This Banana Sushi with Medjool Dates is about to be the next viral dessert trend! With just 5 simple ingredients-you'll create a fun, nutritious, and delicious no-bake dessert or snack. Inspired by traditional sushi, this recipe uses smashed Medjool dates as the outer layer with peanut butter and banana as the filling.
Plus, you get to customize with any toppings of your choice like coconut or chopped nuts. This sweet and healthy dessert sushi is perfect for date night, Valentine's Day, or as a fun activity to make with kids.
Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Natural Delights. All opinions are my own; I never feature a brand that I don't love! See my disclosure policy for more details.
Table of Contents
Why you'll love it
- Healthy and naturally sweet: Fresh fruits like Medjool dates and bananas provide natural sweetness, without any added sugar.
- Super unique: The sushi-inspired presentation is eye-catching and perfect for sharing with friends, kids, or family. Plus, it's SO Insta-worthy to post about!
- Completely customizable: Whether you love shredded coconut, chopped nuts, sesame seeds, or a mixture-this recipe lets you choose your favorite toppings to use on the outside layer.
Is this banana sushi healthy?
This no-bake dessert sushi is not only good for you but also satisfies your sweet tooth! It's packed with wholesome ingredients like:
- Medjool dates are filled with fiber, antioxidants, and potassium, which help support digestion and heart health.
- Bananas add vitamin B6, vitamin C, and magnesium, making this snack both delicious and nutritious.
- Dark chocolate contains antioxidants known as flavonoids, which may promote heart health when enjoyed in moderation.
Are dates healthy?
Medjool dates have started to become more popular, especially with Tiktok-viral recipes like Date "Snickers" and Date Bark! Many people don't know this but Medjool dates are actually considered a fresh fruit, not a dried fruit. They have a caramel-like taste, making them perfect to satisfy any sweet tooth. Since they're a fruit, all their sugars are naturally occurring, meaning there are no added sugars. They're also a source of potassium, iron, and satiating fiber.
When it comes to picking out Medjool dates, I always like to buy a pack of Natural Delights Medjool dates online or at my local grocery store. I'm using Medjool dates for this recipe because they tend to have a sweeter and softer texture that easily breaks down into a dough consistency.
In October 2022, I was actually able to help harvest dates and see the full process they go through to reach our grocery shelves! Did you know each date palm tree produces around 200-250 pounds of dates? SO. COOL.
Ingredients you'll need
- Banana - Use a large, firm banana to ensure easy rolling and slicing. Overly ripe bananas won't work well for this recipe.
- Medjool dates - Natural Delights Pitted Medjool dates are perfect for this recipe because of their ultra soft texture and stickiness. You can also use Natural Delights Whole Medjool dates, just be sure to pit them before smashing them down. Learn how to pit Medjool dates here!
- Peanut butter - Acts as a glue to hold everything together. Feel free to swap with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or another nut butter of your choice.
- Toppings of your choice - Sesame seeds, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts all work great. Feel free to also use a mixture to fill up the ¼ cup total.
- Dark chocolate - Melt and serve as the "soy sauce" for dipping. Opt for chocolate with at least 70% cacao for the most health benefits. To make this recipe completely dairy-free, you can look for an allergen friendly chocolate.
How to make banana sushi
Prepare the date sheet
Line a flat surface or large cutting board with a sheet of wax paper. Using a knife, make a slit in the Medjool dates without cutting all the way through. Arrange the dates into a 3x3 grid on the wax paper. Use a rolling pin or the side of a sturdy cup to flatten and roll the dates into a smooth, thin sheet, about ⅛ inch thick.
This step takes a bit of patience and strength, but achieving an evenly pressed sheet ensures the sushi rolls properly without any gaps. It typically takes me about 5 minutes to roll it out thin enough. Think of it like your arm workout for the day. 😉
Add toppings and peanut butter
Peel off the top layer of wax paper and sprinkle your choice of toppings evenly over one side. Replace the wax paper on top and press or roll gently to help the toppings stick. Flip the date sheet over and carefully remove the wax paper from the other side. Spread a thin, even layer of peanut butter across this surface. Cut the sheet in half vertically to create two smaller sheets.
Roll the banana
Peel the banana and place it at the edge of one of the date sheets. Gently straighten the banana if needed, then carefully roll it up, using the date sheet to fully wrap the banana. The peanut butter will help hold everything together. Use your fingers to press the dates together at the ends to seal the roll. Repeat with the second date sheet and banana.
