Discount supermarket chain Aldi attracts anyone trying to keep their grocery bill under control, and the reason is simple, because more than 90% of what they sell is private label. That’s why the aisles are full of spot-on dupes that look and taste like the name brands, just without the name-brand prices.
Here are 12 Aldi dupes that shoppers say are better than the name-brand original and cost less.
Frosted Shredded Wheat vs. Frosted Mini Wheats
Aldi didn’t try very hard to hide the resemblance between its Millville Frosted Shredded Wheat cereal and Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats. The packaging is basically identical, and according to people who’ve tried it, so is the taste — if not better.
“Frosted Shredded Wheat tastes exactly the same as Mini Wheats and you get more frosting on the Millville Shredded Wheat,” one Redditor confirmed. “ One of my favorite Aldi knockoffs.”
What differs quite a lot is the price. Aldi’s 18-ounce box goes for $2.35, while Kellogg’s runs $4 and up, depending on the store and location.
Benton’s Caramel Coconut Fudge Cookies vs. Girl Scout Cookies
With all due respect to Girl Scout Cookies — in this economy, they’ve grown to be a luxury item, priced at $6 per box. But good news for everyone who can no longer afford them: Benton’s Caramel Coconut Fudge Cookies, $2.45 at Aldi, have been proclaimed by the good people of the internet as a superior dupe of Caramel deLites/Samoas. “I’m concerned I will never purchase Girl Scout Cookies again,” one Redditor wrote after posting an image of Aldi’s knock-offs.
Visually, they are the same — ring-shaped, coated with caramel, coconut shavings, fudge stripes, and chocolate-dipped bottoms. Taste tests also confirm the resemblance, with some saying Samoas are richer in flavor, but so is the price, so…
Clancy’s Cheese Curls vs. Cheetos
You either love the radioactive orange cheddar-flavored dust (officially called cheetle) or you don’t. Now, many Cheetos loyalists have discovered a dupe that rivals the original. An increasing number of snackers are turning their backs on Cheetos, saying Clancy’s Cheese Curls at Aldi are better, cleaner, and way cheaper. “They are so much better than Cheetos. And I think “cleaner” too,” said one Redditor. “Cheetos are nothing compared to these!!” writes another.
Even if they weren’t as good as Cheetos, the price difference makes them a great value. Aldi’s dupe costs around $2.09 for an 8.5-ounce bag, while Cheetos sell at $6.69 for the same size bag.
Benton’s Speculoos Cookies vs. Lotus Biscoff
Aldi went across the pond for its knock-off of baking’s favorite Biscoff, and shoppers say it was worth it. Benton’s Speculoos Cookies are the unofficial dupe of the Belgian Lotus Biscoff, and many claim they taste even better for half the price. An 8.8-ounce package of Benton’s speculoos is $1.99 at Aldi, while the same size package of Lotus Biscoff retails for around $3.19. Aldi’s Speculoos has almost the same shape as Biscoff, and reviews say they taste the same.
“The Speculoos is exactly like Lotus Biscoff cookies, down to the texture and sugar level,” said one Redditor. “The speculoos are dangerously good. My husband and I stock up like we’re preparing for a hurricane,” said another.
Happy Farms Creamy Original Spreadable Cheese Wedges vs Laughing Cow
Again, when it comes to subtlety, Aldi falls short of hiding the “you-can-see-it-from-space” resemblance in its dupes, but what it does well is pulling off similar—sometimes better—taste for a fraction of the price. Happy Farms is eerily similar to Laughing Cow cheese wedges. Redditors say the taste is the same, with some noting that the shape is better than Laughing Cow’s.
Laughing Cow’s Creamy Original wedges range from $4 to $7.59, depending on the store, and that’s for the same 8-pack, 5.4-ounce size. Aldi’s Happy Farms version comes in at $2.85, so it’s basically half the price.
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Choceur Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups vs. Reese’s PB Cups
It’s a bold move to go after America’s favorite candy, but then again, Aldi is daring when it comes to saving you a dollar or two. Aldi’s Choceur Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups have not only been compared to Reese’s classic peanut butter Cups, but also called smoother and creamier. “The peanut butter tastes fresh, the texture is smooth, not grainy, and the chocolate is just sweet enough,” one shopper said on Reddit. I like the higher PB-to-chocolate ratio, and I prefer the peanut butter. Reese’s peanut butter is almost gritty in comparison,” another chimed in to blast the original brand.
