Rinse dates under cool water and pat dry. Slice dates lengthwise to expose the pit. Pull out pits and discard. Chop dates into smaller pieces for quicker drying.

Pro Tip: Save pits to roast as natural coffee substitute! Rinse, dry, roast at 300°F for 10-15 minutes until fragrant.

Oven Method: Spread chopped dates evenly on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 170°F, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 hours until hard and dried.

Dehydrator Method: Arrange dates on dehydrator trays in a single layer. Dehydrate at 135°F for 6-10 hours until hard and dried.

Working in batches, add dates to a dry food processor or blender. Pulse into a fine powder, taking care not to overprocess. Avoid large lumps.

Place date powder in a fine mesh sieve and sift over a large bowl. This ensures a super fine, lump-free powder. Return any chunks that remain in the sieve to the food processor to grind further.

Transfer sifted date powder to a clean, dry glass jar or container with an airtight lid. Stored this way, the powder keeps for 2-3 months at room temperature.