Breakfast Idea # 6: Homemade Granola Bars

If you're a fan of wrapped cereal bars for their convenience but not their nutrition, try whipping up a batch of homemade granola bars. Just as with muffins, making granola bars at home means you control what goes in them.

There are tons of granola bar recipes out there -- crunchy ones, chewy ones, fruity ones, nutty ones, and even chocolaty ones. Many of them don't require baking -- just measure out ingredients, stir well, press into a pan, and chill.

Once the granola bars are ready, cut them into slices, put them in plastic bags or food storage containers, and stash in the fridge or freezer. Then pull a few out on your way out the door.

Unlike some other breakfast options, most granola bars keep just fine at room temperature -- though if you'll be keeping them for days or weeks, they'll taste better if they stay cool -- so they're good to have in your bag or car for snacks as well as breakfasts.

Tip: Granola bars make great gifts -- especially if you get creative with wrapping them.