Are the treats you’re stocking up on at Costco the best of the best? Well, you’re about to find out.
CouponBirds, the popular coupon aggregation site, curated the most-loved 50 snacks at the big box store based on shopper data and reviews. The data-driven list can certainly help shoppers curate their grocery lists when free samples are (hopefully) ample and the temptation to try new and unseen products at the warehouse full of treats is all too strong.
The list includes treats like cookies and chocolates, as well as healthier options, like nuts and nutrition bars. And, big twist: Costco shoppers aren’t in for the chips. Oddly enough though, Saltines, Honey Maid Graham Crackers, raisins, Craisins, and trail mix all earned spots on the top 50 list. Exactly zero chips made the official cut.
Costco’s in-store offerings vary by region, but one theme rings true: the big box chain’s in-house brand reigns supreme. “It was interesting to see a nice mix of products on the list, ranging from well-known brand names to Costco’s private label offerings,” says Andy Cooper, a financial analyst and money-saving expert with CouponBirds. “However, Kirkland Signature items make up a significant portion of the Top 50 list, highlighting Costco’s position in delivering high-quality products at competitive prices.”
Cooper also observed that international brands outperformed popular American ones with shoppers. “For instance, among Costco’s most loved cookies, Belgium’s Lotus Biscoff stands out as the top choice, surpassing America’s widely popular Oreos [in 50th place],” Cooper said.
How the data was gathered
CouponBirds analyzed 145,533 customer ratings for every snack available on Costco’s website as of June 2024, then ranked the items according to which earned the highest percentage of five-star reviews. Products with less than 100 reviews were removed.
Most popular Costco snacks
The most beloved treat of all at Costco is Utah Truffles Dark Chocolate Truffles with Sea Salt, earning the highest rating nationwide, with 91.99% of reviews having five stars — substantial praise for a simple treat. But, then again, when you’re indulging in a truffle between meals, that’s easily a top-tier experience
Most popular Costco chocolates
Naturally, the other snacks (technically desserts) on CouponBird’s top three also contain chocolate. Godiva Dark Chocolate Ganache Hearts come in a close second, with 91.75% of reviews being five stars. Nutella & Go’s Hazelnut & Cocoa Spread with Breadsticks is the third favorite, with 90.88% of reviews for the sweet-savory combo rated at five stars.
Most popular Costco cookies
Costco shoppers love a crumbly cookie, apparently. Lotus Biscoff Cookies had an 88.04% five-star rating score, making it the preferred cookie on the snack list. Oreos, Nutter Butters, Fig Newtons, Double Dark Chocolate Milano Cookies, and Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies are also in the top ten for the cookie category, along with some less traditional standouts. Meiji’s Hello Panda Chocolate Creme Filled Cookies are the fourth most loved cookie at Costco, and if you’ve ever popped one of these adorable tiny bears in your mouth, you get it. Madeleines, Biscotti, and Lorna Doone shortbread cookies also ranked in the top 10.
Most popular Costco chips and pretzels
Costco’s most loved chips only made it to the 86th percentile, with Oreo Sandwich cookies snagging the 50th spot on the list with 86.62% perfect reviews. Cheetos Crunchy Original is the favored chip of Costco shoppers, followed by Doritos Nacho Cheese Tortilla Chips with 84.72% of five-star reviews, making OG Cheetos the 51st most popular Costco snack. Other top fan-favored chips include Kirkland Signature Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets (if you know, you know), Snyder’s of Hanover mini pretzels, Cheetos Crunchy Flamin’ Hot, Shrimp Chips with Garlic and Butter, Sonoma Creamery Pepper Jack Crisps, Lay’s Classic Potato Chips, Gardetto’s Original Snack Mix, and Pringles Original Potato Chips.
Most popular Costco nuts and seeds
Nuts are a popular nosh for Costco shoppers, though they may also be used in recipes as well. Fourth on the top 50 list is Costco’s most popular nut to munch on, Kirkland Signature Pecan Halves, which have 90.73% five-star reviews. Kirkland Signature Walnut Halves, Kirkland Signature In-Shell Pistachios, Kirkland Signature Shelled Pistachios, Kirkland Signature Pine Nuts, and Kirkland Signature Organic Walnuts also all made the top 50 list.
Most popular Costco snack bars
Though shoppers may lean on chocolates as a snack, there’s still an interest in more traditional bars as a between-meal bite. In fifth place overall, G2G Peanut Butter Coconut Chocolate Protein Bars snagged the title of Costco’s most loved nutrition bars, with a 90.57% approval rating of five stars. The refrigerated bars are followed by another fave, the Universal Bakery Organic Paleo Bars.
Everyone has their preferred eating habits, but seeing raisins and craisins outrank several beloved brands of chips is truly illuminating. Are American snacking trends leaning more sweet than savory? And when we go savory, is it nutritious, high-protein options like nuts that satiate our cravings? Perhaps chips just aren’t as satisfying in bulk. For a nation that seemingly prefers prosecco, fish sticks, and Reese’s dipped animal crackers from Costco, perhaps this data isn’t surprising at all.
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