Sam’s Club has plenty of new food hitting shelves this August, from protein-packed snacks and lunchbox staples to fall bakery treats. I narrowed it down to 15 finds that have the best combination of value, flavor, convenience, and broad appeal.
1. Member’s Mark Salted Caramel Cookie Thins Are Dangerously Snackable
These looked pretty basic when I first picked up the bag, but they turned out to be one of my favorite new snacks. They’re buttery, crisp, salty-sweet and exactly the kind of cookie I keep reaching for without realizing it.
Price: $4.98 for 16 oz.
Taste Test: The buttery caramel flavor comes through first, followed by just enough sea salt to keep them from tasting overly sweet. They remind me of a thin shortbread cookie with a salted caramel finish.
Texture Summary: Very thin, light and crunchy. That’s really what makes these so addictive.
Make It Better: Crumble them over vanilla ice cream or use them instead of graham crackers in a cheesecake crust.
Perfect Pairings: Coffee, vanilla ice cream, hot chocolate or a cold glass of milk.
Final Verdict: BUY. At under $5, this is one of the easiest recommendations on the list.
2. Member’s Mark Chocolate Chip Protein Granola Is More Dessert Than Breakfast
I wasn’t expecting protein granola to be particularly exciting, but this one surprised me. Chocolate, toasted oats and a hint of almond butter make it taste indulgent enough for snacking while still working perfectly in my breakfast rotation.
Price: $8.98 for 31 oz.
Taste Test: Chocolate is noticeable without completely taking over. The almond butter, coconut oil and little hit of sea salt give it a richer flavor than standard granola.
Texture Summary: Crunchy clusters with crisp protein pieces scattered throughout.
Make It Better: Add it over vanilla Greek yogurt with strawberries or bananas.
Perfect Pairings: Greek yogurt, milk, smoothie bowls, berries or vanilla ice cream.
Final Verdict: BUY. One of the better new pantry finds, especially if you’re tired of plain granola.
3. Member’s Mark Freeze-Dried Fruit Variety Pack Is a Lunchbox Win
This is exactly the kind of Sam’s Club snack I like keeping around because there isn’t much to think about. You get individually portioned apples, bananas and strawberries that are naturally sweet, crunchy and easy to toss into a bag.
Price: $9.98 for 15 packs.
Taste Test: The strawberries are easily my favorite because they’re tart and intensely fruity. The bananas are sweeter and mellow, while the apples have that familiar crisp apple flavor.
Texture Summary: Very light and crunchy rather than chewy like traditional dried fruit.
Make It Better: Crush a bag over yogurt, cereal or oatmeal.
Perfect Pairings: Yogurt, granola, oatmeal or peanut butter.
Final Verdict: BUY. Simple, portable and probably one of the most family-friendly finds in this roundup.
4. Member’s Mark Thinly Coated Dark Chocolate Almonds Get the Ratio Right
Chocolate-covered almonds can sometimes feel like eating candy with an almond hiding somewhere inside. These flip the ratio. I get plenty of roasted almond crunch with just enough dark chocolate and sea salt around the outside.
Price: $14.98 for 18 individual packs.
Taste Test: Rich dark chocolate, toasted almond and a little salty finish. They’re sweet, but the chocolate coating doesn’t overpower the nut.
Texture Summary: Crisp almond center with a thin, smooth chocolate layer.
Make It Better: Refrigerate the packs before eating them for an even firmer crunch.
Perfect Pairings: Coffee, berries, cheese boards or an afternoon espresso.
Final Verdict: BUY. I especially like the individually portioned packs.
5. Member’s Mark Organic Applesauce Pouches Are an Easy Back-to-School Grab
This isn’t the flashiest new Sam’s find, but it’s probably one of the most practical. The flavor is simple and clean, the pouches are easy to throw into lunchboxes, and there’s no need to deal with cups or spoons.
Price: $9.98 for 24 pouches.
Taste Test: Straightforward apple flavor with a nice balance of natural sweetness and light tartness.
Texture Summary: Smooth and easy to eat without being watery.
Make It Better: Chill the pouches first. They’re noticeably better cold.
