• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

At the Immigrant's Table

  • Home
  • About me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Inspiration
  • Shop
    • Middle Eastern Small Plates E-book
  • Travel
  • Tutorials
  • Jewish Recipes
  • Russian Recipes
  • Main Course Recipes
  • Healthy Side Dishes
  • Dessert Recipes
  • Travel
  • Gluten-free Recipes
  • Paleo recipes
  • Vegan recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Me
  • Recipes
  • Cookbook
  • Travel
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Me
    • Recipes
    • Cookbook
    • Travel
    • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Jams, pickles & preserves

    Published: Jul 21, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Homemade Date Syrup (Silan)

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    homemade date syrup in a jar
    hand lifting a spoon with homemade date syrup over a jar
    how to make homemade date honey syrup
    magazine cover featuring hand lifting a spoon with date honey syrup
    how to make homemade date honey syrup

    Making 2-ingredient homemade date syrup is so easy, you'll never buy this specialty condiment again. Learn about silan, the healthy liquid sweetener that contains nothing but dried dates and water, the vegan date honey.

    homemade date syrup in a jar

    What is date syrup? 

    Date syrup or silan is one of my favorite sweeteners, and I'm so excited it has finally made its way into the pantries of more and more people across North America and the United Kingdom!

    Date honey is a naturally derived sweetener that is extracted from pressing dates with water. It's a thick syrup that tastes a lot like maple syrup, but is a sweet syrup made from a cooked date mixture blended with water.

    Natural dates are high in vitamins and minerals, low in calories, and a natural source of potassium. As such, date molasses is an excellent option if you prefer to skip the sugar. The taste and color are rich, with a caramel-like flavor that can be used to replace honey or maple syrup in various recipes.

    Date syrup has been around for over 6,000 years and is believed to have originated somewhere in the Middle East. This would make sense considering the area's richness in date palms, prized as a symbol of prosperity and hospitality to this day in much of the Arab world.

    Why is date syrup also called “silan” and "date molasses"?

    In Israel, date syrup is known as "silan" and is a popular choice used to sweeten desserts or as a spread on breakfast foods and pancakes.

    Date syrup is also known as date honey syrup, or date molasses, due to its thick texture and syrupy consistency.

    How to make date syrup? 

    Nowadays, you can find date syrup in grocery stores, specialty food stores, and Middle Eastern or Israeli delis.

    However, making date syrup at home is equally easy and fun.

    You can make date syrup in just a few minutes, and it will last for months in the fridge or a year in the freezer. 

    Here's the secret: You need only two ingredients to make date syrup: water and dates!

    Make sure to pick the best quality dates you can get your hands on, I recommend Medjool dates (I like Natural Delights Medjool dates).

    blending date paste in a blender

    Where to use date syrup? 

    The best part about this date syrup recipe is that it is one of the most versatile sweeteners in your fridge that you can use. A little goes a long way, and works equally as well in sweet and savory recipes! 

    You can use date honey to:

    • sweeten breads and desserts;
    • as an alternative to honey or maple syrup in your morning porridge;
    • add to smoothies;
    • drizzle over some fresh fruit;
    • Top syrniki, Russian pancakes or with low carb apple pancakes!
    • fill Date hamantaschen with the leftover pulp.

    For savory options:

    • it makes for a richer, nuttier sauce ingredient in dishes like glazed BBQ chicken or a dressing for tofu salad. 
    • Replace the honey, maple syrup or sugar in a vinaigrette sauce for a unique Middle Eastern salad dressing. 

    Here are some of my favorite recipes using date syrup: 

    • gluten free pouding chomeur in a ramekin with a fork, topped with dates in jar and blueberries and ground cherries
      Gluten-free pouding chomeur with homemade date syrup
    • Low-Carb Pancakes with Healthy Caramelized Apples
    • Butternut Squash Wild Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate Seeds
    • thumbnail focus on plate
      Chicken Marbella Ottolenghi with dates and olives for Passover
    hand lifting a spoon with homemade date syrup over a jar

    Date syrup benefits 

    Not all sweeteners are created equal. As an all-natural sweetener made from the concentrated juice of dates, it is low in calories and contains significant potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, among other minerals, as well as fiber and vitamin B3, B2, B1, B5, A1, and C.

    In addition to all the vitamins and minerals that are good for overall health, dates contain a high amount of fiber, which can help promote digestion and prevent constipation. In addition, they are rich in potassium, manganese, calcium, and magnesium. These minerals can aid in preventing heart diseases and regulating blood pressure.

    It is also suitable for various diets, including vegan and paleo. It's important to know that this homemade syrup is a completely vegan product! No hidden ingredients or animal products in site.

