“In Italy, this is how the Nonnas do it,” De Laurentiis said in a recent Instagram video. “They wet their hands and then they roll the meatballs, so the meatballs don’t stick to your fingers. You can roll them easily, and they don’t stick. Tip of the day!”

Other people in the comments who had their Nonnas teach them tricks of the trade shared their own meatball-making hacks. “Nana always told me that a ‘little’ olive oil on the hands helps!” one person wrote. Another added, “Ice cubes! I keep [an] ice cube in a bowl beside my pan and get my hands cold before I roll so the fat content doesn’t melt and get sticky and make rolling difficult.”

Someone else suggested “marinating” your hands before making meatballs. “Marsala-coated hands make delicious meatballs,” they wrote.

And other commenters said that this trick works with all kinds of different recipes. “Same with bread dough,” one wrote with another adding, “I do the same when I shape my biscotti!”

If you need a new meatball recipe to try out this trick, check out De Laurentiis’ Classic Italian Turkey Meatball recipe. It’s a perfect recipe for beginners, and the meatballs come out moist and packed with flavor every time. Use them to make spaghetti and meatballs or serve them alone as appetizers at your next get-together. Just remember to keep your hands wet, and making them will be a total breeze!

Before you go, check out our gallery:

Let’s just say, when something is Valerie Bertinelli-approved, we’re ready to buy multiple.

Back in June 2020, the Hot in Cleveland alum shared a video with Shop Today that shows her go-to gadgets in the kitchen. They shared the video with the caption, “Valerie Bertinelli shares 5 gadgets everyone should have in their kitchen Have you become a quarantine cook? Check out Valerie Bertinelli’s top five kitchen essentials.”

While we know she adores some of Rachael Ray’s kitchen tools and select Le Creuset pots; but our interests were piqued when she showed a tool she says she uses “every day.” Now, you may think this tool comes with a hefty price tag, but you’d be wrong because it’s less than $20 on Amazon right now.

The Microplane Premium Classic Series Zester Grater is a versatile and essential kitchen tool to have handy. As Bertinelli said in the video, she uses this to zest anything she can to add flavor to her dishes. You can use this tool to add flavor to anything you think needs it, from vinaigrettes, salads, pasta, and baked goods, to name a few. Speaking of versatility, this razor-sharp tool can cut through anything, from ground spices to hard fruits (and if you’re a bit weary, don’t forget to invest in some cut-resistant gloves!)

Per the brand, all you have to do to use this dishwasher-safe tool is hold onto the gripped handle and go back and forth on whatever you’re scraping for that zest!

Now, Bertinelli isn’t the only one who adores this tool. With over 41,000 reviews, this has become a staple in many shoppers’ households. One shopper also said they’ve used this every day, saying, “Love my microplane. Use it every day. I have tried many other brands. None compare to micro plane. I have a microplane cheese grater that I have had for several years and it is still very sharp and grates like it’s brand new.”

Another shopper added, “I don’t know how I lived before, without it. I use it almost every day. Very nice product.”

“Before you go, check out our gallery below:

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When it comes to cooking, no chef is more relatable and down-to-earth than the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten. Not only does she boast hundreds upon hundreds of approachable recipes, but she has also never been shy about admitting to using store-bought ingredients. (Her catchphrase is “store-bought is fine,” after all.) And among those ingredients are condiments, ranging from the more high-end, gourmet condiments to everyone’s favorite everyday condiment brands, like Heinz.

“I generally don’t use unusual ingredients that you’ll only use once,” Garten tells Bon Appetit. “There’s no point in having a recipe you can make in 30 minutes if you takes you two hours to shop for it.”

Amen.

Garten makes shopping — and cooking — like her easier than ever, too. On her Barefoot Contessa website, she lists more than two dozen of her go-to ingredients. And within that list includes all the condiments she loves to cook with, which we’ve rounded up, ahead.

]]> https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/slideshow/2528634/ina-garten-condiments/feed/ 0 2528634 https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1079046/best-online-cooking-classes/ Wed, 30 Apr 2025 16:33:31 +0000 https://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1079046/best-online-cooking-classes/ If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.