Perfect Pairings: Peanut butter sandwiches, cheese sticks, granola bars or packed lunches.
Final Verdict: BUY. Nothing fancy here—just a useful staple at a solid warehouse price.
6. MadeGood Drizzled Bars Feel Like a Treat Hidden in the Lunchbox
I expected another basic granola bar, but the drizzle changes things. Both flavors lean sweeter and more dessert-like than a traditional oat bar, which makes these an easy compromise when I want a snack that feels like a treat.
Price: $12.98 for 20 bars, with pricing sometimes lower on promotion.
Taste Test: Birthday Cake is sweeter and more playful, while Cookie Crumble has the richer chocolate flavor I preferred.
Texture Summary: Soft and chewy rather than dry and crumbly.
Make It Better: Refrigerate one for 20 minutes—the drizzle firms up and gives the bar a better bite.
Perfect Pairings: Fruit, yogurt, coffee or school lunches.
Final Verdict: BUY. Especially good for households that go through individually wrapped snacks quickly.
7. Nature’s Garden Probiotic FruiChias Are Different in a Good Way
These are definitely one of the more unusual snacks I tried. They combine fruit with chia seeds, so don’t expect a traditional gummy fruit snack. Once I got past that difference, I actually liked the berry-heavy flavor and interesting texture.
Price: $12.98 for 21 packs.
Taste Test: Strawberry is the sweetest, raspberry has a little tang, and blueberry comes across slightly deeper and less candy-like.
Texture Summary: Soft and chewy with noticeable chia seeds throughout.
Make It Better: Keep a few packs cold. I preferred the texture straight from the refrigerator.
Perfect Pairings: Nuts, cheese sticks or a light afternoon snack.
Final Verdict: BUY, with one caveat: the chia-heavy texture won’t be for everyone.
8. Clean Simple Eats Simply Vanilla Protein Powder Is Surprisingly Versatile
Vanilla protein powders can easily taste chalky or overly artificial, so this was one I approached carefully. The flavor is mild enough that I can use it in smoothies, oatmeal and shakes without everything suddenly tasting like protein powder.
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Price: $49.98 for 30 servings.
Taste Test: Smooth vanilla with enough sweetness to drink by itself, but neutral enough to mix with other ingredients.
Texture Summary: Blends fairly smoothly when shaken or blended thoroughly.
Make It Better: Blend it with frozen banana, milk and a spoonful of peanut butter.
Perfect Pairings: Smoothies, oatmeal, iced coffee or Greek yogurt.
Final Verdict: BUY if protein powder is already part of your routine. Otherwise, the $50 commitment is a little steep.
9. Carbone Roasted Garlic Alfredo Makes Pasta Night Almost Too Easy
I had high expectations because Carbone sauces tend to come with a premium reputation. This Alfredo is rich, very garlicky and much closer to restaurant-style pasta sauce than the thinner jarred Alfredo sauces I’m used to.
Price: $11.98 for two 30-ounce jars.
Taste Test: Creamy Parmesan flavor up front with a noticeable roasted-garlic finish.
Texture Summary: Thick, silky and rich enough to cling well to pasta.
Make It Better: Thin it with a splash of pasta water, then add freshly grated Parmesan and cracked black pepper.
Perfect Pairings: Fettuccine, grilled chicken, broccoli, shrimp or garlic bread.
Final Verdict: BUY. One of the strongest dinner shortcuts in the bunch.
10. Member’s Mark Apple Juice Keeps Things Refreshingly Simple
Apple juice isn’t normally something I’d stop to review, but this new Member’s Mark version stood out because the ingredient list is unusually straightforward. Flavor-wise, it tastes crisp, naturally sweet and a little less candy-like than some bottled juices.
Price: $6.77 for two 52-ounce bottles.
Taste Test: Clean apple flavor with natural sweetness and just enough acidity to keep it refreshing.
Texture Summary: Smooth and light with no pulpy texture.
Make It Better: Serve it very cold over ice or add sparkling water for a lighter apple spritzer.
