As a registered dietitian with less time for shopping than I’d like, Costco checks a lot of boxes. Buying in bulk means I get to make fewer trips to the store and the warehouse’s selection continues to impress not only me, but also my picky seven-year-old daughter and, at times, even pickier husband.
Over time, I’ve been able to curate a list of tried-and-true snacks that Costco offers at better prices than any other big-box store. These groceries are convenient, made with minimal ingredients, and are a hit with everyone in my house (including unexpected guests popping in for a visit). Let’s take a look.
1. Envy Apples, $11.99 for 64 ounces
Envy apples are my go-to snacking apple for a few reasons: they have a satisfying crunch, a sweet-tart bite that goes well with nut butter, and their flesh doesn’t oxidize as quickly as other apples, which means you can cut them up for lunches the night before or put them out on a cheese board without worrying about them getting brown.
2. That’s It Mini Fruit Bars, $13.99 for 24 bars (16.8 ounces)
These fruit bars are made with just two ingredients — apples and either strawberries, mangos, or blueberries, depending on the flavor — and rely on the fruit’s natural sweetness instead of added sugar. I stash them in my purse and my daughter’s school bag for convenient snacking.
3. Sunsweet Whole Dried Plums, $9.89 for 56 ounces
Another naturally sweet snack, these prunes have me covered from lunch until I squeeze in the time to make dinner. They’re a fun addition to granolas and baked goods in place of other dried fruit, and can also lend sweetness to savory dishes, like Ina Garten’s take on the classic Chicken Marbella.
4. Jackson’s Avocado Oil Sea Salt Sweet Potato Chips, $6.59 for 5 ounces
These kettle-cooked sweet potato chips are slightly sweeter than traditional potato chips, plus their bright orange hue makes eating them feel a bit more fun and festive. It’s also another snack made with minimal ingredients: sweet potatoes, avocado oil, and salt.
5. Kirkland Pistachios, $14.99 for 48 ounces
These in-shell pistachios take a little extra effort, but, in our house, that’s part of the fun. Even my seven-year-old daughter enjoys cracking into these nuts, which is something this dietitian mom loves to see. I also like that they’re salty, but not overly salted as some pistachios can be.
6. Kirkland Organic Hummus Convenient Single Serve Cups, $7.99 for 20 (2.5 ounce) cups
At roughly 40 cents per cup, this box of pre-portioned hummus is super convenient and on par with what you’d spend on a single tub of equal size. Pair the single-serve cups with a rotating cast of dunkers — pita chips, carrot sticks, pretzels, etc. — and they’ll be gone before you know it.
7. Bel Gioioso Fresh Mozzarella Snacking Cheese, $10.79 for 24 ounces
These cheesy bites are my version of string cheese. I’ll grab them on the way out the door, or eat them with some fruit and/or whole-grain crackers when I want a more substantial snack.
What Costco snacks are you adding to your cart this fall? Tell us in the comments below.
Source by www.thekitchn.com
