Best Aldi Products: 66 Surprisingly Good Deals on Food and More

We can't stay away. This marks the third time we've visited a local Aldi in the name of research, this time heading back to the no-frills wonderland in search of surprisingly good deals on food — and more. (We smile when recalling the great storage ottoman our family recently purchased here). For those unfamiliar with Aldi, the European discount grocery chain making great strides in America is about much more than milk, bread, meat, fruit, and vegetables. Our end-of-April return to an Aldi in a suburban town north of New York City yielded these great finds, again filling our cart and firing us up about return visits.

Prices and availability of these in-store products subject to change.

Related: 30 Things to Know Before Shopping at Aldi

The 4.4-ounce bars of Moser Roth chocolate, a German product produced by Storck for Aldi, includes premium flavors ranging from Dark Chili to Dark Chocolate Orange Almond to Milk Toffee Crunch. Since each is just $1.99, you can splurge.

Feel good about spicing it up with selections from the SimplyNature collection of organic seasonings. Cayenne pepper, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, or Italian seasoning, among many others, are $2.29 for jars ranging from 0.6 to 2.5 ounces.

You might not expect home goods at Aldi, but you'll be surprised by the selection. We spotted a Huntington Home Oversized Velvet Plush Throw, a generous 60-by-70 inch, machine-washable and thrifty ($9.99) choice.

Aldi's refrigerated section features Priano fresh pasta options including Five-Cheese and Tri-Color Tortellini at $1.99 for 9 ounces.

Related: 15 Best House Wines from Aldi, Costco, and Trader Joe's

Pistachios beyond your budget? Well, you can afford the treat at Aldi since a Southern Grove 6-ounce bag of shelled pistachios — roasted with sea salt — is $4.49. You'd pay much more elsewhere.

Specially Selected's Smoked Salmon features salmon raised in Norway. The deli-style option is $3.99 for a 3-ounce package that's enough for an appetizer recipe or to add to a bagel brunch.

Stock up on K-cups and feel good about supporting Fair Trade practices with Barissimo's Fair Trade K-cups in French Vanilla or Hazelnut. A box of 12 will set you back $4.29, much cheaper than some single drinks at the local Starbucks.

A section devoted to pets yielded Heart to Tail products including a Dog Grooming Kit ($12.99), Spring Pet Throw ($4.99), and especially for the felines, a Cat Scratching Post ($12.99).

Specially Selected Sicilian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a product of Italy — naturally — is $7.99 for 16.9 ounces.

If you want your caffeine on the cool — and ready-made — side, opt for Barissimo's Iced Coffee Drinks, a steal at $1.19 for a 9.5-ounce bottle in flavors including French Vanilla, Coffee Latte, or Mocha.

Can't ever find a screwdriver when you need one? You're in luck since Aldi stocks a 45-piece Screwdriver Set from Workzone for $9.99 that will set you up with one for every room (four for every room?).

We're not talking a can of tired old black olives here … Aldi's Specially Selected brand includes Stuffed Queen Olives at $2.89 for a 7-ounce jar. Pick your stuffing — blue cheese, garlic or jalapeño.

When plain ol' Coca-Cola won't cut it, opt for the ever-changing selection of craft sodas that this time included Blueberry Soda from Maine Root. Sweetened with Fair Trade organic cane sugar, a four-pack of 12-ounce bottles was selling for $4.99.

Aldi takes care of its youngest customers with paper products including Little Journey Thick-Quilted Baby Wipes ($3.99 for a three-pack) and Jumbo Pack Diapers (25- to 40-packs for $3.99).

The kids have to eat, too, so there's Little Journey Organic Baby Food Puree (79 cents for 4 ounces).

Need a boost? Summit Red Thunder energy drink, in original or sugar-free, is sold in four-packs of 8.5-ounce cans for $2.99.

Appleton Farms Dry-Cured Ham Prosciutto is $3.29 for 4 ounces, ideal size for recipes or a gourmet touch to an otherwise boring sandwich.

Aldi's LiveGFree line is designed for those who cannot (or choose not to) eat gluten. But you're not paying premium prices for the option. The Deluxe Mac & Cheese mix, which comes in traditional tubes or shells, is $1.99 for a 12-ounce box.

LiveGFree also offers Brown Rice Spaghetti at $1.49 for 16 ounces.

Ready-to-mix salads for just $2.69? Yes, they are here — and the choices range from Sweet Kale Chopped to Southwest, Asian to Sunflower Crunch. All come with the greens plus dressing and some fixings. What an easy meal.

