Pineapple Macadamia Nut Date Bites
These Pineapple Macadamia Date Bites are sweet, chewy, tropical, and incredibly easy to customize. They’re made with dates, dried pineapple, macadamia nuts, cashew butter, coconut, and honey, then rolled in extra coconut flakes for a simple no-bake snack or light dessert.
GLUTEN FREE DESSERT RECIPE
8/25/2026
Pineapple Macadamia Nut Date Bites
These Pineapple Macadamia Date Bites are sweet, chewy, tropical, and incredibly easy to customize. They’re made with dates, dried pineapple, macadamia nuts, cashew butter, coconut, and honey, then rolled in extra coconut flakes for a simple no-bake snack or light dessert.
One of the best things about this recipe is how flexible it is. Most of the ingredients can be swapped depending on your preferences, budget, or allergies, so think of this recipe as a starting point rather than something you have to follow rigidly.
And if you love these, be sure to try my Lemon White Chocolate Date Bites and my Chocolate Peanut Butter and Oats Date Bites too. They’re two completely different flavor combinations using the same easy no-bake idea.
Makes: About 15 date bites
Assembly Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Equipment
Food processor
Ingredient Breakdown
Dates
Dates are the base of these bites and provide both sweetness and the sticky texture that helps everything hold together.
I use Deglet Noor dates for this recipe. They’re slightly firmer and less soft than Medjool dates, which works really well for this texture.
You can absolutely use Medjool dates instead, but because they’re larger, softer, and moister, you’ll likely need fewer of them. You may also need to slightly increase the dry ingredients or reduce some of the wetter ingredients if your mixture ends up too soft.
And if dates just aren’t your thing, dried figs are another great option. They’ll change the flavor and texture a little, but they can still create a sticky base that works well for energy bites.
Dried Pineapple
Dried pineapple gives these date bites their sweet tropical flavor and pairs really well with coconut and macadamia nuts.
Look for dried pineapple that you already enjoy eating on its own. Some varieties are much sweeter than others, so the final sweetness of your bites will depend partly on the pineapple you choose.
Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts add a rich, buttery flavor that fits perfectly with the pineapple and coconut.
They are also, unfortunately, pretty expensive.
If you don’t want to spend the money on macadamia nuts, almonds are an excellent substitute, or you can use another mild-flavored nut that won’t overpower the pineapple.
For people who need to avoid nuts, sunflower seeds can also work, depending on your specific dietary needs and allergies.
Cashew Butter
Cashew butter adds creaminess and helps bind the mixture while keeping the flavor fairly mild.
If cashew butter doesn’t work for you, sunflower seed butter or SunButter is a good substitute. Another mild nut or seed butter can work too.
I would avoid anything with an extremely strong flavor unless you specifically want that flavor to come through in the finished bites.
Honey
Honey adds sweetness and helps bring the mixture together.
You can substitute maple syrup very easily if that’s what you have on hand or prefer.
Agave can also work, but because agave tends to be a little thinner and more liquid, I would start with slightly less and add more only if needed.
Coconut Flakes
Coconut flakes add more tropical flavor and a little texture to the mixture.
You can use sweetened or unsweetened coconut flakes depending on how sweet you want the finished bites to be.
I use sweetened coconut flakes because I like these to taste a little more dessert-like and indulgent.
You can also roll the finished bites in additional coconut flakes for an optional coating.
Vanilla
A splash of vanilla adds warmth and rounds out all of the tropical flavors.
You don’t need much. It’s there to complement the pineapple, coconut, and nuts rather than stand out on its own.
Ingredients
1½ cups dates
1 cup dried pineapple
1 cup macadamia nuts
½ cup cashew butter
¼ cup honey
¼ cup coconut flakes
Splash of vanilla
Additional coconut flakes, optional, for coating
Instructions
1. Add the ingredients to the food processor.
Add the dates, dried pineapple, macadamia nuts, cashew butter, honey, coconut flakes, and vanilla to a food processor.
2. Pulse to begin combining.
Pulse the mixture several times to start breaking down the larger pieces and combining the ingredients.
