Good suggestion about apricots. I hadn't considered them.
I carry one gel packet in my seat bag for "emergencies." Most of the time, I simply eat a granola bar and/or a banana. I haven't used energy bars in years. Not only are they much more expensive than other options, but are more calories than I need on most rides. Bottles of gel seem like a great way to over-consume. I have ridden with guys who sip from their gel bottles like it was water and must be consuming more calories than they are burning. That's fine if you are trying to gain weight, but that usually isn't the case.