The only difference between the two—other than Aldi fans’ preference for the flavor — is the price tag. Reese’s Miniatures can run anywhere from about $5.99 to $7.99 for a 10.5-ounce bag, depending on the store, whereas Aldi’s knock-off is priced at $5.75 for a 12 oz bag.
Tuscan Garden Ranch Dressing vs Hidden Valley
Ranch loyalists will defend Hidden Valley with everything they’ve got, but Aldi’s Tuscan Garden bottle gets a surprising amount of love online. Budget shoppers say the flavor is virtually the same creamy, herby profile, and the texture is close enough that most people can’t tell the difference once it’s on a salad or a pile of chicken tenders.
“As a picky ranch brand person, I took a chance with this guy and it has quickly become my personal favorite,” a Redditor said in favor of the knock-off. “It is wayyy better than Hidden Valley. I feel like it’s more creamy and just overall has a better flavor,” agreed another. The price also wins points for Tuscan Garden, which sells a 16 fl oz bottle for $2.15, whereas Hidden Valley ranges from $4.17 to $8.09.
Specially Selected Premium Marinara vs Rao’s
Rao’s has the status of Beyoncé of jarred pasta sauce — adored, and held to a completely different standard. But it’s also expensive. Aldi’s Specially Selected Premium Marinara has earned a fan club of its own, mainly because it tastes like Rao’s without the Rao’s price. Shoppers say the ingredient list is almost identical — tomatoes, olive oil, onion, simple seasonings — and the flavor stays clean and tomato-forward instead of sweet or heavily herbed. The price is where you see the difference, with 24 24-oz bottle of Aldi’s marinara priced at $4.29, and Rao’s can go for anything above $7 for the same size.
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Summit Cola vs. Coke
Coke fans are usually impossible to convince, but Summit Cola is one of the few Aldi dupes that actually starts arguments online. Reddit is full of people swearing the canned version tastes identical, with some even claiming it’s better than the “real” thing. Not everyone agrees on the identical part, but the price gap is hard to argue with. “A 12-pack of soda costs $10 at my regular grocery store, and a 12-pack of Summit is under $5. And yes, it tastes identical to Coke!” said a converted Summit Cola fan on Reddit.
Millville Toaster-Tarts vs Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts
Pop-Tarts basically built the breakfast-pastry empire, but Aldi didn’t hesitate to copy the blueprint. Millville Toaster-Tarts come in the same size box, with the same two-tarts-per-pack setup, and Reddit reviews say the filling and frosting are actually more generous on the Aldi version. “The filling AND the frosting are better (more substantial) on Millville tarts. The flavor is perfect! And obviously the price can’t be beat,” said one shopper. The cinnamon-flavored Toaster Tarts sell for $2.45 for a 12-count box at Aldi, while Kellogg’s 8-count package goes for $2.60 at Walmart.
Benton Double Stuffed Sandwich Cookies vs. Oreos
Ironically enough, Oreos are technically a knockoff themselves — the original cookie was Hydrox — but they’ve long been the default. Benton’s Double Stuffed Sandwich Cookies get compared to Oreos constantly, and some say the creme layer is actually thicker in the Aldi version. “Oreos? No thanks, I’d rather have Benton’s Double filled chocolate sandwich cookies,” said one Redditor. “I actually like these better than the real thing. Aldi rules” wrote another. The big difference is the cost. Benton’s Double Filled Chocolate Sandwich Creme Cookies (15.35 oz) run $2.75 at Aldi. A standard 13-ounce pack of Oreos can go anywhere from $3.96 at Walmart to $6.99.
Cheddar Turtle Crackers vs. Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish
Goldfish have the nostalgia factor, but Savoritz Cheddar Turtles at Aldi get brought up constantly as the cheaper swap that tastes almost the same, or better some would say. People who’ve tried both say the turtles have the same crunchy, cheesy bite, just in a different shape. A few even prefer the Aldi version because it’s a little richer and less salty. At Walmart, a standard 6.6-ounce bag of Goldfish Cheddar runs $2.77, while Aldi’s 19-ounce bag of Savoritz Extra Cheddar Turtle Crackers is $4.29 — triple the size for barely more than the price of one small bag of Goldfish.
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