You don’t need to leave your home to learn how to cook — the best online cooking classes can teach you everything you need to know while you stand in your own kitchen. Whether you don’t know how to chop vegetables or you’re trying to become the next contestant on Netflix’s Sugar Rush, you can learn both basic and advanced skills online. Even peeling garlic can be intimidating, but these online cooking classes break it down for you in the safety of your own kitchen. If you mess up, no one will know. That’s the best part about online learning vs. going in-person to a class.

Best Online Cooking Classes in 2025, At a Glance

These online cooking classes use videos or step-by-step written instructions and photos to help you master recipes and techniques. We found 20 different options for the best online cooking classes that offer comprehensive cooking lessons, from learning how to poach eggs to creating an awe-inspiring cake that even the Cake Boss would be envious of. Speaking of professional and celebrity chefs, you can even be taught by a Michelin-starred master, like Gordon Ramsay, your Food Network faves, or a professional from Top Chef. If you’ve got food allergies or prefer to cook as healthily as possible, don’t fret. We have plenty of classes that accommodate gluten allergies, people who prefer to bake without sugar, and even plant-based options.

The cooking classes are all priced differently. Some have low monthly fees, while others have you pay per class. A couple of classes are intensive, meaning you focus on one skill, like learning how to bake bread in four weeks. Some of the classes on this list don’t cost a thing, either. Get ready to pull out your apron, organize your cookware and baking supplies and get ready for a crash course in cooking, or to give a gift that will keep your loved ones’ bellies full and happy for a long time to come once they master the skills learned in their online cooking lesson. 

Best Online Cooking Classes for Southern Cuisine: Mashama Bailey’s MasterClass

Mashama Bailey's MasterClass

$10/month

Buy Now

The owner and genius behind the award-winning Savannah restaurant, The Grey, Chef Mashama Bailey, offers an easy-to-follow course for anyone looking to learn more about the layered traditions of African American Southern cooking. Bailey’s course includes 10 instructional videos and a total course time of over three hours.

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Best Online Cooking Classes for Japanese Cuisine: Niki Nakayama’s MasterClass

Niki Nakayama Masterclass

$10 per month

Buy Now

Niki Nakayama, the owner of the two-Michelin-starred, Los Angeles-based n/naka restaurant teaches you how to make fresh ingredients the star of the show while sharing her her innovative takes on Japanese home cooking techniques in this MasterClass.

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Best Online Cooking Classes for Plant-Based Cooking: International Open Academy

Plant-Based Cooking Class

$32.99 $120 73% off

Buy Now

Finding cooking classes based on your dietary needs has never been easier thanks to International Open Academy’s unique online cooking courses. The plant-based class takes you through 13 delicious recipes that are just as easy to make as they are tasty. From vegan banana bread to dairy-free pasta carbonara (yes, really!), you’ve never tasted plant-based recipes as mouthwatering as these. You can even get certified if you get at least a 55% on the exam at the end, so you’ll truly feel like a pro.

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Best Online Cooking Classes for Novice Chefs: Gordon Ramsay’s Masterclass

Gordon Ramsay Cooking Class

$10/Month

Buy Now

Chef and Hell’s Kitchen star Gordon Ramsay takes you into his kitchen and guides you through 20 exclusive video lessons. He starts with basics like knife skills and then teaches you how to make intricate dishes like beef wellington. He’s much different in these videos than he is on his show, don’t worry.

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Best Online Cooking Classes for Creative Cooks: Wolfgang Puck’s Masterclass

Wolfgang Puck Cooking Class

$10/Month

Buy Now

If Gordon Ramsay isn’t your style, maybe you would prefer to learn from the chef to the stars, Wolfgang Puck. Learn how to make tuna sashimi, roasted branzino and even cocktails. The course features 16 classes and Puck offers simple, practical step-by-step instructions you can recreate at home.