    Is date syrup healthy compared to sugar?

    There is no doubt date syrup ranks higher than sugar in terms of its nutritional value.

    All of its nutrients and vitamins make it a much better option for your heart, bones, and teeth.

    Plus, it's lower on the glycemic index than regular sugar (as well as agave syrup and maple syrup), which means you won't experience the same spike in insulin levels that comes with eating processed sugars.

    squeezing out date liquid from a nut bag

    Why you should make this date honey recipe?

    There are many date honey recipes out there, but this is my favorite technique because it allows you to play around with the desired consistency of your dates syrup.

    Here are some of the reasons why I love this particular approach to make dates syrup: 

    • Easy to make
    • Requires only 2 ingredients 
    • Gluten-free 
    • Relatively fast - no 2 hour cooking here!
    • Can be made in advance 
    • Can be thickened or thinned out as you like
    • Safe for babies! Because dates syrup is naturally derived sweetener, it doesn’t spike the blood sugar like artificial sugars or maple, and isn’t poisonous for babies like honey.
    dates in a plate, water in a measuring cup, and dates in a jar

    Ingredients for homemade date molasses

    There really are only 2 ingredients you need to make this date syrup recipe - water and dates.

    Dates - I buy my dates in bulk, and process a large quantity of it at once. I then freeze or store the rest in the fridge. While you can use any dates to make date syrup, Medjool dates are preserved fresh and will therefore give you the silkiest, smoothest tasting silan recipe!

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Water - The water you use should be boiling hot. 

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Equipment

    • Food processor OR blender (I make my silan recipe in my old Oster blender, and it takes me two rounds. But a Vitamix blender or a Ninja blender would make short work of this!)
    • Nut bag OR cheesecloth and strainer (I use a nut bag)
    • Saucepan
    heating up date syrup

    How to make this silan recipe

    Soak dates

    First, in a large bowl, place dates in boiling water to hydrate the mixture before mashing them well. The dates will soften, making them easier to process.

    Blend dates with water

    Transfer to a blender or food processor and blend (it’s ok if some chunks remain). You may need to add more water.

    blending dates in a blender
    date paste in a blender

    Strain through a cheesecloth

    Next, strain the date pieces with a mesh strainer or cheese cloth.

    You may repeat the process to rehydrate the dates and extract even more liquid.

    Heat syrup

    After collecting the date juice, bring it to a boil and then reduce heat, cooking it on low heat until thickened slightly. This can take about 30 minutes. The remaining syrup will be approximately half its original volume.

    Gather in a Jar

    Last, pour into a glass jar or bottle (after it has cooled down) and store in the fridge.

    Date syrup lasts up to 18 months in a container that is stored at room temperature. When refrigerated, it has the tendency to thicken, which is easily fixed by warming it or adding water. When frozen, it should last even longer.

    In general, date syrup can have a long shelf life, so making it once and keeping a jar in the fridge is ideal. Even so, you should be careful about moisture and mold. The easiest way to tell if your date syrup has gone bad is by smelling it; if it smells fermented or "off," it is probably spoiled.

    squeezing out date liquid from a nut bag

    Variations

    Homemade date molasses are the simplest sweetener to make, and therefore don’t leave much room for customization. 

    However, if you want to use them in a particular recipe, you can add spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, or even chilli for a special take on homemade silan.

    Tried and loved this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below! Your reviews mean a lot to me, so if you've got any questions, please let me know in a comment.

    date paste in a nut bag

    Top Tips

    • The leftover date pulp can be used in smoothies, French toast, or mixed with oatmeal. You can also use it in my Gluten-Free Yule Log or Date Hamantaschen.
    • Transfer your homemade date syrup to the fridge to thicken it.
    • If your date syrup mixture looks a bit dry while boiling, you can always add more water. You can thicken it by adding some of the pulp back.

    FAQ

    Is date syrup good for diabetics?

    Yes! Date syrup is purely pressed dates, which are only sweet with natural sugar. This doesn't spike the blood sugar levels as much as artificial sugar from beets or cane. This makes homemade date syrup safe for people with diabetes.

    Is date syrup healthier than honey or maple syrup?

    Yes! Because date syrup is made from the whole fruit, it has higher amounts of fiber and beneficial nutrients than honey. Just a single tablespoon of date syrup contains more than twice the iron, potassium, calcium, and magnesium levels of maple syrup or honey - and up to 10 times the antioxidants! 

    Is date syrup keto?

    Unfortunately, no. Dates have a lot of natural sugars, which can still spike the sugars in the blood quickly and take one out of ketosis. For this reason, date syrup is not compatible with the keto diet. 

