We ate 95 frozen appetizers from grocery stores and ranked them all

Super Bowl LV is just days away and to help you plan your food spread for the biggest game of the season, cleveland.com reporters Brenda Cain and Yadi Rodriguez have been scouring grocery and big box store freezers for the best appetizers.

© Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com/cleveland.com/TNS
No. 87 Crab Rangoon, Pagoda

© Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com/cleveland.com/TNS
No. 88 Cheese filled Cheese Balls, Utz

They purchased every frozen appetizer they found — chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, potato skins, a whopping 95 apps in all — and conducted a taste test to help readers decide what to serve as they watch the game in the comfort and safety of home this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Rankings and photos of the 95 appetizers are below.

Some highlights — and surprises: The Farm Rich brand took two of the Top 10 spots. The Pioneer Woman’s two products each finished in the Top 10 as well. Of the Top 10, five are generic grocery store brands. All appetizers in the Top 20 range in price from $3.99-$7.99.

© Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com/cleveland.com/TNS
No. 89 Boneless Chicken Bites – Buffalo-style, Market Pantry

Yes, there’s the standard fare. But how does a pairing of berry and brie sound? We even found lasagna bites. That’s right, little breaded balls of lasagna you can pop in your mouth — no napkin needed. And who doesn’t love mac and cheese? There are plenty of options here in mini balls so no warmer, fork or plates needed. Just the delicious creaminess of the tasty comfort food.

Cain and Rodriguez tasted and scored each appetizer, judging things like appearance, taste and ease of preparation, before coming together — virtually, of course — to compare notes and determine the rankings. Sometimes they agreed. Sometimes one had to convince the other why certain foods deserved to be ranked better or lower.

© Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com/cleveland.com/TNS
No. 90 Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Appetitos

All apps were cooked according to directions on the package — most in the oven. Cain and Rodriguez stayed away from any type of pizza appetizer since they’ve already ranked 130 frozen pizzas.

© Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com/cleveland.com/TNS
No. 91 Taquitos, Beef & Cheese, José Olé

So as you gear up for this battle of superstar quarterbacks, Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady with his six Super Bowl titles and Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, a defending Super Bowl champ, we hope these appetizer rankings help you decide what to include — or pass on! — for your Game Day food spread.

No. 95 Sliders, White Castle

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $5.39

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 290 5/8 Fat 13g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 380mg 5/8 Carbs 29g 5/8 Protein 13g

First ingredient: Enriched bleached wheat flour

© Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com/cleveland.com/TNS
No. 92 Mozzarella Sticks, Snapps

Box says: Meat is 100% beef. The original slider hamburgers. Welcome to the land of slider perfection. You’re holding the one-of-a-kind, craveable flawlessness of our 100% beef patty, steam-grilled onions, and our delicious signature bun.

© Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com/cleveland.com/TNS
No. 93 Three Cheese Bites, Feel Good Foods

Our thoughts: Pretty much a fumble on the first snap of the game. We’re not sure how anyone can be a fan of these flat, tasteless swiss cheese-appearing patties, covered in tiny onions. The meat is greasy and the onions are soggy and tasteless. We didn’t like them as a fast food franchise and they are no better from the freezer case.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $5.49 5/8 Buy it at Heinen’s $5.39 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $5.39

© Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com/cleveland.com/TNS
No. 94 Mini Chicken Sandwiches, Market Pantry

No. 94 Mini Chicken Sandwiches, Market Pantry

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $3.49

Nutrition per serving:

© Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com/cleveland.com/TNS
No. 86 Mozzarella Cheesesticks, Market Pantry

Calories 320 5/8 Fat 14g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 680mg 5/8 Carbs 37g 5/8 Protein 13g

First ingredient: Enriched flour

Box says: Breaded chicken patty on a bun.

© Yadi Rodriguez, cleveland.com/cleveland.com/TNS
No. 95 Sliders, White Castle

Our thoughts: Three and out! More bread than meat in these sliders. Processed, unseasoned chicken on a salty bun. It’s plain and boring. Skip this one!

Buy it at Target $3.49

No. 93 Three Cheese Bites, Feel Good Foods

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $5.69

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 9g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 430mg 5/8 Carbs 29g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Cauliflower

Box says: Cauliflower crust. Filled with tomato sauce, mozzarella, romano and provolone cheese.

Our thoughts: Despite the cauliflower crust and the three-cheese billing, this one sailed wide right and tasted more like a Totino’s pizza roll. We are not fans.

Buy it at Target $5.49

No. 92 Mozzarella Sticks, Snapps

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $1

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 430 5/8 Fat 19g 5/8 Cholesterol 30mg 5/8 Sodium 920mg 5/8 Carbs 49g 5/8 Protein 15g

First ingredient: Bleached wheat flour

Box says: Real mozzarella cheese nestled in a crispy, golden coating.

Our thoughts: These crunchy shells get so hard and some “exploded” in the oven, leaving a small puddle of watery, salty cheese and a hollow shell.

Buy it at Walmart $1

No. 91 Beef & Cheese Taquitos, José Olé

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 260 5/8 Fat 14g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 350mg 5/8 Carbs 25g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Enriched bleached wheat flour

Box says: Beef and cheese in flour tortillas.

Our thoughts: Throw the yellow flag on this one. Basic Taco Bell flavors are wrapped in a solid tortilla, but in spite of the meaty flavor, the inside is more like a refried bean consistency with no observable meat pieces. A good portion of the filling oozed out during the cooking.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $6.49 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99

No. 90 Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Appetitos

Where we bought it: Aldi

Price: $2.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 300 5/8 Fat 15g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 640mg 5/8 Carbs 30g 5/8 Protein 13g

First ingredient: Low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese

Box says: Mozzarella cheese sticks – real mozzarella cheese coated in crispy breading.

Our thoughts: Dry and bland. The crispy outer shell broke open during cooking, allowing the cheese to spill out. There was not much left to nosh on.

Buy it on Instacart $2.75

No. 89 Boneless Chicken Bites – Buffalo-Style, Market Pantry

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $3.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 230 5/8 Fat 12g 5/8 Cholesterol 35mg 5/8 Sodium 970mg 5/8 Carbs 15g 5/8 Protein 16g

First ingredient: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts with rib meat

Box says: Breaded boneless skinless chicken breast chunks with rib meat coated with a buffalo-style sauce, fully cooked.

