Start with cereals. Grab your favorite, like flakes, granola or some other grain. Then choose dried fruit, like cranberries, figs or pineapple - something small yet nutritionally sweet.
Next, get nutty, like almonds, peanuts, pistachios and such, and chop coarsely.
You'll also pick a petite treat like chocolate chips, coconut, seeds and even wheat germ if you're feeling fit.
To bind the ingredients together, use a bit of flour and egg white, vanilla extract and a bit sugar if desired.
They take no time to assemble and bake. The only thing you will miss is the clever packaging because making them at home, your options are endless.
Prevention magazine, which provided an energy bar recipe, says there's 18 bars in a batch at 19 cents apiece and just 77 calories.
You can make them just a little bit bigger, and you'll still going to save on the cost and the calories.