    Is date syrup good for babies?

    Yes! It has all the benefits and nutrients of dates, plus the added benefit of helping them with constipation. It is a mild, natural sweetener that should still be used in moderation, but is much better than honey or sugar for the littlest ones. In fact, it was my son’s favorite sweetener for a long time!

    Pin for Later!

    how to make homemade date honey syrup
    magazine cover featuring hand lifting a spoon with date honey syrup
    hand lifting a spoon with homemade date syrup over a jar

    Homemade Date syrup (silan):

    Ksenia Prints
    Making 2-ingredient homemade date syrup is so easy, you'll never buy this specialty ingredient again. Learn about homemade silan!
    4.99 from 51 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Course Preserves, syrup
    Cuisine Jewish, Middle Eastern
    Servings 1 cup
    Calories 814 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food processor
    • blender
    • Nut bag
    • Cheesecloth
    • Strainer
    • Saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups Medjool dates pitted
    • 1 ½ - 2 cups water boiling hot

    Instructions
     

    • Soak Medjool dates in 1 cup of boiling hot water for at least 1 hour. Transfer to a blender or food processor and blend (it’s ok if some chunks remain). You may need to add a bit of water to the blender. Sieve date mixture through a nut bag or double cheesecloth placed over a strainer, getting as much liquid out as possible.
    • Return date mixture to blender, add another cup of boiling hot water and blend again, and sieve through the nut bag or cheesecloth again. You should end up with about 1 ½ cups of date liquid.
    • Transfer the date liquid to a saucepan, and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium and continue boiling, stirring often, until it reaches the consistency of honey. Remove from heat - you should end up with about 1 cup of date syrup.
    • Transfer the date honey to a jar, and seal well.

    Notes

    Save the leftover date pulp to use in smoothies, French toast or mix with oatmeal. You can also use it in our Date Yule Log or Date Hamantaschen.
    Homemade date honey will thicken further upon cooling.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 814kcalCarbohydrates: 220gProtein: 5gFat: 0.4gSodium: 44mgPotassium: 2046mgFiber: 20gSugar: 195gVitamin A: 438IUCalcium: 213mgIron: 3mg
    Keyword dairy-free, Date molasses, dates, diabetic-friendly, gluten-free, Medjool dates, rose water, sugar-free, vegan
    Tried this recipe?Comment + Rate Below!
    Connect on Instagram!Find us @immigrantstable

    More International Jams, Pickles & Preserves

    • bowl with caramelized onions
      Fast Caramelized Onions Recipe {With Brown Sugar}
    • Garlic scape pesto pizza, sliced
      Easy Garlic Scape Pesto Pizza with Goat Cheese for an Easy Weeknight Dinner {GF, Veg}
    • jars of kumquat preserves
      Russian Kumquat Jam will bring China to your breakfast table
    • close up on jar of yemenite hot sauce with spoon
      Schug, the Yemenite Hot Sauce that will spice up your meals

    Join me At the Immigrant's Table

    Receive updates, exclusive recipes and helpful tips by email

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Veronika says

      July 21, 2022 at 10:51 pm

      5 stars
      What a simple recipe! I love medjool dates and even buy date syrup sometimes but it can get pricey. Love that I can make it myself now!

      Reply
    2. Gwynn says

      July 21, 2022 at 11:38 pm

      5 stars
      This syrup is so easy to make! I will always have some on hand now.

      Reply
    3. Mikayla says

      July 22, 2022 at 12:01 am

      5 stars
      I had never considered dates as anything but a fruit to eat! This syrup is exceptionally tasty and not overly sweet!

      Reply
    4. Cathleen says

      July 22, 2022 at 12:34 am

      5 stars
      Why have I never thought to make this myself?? This looks perfect! I'm making this my project for the weekend 🙂

      Reply
    5. Linda says

      July 22, 2022 at 9:12 am

      5 stars
      Yum is all I can say about this easy-to-make syrup! I made it for the first time last week and have since used it in my smoothies or oatmeal every morning. Next, I'm going to try adding it to one of my quick breads. Thanks for the better for you swap for sugar.

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 1:22 pm

        It's amazing, right??? I think it will be beautiful in a bread.

        Reply
    6. Raksha says

      July 24, 2022 at 8:50 am

      5 stars
      You have explained the homemade date syrup recipe so well. I will never buy the date syrup from shops any more and will follow your recipe to make it again.

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 1:21 pm

        I am thrilled you now discovered a new staple!

        Reply
    7. Ann says

      July 24, 2022 at 8:52 am

      5 stars
      I feel I have been missing out - I have never tried date syrup before. It sounds delicious! Excited to give it a try!

