Recipe: Chai Protein Balls

I've made these a couple of times. They're delicious and quite filling. The recipe is based off Chai-Spiced Almond Butter Bites. The recipe yields approximately 15 ~1.25" balls.

I like these as a quick snack before/after a workout. I've had them as part of my breakfast, too.

The recipe is vegan and paleo-friendly, if this matters for you.

1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup almonds
1 cup pit-free dates
1/4 cup nut butter (I've used peanut butter and almond butter. Both are good.)
2 Tbsp hemp seeds
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 Tbsp coconut oil

1. Pulse coconut and almonds in food processor until there are no large chunks.
   
2. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until everything is combined to a dough-like consistency.
   
3. Press dough with hands and then roll balls up about 1.25" in diameter.
   
4. Place in an air-tight container and store in the fridge. The cooled coconut oil will firm them up.