Our thoughts: Lots of breading and mild Buffalo sauce do nothing to help these nuggets of chicken pieces/parts. Totally processed. In spite of the “skinless” billing, there were pieces of skin in these nuggets.

Buy it at Target $3.49

No. 88 Cheese Filled Cheese Balls, Utz

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $4.76

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 300 5/8 Fat 18g 5/8 Cholesterol 35mg 5/8 Sodium 840mg 5/8 Carbs 23g 5/8 Protein 10g

First ingredient: Water

Box says: Now your favorite cheese ball is available in the freezer aisle! Utz cheese filled cheese balls are made with three cheeses and coated with a savory crust made of crushed Utz Cheese Balls.

Our thoughts: The kids will like these more than the adults. The crust tastes more like Doritos and the inside more like a creamier version of cheddar cheese balls. Like some others, these did not hold the filling while cooking. A bonus: No orange, cheesy fingers you get with the crunchy snack.

No. 87 Crab Rangoon, Pagoda

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $2.89

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 450 5/8 Fat 20g 5/8 Cholesterol 40mg 5/8 Sodium 1030mg 5/8 Carbs 59g 5/8 Protein 9g

First ingredient: Enriched flour

Box says: Cream cheese and crab meat in crispy shell. Made with 100% rock crab meat.

Our thoughts: Good crab flavor, we just wish there was meat to go with it. When we pulled them apart, there was plenty of crab-flavored cream cheese, with a good level of Old Bay seasoning, just no actual lump crab. Extra credit for the individual packets of sauce, but overall left us disappointed.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $3.33 5/8 Buy it at Target $2.89

No. 86 Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Market Pantry

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $3.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 280 5/8 Fat 15g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 660mg 5/8 Carbs 24g 5/8 Protein 11g

First ingredient: Low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese

Box says: Mozzarella sticks, serve with pasta sauce for dipping.

Our thoughts: Crunchy and bland standard mozzarella stick. It offers a nice cheesy flavor but it gets dry and falls far short of a first down. Needs some kind of dipping sauce.

Buy it at Target $3.49

No. 85 Cream Cheese Jalapeño Peppers, Great Value

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $1.88

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 270 5/8 Fat 16g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 600mg 5/8 Carbs 26g 5/8 Protein 5g

First ingredient: Cream cheese

Box says: Cream cheese jalapeño peppers.

Our thoughts: Lacks flavor: creamy cheese atop a slimy jalapeno. The crust was bland too.

Buy it at Walmart $1.88

No. 84 Chicken & Vegetables Empanadas, Mas Panadas

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $7.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 150 5/8 Fat 3.5g 5/8 Cholesterol 30mg 5/8 Sodium 105mg 5/8 Carbs 20g 5/8 Protein 9g

First ingredient: Unbleached wheat flour

Box says: Real food for life in the fast lane. The perfect snack on the go.

Our thoughts: The homemade crust is filled with shredded chicken and a nice measure of Mexican spice. Flavorful, but dry.

No. 83 Chicken & Cheese Taquitos, Market Pantry

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $3.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 230 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 740mg 5/8 Carbs 25g 5/8 Protein 9g

First ingredient: Enriched wheat flour

Box says: Chicken and cheese taquitos rolled in flour tortillas. Made with white meat chicken.

Our thoughts: Salty! Good flavor but there is more refried beans than chicken and cheese.

Buy it at Target $3.49

No. 82 Veggie Empanadas, Mas Panadas

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 180 5/8 Fat 5g 5/8 Cholesterol 0mg 5/8 Sodium 160mg 5/8 Carbs 29g 5/8 Protein 4g

First ingredient: Unbleached wheat flour

Box says: Real food for life in the fast lane. The perfect snack on the go.

Our thoughts: Same homemade crust packed full of veggies, making it more reminiscent of an egg roll. Lots of corn and carrots.

No. 81 Breaded Mushrooms, Farm Rich

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 190 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 0mg 5/8 Sodium 360mg 5/8 Carbs 19g 5/8 Protein 4g

First ingredient: Mushrooms

Box says: Button mushrooms in a crispy breaded coating.

Our thoughts: The unseasoned coating is nicely crunchy once baked, but the mushrooms are watery and slimy.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $5.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $7.49

No. 80 Black Bean & Cheddar Empanadas, Brazi Bites

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 210 5/8 Fat 9g 5/8 Cholesterol 40mg 5/8 Sodium 370mg 5/8 Carbs 22g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Tapioca flour

Box says: In South America, empanadas are a hand-held favorite. Flaky outside, savory fillings inside. Our Brazi Bites empanadas use the perfect blend of only the finest ingredients with absolutely nothing artificial. And because our dough is made with tapioca flour, they are naturally gluten-free. Perfect for appetizers, parties, or light meals!

Our thoughts: The nicely-textured outer shell can be a bit overwhelming. It is filled with plenty of beans, just not enough cheese.

Buy it on Amazon $5.99

No. 79 Cream Cheese Wontons, Pagoda

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $2.89

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 640 5/8 Fat 37g 5/8 Cholesterol 80mg 5/8 Sodium 1070mg 5/8 Carbs 65g 5/8 Protein 11g

First ingredient: Cream cheese

Box says: Crispy shell stuffed with cream cheese. Made with 100% real cream cheese.

Our thoughts: The wontons were crispy outside, but remained doughy inside. The cheese filling was a bit salty. Extra credit for the individual packets of sweet chili sauce.

Buy it at Target $2.89

No. 78 Beef & Cheese Mini Tacos, José Olé

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 230 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 420mg 5/8 Carbs 24g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Ground beef

Box says: Made with real cheddar cheese.

Our thoughts: We had a bit of a disagreement on this one. One of us thought these were the best tacos we tried in this taste test. The other, not so much. Crunchy shells wrapped around nicely-seasoned ground beef, cheese and peppers. Decent flavor for this Taco Bell knock-off.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $6.49 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99

No. 77 Mini Corn Dogs, Market Pantry

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $6.79

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 180 5/8 Fat 8g 5/8 Cholesterol 40mg 5/8 Sodium 460mg 5/8 Carbs 22g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Water

Box says: Cocktail chicken franks wrapped in cornmeal batter.