3. Process until a dough forms.
Once the mixture has started coming together, process continuously for about 1 minute, or until the mixture begins gathering into a ball of dough inside the food processor.
For a visual of what the finished texture should look like, check out my accompanying YouTube video.
4. Form the date bites.
Scoop out approximately 3 tablespoons of the mixture at a time and roll it between your hands to form a ball.
5. Coat with coconut.
If desired, roll each bite in additional coconut flakes until lightly coated.
6. Chill.
Refrigerate the finished date bites for about 1 hour so they can firm up and set.
7. Enjoy.
Serve chilled and keep leftovers refrigerated for the best texture.
Lauren’s Tips 💛
Treat the Recipe as a Template: These date bites are extremely customizable. Swap the nuts, nut butter, seed butter, sweetener, or coating based on what you like and what works for your dietary needs.
Save Money on the Nuts: Macadamia nuts are delicious, but they’re expensive. Almonds are a much more affordable option and work very well here.
Adjust for Medjool Dates: Medjool dates are softer and wetter than Deglet Noor dates. If you use them, you may need fewer dates and possibly a little more of the dry ingredients.
Watch the Texture: Food processors and ingredients vary. If your dough seems too wet, add a little more coconut, nuts, or another dry ingredient. If it seems too dry to hold together, add a very small amount of cashew butter or sweetener.
Sweetened Coconut Is Totally Fine: I use sweetened coconut because I like these a little sweeter. Unsweetened coconut works just as well if you want a less sweet version.
Keep Them Cold: These hold together best and have the nicest texture when refrigerated.
Notes
Most of the ingredients in this recipe can be substituted fairly easily, which makes these date bites especially useful for accommodating different preferences and dietary needs.
Use almonds instead of macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds instead of nuts when appropriate, sunflower butter instead of cashew butter, maple syrup instead of honey, or figs instead of dates.
Because allergies vary so much from person to person, especially with nuts and seeds, always choose substitutions that are safe for your individual needs.
Store the finished date bites in a covered container in the refrigerator for the best texture and freshness.
And if you like this flavor, make sure to check out my other two date bite recipes Lemon White Chocolate Date Bites and Chocolate Peanut Butter and Oats Date Bites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Medjool dates instead of Deglet Noor dates?
Yes. Medjool dates work very well, but they’re larger, softer, and moister. You’ll probably need fewer dates, and you may need a little more of the dry ingredients if the mixture becomes too soft.
Can I make these without dates?
Yes. Dried figs are a good alternative and can provide a similar sticky texture, although the flavor will obviously be different.
Do I have to use macadamia nuts?
Not at all. Almonds are one of the easiest and most affordable substitutions. Other mild nuts can work too.
Can I make these nut-free?
Potentially, yes. Depending on your individual allergies, sunflower seeds can replace the macadamia nuts and sunflower seed butter can replace the cashew butter.
Always use ingredients that are specifically safe for your dietary needs.
Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Yes. Maple syrup is an easy substitute.
Agave can also work, but because it’s thinner, start with slightly less and add more if the mixture needs it.
Should I use sweetened or unsweetened coconut?
Either works.
I personally use sweetened coconut because I like these bites on the sweeter side, but unsweetened coconut is perfect if you want to tone down the sweetness.
What should the mixture look like in the food processor?
It should eventually become sticky and start gathering together into a ball or clump of dough inside the processor.
If it stays crumbly, it may need a little more moisture. If it looks overly wet, add a little more of one of the dry ingredients.
How big should I make the date bites?
I use about 3 tablespoons of mixture per bite, which should give you approximately 15 date bites.
Do I have to roll them in coconut?
No. The coconut coating is completely optional.
You can leave them plain or use another coating that works with your preferences.
How long do they need to chill?
About 1 hour is enough for them to firm up nicely.
How should I store them?
Keep them in a covered container in the refrigerator. They taste great cold and maintain their shape best that way.
Lemon White Chocolate Date Bites
Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oats Date Bites
