The 3 Must-Have Snacks at Costco, According to Food Writers

I grew up begrudgingly trailing my parents through Costco on weekend mornings, weaving up and down the endless aisles. The only saving grace? Free samples. Otherwise, I was miserable—dodging shopping carts and roughhousing with my brother on the slippery concrete floors (with scars to prove it).

I’ve only recently come to appreciate the joys of Costco, thanks to my husband. He’s a loyal fan, and we sometimes turn our Costco runs into a sort of quirky date night: We start with a romantic dinner of chicken bakes, pizza, and fountain sodas, then wander the aisles in search of frozen items and oversized cuts of meat we probably don’t need. Every visit, I unearth fancy finds that make me do a double-take, and I become more of a Costco loyalist.

Determined to leave no good deal on the shelf, I asked three savvy food writers to share their favorite Costco snacks. Their picks are worth every fluorescent-lit aisle trek.

In-the-Know Snack Experts

• Erin Clarke: cookbook author and founder of Well Plated
• Molly Adams: Recipe developer and food writer
• Christina Manian: RDN, food, nutrition, and sustainability writer

Food Pros' Favorite Costco Snacks

Kirkland Signature Extra Fancy Salted Mixed Nuts

Clarke swears by these craveable nuts that "taste incredibly fresh—more so than other brands—and stay fresh thanks to the tight seal" of the resealable bag. With Costco's high turnover of products, every bag tastes newly roasted, she adds, and they consistently have just the right amount of salt to make them irresistible.

Clarke keeps a small bowl on hand while cooking dinner for easy-access snacking. "They also pull double-duty for entertaining. Sprinkle warm nuts with a little rosemary and cayenne for a quick party snack, or chop and add to salads and yogurt for crunch," she explains. The quality and value of these Costco nuts are hard to beat: At $18, this cashew and macadamia nut-heavy bag is a steal.

Kirkland Signature Organic Hummus Cups

Adams loves the convenience of these single-serve cups, which make snacking on the go effortless. Toss them in a lunch box or purse for an easy pick-me-up that fuels for hours. She appreciates that the hummus is organic, creamy, and flavorful—far better than many other store-bought options. "You can't beat the price at Costco—a large pack is about $8, and it lasts for a few weeks," she notes.

Beyond solo snacking, the cups are ideal for impromptu entertaining: Set the open cup in the center of a vegetable crudite platter or assortment of crackers for a simple appetizer.

Kirkland Signature Organic Dried Mangoes

"I don't shop at Costco often, but when I do, I always pick up the Kirkland organic dried mango," says Manian. She loves that the mango is sweet but not sweetened and has a chewy, satisfying texture that hits the spot when a snack craving hits.

While she almost exclusively snacks on these straight from the bag for an easy and wholesome treat, Manian notes that they're plenty versatile. Chop and toss them into oatmeal, yogurt, or homemade trail mix for a boost of natural sweetness. The enormous two-and-a-half-pound bag is perfect for stocking up, and at under $25, it's a snack that stretches your dollar, making it worth an entire Costco trip.