini into the food processor with the dates
- Blend until the mixture begins to clump
- Stop the food processor
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl
- Blend again until a sticky uniform dough forms
- Transfer the dough to a plate
- Pinch off a tablespoon of dough
- Roll the portion between your palms to form a ball
- Repeat pinching and rolling until all dough is used
- Spread sesame seeds on a shallow plate
- Roll some of the balls in sesame seeds to coat
- Spread shredded coconut on another shallow plate
- Roll the remaining balls in shredded coconut to coat
- Arrange the coated balls on a parchment-lined tray
- Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the tops of the balls
- Refrigerate the tray for at least twenty minutes
- Serve the tahini date bites chilled or at room temperature
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator
Nutrition (whole recipe)
Calories
2080 kcal Protein
39 g Fat
95 g Carbs
308 g Fiber
44 g Sugar
226 g
2080 kcal Protein
39 g Fat
95 g Carbs
308 g Fiber
44 g Sugar
226 g
Notes
Briefly soak any dry dates in hot water, then pat them dry—added moisture helps the paste bind without extra tahini. Warm the tahini for a few seconds so it blends quickly and keeps the bites ultra-smooth. Roll with slightly damp hands, then chill the rounds for 10 minutes before adding toppings; the cold surface grabs sesame, coconut, or nuts without smudging.
why this recipe
These tahini date bites deserve a spot on your Iftar table because they strike the perfect balance between wholesome nourishment and sheer indulgence; velvety sesame paste melds with the natural caramel sweetness of Medjool dates, while a whisper of flaky sea salt sharpens every flavor note, turning a few simple pantry staples into something beautifully sophisticated. In a single, no-bake step, you gain a portable energy boost rich in plant protein, calcium, and fiber, yet refined-sugar-free—ideal for restoring vitality after a day of fasting or for powering you through a busy afternoon any time of year.
FAQs
FAQ acf
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I substitute the tahini with another nut or seed butter?
Yes—any pourable nut or seed butter with a similar fat content will work. Try natural almond, cashew, peanut, sunflower-seed, or even pumpkin-seed butter; just be sure it’s runny (not a thick “no-stir” variety) so the dates blend smoothly and the bites hold together. Taste and adjust salt as needed, since different butters vary in flavor and sodium.
Q2: How long do the Tahini Date Bites keep, and can I freeze them for later?
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the bites stay fresh for about 10–14 days. For longer keeping, freeze them on a tray until firm, then transfer to a zip-top bag or sealed box; they’ll hold their flavor and texture for up to 3 months—just thaw a few at room temperature for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Can I make these bites without using a food processor?
Yes. If you don’t have a food processor, finely chop or mash the softened dates with a fork, then stir in the tahini and remaining ingredients with a sturdy spoon until a cohesive dough forms. It takes a bit more elbow-grease, but the bites will set and taste the same.