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 1:21 pm

        Your life will seriously change!

        Reply
    8. Kathryn says

      July 24, 2022 at 10:27 am

      5 stars
      This syrup is so delicious and satisfying! We use it with waffles, pancakes, anything! Thanks for sharing your easy and 2 ingredient recipe.

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 12:55 pm

        It's my pleasure! I love this syrup and discovering a way to make it at home just made me so happy!

        Reply
    9. Amy Casey says

      July 24, 2022 at 10:58 am

      5 stars
      Awesome recipe! I have used dates in baking, but never made syrup with them. My morning smoothie got just the right touch of sweetness.

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 12:48 pm

        It's such a great addition to smoothies and drinks!

        Reply
    10. Hayley Dhanecha says

      July 25, 2022 at 4:11 am

      5 stars
      We love to drizzle date syrup on our pancakes, always bought from shop. Not any more as I found your recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 12:46 pm

        We do the same, but now that I have this homemade version I don't have to look for it in stores anymore!

        Reply
    11. Allyssa says

      July 25, 2022 at 6:41 am

      5 stars
      Super easy to make and really unique! Thanks a lot for sharing this syrup recipe, very helpful! I really recommend this recipe!

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 12:43 pm

        I'm super happy to share the love for homemade date syrup with those who may be new to it 🙂

        Reply
    12. Kelley says

      July 28, 2022 at 10:09 am

      5 stars
      This is such a great idea! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 12:43 pm

        Glad you like it!

        Reply
    13. Deb says

      July 28, 2022 at 10:54 am

      5 stars
      Such a simple delicious recipe! I loved the taste and the step by step.

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 12:42 pm

        Glad it was clear and approachable for yoU!

        Reply
    14. Sandra says

      July 28, 2022 at 10:56 am

      5 stars
      Really easy to make and such a great substitute for sugar. I'm going to try substituting this in my gingerbread cookies for the molasses!

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 12:42 pm

        Ooh I think that will be incredible!

        Reply
    15. Sara says

      July 28, 2022 at 11:18 am

      5 stars
      I've been adding this to my kids' smoothies and they love it and I love that it's a better alternative than adding in honey or maple syrup (even though those are natural).

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 12:42 pm

        That's exactly how I feel. There's nothing really wrong with maple or honey, but this has a lot more nutrients!

        Reply
    16. Amanda Wren-Grimwood says

      July 29, 2022 at 3:41 am

      5 stars
      What a great idea to make date syrup at home. Thanks for the easy instructions too.

      Reply
      • kseniaprints says

        August 12, 2022 at 12:02 pm

        You're going to love having this in your pantry!

        Reply
    17. Gen says

      January 12, 2023 at 4:23 pm

      5 stars
      This was so much easier than I thought it would be and was just delicious on my morning toast with some butter.

      Reply
    18. Amanda says

      January 12, 2023 at 5:32 pm

      5 stars
      This date syrup is wonderful! I used it to top some oatmeal this morning, and it added such a rich flavor. I'm already looking forward to breakfast tomorrow! Great recipe.

      Reply
    19. Kris says

      January 12, 2023 at 7:45 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, this was SO much better than store-bought! Way easier than I thought it was going to be too. Can't wait to use it in my morning coffee. 🙂

      Reply
    20. Erin says

      January 13, 2023 at 7:47 am

      5 stars
      It's also called silan?! I had no idea. We're big date lovers here, but I've never been sure what to do with date syrup. I made your recipe and used it over oatmeal. It was fantastic! Thanks.

      Reply
    21. Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says

      January 13, 2023 at 8:49 am

      5 stars
      I was looking for a lower glycemic sweetener and this one was perfect. I love having it on had to use in different recipes throughout the week.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    peeling squash on cutting board

    Privet, I am Ksenia Prints! A food and travel blogger, photographer and storyteller. I help adventurous home cooks explore the world through healthy, beautiful immigrant recipes.

    More about me →

    Follow

    INSTAGRAM 

    PINTEREST

    YOUTUBE

    FACEBOOK

    Popular

    • The best eggplant shakshuka of your life
      The best eggplant shakshuka, or how to make friends with breakfast
    • samosas with sauce
      How to make easy gluten free samosas with a sweet & spicy chickpea filling
    • How to Make the Ultimate Middle Eastern appetizer platter with our best mezze recipes {V, GF, Paleo}
    • vegetarian empanada on a plate with chimichurri dipping sauce
      Authentic Argentinian vegetarian empanadas - 3 Ways! {Vegan Empanadas Option}

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About me
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Services
    • Media Kit
    • FAQ

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Ksenia Prints At the Immigrant's Table. All rights reserved

    108 shares