How to make my "energy bites" hold together better (without peanut butter)?

My "energy bites" crumble a bit too easily. Here's my recipe right now, tell me what I need to add/subtract:

(All quantities rather loosely eyeballed)

- 1/2 cup of oats
- 1/3 cup "dessicated shredded coconut"
- a handful of unsalted roasted almonds

The above ingredients are run through my food processor one at a time until finely processed, each one added to a large bowl along with:

- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- a few tablespoons of natural almond butter
- 1 small bar of 85% dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 8-10 medjool dates, depitted and run through the food processor until they lump together into one giant ball

All of this gets mixed together thoroughly with a spoon, folding loose stuff into the center and then formed into balls or cakes or turd shapes or whatever. But it's hard to form them because it falls apart super easy unless I add a lot of honey. With the honey it works better but I want something with less sugar/sweetness.

I tried subbing in tahini, which I'd have loved even more, but that made it even crumblier. I don't want to add peanut butter, because I like peanut butter but I find the flavor overpowering.

What else could I try?

Maybe hydrate the chia to form a gel?
Chia gel is a great binder in food, often as a substitute for eggs.

I add water to the dates just a little and that seems to help.

A couple of ideas:
After the dates are partially processed, add everything else back into the food processor and process it together (which is what I would do for my bar recipe that uses many similar ingredients.

Consider heating the chocolate instead of leaving it as small chunks so it acts as a binder.

Consider doubling the amount of almond butter. (but that might make it too sticky?)

William Bronson wrote: Maybe hydrate the chia to form a gel?
Chia gel is a great binder in food, often as a substitute for eggs.

Say more, please! How does one hydrate chia seeds?

Ned Harr wrote:

William Bronson wrote: Maybe hydrate the chia to form a gel?
Chia gel is a great binder in food, often as a substitute for eggs.

Say more, please! How does one hydrate chia seeds?

I would just add a little liquid and let sit 5 or so minutes. Works with ground flax also, Google chia or flax egg substitute.