12 Aldi Freezer Buys That Aren't Worth It - No Matter How Cheap

Aldi's freezer aisle is full of bargains, but not every deal is a winner. With inflation still stretching grocery budgets thin and with everyone trying to stretch their Aldi budget, it's tempting to grab the cheapest frozen meals and snacks you can find.

But as many shoppers have discovered the hard way, some low-cost items aren't worth the few dollars you save. From soggy side dishes to freezer-burned dinners, these Aldi frozen foods have left customers disappointed, and sometimes downright frustrated, even if they are under $10.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Price: $3.29

These mozzarella sticks are supposed to have a crispy exterior and gooey interior, but many find them lacking. The breading is supposedly too thick with very little cheese filling, and reviewers complain they also tend to leak cheese during cooking, resulting in a mess and a less satisfying snack.

If you're craving a cheesy indulgence, it might be worth looking for a fresher, more balanced version.

The 11-ounce box is a Regular Buy at Aldi, so it's typically stocked year-round, and the box notes servings of three sticks each. Similar mozzarella sticks from national brands like Farm Rich often cost more per ounce.

Price: $3.25

This ice cream is meant to have chunks of cookie dough and chocolate chips in a creamy vanilla base; however, many find the mix-ins sparse and the texture gritty, making it feel more like plain vanilla ice cream.

The ice cream comes in a 48-ounce (1.5-quart) tub and is made without high fructose corn syrup, though the label notes artificial flavor is added. 

Aldi sells this as a Regular Buy alongside other Sundae Shoppe flavors, and it's generally priced well below name-brand chocolate chip cookie dough pints and quarts sold at traditional grocery stores. It's also kosher-certified and easy to find in stores.

Price: $2.75

While the flavors are decent, the squash is often undercooked, resulting in an unsatisfying texture. Even after carefully following the cooking instructions, many shoppers end up with a mix that's too firm or unevenly heated.

It may require additional stovetop cooking to achieve the desired tenderness, making the convenience factor moot.

The 10-ounce bag contains organic, non-GMO butternut squash cubes with no seeds or skin to deal with, and it's priced around $2.75, generally cheaper than fresh squash once the labor of peeling and cubing is factored in. 

It's best steamed, roasted or blended into soups, though results can vary depending on how it's cooked.

Price: $1.09

Once a freezer staple, recent batches have left many customers disappointed. They say the kernels are often tough, chewy and inconsistent in size, with a surprising number of crushed pieces.

Whether steamed or sauteed, they rarely reach that crisp, fresh taste expected from frozen corn.

The steamable bag comes in a 12-ounce size meant to microwave directly in the bag, and Aldi generally prices it under $1, well below many name-brand frozen corn options. 

The bag is a Regular Buy, so it's typically stocked year-round, and results can vary depending on how long it's steamed. It's also a good source of fiber.

Price: $5.89

This breaded chicken can be hit or miss. While some bags contain tender, well-seasoned pieces, reviewers complain that others are filled with gristle and chewy bits that are hard to chew. It's frustrating to spend time baking them only to bite into a disappointing piece.

The inconsistency makes it a gamble, especially for a product that costs more than others on this list.

Kirkwood nuggets are made mostly from chicken breast with rib meat and breading, and Aldi sells them as a Regular Buy, so they're generally available year-round at a lower price per ounce than name-brand nuggets like Tyson's.

Price: $7.69

This tempura shrimp may seem like a good deal with the price, but sometimes things are too good to be true. Redditors have reported that the shrimp becomes rubbery and that the crispy coating falls off while being eaten.

The 16-ounce package includes 12 oven-ready shrimp along with a soy dipping sauce, and the shrimp are Best Aquaculture Practices certified. Fremont Fish Market is Aldi's house brand for seafood, meaning the shrimp may be sourced from different suppliers depending on availability. 

Preparing the shrimp in the oven rather than reheating them another way may help preserve the crispy tempura coating.