Our thoughts: The cornmeal coating was inconsistent and thin. Firm, chewy frank. Bland without much seasoning.

Buy it at Target $6.79

No. 76 Chicken Taquitos, Delimex

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 190 5/8 Fat 8g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 400mg 5/8 Carbs 22g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Corn masa flour

Box says: White meat chicken taquitos, delicious Mexican flavors.

Our thoughts: The crunchy shell was stuffed with plenty of finely shredded chicken that got “mushy” after cooking.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $6.99 5/8 Buy it at Target $5.79 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 75 Breaded Mozzarella Sticks, Farm Rich

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $4.98

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 270 5/8 Fat 15g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 660mg 5/8 Carbs 23g 5/8 Protein 12g

First ingredient: Low moisture part skim mozzarella cheese

Box says: Our breaded mozzarella sticks are made with 100% real mozzarella and are a good source of protein and calcium. They are the perfect combination of gooey cheese and a “crispy” breading!

Our thoughts: Positive yardage, as these crispy shells held together better than many. You get plenty of gooey cheese. A tad on the salty side.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $5.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $7.49 5/8 Buy it at Target $5.29 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $9.96 party size

No. 74 Beef & Cheese Mini Tacos, Market Pantry

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $3.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 430mg 5/8 Carbs 23g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Stoneground corn masa flour

Box says: Beef and cheese mini tacos.

Our thoughts: The corn masa shell was the best part. The weird meat “patty” was an odd texture, though it offered a nice flavor.

Buy it at Target $3.49

No. 73 Buffalo Style Chicken Wings, TGI Fridays

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $7.97

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 240 5/8 Fat 16g 5/8 Cholesterol 45mg 5/8 Sodium 850mg 5/8 Carbs 10g 5/8 Protein 14g

First ingredient: Chicken wing sections

Box says: Crispy breaded chicken wing sections with buffalo style sauce packets.

Our thoughts: There was more breading than chicken, making these wings appear much larger than they actually are. A tale of two appetizers: one of us enjoyed a meaty experience, while the other team member got a large amount of slimy skin. The sauce adds a nice kick. Standard breaded wing.

Buy it on Instacart $10.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $7.97

No. 72 Truffle Mac & Cheese Bites, Feel Good Foods

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $5.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 10g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 380mg 5/8 Carbs 27g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Rice flour

Box says: White cheddar mac and cheese flavored with truffle oil in a crispy golden crust.

Our thoughts: A nice, creamy bite of mac and cheese amid a crispy outer shell. Our first “first down!”

No. 71 Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeños, Appetitos

Where we bought it: Aldi

Price: $2.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 260 5/8 Fat 16g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 600mg 5/8 Carbs 25g 5/8 Protein 5g

First ingredient: Jalapeños peppers

Box says: Cream cheese stuffed jalapeños in a crispy breading.

Our thoughts: The bland and flavorless breading covers a salty cream cheese. The jalapeño halves were hard to bite off because they were soggy. Another penalty flag.

Buy it on Instacart $2.75

No. 70 Spanakopita, Trader Joe’s

Where we bought it: Trader Joe’s

Price: $3.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 170 5/8 Fat 9g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 390mg 5/8 Carbs 16g 5/8 Protein 5g

First ingredient: Enriched unbleached wheat flour

Box says: Spanakopita filled with spinach, ricotta and feta cheese.

Our thoughts: The spinach overpowers all the other flavors. You can hardly detect the cheese. The mild phyllo dough crisps nicely and has a tasty flavor, but falls apart when you bite into it.

No. 69 Florentine Spinach/Mushroom Empanadas, Mas Panadas

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 210 5/8 Fat 7g 5/8 Cholesterol less than 5mg 5/8 Sodium 250mg 5/8 Carbs 29g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Unbleached wheat flour

Box says: Real food for life in the fast lane. The perfect snack on the go.

Our thoughts: There is plenty of spinach in these doughy pockets, but you don’t get many mushrooms.

No. 68 Beef Taquitos, Delimex

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 230 5/8 Fat 7g 5/8 Cholesterol 5mg 5/8 Sodium 230mg 5/8 Carbs 37g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Corn masa flour

Box says: Delicious Mexican flavor.

Our thoughts: The crunchy shell holds plenty of tasty beef filling but it’s mushy.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $6.99 5/8 Buy it at Target $5.79 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 67 Loaded Potato Skins, Appetitos

Where we bought it: Aldi

Price: $2.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 17g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 240mg 5/8 Carbs 13g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Baked potato shell

Box says: Loaded potato skins with cheddar cheese and real applewood smoked bacon.

Our thoughts: While the potato still had plenty of meat on the peel, it got hard upon cooking. There was lots of (is that American?) cheese, which didn’t fully melt and the consistency was off. The adequate bacon stayed crispy and was flavorful.

Buy it on Instacart $2.75

No. 66 Classic Lasagna Bites, Stouffer’s

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 230 5/8 Fat 10g 5/8 Cholesterol 10mg 5/8 Sodium 630mg 5/8 Carbs 28g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Bleached wheat flour

Box says: Crispy breading stuffed with meat sauce and Italian style herbs, mozzarella cheese and noodles.

Our thoughts: Lasagna you can just pop in your mouth? Yup, another first down!

Buy it at Giant Eagle $5.99

No. 65 Chicken & Cheese Empanadas, Brazi Bites

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 230 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 55mg 5/8 Sodium 430mg 5/8 Carbs 22g 5/8 Protein 11g

First ingredient: Tapioca flour

Box says: In South America, empanadas are a hand-held favorite. Flaky outside, savory fillings inside. Our Brazi Bites empanadas use the perfect blend of only the finest ingredients with absolutely nothing artificial. And as always our dough is made with tapioca flour, a delicious alternative to wheat. Perfect snacking and entertaining.

Our thoughts: The crust was crispy outside, but remained pasty on the inside. Shredded mixture was dry and a little on the salty side.

