Aldi Fans Share their 17 Must-Buy Items That Make Them Come Back Again and Again

An interesting discussion on social media caught my eye recently. Someone posted this question in an Aldi fans group:

This is my first time going to Aldi. What are the "must-buy" items?

Aldi fans did not disappoint. They shared their favorites in hundreds of responses. And as a fellow fan, I just had to make sure I'm not missing out on anything, so I curated a list of the names that came up the most on the list. I'm sharing that list with you today.

After all, those unique items, often available only at Aldi's, make shopping at this store so special. It's all about tracking the items that combine quality with affordable prices. And boy, some finds are worth coming back for again and again.

So, here are the most popular items on the list. The last one got the most mentions. Oh, and I also included the #1 tip people shared with the newbie. Let's start the list rolling.

Fresh Pork Egg Rolls

Everyone loves the Park Street Deli Pork Egg Rolls. These refrigerated, ready-to-heat options are filled with pork, freshly cut cabbage, carrot, and onion wrapped in a crispy wrapper.

If you prefer to avoid pork, there's also a chicken egg roll version, which is just as delicious. My kids love those. They're huge and priced at under a buck per egg roll, which beats a takeaway from the restaurant any day of the week.

Mama Cozzi's Take & Bake Pizza

Next to the eggrolls, look for Aldi's refrigerated take-and-bake pizzas, available in traditional and cauliflower crust options, which offer restaurant-quality taste at a fraction of the price. My family prefers the low-carb cauliflower crust version. The crust is softer, but hey, no carbs. Available with various toppings, including pepperoni, supreme, and cheese, these pizzas range from $6.79 to $7.99, depending on size and toppings.

Fresh Produce

So many Aldi fans mentioned it's their go-to store for fresh produce, I'm including that one as an item. Aldi's produce section offers a variety of fruits and vegetables at significantly lower prices than most competitors, making it a favorite for budget-conscious shoppers.

While selection may be more limited than larger supermarkets, the value is unbeatable for staples like bananas (priced around $0.44/lb), baby carrots, mushrooms, and seasonal fruits. For best results, shoppers recommend checking for freshness in-store and using items within a few days of purchase.

Autumn Crisp Grapes

Of all the fruit and veggies, fans kept mentioning the Autumn Crisp grapes. And they get my vote, too. You need to try them to get this, but they really have an exceptionally crisp texture, sweet flavor with subtle muscat undertones, and impressive size, noticeably larger than typical grapes.

Available primarily between January and April (following their November-December growing season), these grapes have developed a cult following among Aldi shoppers for their unique crunch and juiciness.

Specially Selected Brioche Loaf

This rich, buttery bread is imported from France and comes in plain and chocolate chip varieties, pre-sliced for convenience. Priced at around $4.59 for a 17.6-ounce loaf (approximately 15 slices), it makes an exceptional base for French toast, bread pudding, or you can just enjoy it with jam.

The bread's light, airy texture and subtly sweet flavor have made it a staple for many Aldi shoppers who praise its quality and versatility at a competitive price point compared to other gourmet brioche options.

Bake Shop Triple Chocolate Crème Cake

Our next fan favorite is the decadent 20-ounce chocolate bundt cake. This Aldi staple features three chocolate elements: moist chocolate cake, a rich chocolate glaze, and a generous sprinkling of chocolate chips on top.

Priced at approximately $3.49-$4.99, this dessert offers bakery-quality taste at a fraction of specialty shop prices. Fans rave about the cake's dense, moist texture and intense chocolate flavor, making it an ideal option for celebrations or everyday indulgence for chocolate lovers.

Bake Shop Cinnamon Rolls

If you love cinnamon rolls, you have to try the Bake Shop option. These ready-to-eat frosted cinnamon rolls come eight to a package and are priced at around $3.49-$3.95. They offer a convenient alternative to refrigerated tube rolls and homemade versions.

With their soft, pillowy texture, generous cinnamon filling, and thick white icing, these rolls remain fresh for several days after purchase. Many Aldi shoppers consider these superior to refrigerated cinnamon rolls but note they're best when warmed briefly in the microwave before serving.

Specially Selected Sourdough Round

Aldi fans love this 24-ounce round loaf, which features a simplified ingredient list of just flour, water, and salt with no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. Priced around $3.29, it offers a subtle tanginess that's milder than traditional sourdough bread, making it accessible to a broader range of palates.

I should mention that opinions on this product vary. Some customers praise its dense, chewy texture, while others find that the pre-sliced format affects freshness. Personally, I think it's really good.

Benton's Girl Scout Cookie Dupes

These budget-friendly cookie options have earned a devoted following for their remarkable similarity to popular Girl Scout varieties, but at a fraction of the price.

Available year-round (with some seasonal exceptions), the lineup includes Peanut Butter-Filled Cookies (similar to Tagalongs), Caramel Coconut Fudge Cookies (similar to Samoas), and seasonal Mint-Striped Fudge Cookies (similar to Thin Mints).

