Moroccan · Snack
Iftar Date & Sesame Balls
No-cook energy balls of blended dates, toasted sesame and a little nut butter, rolled in more sesame — sweet, chewy and quick to make in a big batch for the Ramadan table. They break the fast with an instant lift of natural sugar and keep for days, handy to grab at suhoor too.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Serves
- 8
- Level
- Easy
Ingredients
- 300 g soft dates, pitted
- 5 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, plus extra to roll
- 2 tbsp nut butter (almond or peanut)
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp orange-blossom water
Method
- 1
Blend the dates
Blitz the dates to a sticky paste in a food processor, adding a splash of water if needed.
- 2
Add the rest
Add the sesame, nut butter, cinnamon, salt and orange-blossom water and pulse to a thick, cohesive mixture.
- 3
Roll
With damp hands, roll the mixture into small walnut-sized balls.
- 4
Coat
Roll each ball in extra toasted sesame to coat.
- 5
Chill
Chill briefly to firm, then serve or store airtight.
Chef's tips
- Use soft, sticky dates so the mixture binds without extra sweetener.
- Toast the sesame first for a nuttier flavour and better colour on the coating.
- If the mixture is too soft to roll, chill it for 15 minutes before shaping.
Frequently asked questions
How long do they keep?
Stored airtight in the fridge they keep for a week or more, making them ideal to prepare ahead for iftar and suhoor throughout Ramadan.
Can I add other ingredients?
Yes; a little desiccated coconut, chopped almonds or a pinch of ground ginger all work well folded into the base.