Aldi is home to plenty of reasonably-priced gems—and a whole lot of brand-name product dupes. While you’ve probably eaten your way through a few packs of Benton’s Sandwich Creme Cookies (which, in certain flavor combos, can be even better than Oreos, in my opinion) or Rao’s-inspired pasta sauces from in-house brands like Reggano and Priano, odds are you might be missing out on some total gems in the freezer section.
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The next time you visit your local Aldi, don’t skip the frozen food aisle. These superb picks are waiting for you and they taste just like brand-name picks but offer far more value.
Breakfast Best Buttermilk & Vanilla Protein Waffles
If you’re a fan of Kodiak’s protein-packed frozen waffles, good news: This is the best dupe I’ve found and it’s one that’ll save you a solid amount of money. These Aldi frozen waffles have the same buttermilk and vanilla flavor as Kodiak’s and there’s 12 grams of protein in every serving. I switched to this high-protein breakfast when Kodiak’s waffles became hard to find earlier this year and I haven’t regretted it once.
Season’s Choice Hash Brown Patties
Aldi shoppers—myself included—love this 20-pack of frozen hash browns. And if you’re thinking they look pretty similar to McDonald’s own hash browns, you’re not wrong. In fact, they’re comparable in crispiness and flavor to the popular fast food ones. Pop these into the microwave, toaster oven, or air fryer for a morning side you’ll love. My favorite way to eat them is with an egg and a few slices of avocado for crunch, plus plenty of savory flavor.
Breakfast Best Pre-Cooked Maple Sausage Patties
If you love a Sausage Egg McMuffin, you’ve got to add a pack of Aldi’s Breakfast Best Maple Sausage Patties to your shopping list so you can recreate McDonald’s breakfast sandwich right at home. These patties, which feature a touch of maple syrup flavoring, are super quick to heat up and are a fantastic dupe for McDonald’s own patties. Plus, you can use them in plenty of other ways as a protein-rich addition to your morning meals.
Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Fillets
Chick-fil-A fans, you’ve got to get your hands on these “Red Bag” chicken fillets. They’re the perfect swap for fast food meals and the seasoning and breading on these chicken patty alternatives taste just like Chick-fil-A’s sandwich. You can turn them into a DIY chicken sandwich, eat the fillets on their own, or cut them up and use them in other breakfast, lunch, or dinner recipes—trust me, they’ll come in handy if you always have a bag in your freezer.
Lunch Buddies Crustless Peanut Butter & Grape Jelly Sandwiches
If you’ve got kids at home or you happen to personally love a good ol’ PB&J, these are the Aldi dupe for Uncrustables. While the brand-name crustless freezer sandwiches can be pretty price, Aldi’s Lunch Buddies version is notably cheaper and tastes just as good. Oh, and they’re bigger, too, which delivers even more value for your money. My only complaint? I wish there were more jelly flavor options.
Simply Nature Berry Açaí Bowl Frozen Fruit Blend
Açaí bowls aren’t cheap when you opt to purchase pre-made frozen ones versus whipping up your own at home, but they’re far cheaper at Aldi. In fact, the Simply Nature Berry Açaí Bowls are less than $3 right now (and under $4 when not on sale). They’re pint-sized and plenty filling, and they make for one quick, delicious breakfast or snack without having to buy separate ingredients and pull out your blender.
Specially Selected Premium Ice Cream
Aldi’s premium ice cream may not get the same rave reviews as Costco’s vanilla ice cream, but it’s a worthy swap for more expensive options. Sold in pints and sizes all the way up to 48 ounces, the store’s Specially Selected brand—specifically, the Premium ice cream options—are excellent. Seasonal flavors can taste as good as higher-priced ones from brands like Häagen-Dazs or Ben & Jerry’s, with the right creaminess, richness, and indulgent ingredients.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!