Priced between $1.79 and $2.29 per package, multiple Aldi fans mentioned these as a must-have. To quote one of them, "GS cookie dupes. Taste just as good at a fraction of the price!"

Lemon and Key Lime Benton's Cookie Thins

People love these delicate, crisp cookies, specifically the Lemon and Key Lime flavors. They are packaged in 4-ounce bags and priced around $2.39. They offer a lighter alternative to traditional cookies, marketed as "Wholesome & Crunchy" with no corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavors, or preservatives.

Clancy's Tortilla Chips

This is Aldi's house brand of tortilla chips. It comes in several popular varieties, including the round Bite Size chips (in 13-oz orange bags) and the scoop-shaped Big Dipper chips (in 10-oz blue bags), priced around $1.79-$2.09.

Made with simple ingredients like white corn, vegetable oil, and salt, these chips are gluten-free and contain no artificial flavors. And let's face it, a large bag at that price is a bargain. We always keep a few in the house, because they're great "as is" or with dips, which brings us to the next aisle - the fridge section.

Aldi Dips (Specifically the Jalapeño Artichoke Dip)

Aldi has a great selection of exclusive dips. Well, if you ask me, it's worth going to the store just for these. Many Aldi fans recommended the Jalapeno Artichoke dip. This creamy 10-ounce refrigerated dip combines chunks of artichoke with Monterey Jack cheese, onions, garlic, and jalapeños for a mild kick that doesn't overwhelm.

Priced at $3.19, it's a Regular Buy available year-round that works equally well served cold or gently heated for a more melty consistency.

Emporium Selection Goat Cheese – Hot Honey

Right next to the dips, you'll find Aldi's amazing cheese selection. Fans kept recommending a few of them, including the Hot Honey goat cheese. Creamy, tangy goat cheese meets the perfect touch of sweet heat in this 6-ounce hot honey log, priced at $3.59. Fans love it for adding flair to cheese boards, melting on flatbreads, or spreading on crackers for a quick snack.

Emporium Selection Bread Cheese

Bread cheese has a cult following for a reason. I've seen discussions in the groups about this. Sold in 6-ounce packages for $3.99, this squeaky, grillable cheese comes in flavors like Original, Garlic, and Bacon.

You heat it, but it doesn't melt. If you've ever tried, it tastes a bit like Haloumi cheese. It's perfect for your next BBQ, on a skewer with veggies and meat. Fans rave about pan-frying it until golden and dipping it in jam or honey. It’s one of those Aldi finds you try once, then stock up on like a doomsday prepper. Or maybe that's just me?

Emporium Selection Cranberry White Cheddar Cheese

We're still in the cheese section, where sweet meets savory in this 8-ounce wheel of white cheddar blended with tart cranberries. Priced at $3.19, it's a holiday board favorite, but plenty of fans buy it year-round because it's just that good.

Pairs beautifully with crackers, apple slices, or honestly, eaten straight from the fridge when no one’s watching.

Southern Grove Almonds

Several people mentioned the almost, but I will say that Aldi fans are divided on these. Some praise the Southern Grove almonds for their affordability and variety (oven-roasted, sea salt, and unsalted options make them a go-to snack). Others, however, have noted issues with taste and freshness.

One Reddit user described them as tasting like "tree bark," while another mentioned that the almonds in the mixed nuts are better than the standalone bags.

I may be a simple taster, but I like them. If you're picky about your almonds, you might want to try a small bag first. If you're just looking for a budget-friendly snack, they could be worth a shot.

Fresh Atlantic Salmon

Aldi’s fresh, never-frozen Atlantic salmon is a fan favorite for good reason. Priced around $9.19 per pound, it’s available in vacuum-sealed portions or full sides, offering quality and convenience without the premium price tag.

Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets

Remember the thread where someone shared she was about to visit an Aldi for the first time and asked for recommendations? Here's the product that got the most mentions.

These Kirkwood Breaded Chicken Breast Fillets are a cult classic among Aldi fans, often compared to Chick-fil-A’s sandwiches. At $7.99 for a 24-ounce bag, you're getting fully cooked, juicy breaded fillets that are perfect for air frying, oven baking, or sandwich-stacking.

There was one tip that kept coming up

If you're an Aldi regular, you probably know what's coming.

The one thing people new to Aldi struggle with on a first visit? Needing a quarter to get a cart.

I'm honestly not sure why Aldi has that quirk in this day and age, when many people don't carry cash, let alone coins. But the fact is, they do. You need to place a quarter in the cart to get it. And you can get your quarter back when you return the cart to its rightful place.

It took me three visits to remember to bring that quarter. Fortunately, there was always someone in the store who could lend me a quarter. And yes, they always said to keep it.

One thing I've seen happen in Aldi's parking lot is people handing over their cart to someone who just parked. I try to do the same if I see someone coming in.

What's Your Aldi Must-Buy?

Let's keep the list going! I would love to know what your favorite Aldi products are! Leave me a comment to let me know!