Take a healthy turn with SimplyNature's Organic Coconut Oil. The unrefined, cold-pressed virgin oil is $4.49 for 14 ounces.

Attract some tiny feathered friends to your backyard with the Gardenline Hummingbird Feeder ($6.99). And don't forget to get that telephoto lens ready.

Opt for Earthly Grains' Ready-to-Eat Quinoa Meals, either the spicy jalapeño-and-roasted peppers or the artichoke-and-roasted peppers, for a gluten-free, speedy lunch at just $1.99.

Another national brand was V8 Original Vegetable Juice, low-sodium or traditional, from Campbell's. Here, $2.88 for the 46-ounce bottle.

Easy to toss into a school lunch or a beach bag, SimplyNature Fruit Strips (raspberry or strawberry) are $4.99 for a 21-strip value pack.

Werther's Original hard caramels from Storck are $2.79 for an 8.1-ounce bag. That's a lot of sweet.

Another brand-name item found at Aldi is another kid-friendly lunchmate (or, we admit, adult anytime snack). Pringles stackable snacks are just 99 cents for 3.4-ounce canisters in assorted flavors including Original and Cheddar.

Get ready for everyone's favorite warm-weather treat — ice cream. Benton's sugar cones are $1.59 for a box of 12.

There's a wealth of healthy options at Aldi, which might surprise some shoppers. For example, Southern Grove's On the Go Trail Mix is $3.79 for a box of eight 1.5-ounce bags. You can choose from one featuring peanuts, raisins, chocolate gems and sunflower kernels and another with peanuts, cranberries and almonds. Best part? No synthetic colors.

A snack more often featured at the local health-food store, Aldi's option is Southern Grove Banana Chips, naturally flavored. A 12-ounce bag will set you back just $2.49.

Another not-your-everyday find is Aldi's own brand, SimplyNature, Freeze-Dried Fruit. Choose from strawberries, Asian pears or Fuji apples and a 1.2-ounce bag is yours for $2.99.

You'll have the makings of a lovely appetizer plate if you combine those olives with Tuscan Garden marinated and quartered artichoke hearts, which here will set you back just $2.79 for a 12-ounce jar — far more affordable than most grocery stores.

Take a trip around the world with Aldi. Start the excursion with the Journey to India Tikka Masala Simmer Sauce, a medium-spiced, tomato-based sauce blended with ginger and coriander. It's $1.99 for a 16 ounce-jar; just add protein to this easy start to a thrifty family meal.

Need a sweet finish to a dinner party that won't cost a lot? Specially Selected Mini Eclairs or Cream Puffs make a good impression — and cost $4.89 for the crowd-pleasing 27.4-ounce tub.

End on another sweet — and unexpected — note with My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream. It's a Japanese treat featuring premium ice cream wrapped in sweet, soft rice dough. Either Sweet Mango or Green Tea is $4.79 for six 1.5 ounce portions (that are just 110 calories each).

It seems like you can never have enough kitchen tools, so why not stock up on Crofton ceramic peelers when they're just $2.99?

If your laundry's getting the better of you, pick up an Easy Home 2.5 Bushel Hamper ($9.99), a sturdy option that's bound to hold plenty.

Want that homemade touch without the full-on bother of baking? Grab a few of the Baker's Corner Ready-to-Fill 9-inch Graham Cracker crumb-crust pie shells, since they're just 85 cents for the 6-ounce size.

Specially Selected Premium 100% Pure Juice, $3.99 for 33.8 ounces, includes options such as Cranberry, Black Cherry and Pomegranate.

If you have kids, you can never have too much juice, especially when it comes in boxes or pouches. We found Capri Sun Juice Pouches, with flavors including Fruit Punch and Strawberry Kiwi, selling for $2.22 (box of 10 6-ounce pouches).

Forget the nameless bag of greasy chips. Offer up some a-step-above snacking in your own home with Pueblo Lindo Restaurant-Style Tortilla Strips or Triangles, $2.49 for a hefty (24-ounce) bag.

Not a morning person? Then stock up on Breakfast Best Croissant Sandwiches. The sausage, egg and cheese option costs $3.99. Bonus: No long line at the local drive-thru necessary.

If you're a pour-it-and-go kinda person in the morning — one who likes with bold flavor, then check out Millville's Cocoa Peanut Butter Puffs for $2.39 (0.703 to 0.813 pound boxes).

