Every grocery store that carries its own brands boasts a few cult favorites, but not many grocery stores have products quite as beloved as what lines Aldi’s shelves. It’s perhaps only second to Trader Joe’s in terms of its reputation for products that customers get excited about. It makes sense—Aldi mostly carries its own brands, so you’ll encounter stuff that’s different (and often cheaper) than what you’ll find in most conventional grocery stores.
If you shop at Aldi on the regular, you’ve undoubtedly heard the hype about some of the products on this list. But how do they actually stack up? As an avid Aldi fan, I’ve scoured Aldi’s aisles for these iconic products with the goal of determining which deserve the hype they get and which you can probably skip. Working from worst to best, these are cult Aldi products, ranked.
10. Specially Selected Violet Sea Salt
Believe me when I tell you that you really, really don’t need purple sea salt. It’s literally just normal salt dyed purple with “grape aroma” added. I genuinely don’t think there’s any dish that could be improved with unnecessarily flavored and colored salt. You’re better off just buying the plain stuff, even if it’s not as pretty as the purple-tinged variety.
9. Baker’s Corner S’mores Jumbo Cookie Kit
This jumbo s’mores cookie kit is a fun activity, but when it actually comes to the flavor, it’s a pass. The graham cracker cookie is kind of dry, and the marshmallows and chocolate together are just too sweet. If you’re looking for something cute to do with a child in your life, give it a try. If you genuinely want the best dessert that Aldi has to offer, though, there are better products you can grab.
8. Specially Selected Premium Blackberry Fruit Spread
Aldi’s blackberry fruit spread isn’t the most amazing jelly-like substance we’ve ever encountered, but it will dress up an otherwise plain piece of buttered toast nicely. It’s made with 75% actual fruit, which isn’t bad, but I wouldn’t go out of my way just to grab some from Aldi specifically—there are similar products available at other stores.
7. Cookies and Cream My Mochi Ice Cream
Is this the best mochi I’ve ever had? Not by a long shot. But if you’d never had mochi before, you’d probably think this stuff was great. I love that it’s available in a cookies and cream flavor, as that’s not a variety I’ve seen everywhere. Overall, it’s a good treat if you’re not a mochi snob, but if you’ve had the good stuff, you may not be satisfied.
6. Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Filets
There are few Aldi products as celebrated as the Kirkwood breaded chicken breast filets, and I had to admit that they’re useful to have on hand, particularly on those nights when you don’t feel like making protein from scratch. I’ve had better frozen chicken before, but Aldi admittedly offers it at a competitive price point.
5. Park Street Deli Lobster Roll Dip
Honestly, I didn’t expect this product to be good. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Lobster rolls are completely overhyped. If you want that flavor, though, you can get it in a much cheaper package with this dip. It’s mostly just lobster, crabstick and mayonnaise, and although it’s a bit bland, it comes together nicely. Importantly, you should eat this dip with super-salty potato chips.
4. Sundae Shoppe Dark Chocolate Coated Bananas
Plain bananas are fine, but chocolate-covered bananas are one of the best inventions known to humankind. All too often, you see milk chocolate bananas, but this dark chocolate-covered version is the perfect mix of sweet and slightly bitter. I think these are technically supposed to be enjoyed as a snack or dessert, but I think they’re even better as a quick breakfast on the go.
3. Specially Selected Belgian Cocoa Dusted Truffles
These Belgian chocolates are delicious on the flavor front, but they’re really all about the texture. They’re incredibly smooth, and the cocoa dusted on them gives them a fancier feel. These are great for gifting as a present, putting out at a party or eating in bed on a particularly chilly evening.
2. Priano Pumpkin and Sage Ravioli
I’m not always a pumpkin person, but this pumpkin ravioli with sage is one of my all-time favorite Aldi products. It’s filling and satisfying, but it’s still somehow light, perfect for weeknight dinners when you’re willing to put in a little bit of effort (but not much). I prefer to eat these with a simple buttery sauce, preferably enhanced with even more sage.
1. Breakfast Best Blueberry Pancakes and Sausage on a Stick
This is the world’s greatest breakfast. Make sure you choose the blueberry, not the plain, version of this product. The blueberry variety has a bit of added sweetness, which plays well with the salty, savory sausage inside. I’m not ashamed to say that I could easily eat one of these every single morning.
Samantha Maxwell is a food writer and editor based in Boston. Follow her on Twitter at @samseating.