I tried 6 frozen mac and cheese bites and it was the best

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The Super Bowl is over, but that doesn’t mean all the meetings and preparing delicious snacks have to come to an end. Whether you’re a basketball fan, hockey enthusiast, or social butterfly, there’s always something to celebrate and look forward to. And here’s the perfect appetizer for your next watch party or event: mac and cheese bites.

Whoever came up with the idea of ​​putting this creamy, universally admired comfort food into crispy, bite-sized pockets is a snacking genius. And now many stores and brands offer versions of this information.

Before you head to the store and pick up the first box you lay your eyes on, check out the results of this survey to see which options came out as the cheesiest and which also strike a good balance between crispy breading and tender noodles . . Each chewable bite was baked according to the brand’s instructions to level the playing field, and I brought no preconceived opinions to this taste test.

Giant Eagle Mac and Cheese Bites

PER SERVING (4 PIECES): 220 calories, 11 g fat (2.5 g saturated fat), 630 mg sodium, 26 g carbohydrates (<1 g fiber, <1 g sugar), 5 g protein

The Giant Eagle’s locations are not widespread: they are confined to five states, primarily Ohio and Pennsylvania. But the chain has a huge impact on these areas and is one of my favorite places to shop. I spent a lot of time in the frozen food aisle of the store, cold and thinking about which snack foods to grab for game or for my own snacking needs.

I had never opted for Giant Eagle’s Mac ‘N Cheese Bites brand. They claim to be “restaurant style” and although the box depicts a small bowl of marinara sauce for dipping, the bites are served on their own. A box of 12 cost me a reasonable $3.29.

The look: Triangular in shape but with a batter coating that makes them look like McDonald’s chicken nuggets. The innards are pale orange and the macaroni noodles aren’t too cheesy.

Taste: These bites are one of the few Giant Eagle products that disappoints me. The inner portion of mac and cheese tasted only like cheddar cheese and was watery. To make matters worse, much of the cheese comes from powder, sauce mix, and a combination of natural and artificial flavors. Yellow dyes #5 and #6 are added to create this more attractive coloring. The outer shell comes with its long list of problems, among which it is more chewy than crispy.

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Feel Good Foods Three Cheese Mac and Cheese Bites

PER SERVING (3 PIECES): 240 calories, 13 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 380 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrates (1 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 8 g protein

Feel Good Foods Mac and Cheese Bites are loaded with yellow cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan. The recipe comes from the minds of a restaurateur and chef who came together to create a line of gluten-free foods. The bites can be purchased online from retailers such as Gluten-Free Mall or Thrive Market. They’re also found at grocers like Whole Foods, Fresh Thyme Market, and my local Meijer, where I picked up a box that hadn’t yet been transformed into the company’s new bright yellow packaging. Each 12 unit typically costs $6.89 at the chain, but you can expect to pay more when ordering online.

The look: Uniform spherical shape with a crumbly outer crust. Most pieces split during the cooking process, revealing bright carrot-colored contents. The color is less natural than in the box photo.

Taste: These bites come out of the oven with a nice crunch. But they cool quickly, losing all their texture and even turning to the dry side. This could be because there are more noodles than cheese. As I chewed, I noticed a mustard flavor and sure enough, mustard powder was an included ingredient, which I would have swapped for another serving of cheese.

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Louisa White Cheddar Grilled Mac and Cheese

PER SERVING (4 BITCHES): 260 calories, 15 g fat (4.5 g saturated fat), 510 mg sodium, 25 g carbohydrates (1 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 8 g protein

Louisa makes macaroni and cheese differently. The company’s goal is to be a leader in frozen pasta. That mission carries over to its lineup of entrees, including grilled mac and cheese. The outer shell of the product is made of pasta rather than a coating of breading. The bites also include white cheddar cheese instead of yellow cheddar, ricotta and mozzarella. On the back of the $5.09 box, you can also find a recipe for delicious pizzaioli sauce to accompany. I gave them a good chance on their own.

The look: Flat and disc-shaped. They look like fried ravioli. The color of mac and cheese is closer to white or cream than orange or yellow. They’re not too drunk.