Perfect Pairings: Breakfast, pancakes, oatmeal or after-school snacks.
Final Verdict: BUY. Not exciting, but a very solid everyday family find.
11. Cultivar Cream & Sugar Coffee Is for Dark-Roast Fans
The name made me expect a flavored coffee, but that’s not really what this is. Once brewed, I got a bold dark roast with smoky chocolate notes and enough natural sweetness that it works especially well with cream.
Price: $24.98 for 27 oz.
Taste Test: Dark, roasty and chocolate-forward with a noticeable smoky edge.
Texture Summary: Full-bodied when brewed correctly without feeling overly heavy.
Make It Better: Grind the beans fresh and avoid using water that’s too hot, which can push the roast into bitter territory.
Perfect Pairings: Cream, cinnamon rolls, chocolate pastries or breakfast sandwiches.
Final Verdict: BUY for dark-roast drinkers. Light-roast fans may find it too intense.
12. Member’s Mark Pumpkin Spice Cake Balls Might Be Sam’s Cutest Fall Dessert
Yes, pumpkin spice is showing up ridiculously early, but these little cake balls are difficult to resist. They’re festive, easy to serve and have enough warm spice and icing to instantly taste like fall without going completely overboard.
Price: $18.97 for 24 cake balls.
Taste Test: Think moist pumpkin spice cake with carrot-cake-style warmth and a sweet icing shell.
Texture Summary: Dense and very moist inside with a firmer coating around the outside.
Make It Better: Let them sit out for about 10 minutes before eating so the center softens slightly.
Perfect Pairings: Coffee, chai, hot cider or a fall dessert board.
Final Verdict: BUY. They’re especially good for parties because there’s nothing to cut or plate.
13. SUMM! Apple Pie Bites Are Much Better From the Air Fryer
These are basically apple pie and a crispy spring roll rolled into one snack, which immediately got my attention. The filling is sweet and cinnamon-forward, but how you cook them makes a huge difference—the air fryer is absolutely the way to go.
Price: $8.87 for 24 bites with caramel sauce.
Taste Test: Classic cinnamon-apple flavor with sweet caramel taking it firmly into dessert territory.
Texture Summary: Air-fried, the wrapper becomes crisp while the apple filling stays soft. Some batches can feel a little light on filling.
Make It Better: Air fry them and lightly spray with oil first. I would skip microwaving.
Perfect Pairings: Vanilla ice cream, Greek yogurt, whipped cream or coffee.
Final Verdict: BUY, but air-fry them.
14. Hot Pockets Ultimate Cheddar Snack Breaks Are Built for Cheese Lovers
These aren’t trying to be sophisticated—they’re basically small, crispy pockets filled with cheese. And that’s exactly why they work. I liked that the smaller size gives me more crust in every bite instead of one huge pocket of filling.
Price: $7.74 for 24 snack-size pieces.
Taste Test: Very cheesy and savory, with a three-cheese filling that tastes like elevated frozen cheese crackers crossed with a Hot Pocket.
Texture Summary: The cheddar cracker-style crust gets noticeably crisper in the air fryer.
Make It Better: Skip the microwave and air fry them until the edges are golden.
Perfect Pairings: Tomato soup, marinara, ranch or a simple salad.
Final Verdict: BUY for kids, game day or quick freezer snacks.
15. Alani Nu Mini Energy Variety Pack Gets the Portion Size Right
I actually like the mini-can concept more than I expected. Sometimes I don’t want a full-size energy drink, and these smaller cans give me the fun Alani flavors without committing to a larger serving every time.
Price: $24.98 for 24 mini cans.
Taste Test: Sweet, fruity and very much in Alani’s candy-inspired flavor style. It’s best ice-cold because the sweetness becomes more noticeable as it warms.
Texture Summary: Lightly carbonated and crisp.
Make It Better: Get these as cold as possible before drinking—I wouldn’t pour them over melting ice because that flattens the flavor.
Perfect Pairings: Grab-and-go mornings, workouts or afternoon pick-me-ups.
Final Verdict: BUY if you already like Alani Nu. The mini format is the real reason I’d choose this pack.
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