Chill and slice
Place the rolls in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to firm them up, which makes slicing easier. Once chilled, warm a sharp knife under hot water, dry it off, and slice each roll into 8 even pieces.
Serve with chocolate
To melt the chocolate, place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each until smooth. If the chocolate is too thick, stir in a teaspoon of coconut oil to help thin it out. Alternatively, use the double boiler method by placing a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, stirring until the chocolate is fully melted and glossy.
Pour the melted dark chocolate into a small bowl to serve as "soy sauce." Arrange the banana sushi pieces on a plate around the bowl and enjoy dipping each piece into the chocolate with chopsticks or your hands.
Recipe tips and tricks
- Serving suggestions: Serve as a sweet treat or Valentine's Day, part of a dessert board, or as a fun + healthy option at a party. I've even enjoyed a bite as a delicious pre-workout snack with my coffee!
- Troubleshooting: If the dates aren't soft enough, you can microwave them with a wet paper towel for 15-30 seconds to make them easier to flatten.
- Scaling: Want to make more? This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for larger gatherings. Simply prepare additional date sheets.
Customize it your way
Like all of my other recipes, this Medjool date sushi is completely customizable. You get to choose what toppings and fillings you want to use!
- Nut butter of your choice: You can swap peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or a seed butter depending on what you like best.
- Toppings of your choice: Mix and match shredded coconut, sesame seeds, or finely chopped nuts like almonds, pistachios, or walnuts for the crunchy outside.
Can I make it ahead of time?
Yes! Feel free to prepare the dessert sushi rolls ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Just slice them shortly before serving for the best presentation.
What if my bananas turn brown?
Once the sushi is sliced, the bananas may begin to brown after 12 to 24 hours. While this doesn't affect the taste and is completely safe to eat, it can slightly throw off the sushi *aesthetic* for presentation purposes. If you want to freshen up the look, simply drizzle some extra melted dark chocolate over the browned areas.
How do I store leftovers?
You can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, arrange the sliced sushi pieces on a parchment or wax paper lined tray, freeze them, and then transfer to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
If eating the sushi bites straight from the freezer, let the bites sit at room temperature for about five minutes to soften before serving.
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Banana Sushi with Medjool Dates
Ingredients
- 1 large firm banana peeled
- 9 Natural Delights Pitted Medjool dates (If your dates are in the fridge, we recommend letting them sit out at room temperature for 10 minutes before starting.)
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter or nut butter of your choice
- ¼ cup toppings of your choice (sesame seeds, shredded coconut, or chopped nuts. Feel free to also use a mixture to fill up the ¼ cup total)
- ⅓ cup ~2 ounces melted dark chocolate
Instructions
- Line a flat surface or large cutting board with a sheet of wax paper. Using a knife, make a slit in the dates without cutting them all the way through. Carefully split dates open and arrange the dates into a 3x3 grid on the wax paper, making sure they overlap a little so they stick together.
- Using a heavy rolling pin, wine bottle, or the side of a sturdy cup, press and roll the dates until they form a large, smooth sheet about ⅛ inch thick. Take your time with this step to ensure the dates are evenly flattened.
- Once the date sheet is thin enough, temporarily peel back the top layer of wax paper and evenly sprinkle all toppings of your choice over one side. Place the wax paper back on top and gently press or roll over it to help the toppings adhere.
- Flip the date sheet over and carefully remove the wax paper from the other side. Spread a thin, even layer of peanut butter across this surface. Use a sharp knife to cut the sheet in half vertically, creating two smaller square-sized sheets.
- Peel the banana and place it along the edge of one of the date sheets. Gently straighten the banana if needed, then carefully roll it up, using the date sheet to fully wrap the banana. Use a knife to cut off any excess dates if needed.
- Use your fingers to press the dates together at the edges to seal the roll. Then, repeat this process with the second date sheet and banana.
- Place the rolls in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm up, which will make slicing easier. Once chilled, warm a sharp knife under hot water, dry it off, and slice each roll into 8 even 1-inch pieces.
- Pour the melted dark chocolate into a small bowl to serve as "soy sauce." Arrange the banana sushi pieces on a plate around the bowl and enjoy dipping each piece into the chocolate with chopsticks or your hands.
Notes
Nutrition
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