No. 64 Spanakopita, Athens

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $5.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 210 5/8 Fat 8g 5/8 Cholesterol 10mg 5/8 Sodium 470mg 5/8 Carbs 27g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Enriched wheat flour

Box says: A rich and savory blend of spinach and cheese hand wrapped in layers of light, flaky phyllo dough.

Our thoughts: Plenty of fresh spinach, but very little cheese flavor. The filling is salty. The phyllo crisp up nicely, but the layers fall apart when you bite into it.

Buy it at Heinen’s $5.49 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $5.49

No. 63 Mini Corn Dogs, Foster Farms

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $3.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 13g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 510mg 5/8 Carbs 19g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Water

Box says: Plump and juicy bite-size chicken franks dipped in honey-crunchy batter.

Our thoughts: Reminiscent of a trip to Chik-Fil-A, these little weenies are completely covered in the rich honey-flavored batter. A solid chicken frank. This bite is not too heavy. Call it a short completion over the middle.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $3.49 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $3.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $6.96

No. 62 Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Trader Joe’s

Where we bought it: Trader Joe’s

Price: $4.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 260 5/8 Fat 15g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 480mg 5/8 Carbs 18g 5/8 Protein 13g

First ingredient: Low moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese

Box says: Breaded mozzarella cheese sticks.

Our thoughts: The seasoned breading crisps up but flattens during the baking process, making them difficult to pick up. Very cheesy!

No. 61 Olive Tapenade Phyllo Blossom, Good & Gather

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 310 5/8 Fat 24g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 390mg 5/8 Carbs 21g 5/8 Protein 4g

First ingredient: Cream cheese

Box says: Cream cheese with olive and caper tapenade in a crispy phyllo crust.

Our thoughts: If you love olives, be sure to pick this appetizer up. You can smell the olives as this one bakes and they take over any cheese taste there might have been. They also pop open when cooked and the steaming filling spills out when you pick them up, so beware. Because of the olives they are salty.

Buy it at Target $4.99

No. 60 Popcorn Chicken, Tyson

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 170 5/8 Fat 9g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 600mg 5/8 Carbs 14g 5/8 Protein 14g

First ingredient: Boneless, skinless chicken breast chunks with rib meat

Box says: Chicken breast chunk fritters with rib meat.

Our thoughts: We recommend some sort of dipping sauce for these chicken bites. While the chicken remains juicy after cooking, the outside crust was dry. As with many apps like these, they are too salty.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $7.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $8.09 5/8 Buy it at Target $6.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $6.16

No. 59 Crispy Dill Pickles, Farm Rich

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 180 5/8 Fat 10g 5/8 Cholesterol 0mg 5/8 Sodium 650mg 5/8 Carbs 21g 5/8 Protein 3g

First ingredient: Pickles

Box says: Breaded dill pickle slices.

Our thoughts: The shell develops a fried texture even though it’s baked. The pickle retains a nice flavor, but loses its snap once frozen.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $5.99 5/8 Buy in on Instacart $7.49 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 58 Buffalo Style Boneless Chicken Bites, TGI Fridays

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $4.98

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 170 5/8 Fat 6g 5/8 Cholesterol 30mg 5/8 Sodium 1050mg 5/8 Carbs 20g 5/8 Protein 12g

First ingredient: Boneless skinless chicken breast with rib meat.

Box says: Formed chicken breast fritters with rib meat, with a buffalo style sauce packet.

Our thoughts: These are close to what you would get if you went to a TGI Fridays restaurant. Meaty chicken bites, a crispy coating and a tangy sauce. Our tip: Toss the bites in the sauce before baking. Finally, another chance to stand and cheer!

Buy it at Giant Eagle $6.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 57 Mini Beef Tacos, Trader Joe’s

Where we bought it: Trader Joe’s

Price: $4.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 190 5/8 Fat 8g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 310mg 5/8 Carbs 20g 5/8 Protein 10g

First ingredient: Cooked beef

Box says: Mini beef tacos.

Our thoughts: The corn shell has a nice crunch, but the beef inside is more of a patty than a taco consistency. These might benefit from your own addition of taco toppings like lettuce, tomatoes and some salsa.

No. 56 Mini Corn Dogs, Great Value

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $2.20

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 210 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 35mg 5/8 Sodium 490mg 5/8 Carbs 22g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Water

Box says: Batter wrapped chicken franks.

Our thoughts: Nothing new here. Good, firm “dawg” wrapped in a sweet cornmeal coating that gets crunchy when baked. Good dog-to-coating ratio.

Buy it at Walmart $2.20

No. 55 Honey BBQ Boneless Chicken Bites, TGI Fridays

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $4.98

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 180 5/8 Fat 4g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 700mg 5/8 Carbs 24g 5/8 Protein 11g

First ingredient: Boneless skinless chicken breast with rib meat.

Box says: Chicken breast fritters with rib meat, with a honey barbecue sauce packet.

Our thoughts: As with other chicken bites from this brand, they are typical of what you get if ordering in the restaurant. These bites seem to be more thigh meat than breast and the batter coating is lightly fried. It got a little mushy in the sauce.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $6.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 54 Mini Cheeseburgers, Market Pantry

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $3.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 300 5/8 Fat 12g 5/8 Cholesterol 40mg 5/8 Sodium 720mg 5/8 Carbs 30g 5/8 Protein 14g

First ingredient: Enriched flour

Box says: Beef patty with cheese on a bun.

Our thoughts: Way more bun than beef. Sufficient cheese. Be careful not to overcook these because the sweet bun gets crunchy. Decent for what it is.

Buy it at Target $3.49

No. 53 Honey BBQ Chicken Wings, TGI Fridays

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $7.97

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 290 5/8 Fat 15g 5/8 Cholesterol 45mg 5/8 Sodium 610mg 5/8 Carbs 24g 5/8 Protein 14g

First ingredient: Chicken wing sections

Box says: Crispy breaded chicken wing sections with honey barbeque sauce packets.

Our thoughts: The sweet and tangy sauce makes all the difference on these over-breaded wings. We cooked ours to a nice crunch before adding the sauce.

