8 Snacks (All $5 or Less!) You’ll Want to Buy on Repeat at Five Below

Mara Weinraub
Mara WeinraubSenior Editor of Groceries at The Kitchn
I nudged my way into writing about food after a too-long stint working in advertising. At first, I freelanced for several digital food media outlets, and then worked at Hearst Magazines as the Senior Food & Drink Editor across nearly all titles, including Delish, Good Housekeeping, and Pioneer Woman. I’ve been at The Kitchn since August 2021, and one of my proudest accomplishments is my feature detailing the fascinating grocer solutions to America’s food waste problem. (If you haven’t read it, now’s the time!) I nerd out over groceries. One of the best parts of my job is sharing little-known or untold stories that help shoppers navigate the aisles — and their budget — like the “two-finger” rule on how to pick out the perfect watermelon, our editors' favorite hot cocoa mix, or a corner of our country's food system. I’m always looking for new ways to expand the groceries conversation at The Kitchn.
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published Jun 7, 2023
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At Kitchn, we’re all about finding hidden gems in unexpected places — and then sharing them with all of you. A treasure trove of face masks? Right this way. An expectations-exceeding jar of fruit preserves? Have at it. A much-sought after bottle of bubbly? Yes, please! And then there are the snacks on snacks on snacks.

Five Below is our latest stop on the snacks tour. The discount retailer’s shelves are packed with sweet, sour, savory, spicy, and salty staples, served up with a hefty side of nostalgia. We narrowed down our list of must-buys to these eight chewy, crispy, crunchy, and crumbly favorites — and they’re all $5 or less! (Note: Some items may be slightly more online.)

Fill up your copycat tumbler of choice (if this one’s not available, maybe try this one) and let’s dig in.

Credit: Mara Weinraub

1. LesserEvil Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn, $3.50

If I’m not popping my own, nine times out of 10 I’m reaching for a bag of this brand’s light, airy, delightfully salty, vegan popcorn. It’s a repeat Kitchn Essentials winner for that reason, and we found several classic (“no cheese” cheesiness) and seasonal flavors (watermelon hibiscus and lemonade) on shelves.

Buy: LesserEvil Himalayan Pink Salt Popcorn

Credit: Mara Weinraub

2. Calbee Original Shrimp Chips, $3.50

Moving on to the snack with arguably the most satisfying texture of the lot. These shrimp chips are what we like to refer to as dissolvable-y crispy. Combined with that savoriness of the shrimp, we can very easily see how someone might need to purchase more than one bag.

Find it in stores: Calbee Original Shrimp Chips

Credit: Mara Weinraub

3. Combos Cheddar Cheese Baked Cracker, $3.00 for 6.3 ounces

Is it just us or are the cracker Combos harder to find these days? The crumbly nuggets and salty cheesy center SCREAM childhood road trips (or even pre-flight breakfast). Several Kitchn editors grew up on them and they remain a favorite to this day. Bonus: Pretzel cheddar, plus pizza-flavored-cracker and -pretzel combos are also available.

Buy: Combos Cheddar Cheese Baked Cracker

Credit: Mara Weinraub

4. Three Amigos Elote Mexican Street Corn Flavored Snack Mix, $3.50 for 7 ounces

Do you like your side of corn with a side of corn? Same. Sticks, crunchies, jacks, and not nearly enough of the elote honey roasted sesame chips (there’s always one you want more of, amiright?) come in cheesy, fiery hot, and sweet beats. The heat from the crunchy kernels give the fiery hot churritos a real run for the spiciest mix member, so be sure to have a refreshing sip within reach.

Buy: Three Amigos Elote Mexican Street Corn Flavored Snack Mix

Credit: Mara Weinraub

5. Duke’s Tall Boy Original Recipe Smoked Shorty Sausage, $1.50 for 1 ounce

Beyond how fun chomping on this forearm-length stick of meat is (and sounds), these tall boys are expertly seasoned and taste fresher and are way less greasy (like, not at all) than other meat sticks we’ve tried. It’s also hitting the some savory high notes, no doubt thanks to the mix of spices. (Looking at you, salt, parsley, celery powder, and roasted garlic!)

Buy: Duke’s Tall Boy Original Recipe Smoked Shorty Sausage

Credit: Mara Weinraub

6. Lotus Biscoff Biscoff Cream Sandwich Cookies, $3.50 for 5.29 ounces

It’s everything we love about the classic airplane freebie (lol) — sugary, cinnamon-y, and crumbly — sandwiched around the sweet, spiced Biscoff cream. We would gladly tote these aboard in our carry-ons.

Buy: Lotus Biscoff Biscoff Cream Sandwich Cookies

Credit: Mara Weinraub

7. Meiji Hello Panda Chocolate Crème Center with Crunchy Shell, $5.00 for 8 bags

Another decades-long favorite, these adorable pandas are the definition of snackable. (Someone please alert the fine folks at Webster.) The shortbread cookie is somehow delicate and sturdy and comes with just enough of the chocolate filling to balance out the bite. Caramel and single-pack strawberry flavors are also available.

Buy: Meiji Hello Panda Chocolate Crème Center with Crunchy Shell

Credit: Mara Weinraub

8. Haribo Gummi Candy, $1.25 for 4 ounces

Did your salivary glands kick into overdrive just looking at this wall of sour and sweet gummy candies? Ours collectively did! Choose between a mix of classic and year-old limited-edition flavors, like peaches (an editor favorite!), watermelon, happy cherry, berries, pineapple, blue ra,spberry and more. Beyond the iconic bears, frogs, snakes, and worms are ready for chomping.

Buy: Haribo Gummi Candy

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Product Review
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