Honey-Glazed Date and Cucumber Bites Recipe

Name: Honey-Glazed Date and Cucumber Bites Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 3 servings
Cuisine: Islamic
Ingredients: 12 large Medjool dates; 1 large cucumber; 3 tablespoons raw honey; 1 tablespoon water; Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional but adds lovely colour and freshness); Pinch of sea salt flakes (optional, for flavour contrast)

Sweet Medjool dates paired with refreshing cucumber create an irresistible contrast of textures and flavours that's both satisfying and light. The natural sweetness of dates mingles beautifully with crisp cucumber, whilst a drizzle of golden honey brings everything together. Learn how to make this quick and easy recipe that's perfect for afternoon snacking!

Prep10 mins

Cook5 mins

Serve3

Kcal145

Ingredients

12 large Medjool dates, pitted and halved lengthways (soft, plump dates work best)
1 large cucumber, washed and sliced into 24 rounds about 1cm thick (English cucumber preferred for fewer seeds)
3 tablespoons raw honey, plus extra for drizzling (choose a runny, golden variety)
1 tablespoon water, if needed to thin the honey
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional but adds lovely colour and freshness)
Pinch of sea salt flakes (optional, for flavour contrast)

Directions

Step 1
Begin by preparing your cucumber base, which provides the refreshing foundation for this snack. Wash the cucumber thoroughly under cold running water, then pat it completely dry with a clean tea towel, as any moisture will prevent the honey from adhering properly. Slice the cucumber into 24 rounds, each about 1cm thick, trying to keep them uniform in size so your finished bites look professional and elegant. Arrange the cucumber rounds on a large serving platter or individual plates, leaving a bit of space between each one. This is where you're building the canvas for your sweet and savoury creation, so take a moment to make it look lovely.
Step 2
Prepare your dates by checking each one is properly pitted, as any remaining stones can be unpleasant surprises. Take each pitted date and carefully slice it in half lengthways, creating two boat-shaped pieces that will sit beautifully on your cucumber rounds. If your dates are a bit firm, don't worry, they'll soften slightly when you warm the honey in the next step. The natural stickiness of Medjool dates is perfect for this recipe, and their caramel-like flavour is absolutely gorgeous against the fresh cucumber. Set your prepared date halves aside on a clean plate whilst you work on the honey glaze.
Step 3
Now it's time to create your glossy honey glaze, which transforms this simple combination into something really special. Pour 3 tablespoons of honey into a small saucepan and place it over the lowest possible heat on your hob. Warm the honey very gently for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally with a spoon, until it becomes beautifully runny and pourable, almost like golden syrup. This gentle warming is crucial because honey can burn quickly if the heat is too high, which would give it a bitter flavour. If your honey seems too thick even after warming, add 1 tablespoon of water and stir until you achieve a lovely, drizzling consistency. You want it to flow smoothly but still coat the back of your spoon.
Step 4
Working quickly whilst the honey is still warm and fluid, place one date half on top of each cucumber round, pressing down very gently so it adheres but doesn't squash the cucumber. The contrast between the soft, sticky date and the crisp cucumber is what makes these bites so delightful, so handle everything with care. Once all your dates are positioned, use a teaspoon to drizzle the warm honey over each bite, allowing it to cascade down the sides of the dates and pool slightly around the cucumber base. Don't be shy with the honey, as this is where the magic happens and all the flavours come together in sweet harmony.
Step 5
For the final flourish, tear a few fresh mint leaves and scatter them artistically over your assembled bites, adding beautiful pops of green colour and a hint of refreshing fragrance. If you fancy a sophisticated touch, sprinkle just a tiny pinch of sea salt flakes over the top, which creates an incredible flavour contrast and really makes the sweetness of the dates and honey sing. Serve these gorgeous bites immediately whilst the cucumber is still wonderfully crisp and the honey is glossy and inviting. These are best enjoyed fresh, as the cucumber will release moisture over time, but they'll still taste delicious for up to 2 hours if kept cool.

Sunnah

Learn simple practices and etiquettes found in the tradition that transform every meal into an act of worship, increase you in beneficial knowledge and add barakah into every bite.

Sacred Guidance

Cucumbers

I saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ eating cucumbers with dates.

— Sunan Ibn Majah 3325Sahih

Dates

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to break his fast before praying with some fresh dates; but if there were no fresh dates, he had a few dry dates, and if there were no dry dates, he took some mouthfuls of water.

— Sunan Abu Dawud 2356Hasan Sahih

Honey

The Prophet ﷺ loved sweet things and honey.

— Sahih al-Bukhari 5431Sahih

Water

The Prophet ﷺ drank Zamzam water while standing.

