I’m excited to share this Medjool Date Energy Gels recipe with you! With only five ingredients, these gels are vegan, gluten-free, and contain no added sugar, yet have carbohydrates and electrolytes to keep you fueled for the long run (or ride). Best of all, they’re quick and easy to make!
Medjool Date Energy Gels
As you may know, a few years ago I was an ambassador for Natural Delights Medjool Dates and I had so much fun creating a variety of recipes using Medjool dates as my base. I have made everything from candy-like Medjool Date Truffles (no added sugar though!) to Chocolaty Energy Balls, to my personal favorite, Medjool Date Appetizers (because they have such a delicious savory/sweet combination).
I’ve been making Medjool Date Energy Gels regularly since then. I’ve tweaked them a few times (which I’ll share soon) to include more fat and protein because I feel that works best for me, but this recipe still stands up as a great alternative to store-bought gels.
Medjool dates are so great for athletes! They are loaded with nutrients, complex carbs, and fiber to fuel your day (or your workout). They contain more potassium than bananas, so they’re great for recovery too.
My husband loves to take a few Medjool dates on his bike rides. He says they give him a quick lift and help to fuel his ride. While I love eating the dates after my workout, my stomach doesn’t do well with solid food during a run, so I haven’t been able to try them out.
Until now!
The idea for making Medjool Date Energy Gels has been rolling around in my head for a while. It seemed like a natural! While I should note that I am not a nutritionist, I do know that with their great flavor, natural carbohydrates, and texture, Medjool dates are the perfect base for an energy gel.
I’m not particularly a fan of store-bought energy gels. Many are made with processed sugars, preservatives, and a few other ingredients I can’t quite pronounce. I also think that most are too sweet, making them difficult for me to get down when I’m on the run.
These Medjool Date Energy Gels are an all-natural, whole-food source of carbohydrates, potassium, and sodium, and they taste much better than store-bought! They don’t photograph well, though, so you’ll have to excuse me for that!
Medjool Date Energy Gels with Strawberries and Chia
- 3 ounces Medjool Dates (about 6 dates), pitted
- 3 or 4 fresh strawberries
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- Pinch of salt (about 1/10 teaspoon)
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons water
- Cut the fruit into smaller pieces and place it in a blender or food processor.
- Add the chia seeds, salt, lime juice, and water.
- Blend until smooth.
- Place into 3 small sandwich bags or container of your choice.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
Because of the small size of the batch, I needed to frequently scrape the sides of the food processor. If you make a bigger batch, it will probably blend more quickly.
I love these Medjool Date Energy Gels! They taste so good, and the texture is less, well, gel-like than the store-bought kind.
As for how to carry them, it’s really up to you. A sandwich bag will work, either the zipper-type or the old-fashioned kind. I like the fold-over type. I tie it in a knot, then bite it off when I’m ready to use it.
Here’s another solution! These pouches (<– affiliate link) hold about five ounces, are washable and reusable, and can be opened and re-closed. Great way to reduce waste, too.
These flasks would work well too.
Do you use energy gels? Have you ever made your own?
And Now It’s Time for the Runners’ Roundup!
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Tuesday Topics with Kim and Zenaida
The Runners’ Roundup with Deborah, Lisa, Jenn, and Me!
The Weekly Run Down with Deborah and Kim
Fit Five Friday with Darlene, Michelle, Renee, Jenn, and Zenaida
Ultimate Coffee Date with Deborah and Coco
This is a great a idea! I’ve never made my own. I really like Huma gels but these seem like a great way to control exactly what is in your gels!
Huma gels are pretty close to making your own. They don’t have any fake stuff and they’re not too sweet.
Such a smart, practical idea. I really like the simplicity. Real food, five ingredients, and no mystery ingredients like in many store-bought gels.
Fuel-wise it makes sense too. I just checked, dates are naturally close to a 1:1 glucose – fructose ratio, similar to what many commercial gels use for better carb absorption. So it absolutely makes sense to use medjool dates!
Medjool dates are pretty amazing. They’re sweet and healthy and have a lot of nutrients packed in that little package!
These sound incredible! I do love dates, but I don’t often get them or make anything with them! Maybe it’s time for that to change!
I’m lucky that our local palm trees are all date palms. That makes dates super accessible.