Fruit & Nut Bars

These remind me of KIND bars, which are a new favorite "granola" bar of mine.  I replaced some of the nuts with chia seeds to keep the crunch but add more nutrition.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups puffed brown rice cereal
• 1 cup dried strawberries
• 1 cup dried papaya, diced
• 1 1/2 cups roasted almonds
• 1/2 cup chia seeds
• 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate almond spread (or Nutella)
• Sea salt

Directions:

• Spritz a 9x13 baking pan liberally with non-stick spray.
• In a large bowl, combine cereal, dried fruits, almonds and chocolate chunks.
• In a small saucepan, heat butter, brown sugar, honey and almond spread, whisking until everything is melted and combined.
• Pour sauce over cereal mixture and stir to coat thoroughly.
• Spread into prepared pan, pressing down firmly and evenly.
• Lightly sprinkle with sea salt.
• Chill until firm.
• Cut into bars.

Note:  To roast the almonds, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spread the almonds out in one layer on sheet pan.  Roast for 12 minutes or until lightly browned and fragrant.

Adapted from http://whiteonricecouple.com/recipes/fruit-nut-bars/.