— Sahih al-Bukhari 5617Sahih

✦

Prophetic Etiquette

Wash your hands and say:

بِسْمِ اللهِ وَ عَلَى بَرَكَةِ اللٰهBismillahi wa 'ala barakatillahIn the name of Allah and with the blessings of Allah

If you forget to say it at the beginning, say:

بِسْمِ اللهِ أَوَّلَهُ وَآخِرَهُBismillahi awwalahu wa akhirahuIn the name of Allah at its beginning and end

Sit down to eat, rather than eating while standing or walking.

Always eat with your right hand, as the Prophet ﷺ said:

Let every one of you eat with his right hand and drink with his right hand.

Eat in moderation, as the Prophet ﷺ advised:

One-third should be for food, one-third for drink, and one-third should be left empty for air.

Eat from what is nearest to you on the plate, and do not reach across for food that is distant.

Take small morsels of food, and chew your food well.

Do not blow on hot food or drinks; allow them to cool naturally.

Do not eat or drink from gold or silver utensils.

When finished, say:

الْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ الَّذِي أَطْعَمَنَا وَسَقَانَا وَجَعَلَنَا مُسْلِمِينَAlhamdulillahil-ladhi at'amana wa saqana wa ja'alana MusliminPraise be to Allah who has fed us and given us drink and made us Muslims

Lick your fingers clean before wiping them, as there may be barakah in what remains on them. Then wash your hands.

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Honey-Glazed Date and Cucumber Bites Recipe

Prep10 mins

Cook5 mins

Serve3

Kcal145

Ingredients

12 large Medjool dates, pitted and halved lengthways (soft, plump dates work best)
1 large cucumber, washed and sliced into 24 rounds about 1cm thick (English cucumber preferred for fewer seeds)
3 tablespoons raw honey, plus extra for drizzling (choose a runny, golden variety)
1 tablespoon water, if needed to thin the honey
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional but adds lovely colour and freshness)
Pinch of sea salt flakes (optional, for flavour contrast)

Directions

Step 1
Begin by preparing your cucumber base, which provides the refreshing foundation for this snack. Wash the cucumber thoroughly under cold running water, then pat it completely dry with a clean tea towel, as any moisture will prevent the honey from adhering properly. Slice the cucumber into 24 rounds, each about 1cm thick, trying to keep them uniform in size so your finished bites look professional and elegant. Arrange the cucumber rounds on a large serving platter or individual plates, leaving a bit of space between each one. This is where you're building the canvas for your sweet and savoury creation, so take a moment to make it look lovely.
Step 2
Prepare your dates by checking each one is properly pitted, as any remaining stones can be unpleasant surprises. Take each pitted date and carefully slice it in half lengthways, creating two boat-shaped pieces that will sit beautifully on your cucumber rounds. If your dates are a bit firm, don't worry, they'll soften slightly when you warm the honey in the next step. The natural stickiness of Medjool dates is perfect for this recipe, and their caramel-like flavour is absolutely gorgeous against the fresh cucumber. Set your prepared date halves aside on a clean plate whilst you work on the honey glaze.
Step 3
Now it's time to create your glossy honey glaze, which transforms this simple combination into something really special. Pour 3 tablespoons of honey into a small saucepan and place it over the lowest possible heat on your hob. Warm the honey very gently for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally with a spoon, until it becomes beautifully runny and pourable, almost like golden syrup. This gentle warming is crucial because honey can burn quickly if the heat is too high, which would give it a bitter flavour. If your honey seems too thick even after warming, add 1 tablespoon of water and stir until you achieve a lovely, drizzling consistency. You want it to flow smoothly but still coat the back of your spoon.
Step 4
Working quickly whilst the honey is still warm and fluid, place one date half on top of each cucumber round, pressing down very gently so it adheres but doesn't squash the cucumber. The contrast between the soft, sticky date and the crisp cucumber is what makes these bites so delightful, so handle everything with care. Once all your dates are positioned, use a teaspoon to drizzle the warm honey over each bite, allowing it to cascade down the sides of the dates and pool slightly around the cucumber base. Don't be shy with the honey, as this is where the magic happens and all the flavours come together in sweet harmony.
Step 5
For the final flourish, tear a few fresh mint leaves and scatter them artistically over your assembled bites, adding beautiful pops of green colour and a hint of refreshing fragrance. If you fancy a sophisticated touch, sprinkle just a tiny pinch of sea salt flakes over the top, which creates an incredible flavour contrast and really makes the sweetness of the dates and honey sing. Serve these gorgeous bites immediately whilst the cucumber is still wonderfully crisp and the honey is glossy and inviting. These are best enjoyed fresh, as the cucumber will release moisture over time, but they'll still taste delicious for up to 2 hours if kept cool.

Sunnah

Learn simple practices and etiquettes found in the tradition that transform every meal into an act of worship, increase you in beneficial knowledge and add barakah into every bite.