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Best Online Cooking Classes for Curious Cooks: Udemy classes

Udemy Essential Cooking Skills

$20/Month

Buy Now

Udemy offers 65,000 online courses, including plenty of food-related and culinary courses. For instance, you can learn the essentials, take a healthy living with “no oil” recipes course or learn how to make Thai specialities.

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Best Online Cooking Classes for Trendy Chefs: Goldbelly Live!

Goldbelly Live! Cook-Alongs

$149+

Buy Now

Goldbelly delivers gourmet meals and treats from around the country to your doorstep, but the site also offers online cooking and baking classes from top-notch chefs. The current class offered is a Mole Rojo cooking class with Chef Rick Bayless from Frontera Grill, and some previous examples include a hot chicken dip class with Hattie B’s Kitchen, Detroit-style pizza class with Emmy Squared, and a macaron event with Ladureé.

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Best Online Cooking Classes for Wannabe Top Chefs: Top Chef University

This interactive course is created by professional chefs and taught by 11 former Top Chef contestants. The app gives you access to 28 hand-picked lesson videos with more than three hours of instruction. Make the best cobb salad of your life and master your knife skills from some of the most talented chefs.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Bakers: Gluten-Free Baking Academy

This bake-it-at-home course offers 18 video lessons and six start-to-finish baking videos organized into four weekly modules. This course allows you to work at your own pace, and you’ll learn how to master making gluten-free bread. You’ll get the tools, recipes and know-how to bake right in your own kitchen.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Aspiring Cake Bosses: CakeFlix

If you’re as obsessed with Cake Boss and The Holiday Baking Championship as we are, then you need to sign yourself up for CakeFlix. Their cake-making and decorating tutorials are delivered right to your inbox and there are over 800 online courses you can sign up for.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Detail-Oriented Learners: America’s Test Kitchen

America’s Test Kitchen classes are a lot like Good Eats without the silliness (unfortunately), but they’re very detailed and teach you the perfect way to make anything as tested (sometimes several hundred times) by the America’s Test Kitchen chefs. There are a whopping 320 courses to take, ranging from dumplings and potstickers to advanced cookie baking.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Crafty Cooks: Craftsy Cake Decorating and Food and Cooking Classes

Craftsy is an online learning site where students can buy classes in a variety of fun disciplines, including cake decorating, croissant baking, and other cooking classes. There are even classes that focus on specific appliances, like slow cookers and air fryers, so you can learn how to get your money’s worth out of them.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Hands-On Learners: Rouxbe Cooking School

Rouxbe provides courses in which students get lessons and practice recipes, exercises and more to help them learn to cook.  There are a total of 75 lessons and 12 courses. If you need help with something, you can ask professional chefs questions. Plus, when you’re all finished, you get a certification congratulating you for completing the course.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Marathoners: Foodist Kitchen

Motivated by challenges? Then learn to cook in a month-long cooking boot camp. This is literally a class for beginners, starting with classes in developing the habit of cooking, keeping the kitchen stocked and grocery shopping. This is taught by Foodist author Darya Rose who used to be intimidated by cooking.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Cooks with Food Allergies: Healthy Baking Bootcamp (gluten-, soy-, dairy- and sugar-free)

If you have a food allergy but don’t want to live life without your baked favorites, check out this healthy online cooking class. You’ll learn how to recreate your favorite holiday treats from your childhood. The course will even give you a shopping list, so you can prepare.

Best Free Online Cooking Classes

Best Online Cooking Classes for Learning Basics: The Kitchn’s Cooking School

If your repertoire is just pasta and frozen meals, then this bootcamp is for you. The Kitchn’s Cooking School is a 20-day, 20-lesson program where students tackle an essential cooking topic each day. Learn all the ways to prepare an egg and how to braise something. You’ll even have homework.

Free to join at The Kitchn.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Mastering Cooking Skills: Food Techniques

BBC has a nice selection of cooking videos for people with a variety of skill levels. Don’t know how to cut an onion? What about baking a potato? There’s are classes for that. But there are also classes on advanced techniques, like gutting a fish and making pasta dough.

