We Tried Costco’s Newest Food Finds—These Are the Ones Worth Buying

Costco just rolled out a mix of brand-new and nostalgic food finds, so we put them to the test.

From bakery treats to quick meals and drinks, here’s what impressed us—and what didn’t quite deliver.

1. Mini Chicken Buffalo Rolls (Urban Factory) – $12.99

Product Type: Frozen appetizer
Cooking Method: Air fryer friendly
Heat Level: 2 “spicers” (mild–medium heat)
Use Case: Game day, entertaining, party food

What’s Inside:

• Buffalo-style chicken

• Celery

• Onion

• Carrots

Taste Notes:

• Buffalo flavor with a mild kick

• Spicy but not overwhelming

• “Little kick,” not mouth-burning

Sauce Pairing Ideas (Not Included):

• Comeback sauce:

  • Worcestershire sauce

  • Mayo

  • Ketchup

  • Hot sauce

  • Garlic powder

  • Black pepper

• Creamy sauce:

  • Sour cream

  • Lime juice

  • Fresh cilantro

Rating: (5/5)
Overall Verdict: Delicious, well-balanced heat, excellent party food

Update (June 2026): Price has dropped slightly to $12.99 and the product remains widely stocked in warehouses.

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2. Daily Harvest Apple Cinnamon Protein Oat Bowls (Costco availability appears spotty as of June 2026 — verify it is still in your warehouse before stocking up.) (6-Pack) – $19.99

Product Type: Frozen oat bowls
Serving Options:

• Hot

• Cold

• Overnight oats

Dietary Info:

• Gluten-free

• Dairy-free

• Plant-based

• No added sugar

• Excellent source of fiber

Nutrition Highlights (Per Bowl):

• Protein: 16g

• Fiber: 7g

• Carbs: 40g

• Calories: Not stated

Ingredients Mentioned:

• Organic oats

• Apples

• Walnuts

• Dates (date paste)

• Almond butter

• Pumpkin seeds

• Flax seed

• Cauliflower rice (organic)

• Cinnamon

• Organic pea protein

Texture & Taste Notes:

• Chunky texture

• Chewy apples

• Crunch from walnuts and seeds

• Naturally sweet from fruit

• No artificial protein aftertaste

Storage: Keep frozen

Rating: (5/5)
Overall Verdict: Hearty, filling, textured, great post-workout or quick meal

Update (June 2026): Price unchanged at $19.99 and still on shelves across many warehouses.

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3. Live Well Dairy-Free Pasta Sauce – Creamy Tuscan (2-Pack) – $10.99

Product Type: Plant-based pasta sauce
Style: Creamy Tuscan vegetable & herb
Base: Cashews

Dietary Info:

• Dairy-free

• Vegan

• Gluten-free

Key Ingredients:

• Tomatoes

• Water

• Cashews

• Olive oil

• Garlic

• Onions

• Zucchini

• Carrots

• Roasted peppers

• Spinach

• Sea salt

• Citric acid

• Basil

Flavor Notes:

• Creamy texture

• Tomato-forward tang

• Strong herb flavor

Suggested Uses (Per Packaging):

• Pasta

• Lasagna

• Pizza

• Flatbread

• Eggs

• Seafood

• Chicken cutlets

• Steak

• Bread dipping

Rating: (5/5)
Overall Verdict: Surprisingly delicious, versatile, and highly recommended

Update (June 2026): The Live Well dairy-free Tuscan sauce line is still active; the 2-pack at Costco continues to retail around $10.99 when in stock, though availability has been spotty in some regions.

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4. St. James Organic Brewed Tea (15-Pack) – $17.14 (frequently on sale around $9.97)

Product Type: Canned organic iced tea
Tea Base: Green tea
Caffeine: Naturally caffeinated

Flavors Mentioned:

• Pineapple Mango

• Passion Fruit Peach

Nutrition (Per Can):

• Calories: 25

• Sugar: 4g

• Carbs: 5g

Sweeteners:

• Cane sugar

• Stevia leaf extract

Taste Notes:

• Strong green tea flavor

• Very subtle fruit flavor

• Pineapple mango slightly more noticeable

• Passion fruit peach barely detectable

Serving Tip: Shake before drinking

Rating: (2.5–3/5)
Overall Verdict: Tastes like plain green tea; fruit flavors too mild

Update (June 2026): Pricing has shifted — the 15-pack now averages about $17.14 and is currently discounted closer to $9.97 in several warehouses. Still in stock.

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5. Barnum’s Animal Crackers (30 Pouches) – $12.49

Product Type: Snack crackers
Packaging: Individual pouches (not the classic box)

Flavor Notes:

• Light sweetness

• Slight lemony note

• Not overly sweet

Texture & Size:

• Smaller animal shapes than remembered

Nostalgia Factor:

• Strong childhood association

• Flavor unchanged from the past

Animal Shapes Mentioned:

• Rhino

• Camel

• Seal

• Cougar

• Bear

• Sheep

• Hyena

• Bison

• Lion

• Elephant

• Zebra

Rating: (5/5)
Overall Verdict: Classic flavor, nostalgic win, kid-friendly

Update (June 2026): Price ticked up slightly to about $12.49 for the 30-count pouches; still a Costco staple.

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6. Twice Baked Almond Croissants (6-Pack, Costco Bakery) – $9.99

Product Type: Bakery pastry
Quantity: 6 croissants

Filling:

• Not filled

• Almond flavor baked throughout

Toppings:

• Almonds

• Powdered sugar

Texture Notes:

• Buttery interior

• Almond-forward flavor

• Can become soft if sealed too long

Storage Tip:

• Air out occasionally to prevent sogginess

• Toasting recommended for best texture

Comparison Mentioned:

• Similar to a bear claw pastry

Rating: (5/5)
Overall Verdict: One of the best Costco bakery finds, standout favorite

Update (June 2026): Price holds steady at $9.99 and these remain a regular fixture in the bakery section.

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Overall Winners (As Stated)

Top Picks:

1. Twice Baked Almond Croissants

2. Live Well Dairy-Free Creamy Tuscan Sauce

3. Mini Chicken Buffalo Rolls

Honorable Mention:

• Daily Harvest Apple Cinnamon Protein Oat Bowls

Lowest Rated:

• St. James Organic Brewed Tea