Buy it on Instacart $10.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $7.97

No. 52 Buffalo Style Chicken Poppers, Trader Joe’s

Where we bought it: Trader Joe’s

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 240 5/8 Fat 12g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 340mg 5/8 Carbs 25g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Water

Box says: White meat chicken wrapped in crispy fillo with a spicy cheesy filling.

Our thoughts: A flaky dough is wrapped around a creamy filling that really brings the heat! Since the Bills failed to make the Super Bowl, this “Buffalo-styled” option counts.

No. 51 Spinach & Fire Roasted Red Pepper Soufflé, The Perfect Bite Co.

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 70 5/8 Fat 5g 5/8 Cholesterol 55mg 5/8 Sodium 115mg 5/8 Carbs 3g 5/8 Protein 3g

First ingredient: Whole eggs

Box says: Spinach, red pepper and onions in a creamy gruyere custard.

Our thoughts: This is a bit more like a brunch dish than an app, with lots of fresh veggies amid a creamy souffle. Definitely flavorful.

No. 50 Artichoke & Parmesan Phyllo Cups, Good & Gather

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 270 5/8 Fat 16g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 250mg 5/8 Carbs 17g 5/8 Protein 4g

First ingredient: Artichoke hearts

Box says: With artichoke hearts, cream cheese, spinach and parmesan cheese seasoned with a blend of herbs.

Our thoughts: If you like spinach and artichoke dip, you will love these flaky bite-sized cups. Have a napkin or plate handy because the overly-flaky crust can leave a bit of a mess. These are an easy app to keep popping in your mouth.

Buy it at Target $4.99

No. 49 Pretzel Dogs, SuperPretzel

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $5.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 270 5/8 Fat 13g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 660mg 5/8 Carbs 29g 5/8 Protein 10g

First ingredient: Beef Frankfurter

Box says: Soft pretzel mini beef hot dogs.

Our thoughts: The standard “pig-in-a-blanket” with the twist of a dark pretzel crust is like a fullback bursting through the line for short yardage. The generously-sized, all-beef frank snaps when you bite and stays juicy when cooked.

Buy it at Heinen’s $5.49 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $5.49

No. 48 Potato Skins, Market Pantry

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $6.79

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 230 5/8 Fat 16g 5/8 Cholesterol 40mg 5/8 Sodium 510mg 5/8 Carbs 12g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Fried potato skins

Box says: Potato skins stuffed with cheddar cheese and fully cooked bacon.

Our thoughts: This is as solid a potato skin as you will find in the frozen app world. Nicely-sized potato with plenty of hearty toppings.

Buy it at Target $6.79

No. 47 Chicken Taquitos, José Olé

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 200 5/8 Fat 8g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 340mg 5/8 Carbs 26g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Stone ground corn masa

Box says: Chicken in corn tortilla.

Our thoughts: The corn masa tortillas are a bit thicker than the flour ones we encountered and held a generous amount of shredded chicken filling. Just be careful the filling doesn’t spill out of the ends, leaving you with a hollow shell.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $6.49 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99

No. 46 Loaded Potato Skins, Farm Rich

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 270 5/8 Fat 14g 5/8 Cholesterol 40mg 5/8 Sodium 510mg 5/8 Carbs 26g 5/8 Protein 11g

First ingredient: Potato skin

Box says: Hand stuffed with cheddar cheese and bacon.

Our thoughts: There is plenty of hearty cheese on this thick potato shell but where’s all the bacon?

Buy it at Heinen’s $6.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99

No. 45 Softstix, SuperPretzel

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $2.69

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 130 5/8 Fat 3g 5/8 Cholesterol 10mg 5/8 Sodium 260mg 5/8 Carbs 20g 5/8 Protein 4g

First ingredient: Enriched wheat flour

Box says: We took our signature soft pretzel and packed it with delicious, creamy cheddar cheese. Half pretzel, half cheese, all super!

Our thoughts: When cooked just right, you have the perfect combo of pretzel and creamy cheese without the inconvenience of having to dip. Be careful of that first bite though since the cheese is piping hot.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $3.79 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $4.49

No. 44 Chicken & Cheese Taquitos, José Olé

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 10g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 470mg 5/8 Carbs 25g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Enriched bleached wheat flour

Box says: Chicken and cheese in flour tortilla.

Our thoughts: Spicy and cheesy and you can see shreds of chicken when it is unrolled. This one is as satisfying as a Baker Mayfield to Jarvis Landry 40-yarder.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $6.49 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99

No. 43 Spanakopita, Good & Gather

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 190 5/8 Fat 10g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 280mg 5/8 Carbs 21g 5/8 Protein 5g

First ingredient: Spinach

Box says: Greek-inspired phyllo pastry with spinach and feta cheese filling.

Our thoughts: Like all the others we tried, there is plenty more of the fresh spinach than there was cheese. It is hard not to love the flakiness of this phyllo. Just a tad of a salty aftertaste.

Buy it at Target $4.99

No. 42 Mozzarella Bites, Farm Rich

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 300 5/8 Fat 15g 5/8 Cholesterol 35mg 5/8 Sodium 610mg 5/8 Carbs 28g 5/8 Protein 13g

First ingredient: Low moisture mozzarella cheese

Box says: Mozzarella cheese in a pizzeria style crust.

Our thoughts: It is hard not to love this one. Plenty of rich bready crust surrounds a nice sizable bite of mozzarella. If you over-cook it, the cheese can ooze. Reminiscent of a stuffed pizza crust.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $5.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $7.49 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 41 Chicken & Cheese Taquitos, El Monterey

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 10g 5/8 Cholesterol 10mg 5/8 Sodium 260mg 5/8 Carbs 25g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Enriched wheat flour

Box says: You can taste the quality. Delicious chicken, Monterey jack cheese, authentic spices, fresh- baked flour tortillas.

Our thoughts: Minimal chicken pieces, but plenty of chicken flavor in this taquito, and plenty of cheese keeps the filling moist. The ends get crispy.

Buy it at Target $5.99

No. 40 Spinach & Cheese Spanakopita, Whole Foods

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 190 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 35mg 5/8 Sodium 320mg 5/8 Carbs 16g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Spinach

Box says: Flaky phyllo pastries filled with a combination of spinach, feta, cream cheese and ricotta.