Burman's Regional Style barbecue sauces take you on a culinary American 'cue tour — with stops in Kansas City, Carolina, Memphis, and Texas. At $1.99 for a 19-ounce jar, it's easy to try all four as you turn those ho-hum burgers or steaks into a taste sensation.

Become the bake-sale star with Baker's Corner Ultimate Bars Cookie Brownie Mix, $1.79 for a 19.5-ounce box.

Aldi's wellness section includes Welby Omega3 Fatty Acid Fish Oil Concentrate, with a jar of 100 soft gels selling for $4.79.

Pantene Pro-V hair products include Classic Clean Shampoo, Conditioner or 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. Each is $3.94 (12- to 12.6-ounce bottle).

A 16.9-ounce bottle of Crest Pro-Health Multi-Protection Clean Mint mouthwash is sold for $3.95.

Friendly Farms Coffee Creamer comes in flavors including Italian Sweet Cream, Hazelnut and Vanilla Caramel. Liven up your morning joe for just $2.29 a quart.

Friendly Farm offers LowFat Kefir, a specialty "cultured low-fat milk smoothie" in raspberry or blueberry. This product is $2.29 for 32 ounces.

Okay, so maybe you'd expect Aldi to have shredded cheddar — but the Happy Farms shredded cheeses ($2.79 to $3.29 for 12 to 16 ounces) come in a surprisingly array of choices some of which include mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, low-fat mozzarella, Mexican blend, and taco style. They clearly love cheese as much as we do.

Parkview's Uncured Turkey Franks come 10 to a 16-ounce package — and can keep your health-conscious cookout guests happy for $1.99. That's well less than a quarter per dog.

Nature's Nectar not-from-concentrate Pineapple Juice ($3.89 for a 2-quart container) would be ideal on its own — or make a great summer-drink mixer. If you like piña coladas…

Another option more often found in a health-food store is Earth Grown Meatless Veggie Burgers. Please the vegetarians — and even vegans — with a four-pack selling for $2.99.

SimplyNature's Organic Oven-Roasted Chicken ($3.99 for 6 ounces) is a no-nitrate, non-GMO product destined for a gourmet-quality sandwich.

Not frozen and hard as a rock, Aldi offers giant (16-inch) Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen Take & Bake Pizzas in its refrigerated cases, with options such as Five-Cheese, Pepperoni or topping-heavy Supreme ($4.99 to $5.99). Turn that oven on.

Mama Cozzi's Pizza Kitchen offers other pizzeria specialties such as the Calzone ($1.99 for 7 ounces) in pepperoni or four-cheese. Grab a few, add a salad and you've got a fun-and-easy family dinner.

Park Street Deli's Greek Feta Salad, Kalamata Olives or Provolini Antipasti ($2.99 for 7-ounce containers) are another refrigerator-section score that make ideal cocktail-party nibbles.

Happy Farms Preferred offers a round of Brie, a soft-ripened double creme selection that's $2.99 for 8 ounces.

Really not feeling like doing much prep when you've got a crowd coming for an Italian meal? L'Oven offers Fresh Garlic Herb or Parmesan Romano Garlic Bread ready to pop into the oven, $1.99 for a 10-ounce loaf.

Okay, if you're sick and tired of paying way too much for kitchen necessities such as paper products, investigate Boulder (*compare to Mardi Gras) napkins. You'll get a package of 250 for $1.79.

You should always have some wrapping materials on hand — and here you can pick up a selection of Pembrook gift bags (complete with tissue paper) for 99 cents. We loved the graduation-themed bag — and the "Party Time" wine bag.

Earthly Grains Couscous Mix comes in a variety of flavors including parmesan, roasted garlic and olive oil — or plain (but you can doctor that up yourself). They are $1.49 for 5.9 ounces.

Priano's Bronze Cut Pasta is an authentic Italian specialty, also without the imported price. It's $1.19 for a pound bag, with choices including rigatoni, caserecce or shells.

Forget the canned version for this year's backyard barbecues — Aldi is stocking another Seasonal Favorite with its Park Street Deli Homestyle Baked Beans that are found in the refrigerated section. You'll likely want to pick up more than one container ($2.39 for 16 ounces) as they are slow cooked with bacon and brown sugar.

Found in the freezer section, Sea Queen's Medium Cooked Shrimp (peeled and deveined with tail on) are $4.99 for a 12-ounce bag. Don't forget the cocktail sauce.