Honey Almond Date Balls

A yummy Middle Eastern recipe from Good Deal with Dave Lieberman! A great healthy snack.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Yields: 25 balls

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 lb  raw  almonds
• 2  pints pitted dates (Medjool is really good)
• 1⁄4 cup honey
•  vegetable oil, for forming balls

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Grind the almonds in a food processor until finely chopped. Move chopped almonds to a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until fragrant and just a shade darker.
3. Coarsely chop dates and add to food processor. Pulse until finely chopped and dates form a ball. Remove from processor to a bowl.
4. Add half of the ground almonds to the dates, leaving the reserved almonds on the baking pan to roll the balls in once formed.
5. Add the honey to the date and almond mixture. Mix together until evenly mixed and smooth.
6. Coat your hands with some vegetable oil so mixture does not stick too much.
7. Form mixture into 1-1/2" balls. Roll each ball in ground almonds to coat well. Place in a sealed container until ready to eat.
8. Any leftover chopped nuts for coating can be sprinkled over the balls to keep them from sticking together when moving.
9. Will keep for up to 5 days at room temperature or up to a week in refrigerator.