Khajur Barfi Recipe (Dates Barfi with Dry Fruits)

Khajur barfi (dates barfi) is a classic Indian sweet made from dates and dry fruits, with no sugar syrup – the dates themselves do the sweetening. Here is an easy homemade recipe, tips for getting the texture right, and a ready-made option for days when you do not have time to cook.

Easy khajur barfi recipe

Makes: about 16 pieces · Time: 25 minutes + 1 hour setting

Ingredients

  • 250 g soft seedless dates – Kimia dates work best because they are very soft
  • ½ cup almonds, chopped
  • ½ cup cashews, chopped
  • ¼ cup pistachios, chopped
  • 2 tbsp desiccated coconut or poppy seeds (optional)
  • 1–2 tbsp ghee
  • ¼ tsp cardamom powder

Method

  1. Prepare the dates. Remove any seeds and chop the dates. If they are firm, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and drain well.
  2. Roast the nuts. Dry-roast the almonds, cashews and pistachios in a pan on low heat for 3–4 minutes until fragrant. Set aside.
  3. Cook the dates. Heat the ghee in the same pan, add the dates and cook on low heat, pressing with a spatula, for 5–6 minutes until they form a soft, sticky mass.
  4. Mix. Add the roasted nuts, cardamom and coconut or poppy seeds. Mix until evenly combined.
  5. Shape. While warm, roll the mixture into a log (wrap in butter paper or foil) or press into a greased tray.
  6. Set and cut. Refrigerate for about an hour, then slice into rounds or squares.

Tips for perfect khajur barfi

  • Use soft dates – Kimia or Fard blend easily; firmer Zahidi dates need soaking first.
  • Keep the heat low so the dates do not burn or turn hard.
  • Roast the nuts separately for crunch.
  • Store in an airtight box in the fridge.

No time to cook? Try Dateable Bites

Dateable Bites are our ready-to-eat take on khajur barfi: bite-sized pieces made with dates, almonds, cashews and pistachios, bound with honey and ghee. There is no refined sugar – they are sweetened only with dates and honey. (Under FSSAI labelling rules honey counts as added sugar, so the label shows 21.8 g added sugar per 100 g; that sugar comes from the honey.) Each 200 g tin holds about 10 servings – handy for tea-time, travel and gifting.

Frequently asked questions

Is khajur barfi made without sugar?
The homemade recipe above uses no sugar – the sweetness comes from the dates.

Which dates are best for khajur barfi?
Soft varieties such as Kimia or Fard are easiest to work with.

How long does homemade khajur barfi last?
About 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.

What is the difference between khajur barfi and Dateable Bites?
Dateable Bites are a ready-made dates and dry-fruit barfi in bite-sized pieces, bound with honey and ghee.

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