I can't find it now, but I read a blog awhile ago from a nutritionist/cyclist who suggested fig newtons, she claimed they have a lot of what people look for in energy bars, without the cost.
Anyway, they work well for me. Of course one reason I like them is I don't like them , so I only eat them on the bike and only 1-2 every 30 minutes or so. Things I like (like Luna bars) have a tendancy to be eaten too much.