Taste: There is a good amount of cheese but not enough macaroni. The interior is creamy and cheesy, probably because of the added ricotta, but the specific notes of cheddar and mozzarella aren’t evident, making it a bit bland. Looks like there are hardly any noodles. I enjoyed the exterior of the pasta. The edges crisp up perfectly in the oven and their sturdiness makes them easy to eat and dip.

RELATED: 14 ​​Best and Worst Frozen Appetizers You Can Buy, Dietitians Say

Stouffer’s Bite-Fulls Classic Mac and Cheese Bites

PER SERVING (3 PIECES): 220 calories, 11 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 340 mg sodium, 23 g carbohydrates (1 g fiber, 1 g sugar), 6 g protein

When I think of Stouffer’s, I imagine ready-to-cook family lasagna. But the brand’s other claim to fame is its frozen macaroni and cheese: it claims to be America’s No. 1 in that department. The dish is served in a variety of ways, including as mac and cheese bites, where the classic recipe is coated in a crispy breading. They’re part of the brand’s Bite-Fulls line and use real cheddar. A heavier appetizer container, with 15 pieces total, costs $7.49 at my nearest Giant Eagle.

The look: These are a mouthful – the biggest mouthfuls of the taste test. The size of each is inconsistent. Two were processed together in the box, making a long bouquet of mac and cheese. At the heart of each bite is a golden core of cheesy elbow noodles.

Taste: Creamy and delicious, but nothing exceptional. Much like Giant Eagle’s offering, there’s not enough complexity with just one cheese. The breading is not shiny and it is not crispy enough in the oven. Maybe the air fryer would have brought them to the desired texture – I’ll try that next time. Aside from these complaints, this is a solid option, but I expected more from such an established brand.

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Appetitos Mac and Cheese Bites

PER SERVING (4 PIECES): 210 calories, 12 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 550 mg sodium, 22 g carbohydrates (1 g fiber, 2 g sugar), 4 g protein

If you’re a regular Aldi shopper, you know that big brands aren’t the store’s style. Instead, the chain’s inventory is primarily made up of private label products such as Nature’s Nectar, Millville and Simply Nature. In the frozen section, customers will also find numerous starters and snacks bearing the Appetitos label. Franks in a Blanket, Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Puff Pastry Bites, and Spinach Artichoke Dip are just a few options, in addition to the classic mac and cheese bites. A relatively small box of 11 pieces sells for $3.49.

The look: Not too appetizing. The shape resembles a mini corn dog and the breading looks the same. Some were crushed in the oven, but the noodles are still visible in the middle.

Taste: I wasn’t expecting anything amazing, but the bites surprised me for a budget option. Their shell reaches an acceptable level of crispness despite its droopy appearance, and the interior is not overflowing with cheese sauce. Although it only incorporates cheddar cheese, the cheese has a unique taste, like Parmesan or another mild white cheese. This is a box that I would take again.

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Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese Bites

PER SERVING (3 PIECES): 190 calories, 10 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 280 mg sodium, 19 g carbohydrates (2 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 7 g protein

It didn’t surprise me that Trader Joe’s offers mac and cheese bites alongside its countless other apps and award-winning frozen treats. Each box contains 10 pieces, costs $3.99, and sports a new and improved recipe. The chain says the fresh version of the bites is “cheesier than ever” with seven, yes, seven different types of cheese. Expect every bite to be stuffed with Cheddar, Havarti, Swiss, Gouda, Monterey Jack, Pecorino-Romano. and cream cheese. With all that cheese, it’s a miracle that any elbow macaroni can still fit into each nugget. Meanwhile, on the outside of each nugget, you’ll find “thinner, crispier panko-style breading” to offset all that gooey topping.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

The look: Ball shaped, like Feel Good Foods Bites, but bigger. The size leaves room for many curved noodles, which turn a pale yellow color.

Taste: Trader Joe’s achieves the perfect ratio of breading, cheese and macaroni. These are also the first bites that impress me with their mac and cheese quality – probably all the different cheeses at work. The rich Gouda and Swiss stood out to me, and each oozing pocket tasted buttery and succulent, just like a mac you’d find at a high-end steakhouse. I couldn’t have identified that the breading was panko, but it is well seasoned with tastes of garlic and a touch of salt.

TJ’s bites are good enough to eat plain, like I did. But they would be even better dipped in marinara or dressed ranch.