Our thoughts: Spinach lovers rejoice! There is plenty of fresh spinach and a mild feta flavor wrapped in a flaky phyllo crust.

Buy it at Whole Foods $4.99

No. 39 Mini Chicken Tacos, Trader Joe’s

Where we bought it: Trader Joe’s

Price: $4.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 190 5/8 Fat 9g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 230mg 5/8 Carbs 19g 5/8 Protein 9g

First ingredient: Chicken leg and breast with rib meat.

Box says: They’re not just adorable, they’re delicious! No matter how you choose to serve these mini chicken tacos, we guarantee you won’t be able to eat just one!

Our thoughts: Good corn shell. Flavorful chicken but not much else to be seen or tasted. The picture on the box looks like they added some toppings. Maybe we should have taken a cue from that photo and added our own to ramp up the flavor.

No. 38 Classic Mini Corn Dogs, State Fair

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $6.89

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 270 5/8 Fat 14g 5/8 Cholesterol 30mg 5/8 Sodium 520mg 5/8 Carbs 29g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Water

Box says: Batter wrapped bite size turkey hot dogs made with real honey.

Our thoughts: You can smell and taste the honey and the cornmeal, but these corndogs are not overly sweet. The dog is firm and meaty and snaps back when you bite it. And there’s a good ratio of dog-to-coating.

Buy it on Instacart $10.49 5/8 Buy it at Target $6.89

No. 37 Parmesan Pastry Pups, Trader Joe’s

Where we bought it: Trader Joe’s

Price: $4.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 260 5/8 Fat 19g 5/8 Cholesterol 55mg 5/8 Sodium 430mg 5/8 Carbs 15g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Enriched wheat flour

Box says: Uncured mini beef franks, wrapped in puff pastry and sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

Our thoughts: Such a nice take on “pigs in a blanket.” The parmesan surprises like a reverse to the wide receiver, and really ramps up the flavor. The pastry is crispy and light.

No. 36 Jalapeño Peppers, Farm Rich

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $4.98

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 14g 5/8 Cholesterol 22mg 5/8 Sodium 600mg 5/8 Carbs 22g 5/8 Protein 4g

First ingredient: Jalapeños peppers

Box says: Our jalapeño peppers are made with 100% real cream cheese stuffed in mildly spicy jalapeño peppers and are coated in a perfectly “crispy” breading.

Our thoughts: This jalapeno retains its crunch when others don’t survive the freezing process as well. The filling is creamy and slightly sweet, and the breading was lightly seasoned and crispy.

Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 35 Mozzarella Sticks, TGI Fridays

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $4.98

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 290 5/8 Fat 15g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 640mg 5/8 Carbs 30g 5/8 Protein 10g

First ingredient: Part-skim mozzarella cheese

Box says: Real mozzarella cheese coated with a crispy garlic seasoned panko breading.

Our thoughts: The most unique of the mozzarella sticks we tried, the flat shape keeps the garlicky breading crisp and the large slices of cheese intact during the baking process. The cheese stays firm and chewy with just a slight, pleasant saltiness. The tangy marinara dipping sauce that’s included really ramps up your snacking experience.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $4.29 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $3.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 34 Everything Pastry Wrapped Franks, 365

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 240 5/8 Fat 18g 5/8 Cholesterol 45mg 5/8 Sodium 380mg 5/8 Carbs 16g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Unbleached enriched wheat flour

Box says: Puff pastry-wrapped mini uncured beef franks.

Our thoughts: The flaky and chewy bagel wrap with everything seasoning melds nicely with the spiced frank at the center. It would be very easy to keep eating these right into the fourth quarter.

Buy it on Amazon $4.99 5/8 Buy it at Whole Foods $4.99

No. 33 Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Trader Joe’s

Where we bought it: Trader Joe’s

Price: $2.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 45 5/8 Fat 3g 5/8 Cholesterol 10mg 5/8 Sodium 130mg 5/8 Carbs 2g 5/8 Protein 2g

First ingredient: Vegetables

Box says: This is a perfect blend of artichoke hearts, spinach and swiss and parmesan cheeses great for entertaining a crowd or dinner for the family. You may have even seen dips like this elsewhere, but we think ours outdoes them all.

Our thoughts: The box says it is a “perfect blend.” While the blended flavors meld well together, there is more cheese than spinach and artichoke. The creamy texture keeps you coming back for more, but this dip needs to find more veggies in the next draft.

No. 32 Honey Barbecue Boneless Chicken Bites, Market Pantry

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $3.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 180 5/8 Fat 7g 5/8 Cholesterol 30mg 5/8 Sodium 490mg 5/8 Carbs 17g 5/8 Protein 12g

First ingredient: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts with rib meat.

Box says: Breaded boneless skinless chicken breast chunks with rib meat coated with a sweet barbecue glaze, smoke flavor added, fully cooked.

Our thoughts: Real chicken breast — not processed — in a mild, slightly smoky, honey barbecue flavor. The nugget is firm and meaty.

Buy it at Target $3.49

No. 31 Buffalo Style Chicken Phyllo Bites, Athens

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $3.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 390mg 5/8 Carbs 20g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Enriched wheat flour

Box says: White meat chicken, spicy sauce and a blend of cheeses nestled in phyllo dough.

Our thoughts: This buffalo chicken dip is sheltered in a bite-sized pillow you can just pop in your mouth. The pastry is tender and flaky and the dip carries just enough bite to wake up your taste buds without overwhelming the rest of your palate.

Buy it at Heinen’s $3.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $3.99

No. 30 Cream Cheese Stuffed Jalapeños Poppers, TGI Fridays

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $4.98

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 250 5/8 Fat 14g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 450mg 5/8 Carbs 27g 5/8 Protein 4g

First ingredient: Cream cheese

Box says: Jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese in a crispy breading, with raspberry habanero dip.

Our thoughts: Touchdown! The raspberry habanero dipping sauce sets these poppers apart from the others we tried. The creamy cheese filling cools down the jalapeno, which remained fresh and crunchy, but no worries, the sauce packs the heat that builds into a nice after-kick.

