The Best $1 Freezer Finds I Bought at Aldi Last Year

A trip to Aldi is never complete without spending some time in the freezer aisle. It’s like a frozen wonderland of affordable meal staples — from a bag full of crispy breaded chicken breasts to almost every breakfast item you could ever need. When there’s so much to choose from, you might need a little help figuring out what should definitely make it into your cart. 

We spent a lot of time tasting and reviewing what Aldi had to offer in 2023, and these are the eight best freezer finds we bought time after time.

The secret to fluffy and creamy desserts is in Aldi’s freezer aisle. More specifically, it’s in a Friendly Farms Whipped Topping tub. For less than $1, it can help you whip up an easy strawberry shortcake or ambrosia salad. We recommend buying one for your freezer and a tub to put in the fridge so you’re ready for dessert whenever a craving strikes.

Pizza always comes in handy when you have no idea what to make for dinner. But when you’re in the mood for something a little more *special* these French bread pizzas hit the spot. They take about 20 minutes to bake in the oven, getting crispy on the bottom and oh-so-melty on top. 

Put these sausage patties on the menu when you want a big breakfast. They measure 3 1/2 inches across (which we deduced is about 1 1/2 inches bigger than most patties), so one of these porkies is an ideal addition to a towering breakfast sandwich. Plus, they’re pre-cooked, so they won’t shrink when you heat them up. 

Not all frozen chicken fillets are created equal, and we’re partial to the breaded version from Kirkwood. A flavorful garlic and paprika-spiked breading gives the chicken a crispy crunch, whether you air-fry them or toss them in the oven. However you cook your chicken, we recommend making a fillet part of an easy three-ingredient lunch.

This bag of frozen veggies is like a time machine: Open it, and you’ll be transported to summertime in the depths of winter. We’re talking yellow and red bell peppers, zucchini, red onion, and cherry tomatoes, with a subtle seasoning that allows you to add these veggies to whatever meal you’re whipping up. We loved how it paired with a hot honey-glazed salmon.

This vibrant, zesty quinoa bowl tastes like a wholesome, scratch-made lunch, but it goes from freezer to table in about five minutes. Quinoa and brown rice combine with bite-size pieces of chicken breast, sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, and bell peppers. And it’s all smothered in a slightly spicy chipotle sauce.

We know the morning struggle is real, and Aldi provides some of our favorite solutions for the earliest hours of the day, including this sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich. It’s ready in under three minutes — just enough time to pour yourself a cup of coffee. We love the combination of the flaky croissant and savory pork sausage with gooey cheese and fluffy eggs. 

Speaking of brilliant Aldi breakfast solutions, these cinnamon French toast sticks are a delicious option for a sweeter breakfast that still has a little extra protein. Each four-stick serving has 12 grams of protein, and the sticks themselves are soft, chewy, and perfectly shaped for dunking in maple syrup.

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: The Best $1 Freezer Find We Bought at Aldi All Year