Free at BBC.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Practical Recipes: Cooking with The New York Times

One of America’s most popular newspapers, The New York Times, has an online cooking school with video lessons. You can hop on the sourdough craze, make some mouth-watering ice cream or even learn how to make baby food for your little one. There are so many different techniques and recipes to try.

Free at The New York Times.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Student Chefs: Dinner Tonight

If you’re a college student (or you eat like one), this is the course for you. Texas A&M has a variety of classes to teach students to make quick and healthy dinners. It also features some fun Texas recipes, so get ready to ingest a little bit of spice.

Free at Texas A&M.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Science Fans: Kitchen Chemistry

Most people associate MIT with building those intense robots that rip each other apart in a ring, but MIT also posts online versions of real classes, including one called Kitchen Chemistry. This course argues that cooking is one of the oldest forms of chemistry out there, so put on your science goggles and learn the science that goes into sautéing and baking.

Free at MIT.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Classic Cooking: Delia Online Cookery School

If you want to learn the art of European or American cooking, this Delia Online features a host of cooking technique articles of varying levels of difficulty. The sections are separated by eggs, chicken and other birds, sauces and more. Each lesson has step-by-step instructions with photos.

Free at Delia Online.

Best Online Cooking Classes for Beginners: Better Homes and Gardens How to Cook

Learn the basics in the cooking classes at Better Homes and Gardens. This guide breaks everything down, from freezing fresh beans from your garden to figuring our herb substitutes. It has an answer to nearly all of your questions and solutions to most of your problems. 

Free at Better Homes and Gardens.

A version of this article was originally published in May 2015.

Before you go, check out these Ina Garten-Approved holiday gift ideas:

There are regular grocery stores, and then there’s Trader Joe’s. Sure, you can find the things you need at your local grocery store, but when you step into a Trader Joe’s, it’s like stepping into foodie heaven. Trader Joe’s takes grocery shopping to an entirely different level and the food retailer has gained somewhat of a cult following for good reason. They have the best selection of ready-to-eat meals, appetizers, and snacks, as well as mouth-watering ingredients that you can’t find anywhere else.

While just about every item at Trader Joe’s is guaranteed to be delicious, there are a select few that people have fallen so deeply in love with that they have become pantry staples and must-have products. From Everything But the Bagel Seasoning to a variety of sauces, here are the Trader Joe’s products that have garnered a cult following for a good reason — they’re absolutely delicious.

A version of this article was originally published in 2020.

When you become a parent, the days of late-night DoorDash and quick dinners become a thing of the past. Now, dinner often feels more like you’re competing in the culinary Olympics while trying to negotiate with tiny food critics. Between after-school activities, homework battles, and the universal “I’m starving!” declarations that somehow always coincide with your most exhausted moments, having a dinner strategy is essential. That’s where Costco comes to the rescue.

This warehouse wonderland isn’t just for bulk paper products and those tempting free samples— it’s actually a treasure trove of kid-friendly dinner shortcuts that won’t make you feel guilty for taking the easy route. Ahead, I’ve picked out 13 Costco finds that are sure to save evenings and your sanity. These items strike that magic balance between “foods my kids will actually eat without a 20-minute negotiation” and “meals I can feel reasonably good about serving to my family.” So grab your oversized cart and that magical membership card—we’re about to transform your weeknight dinner chaos into something you might even look forward to.

Food Network star Giada De Laurentiis is the “modern Italian meets California” cuisine queen. “I try to lighten recipes and make them more accessible to people. I wouldn’t say that I make Italian food that your grandma would make, but more of a younger, more modern version,” she told us in 2012. So, it’s no wonder the author of more than 10 cookbooks relies on a set of ingredients that mirror just that: a healthy mix of traditional Italian ingredients and popular pantry items.

De Laurentiis is so particular about the ingredients she uses, in fact, that she dedicated the entire first chapter of her 2018 cookbook Giada’s Italy to it, writing, “Italians consider grocery shopping an integral part of the cooking process and buy perishables like fish, meat, cheese, and produce nearly every day, relying on a limited but essential store of pantry good to round out their meals.”