Buy it on Instacart $10.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 29 Sausage & Kale Mac & Cheese Bites, Feel Good Foods

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $5.49

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 10g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 400mg 5/8 Carbs 25g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Rice flour

Box says: White cheddar mac and cheese with chicken sausage and kale in a crispy golden crust.

Our thoughts: You can’t see the sausage in these bites, but the meaty flavor is definitely there, as is the kale. The noodles are firm and nestled in plenty of cheesy sauce. The outer shell is delightfully crispy.

No. 28 Honey BBQ Boneless Chicken Bites, Tyson

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 210 5/8 Fat 9g 5/8 Cholesterol 35mg 5/8 Sodium 510mg 5/8 Carbs 20g 5/8 Protein 12g

First ingredient: Boneless, skinless chicken breast chunks with rib meat

Box says: Breaded white meat chicken glazed in a honey BBQ flavored sauce, smoke flavor added. Carved from white meat chicken.

Our thoughts: Even the tiniest of chicken nuggets were solid pieces of chicken, consistently covered in a smooth, sweet honey glaze. Not too much breading so you can really enjoy the meatiness.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $7.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $7.99 5/8 Buy it at Target $6.99

No. 27 Spinach & Artichoke Cheese Dip, TGI Fridays

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $3.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 30 5/8 Fat 1.5g 5/8 Cholesterol less than 5mg 5/8 Sodium 125mg 5/8 Carbs 2g 5/8 Protein 2g

First ingredient: Water

Box says: Spinach and artichokes blended with parmesan, mozzarella and Neufch 1/4 u00e2tel cheeses.

Our thoughts: This was the smallest portion of dip we encountered but was rich in cheesy flavor. Sadly, it was a bit watery and lacking artichoke. It thickened up upon sitting but was still slightly salty.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $4.29 5/8 Buy it at Heinen’s $3.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $3.66

No. 26 Bacon & White Cheddar Mac Bites, Stouffer’s

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 450mg 5/8 Carbs 24g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Water

Box says: Crispy breading stuffed with macaroni, bacon and creamy white cheddar cheese.

Our thoughts: Anything with bacon carries the ball, but we wanted more. The noodles are firm and nestled in creamy cheese and held together in a nice solid crust.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $5.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99

No. 25 Lightly Battered Green Beans, Giant Eagle

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $2.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 10g 5/8 Cholesterol 0mg 5/8 Sodium 770mg 5/8 Carbs 30g 5/8 Protein 3g

First ingredient: Whole green beans

Box says: Restaurant style lightly battered green beans.

Our thoughts: The whole green beans have a fresh flavor and retain an al-dente texture. The batter is light and crunchy, though slightly greasy and a little salty. A great departure from the usual party apps.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $2.99

No. 24 Beef & Vegetables Empanadas, Mas Panadas

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $7.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 140 5/8 Fat 6g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 50mg 5/8 Carbs 15g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Unbleached wheat flour

Box says: Real food for life in the fast lane. The perfect snack on the go.

Our thoughts: These empanadas are more traditional than the others we tried. Packed full of meat and potatoes, they are a great bite in a crispy shell.

No. 23 Pretzel Dogs, Spring Valley

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $8.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 10g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 590mg 5/8 Carbs 26g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Beef frankfurter

Box says: Cocktail beef frankfurters wrapped in pretzel dough.

Our thoughts: Definitely plenty of pretzel taste without being too overwhelming. The hot dog has more of a summer sausage vibe. The two flavors and textures meld well together.

Buy it at Heinen’s $8.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $8.99

No. 22 Mac & Cheese Bites, Stouffer’s

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 340mg 5/8 Carbs 23g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Water

Box says: Crispy breading stuffed with macaroni and creamy cheddar cheese.

Our thoughts: Stouffer’s mac and cheese fans will be rejoicing over these cheesy bites. Traditional Stouffer’s mac and cheese wrapped in a crispy breadcrumb crust.

No. 21 Beef Franks in a Puff Pastry Blanket, Hebrew National

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $14.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 310 5/8 Fat 25g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 590mg 5/8 Carbs 13g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Beef frank

Box says: Frankly, we are quality in every bite. All the great taste and quality you’ve come to expect from Hebrew National, wrapped in delicate puff pastry. Only using premium cuts of Kosher Beef, our beef franks have no artificial flavors, no artificial colors and no fillers or by-products. These tasty bites are the ultimate appetizer for entertaining or to enjoy as a delicious snack anytime.

Our thoughts: The same hot dog you get on Coney Island has been shrunk to fit inside a flaky crust that doesn’t fall apart when you bite into it. Traditional taste you will want to enjoy in every quarter.

Buy it at Heinen’s $14.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $14.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $13.47

No. 20 Jalapeños & Cream Cheese Small Bites, 365

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 280 5/8 Fat 18g 5/8 Cholesterol 30mg 5/8 Sodium 380mg 5/8 Carbs 22g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Unbleached enriched wheat flour

Box says: Made with spicy jalapeños and cream cheese.

Our thoughts: We kick off the Top 20 with these tiny triangles, filled with chopped pieces of jalapeno and mixed into a creamy cheese filling so you get a kick with every bite.

Buy it on Amazon $4.99 5/8 Buy it at Whole Foods $4.99

No. 19 Pastry Bites with Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions, Trader Joe’s

Where we bought it: Trader Joe’s

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 240 5/8 Fat 18g 5/8 Cholesterol 65mg 5/8 Sodium 300mg 5/8 Carbs 15g 5/8 Protein 5g

First ingredient: Enriched unbleached wheat flour

Box says: Pastry bites with feta cheese and caramelized onions. No preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors.

Our thoughts: Sweet onion and a creamy cheese in puff pastry is a delicious bite that stands out amid so many of the same ole, same ole appetizers. It is a delicious combo of flavors in a bite-sized treat.

No. 18 Cream Cheese Wontons, Good & Gather

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 300 5/8 Fat 18g 5/8 Cholesterol 40mg 5/8 Sodium 390mg 5/8 Carbs 30g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Cream cheese

Box says: With real cream cheese wrapped in a crispy wonton with sweet chili sauce.

Our thoughts: While you don’t get a whole lot of sauce, you really don’t need it. But it does provide a spicy kick. The wontons are crispy and the cheese is smooth, sweet and creamy.

