20 Store-Bought Snacks Better Than Anything You’ll Make At Home
Going From "DIY" to "DI-Why?"
Some snacks are worth the effort, but let's be real—sometimes, the store-bought version is just better! No messy kitchen, no complicated recipes, just pure, effortless satisfaction straight out of the package. Of course, taste is subjective and some of these might taste better when made at home, but there's no denying the immense trade-off that comes with having to painstakingly prepare some of these. So, here’s a look at 20 store-bought snacks that simply outshine their homemade counterparts. How many are in your pantry?
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1. Frozen Pizza Rolls
In 1967, Jeno Paulucci introduced the world to the first pizza rolls, revolutionizing snacking with a crispy shell and molten cheese core. The secret to their perfection lies in the flash-freezing process, which ensures even cooking. Whether eaten as a quick bite or a party favorite, these deliver instant satisfaction.
2. Tater Tots
These bite-sized potato gems were an accidental creation in 1953 by the Ore-Ida founders. Commercial factories use precise shaping and flash-frying techniques, making their signature crunch impossible to achieve with a homemade batch. Even air frying at home won’t recreate that uniform crispness.
3. Bagged Popcorn
Freshly popped at home? Sounds great until you realize how much better pre-packaged popcorn tastes. Precision seasoning and no burnt bits make store-bought versions stand out. Brands like Smartfood and Boom Chicka Pop offer flavors you can’t replicate in your kitchen, which makes them a go-to movie snack.
4. Beef Jerky
Ancient civilizations perfected meat preservation, but modern jerky production refined it with controlled drying. Store-bought brands optimize chewiness by marinating meats for hours before slow dehydration. Unlike homemade versions that risk spoilage, commercial jerky remains shelf-stable and packed with smoky flavors.
5. Energy Bars
The first energy bar, Space Food Sticks, was designed for NASA astronauts in the 1960s. Today, manufacturers engineer bars with balanced macronutrients, blending nuts and protein isolates. Whether it’s a Clif Bar on a hike or a Kind Bar at work, these snacks deliver lasting energy without hassle.
6. Ice Cream Sandwiches
Smooth, creamy, and perfectly proportioned, these desserts have been a summer staple since the early 1900s. A homemade version often melts too fast, while store-bought ones use just the right balance of cookie softness and ice cream density. Once you bite into one, there’s no going back.
7. Pretzel Nuggets
Invented as a compact, mess-free snack, pretzel nuggets feature a unique baking method that seals in fillings like cheese or peanut butter. The pressurized dough expansion during baking creates an irresistible crunch. Lastly, their rise in popularity at airports and stadiums proves their superiority in on-the-go snacking.
How to Make Pretzel Bites by The Busy Baker
8. Dried Mango Slices
Tropical, chewy, and naturally sweet, dried mango slices undergo a commercial dehydration process that intensifies their flavor. Home-drying can leave them tough or flavorless, but store-bought versions strike the perfect balance between chewiness and natural sugar content. A healthier alternative to candy, they’re hard to resist.
9. Frozen Mozzarella Sticks
The magic of these cheese-filled delights lies in their crispy breading and molten interior. When made at home, they often leak cheese or lack crunch. Store-bought mozzarella sticks, perfectly coated and frozen at peak freshness, offer that signature stretch and crunch, making them a party favorite every time.
10. Protein Chips
The quest for a healthier chip led to the innovation of protein chips, created using pea and whey protein isolates. High-heat extrusion baking keeps them crispy while boosting protein content. Homemade alternatives rarely achieve the same texture. Whether post-workout or midday munching, these chips bring guilt-free satisfaction.
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11. Peanut Butter Crackers
Creamy peanut butter sandwiched between crisp crackers? A classic since the 1960s, this snack satisfies instantly. Store-bought varieties maintain the ideal peanut butter-to-cracker ratio, ensuring every bite hits the spot. This is one snack you always grab on the go.
12. Rice Cakes
Light, crispy, and versatile, rice cakes have been a diet staple for decades. The secret to their airy texture? A high-pressure puffing process that’s nearly impossible to replicate at home. Topped with peanut butter or cheese, they provide a blank canvas for endless snacking possibilities.
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13. Packaged Muffins
Commercial bakeries use specialized emulsifiers to keep packaged muffins moist for longer than homemade versions. With perfectly even texture and long-lasting freshness, store-bought muffins eliminate the hassle of measuring ingredients while still delivering indulgent flavors like double chocolate.
14. Packaged Doughnuts
Deep-frying doughnuts at home is a messy ordeal, often leading to inconsistencies in texture. Packaged doughnuts, on the other hand, use temperature-controlled frying and quick-freeze methods to retain their soft, pillowy interiors. Dunkin’, Krispy Kreme, and Hostess prove that some treats are just better in a box.
15. Coconut Macaroons
This delicate confection dates back to 9th-century Italy but remains challenging to perfect at home. Commercial bakers use controlled moisture retention techniques to keep macaroons chewy inside while ensuring a golden-brown crust. Their precise balance of texture and sweetness makes store-bought versions unbeatable.
16. Frozen Chicken Nuggets
Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and perfectly seasoned, frozen chicken nuggets are snack royalty. Home-frying often leads to uneven breading or soggy bites. Fast-food chains and grocery brands have mastered the technique, which makes these childhood favorites a timeless, convenient indulgence.
17. Veggie Straws
These colorful, airy snacks result from an advanced puffing process that blends potato, spinach, and tomato powders into light, crisp straws. The unique production method aerates them, giving them an unmistakable crispiness. Hence, when it comes to guilt-free crunch, store-bought wins every time.
18. Chocolate-Covered Almonds
A perfect blend of crunch and sweetness, chocolate-covered almonds have been a favorite since the 1800s. The process of coating roasted almonds in smooth, tempered chocolate ensures an even layer without melting. Whether dark, milk, or white chocolate, store-bought versions achieve a glossy, satisfying finish.
19. Mini Stroopwafels
Originating in the Netherlands in the 19th century, stroopwafels consist of two thin waffle layers held together by rich caramel syrup. Their perfect balance of crispness and chewiness makes them a favorite treat—especially when placed atop a steaming cup of coffee, allowing the caramel to melt just right.
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20. Corn Nuts
Originally developed in the 1930s, Corn Nuts undergo a unique toasting process that locks in an addictive crunch. The chili-lime variety delivers a fiery citrus punch, coating each kernel evenly. Achieving this level of crispness and flavor intensity at home is nearly impossible without industrial-grade drying and seasoning.
