Costco is one of the best places to find yummy snacks to enjoy year-round, and in the summertime, it’s always a good idea to have your pantry fully stocked and ready for seasonal adventures.
However, since buy-in-bulk stores like Costco are so massive, the numerous snack choices can be hard to navigate, and it’s hard to pick out exactly which ones you should pick out. Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of snacks that Costco customers and internet users have deemed “underrated,” from Korean BBQ-flavored beef jerky to crunchy, sweet pecan pralines. With these 11 snacks, you’re guaranteed to feel full and satisfied whenever snack time rolls around. Check them out below.
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1. Roasted Pinenut Hummus
Regular hummus is a great, protein-packed treat, but flavored hummus can be even better. Reddit users have deemed this tasty dip the "best store-bought hummus" they've ever had, and it would go great with tasty dippers like cut bell peppers or pita crackers.
Costco sells the Kirkland Signature Roasted Pinenut Hummus in 34-ounce containers for around $6-7, meaning you get a large amount of the healthy dip, making it the perfect purchase for a busy family who can eat a lot during snack time or for hosting parties and get-togethers. The roasted pinenuts add an elevated flavor to an already familiar snack, making your afternoon treat a little more luxurious.
2. Cashew Clusters
Are you a fan of eating crunchy mixed nuts and seeds but also love enjoying a sweeter treat in the afternoon? Then you should definitely check out the Kirkland Signature Cashew Clusters. Each little cluster contains a bite of cashews, pumpkin seeds, and almonds, giving you some healthy sources of protein and fat.
Unlike more savory nut snacks, these clusters are seasoned with honey and sea salt, giving them a much sweeter flavor. Costco sells massive 2-lb bags of the clusters, meaning there will be plenty to share. At $10.99 a bag, the clusters make a tasty snack for summer activities like beach days, hikes, road trips, and more.
3. Fruit And Vegetable Pouches
If you love being a host and gathering large parties of people of all ages, having these fruit and vegetable pouches on hand would be a good idea, as they're delicious food for both kids and adults. Kirkland Signature Organic Fruit & Vegetable Pouches come in various flavor combinations, from apple, strawberry, and spinach to apple, mango, carrot, and peach.
Why they may look at a food that's marketed towards little kids, many adults enjoy these snacks too and rest easy knowing they're getting a delicious blend of fruits and vegetables with no added sugar. Costco sells boxes containing 24 pouches for $14.99, which you should certainly consider getting if you need something that's on-the-go.
4. UNREAL Dark Chocolate Coconut Minis
Need the sweet sensation of a candy bar mid-day? You should check out the UNREAL Dark Chocolate Coconut Minis, which Costco sells in 15.3-ounce bags for $12.99. These tiny, chocolate, coconutty delights are bite-sized sweets containing only dark chocolate, coconut, and cassava syrup, so they're not filled with nearly as many artificial ingredients as most famous candy bars are.
The small bites of chocolate are individually wrapped so you can take them on the go, pack them in lunchboxes, or sneak them into your purse for a mid-afternoon dessert break. With only three grams of sugar per serving, you can know you're also treating yourself to something better than candies loaded with less-healthy ingredients like high fructose corn syrup.
5. Golden Island Korean BBQ Pork Jerky
The brand Golden Island really took standard jerky snacks to the next level when they created their Korean Barbecue Fire Grilled Pork Jerky. Say goodbye to the usual bags of beef jerky you find at a gas station and try these instead, as they are made with more complex flavors and could be much more enjoyable on your next summer road trip.
Costco sells 14.5-ounce bags of pork jerky for $14.99, but you can also get a 12-pack of individually portioned bags of jerky strips for $21.99 to make your on-the-go snack experience a little easier. Give them a shot and see if your usual beef jerky experience has been elevated.
6. Costco Bakery Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Many people would consider the Costco bakery to be one of the most glorious places on the planet. The large stores churn out numerous baked goods, pastries, and more each day, so you know you'll always find at least one scrumptious treat when you go.
If you're looking for a more snack-sized treat in the bakery section, check out their famous mini chocolate chip cookies. The bite-sized versions of the classic cookie are a fan-favorite, as many online users have deemed them to be one of the best snacks found in-store. The Costco bakery section sells them in plastic tubs containing up to 60 cookies for $8-10, making them a sweet deal and a treat that'll disappear in your home faster than you may think.
7. Peanut Butter Pretzels
Peanut butter pretzels are a famous, bite-size snack that can be enjoyed any time of year. Students often pack them in their lunchboxes, or adults will eat a handful at work for a quick boost. Costco's Kirkland Signature brand is well-known for its massive containers of sweet and salty snacks that can be found in stores.
Their Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets are sold in tubs of 55 ounces for $11.99, equaling around three pounds of the crunchy, satisfying pretzels. Just be careful, as they can make for an incredibly addicting snack, so you may want to pour a portion out of the tub instead of just blindly reaching your hands in. But hey, you do you.
8. Chewy Protein Bars
Costco's Kirkland brand has created a variety of granola and protein bars over the years, and these often go unnoticed. Still, they're tasty and perfect for those who love the chewy granola bars sold by famous oatmeal brands. The Kirkland Signature Chewy Protein Bars are gluten-free and come in delicious flavors like peanut butter & semisweet chocolate chip.
In one $16.99 box of the indulgent protein bars, you get a whopping 42 bars, each containing 10 grams of protein. If you are a parent and want your kids to get a little more protein throughout the day, these are a good find, as they're sweet like candy bars but pack a secret protein punch.
9. Oikos Triple Zero Blended Greek Yogurt
Speaking of protein, you can add a significant amount of it to your breakfast or snack meals by purchasing a variety pack of the Oikos Triple Zero Greek Nonfat Yogurt. Costco sells 18 cups of protein-packed yogurt for only $15.08, which is an excellent deal.
The boxes of yogurt include a variety of flavors, like vanilla, strawberry, and mixed berry. Each serving contains an impressive 15 grams of protein and zero grams of added or artificial sugars. You can pair them with tasty ingredients like fresh fruit, nuts, granola, etc., for a delicious breakfast or filling mid-day snack.
10. Organic Roasted Seaweed Snacks
Eating sheets of dried seaweed has become super popular in America over the years, as it's a much healthier alternative to potato chips, as the sheets have significantly fewer calories and are packed with nutritional benefits like vitamins and antioxidants.
Reddit users noted that the Kirkland Signature Organic Roasted Seaweed Snack pouches are "so addictive" and that the brand sells more sheets in a container than other grocery stores. The packs of organic seaweed snacks contain five servings per pack and are often sold in a 10-count for $12.49. These make for a great snack you can eat in large volumes or as a tasty topping for Asian-themed dinners.
11. Praline Pecans
Last but not least, we have the Kirkland Signature Praline Pecans, a sweet and salty snack that takes an average pecan nut to the next level. Candied nuts are usually highly satisfying to those who love a good crunch, and due to the denser properties of the pecan, they make for a filling sweet treat that will elevate any snack box. Internet users have deemed these an "underrated" Costco item, so you should buy a container before they get too popular.
Costco sells 2.5-pound containers of the indulgent snack for around $16.99, and like other addicting snacks, they may disappear from that tub faster than you'd expect. You can eat these by the handful, put them on top of other great treats like ice cream and yogurt, or bake them into cookies.