But De Laurentiis gets that this isn’t an option for everyone, which is why she shared her go-to list of essential ingredients — those she always keeps in stock in her own pantry. “They offer so much big, authentic flavor that you really can’t duplicate any other way,” she wrote.

From Calabrian chile paste to anchovies, here are some ingredients we found on Amazon that De Laurentiis uses to make Italian food.

A version of this story was originally published September 2020. 

If you’ve ever watched any of Ina Garten’s cooking shows or read her cookbooks, you know she places an emphasis on using “good” ingredients. But where are we supposed to get “good” vanilla or Garten’s favorite chocolate, especially if we’re living in a small town with a sub-par grocery store?

Well, luckily it turns out that many of Garten’s favorite ingredients are available on Amazon. Load your cart with everything from world-class sea salt to dried Italian pasta for your pantry, and see how your cooking suddenly improves. These Amazon ingredient recommendations come straight from Ina herself so you know you’re buying the good stuff!

Valrhona Cocoa Powder

$24.99

Buy Now On Amazon

If you’re craving the deepest chocolate flavor in your favorite baked goods, then take a page from Garten’s book, and swap out the grocery store cocoa powder for this gourmet option from Valrhona. Reviewers on Amazon rave about this cocoa powder, saying “I won’t buy anything else,” that it’s “beyond anything I expected,” and, of course, “Life is too short to buy cheap chocolate.” We have a feeling Ina would agree!

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Olio Santo California Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$24.00

Buy Now On Amazon

There are so many olive oil options these days that it can be hard to choose which one to purchase. Thus we look to The Barefoot Contessa, who recommends Olio Santo California extra virgin olive oil.

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Rao's Homemade Marinara Sauce

$8.49

Buy Now On Amazon

What if you don’t have time to make marinara from scratch? Believe it or not, there is an Ina-approved brand of jarred pasta sauce: Rao’s.

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Tate's Bake Shop Chocolate Chip Cookies, 4 Pack

$19.92

Buy Now On Amazon

What does Garten reach for when she —gasp! — doesn’t have the time to bake fresh chocolate chip cookies? She grabs a bag of crispy cookies from Tate’s Bake Shop.

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Maille Old-Style Mustard

$3.99 $8.09 51% off

Buy Now On Amazon

What makes the Barefoot Contessa’s vinaigrettes, marinades, and sandwiches so flavorful? A lot of love, and a little bit of whole grain Maille mustard.

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Lindt Swiss Bittersweet Chocolate Bar, 10.6-Ounces Packages (Pack of 4)

$17.99

Buy Now On Amazon

If you’re using chocolate in your baking, you’re going to want to grab a bar of the good stuff. In Garten’s opinion, that means Lindt bittersweet chocolate.

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RiceSelect Texmati White Rice

$6.49

Buy Now On Amazon

Garten swears by this fluffy, Texas-grown long-grain basmati rice.

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Nestle Toll House Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips

$3.99

Buy Now On Amazon

Sometimes the classics are the “good” ingredients, including these Garten-endorsed Nestle Toll House chocolate morsels.

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Le Saunier De Camargue Fleur De Sel

$11.99

Buy Now On Amazon

Many chefs recommend finishing your dishes with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to give them a final bit of seasoning along with a subtle crunch. Garten loves this French fleur de sel.

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De Cecco Pasta

$2.50

Buy Now On Amazon

De Cecco pasta is a dried semolina pasta made in Italy, bronze die-cut and slowly dried for the perfect texture. You can usually find it in the grocery store, but if not, there’s always Amazon.

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Cento San Marzano Organic Peeled Tomatoes

$25.88

Buy Now On Amazon

Many chefs prize whole peeled San Marzano tomatoes for their just-picked flavor. You can grab a six-pack of Cento San Marzano Organic Peeled Tomatoes for all of your cooking needs here.