Price: $7.59

At first glance, this seems like a great frozen pizza deal with a stuffed crust bonus, but people have pointed out that the pepperoni is often sparse, and the crust can be gummy instead of crispy.

The cheese in the crust usually doesn't melt well, robbing you of that satisfying cheesy pull. It might curb a pizza craving in a pinch, but don't expect pizzeria quality.

The pizza weighs about 31 ounces and is a Regular Buy at Aldi, so it's typically stocked year-round. 

Name-brand stuffed crust pizzas like DiGiorno tend to be smaller and cost more per ounce, though results with any frozen stuffed crust pizza can vary by oven and bake time.

Price: $5.65

These taquitos have crispy outer shells, but they're often filled with dry, shredded chicken and very little cheese. When baked, they can become too hard and unpleasant to bite through. The lack of filling makes them feel like you're paying for flavored tortilla rolls.

They're a convenient snack, but not one you'll be eager to repurchase.

Each 20-ounce box contains 20 taquitos made with corn tortillas, shredded white meat chicken, Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese, plus diced tomatoes and green chiles. 

The taquitos are a Regular Buy, so they're generally available year-round, and results can vary depending on whether they're baked, microwaved or air-fried.

Price: $1.65

Brussels sprouts can be a polarizing veggie, and this frozen version doesn't help their case. The steamable bag often leads to mushy, waterlogged sprouts that lack any roasted or caramelized flavor.

Customers say they need extra seasoning and cooking time to be remotely appealing. If you're trying to eat more greens, there are better frozen options available.

The steamable bag comes in a 12-ounce size with no preservatives added, and it's a Regular Buy, so it's typically available year-round. 

Results with steamable bags can vary depending on microwave wattage and steaming time, and some shoppers find roasting frozen sprouts in the oven produces better caramelization than steaming.

Price: $1.65

This low-carb substitute has gained popularity, but Aldi's version can be disappointing. It's often mushy and watery right out of the bag, making it hard to achieve a rice-like texture.

Many shoppers end up straining and sauteing it further just to make it edible.

The 12-ounce bag comes from Italy and is generally priced under $2, cheaper per ounce than many 10-ounce riced cauliflower bags at traditional grocery stores. 

It's meant to be steamed right in the bag, and results can vary depending on how long it's cooked and whether excess moisture is drained afterward. It's also a Regular Buy.

Price: $3.75

Vegan cheese sounds like a great dairy-free alternative, but this one is not. This supposed cheese substitute doesn't melt properly, often resulting in a gluey or congealed texture.

The 8-ounce bag is made mainly from filtered water, modified corn starch, canola oil and pea protein rather than nuts or soy, and it's gluten-free and kosher certified. Earth Grown is Aldi's plant-based house brand, and this option is generally priced lower per ounce than many name-brand vegan cheeses. 

Melting performance can vary depending on the dish, with some shoppers reporting better results melting the shreds directly onto pizza rather than in a pan.

Price: $1.09

Although convenient, these steamable veggies are often inconsistent in texture and quality. Some vegetables come out mushy while others are still hard, even when microwaved evenly.

With minimal flavor, customers say they require heavy seasoning or butter just to taste decent.

The 12-ounce steamable bag is a blend of carrots, corn, green beans and peas, and it's a good source of vitamin A and fiber. 

Aldi generally prices this bag under $1.10, making it one of the cheapest frozen vegetable options in the freezer aisle, though results can vary depending on microwave time and wattage. It's also a Regular Buy.

While Aldi has many frozen gems, these items prove that low prices don't always equal great value. Whether it's odd textures, poor taste, or disappointing ingredients, these products may not be worth the savings.

But if you're looking to really stretch your grocery dollars, these top grocery saving hacks can help you avoid buyer's remorse at the freezer aisle. Planning ahead and shopping smart can make all the difference and keep your cart full of foods you'll actually enjoy.

Since 2026 marks Aldi's 50th anniversary in the U.S., the retailer continues expanding its frozen aisle with new items each season, so quality and availability can shift from store to store.