I Tried 13 Frozen Appetizers at Dollar Tree — These Are the 3 I’ll Buy Again

As people look for ways to reduce their food budget, they’re spending more on groceries at discount retailers like the Dollar Tree. With the holiday season fast approaching, I visited a nearby location to scope out what frozen appetizers it had in store. Once again, there were a lot of options to choose from (although I will say some items were in limited supply at the time I shopped). 

In true Dollar Tree fashion, most of the apps were $1.25 and sold in smaller quantities, which I found convenient for two reasons: Freezer space can be tough to come by in general (and especially this time of year), and I like the idea of putting out a few different apps without worrying about leftovers. A few cost more (either $3 or $5, likely because of their larger quantities) and one cost way less (at $0.01!). 

I ended up with 13 items in my tote for a total of $28.01. After spending the better part of a Saturday night sampling all those apps, I found three that have what it takes to get the party started. Let’s take a look!

These chicken fries beat out another name-brand contender to take the top spot. The crispy breading had a salt-and-pepper-y bite that balanced the tenderness of the chicken. With eight fries to a pouch, they’re ideal for a small gathering or as part of a larger party platter. Pro tip: Although the instructions on the package suggest oven or microwave, I recommend heating these in the air fryer for 10 minutes (flipping halfway through) for an extra-crispy exterior.

The cornmeal coating has a slight sweetness, thanks to the honey. And there’s more than enough of it to go around the two-bite-sized turkey hot dogs. (The ratio of corn to dog shown on the package is surprisingly accurate!) Like the chicken above, these corn dogs are best when heated in the air fryer (10 minutes; flip halfway through). There are just five to a bag, so you might want to grab two packs.

Of the three, this is the only appetizer that had instructions for an air fryer and, ironically, the one I’d recommend heating in the oven. Even with a watchful eye, the meatballs were too easily overcooked in the former. From the oven, they tasted juicy and nicely seasoned on their own, and even better when served in a sweet-and-sour sauce — which is not included. Although the texture is a little on the chewy side (likely due to the fact that chicken is the first ingredient, followed by water, pork, then beef), at 10 to a package, you could also easily make a meal out of these meaty balls.

What’s your favorite frozen appetizer to get at the dollar store? Tell us in the comments below.