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Hellmann's Real Mayonnaise Squeeze Bottle 3 Count

$10.11

Buy Now On Amazon

Known as Best Foods brand in the west, Hellman’s Real Mayonnaise is often praised by cooks for its rich flavor and creamy texture. Put down the store-brand mayo and reach for a jar of Ina-approved Hellmann’s.

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Libby's 100% Pure Canned Pumpkin

$2.19

Buy Now On Amazon

For pies, quick breads, and other autumn baking, Libby’s pumpkin offers a superior product. Unlike other brands of canned pumpkin, it’s sweet, flavorful, and not grainy. No baker’s pantry is complete without a can of Libby’s pumpkin.

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Grey Poupon Dijon Mustard

$9.58

Buy Now On Amazon

Pungent Dijon mustard made with white wine? It’s got to be Grey Poupon.

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Swans Down Cake Flour

$4.29

Buy Now On Amazon

Ultra-fine textured flour made from soft winter wheat makes for the lightest, fluffiest cakes. The best known brand in the US? Swans Down Cake Flour.

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Heckers Unbleached All Purpose Flour

$14.47

Buy Now On Amazon

Garten swears by Heckers all purpose, unbleached flour.

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Cup4Cup Gluten Free Flour 2 Pack

$16.56

Buy Now On Amazon

If you’re gluten-free and looking for an Ina-approved alternative to traditional flour, this is it! Garten uses Cup4Cup Gluten-Free Flour. It can replace all-purpose or wheat flour in any recipe without having to adjust the measurement and it won’t change the flavor at all. 

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Huy Fong Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce

$8.49

Buy Now On Amazon

Even the Barefoot Contessa is smitten with spicy Sriracha.

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Maldon Sea Salt Flakes

$7.75 $9.65 20% off

Buy Now On Amazon

If you want to add a clean-tasting salinity to your favorite foods when finishing dishes, go for a box of Maldon sea salt flakes.

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Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt

$13.59

Buy Now On Amazon

You’re not alone in thinking Garten sure uses a variety of salts, but it’s true — there are three salts she always has on hand. For pickling, brines and general seasoning, Garten chooses Diamond Crystal Kosher salt.

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Before you go, check out Garten’s best dinner recipes below:

Watch: We Tried Ina Garten’s Overnight Mac & Cheese & We Totally Get Why It Broke the Internet

We still remember the first time we walked into an Aldi. Little did we realize that we’d basically be getting a glimpse at the future of grocery stores! This chain keeps prices low by renting carts for 25 cents so customers have to put them back themselves, having customers bag their own groceries, and displaying many items right in the cardboard boxes in which they were shipped. But the quality and variety of their merchandise speaks for itself. In fact, some of us would go so far as to claim that Aldi is the new Trader Joe’s, and you know how much we love TJ’s!

If you haven’t been to Aldi yet, or if you go all the time but stick to a list of usuals, then there are some great products you probably still haven’t tried. From gluten-free baked goods to frozen foods, healthy meal shortcuts and even fun boozy options, these are the underrated Aldi products you’re not buying, but should.

Spotting the “goldilocks” of kid-friendly snacks is easier said than done. As you stand in the snack foods aisle, staring at the endless brands and options, three questions run through your mind: Is this snack healthy enough? Is it affordable? And, most importantly, will the kids even like it? They’re all valid questions, but some of us just don’t have the time to research every single product and read every single review. That’s why we’ve curated the only kid-friendly snacks list you’ll ever need. And the best part? All of these snacks are found at Costco.

We considered all important factors: health, ease (are the snacks easy to pack? Easy to grab while on the go?), and how they taste (will the kids immediately spit the snack out and never trust your judgment again?). In the end, we found more than twenty snacks that are worthy of the commitment of buying in bulk for Costco members.

From fruits and veggies pouches to snack mixes and crunchy favorites, here are the best kid-friendly snacks at Costco. And, don’t worry; we also tossed in a couple of indulgences — because some days just call for it. Get your snack on and sign up for a Costco membership here.

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