Gluten Free Nut Butter Energy Bars

These are a great healthy snack with lots of good protein that will help give you an energy boost!!  They are simple and YUMMY!!!

Ingredients:
3/4 cup      nut butter (almond, peanut or sun)  (I use almond butter)
3/4 cup      agave nectar or honey (I use agave)
1 1/2 cups  raw nuts and/or seeds (I use almonds, walnuts & sunflower seeds)
1 cup          unsulfured dried fruits (I have used apricots, mangos & pineapple)
4 cups        gluten free brown rice crispie cereal
1/8 tsp       sea salt
1 tsp          vanilla extract
1/4 cup      coconut (optional)

Directions:
1.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.
2.  Place nuts and/or seeds & dried fruits in food processor/blender.  Pulse until mixture is just coarsely ground.  (I don't have a food processor so I use a blender)
3.  In a large sauce pan, melt nut butter & liquid sweetener over medium low heat.  Stir and watch to prevent scorching.  When mixture is smooth and bubbling, remove from heat.
4.  Add salt and vanilla, stir.
5.  Use large spatula to stir in nuts, dried fruit and cereal.  Stir until all coated with nut butter mixture.
6.  Scoop onto baking pan & roll until its smooth and even thickness.  (I like to top with plastic wrap before rolling)  Top with wax paper or plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
7.  Cut into bars, store wrapped in wax paper, in a covered container in the refrigerator.