Buy it at Target $6.99

No. 17 Mac and Cheese Bites, Trader Joe’s

Where we bought it: Trader Joe’s

Price: $3.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 190 5/8 Fat 10g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 280mg 5/8 Carbs 19g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Cooked elbow macaroni

Box says: Imagine the cheesiest bite of macaroni and cheese encased in a crispy outer coating. We have created the ultimate appetizer inspired by our popular Diner Mac & Cheese. They’re compact, they’re comforting, they’re cheesy and they’re delicious.

Our thoughts: While other mac bites are covered in a traditional breading, these bites have a decidedly panko coating that take crispy to a new level. Inside, the noodles are firm and covered in a smooth sauce blended from several cheeses. Could have used a little salt though.

No. 16 Buffalo Style Boneless Chicken Bites, Tyson

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 180 5/8 Fat 9g 5/8 Cholesterol 35mg 5/8 Sodium 920mg 5/8 Carbs 12g 5/8 Protein 12g

First ingredient: Boneless, skinless chicken breast chunks with rib meat

Box says: Breaded white meat chicken glazed in a spicy buffalo wing sauce. Carved from white meat chicken.

Our thoughts: There’s plenty of meaty chicken inside these crispy bites. The breading is a little thicker than some of the others, but soak up and deliver plenty of kick from the buffalo sauce. They are sure to hold their own in your ranch or blue cheese dipping sauces.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $7.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $7.99

No. 15 Angus Sliders, TGI Fridays

Where we bought it: Giant Eagle

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 210 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 25mg 5/8 Sodium 280mg 5/8 Carbs 19g 5/8 Protein 9g

First ingredient: Enriched wheat flour

Box says: Grilled angus beef patty with pasteurized process cheddar cheese and sautéed onions on a sesame seed bun.

Our thoughts: These tiny sliders taste like real beef burgers, grilled on an old-fashioned charcoal grill. The beef was juicy and the cheese melted nicely. Unlike other sliders we tried, the sesame seed bun tasted fresh. Hard to tell these were ever frozen.

Buy it on Instacart $6.99

No. 14 Pimento Cheese Puffs, Trader Joe’s

Where we bought it: Trader Joe’s

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 330 5/8 Fat 25g 5/8 Cholesterol 65mg 5/8 Sodium 370mg 5/8 Carbs 20g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Unbleached enriched flour

Box says: Puff pastry filled with pimento cheese, uncured bacon and caramelized onion.

Our thoughts: Adults who remember when Frank Ryan was throwing the ball around Cleveland Municipal Stadium will also remember that delicious pimento cheese that graced every table in the 1960s. Younger folks may find a new favorite snack with these tasty little bites filled with a spicy pimento cheese atop a flaky puff pastry. Just spicy enough to provide a nice little kick. Good balance of toppings. Nice change of pace from typical appetizers.

No. 13 American Grilled Cheese Sticks, Farm Rich

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 320 5/8 Fat 19g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 580mg 5/8 Carbs 29g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Enriched unbleached wheat flour

Box says: Pasteurized prepared cheese product sandwiched in crispy white bread.

Our thoughts: If there are kids at your Super Bowl watch party — or just kids at heart — be sure to include these tiny grilled cheese sandwiches on your buffet. The original comfort food, the bread is battered and deep fried to provide a satisfying crunch. The American cheese inside is smooth, creamy and rich in flavor. The convenience of a grilled cheese in a single serve bite size treat. Cheesy and buttery with a crunch. Yum!

Buy it at Heinen’s $6.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 12 Southwest Chicken Extra Crunchy Taquitos, El Monterey

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 240 5/8 Fat 11g 5/8 Cholesterol 10mg 5/8 Sodium 380mg 5/8 Carbs 26g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Enriched wheat flour

Box says: You can taste the quality. Delicious chicken, black beans, three cheeses, fresh-baked tortillas.

Our thoughts: No dip is needed for these taquitos, which have a smooth and creamy cheese filling with plenty of chicken and just the right amount of Mexican kick. Warning: The filling gets extremely hot and can leak out the sides when eating.

Buy it at Giant Eagle $6.99 5/8 Buy it at Target $5.99

No. 11 Buffalo Style Boneless Chicken Bites, Farm Rich

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 190 5/8 Fat 9g 5/8 Cholesterol 30mg 5/8 Sodium 710mg 5/8 Carbs 17g 5/8 Protein 12g

First ingredient: White meat chicken

Box says: White meat chicken fritters with a tangy buffalo style tossing sauce packet.

Our thoughts: Real — and big — pieces of chicken breast. The spicy buffalo sauce adds just the right amount of kick.

Buy it at Heinen’s $6.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99

No. 10 Breaded Cheddar Cheese Curds, Farm Rich

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $5.29

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 340 5/8 Fat 24g 5/8 Cholesterol 45mg 5/8 Sodium 670mg 5/8 Carbs 17g 5/8 Protein 12g

First ingredient: Cheese curds

Box says: Our authentic Wisconsin breaded cheddar cheese curds come from La Grander Hillside Dairy in Stanley, Wis. They have the perfect “squeak” and are great for snacking!

Our thoughts: Cheesy and gooey, with just the right amount of salt! A thick batter covers big chunks of cheddar cheese. Once warmed in the oven, the shell is crispy and the cheddar is rich and chewy — even in the smallest of curds. What’s not to love?

Buy it at Giant Eagle $5.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99 5/8 Buy it at Walmart $4.98

No. 9 Spinach, Artichoke & Gouda Dip, Great Value

Where we bought it: Walmart

Price: $4.96

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 80 5/8 Fat 5g 5/8 Cholesterol 10mg 5/8 Sodium 220mg 5/8 Carbs 3g 5/8 Protein 4g

First ingredient: Spinach

Box says: Spinach, artichoke and gouda dip.

Our thoughts: This dip is packed with plenty of veggies in a rich and creamy cheese sauce. You can taste each ingredient. The perfect complement to your favorite cracker or chip.

Buy it at Walmart $4.96

No. 8 Brie & Berry Jam Bites, Good & Gather

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 280 5/8 Fat 17g 5/8 Cholesterol 45mg 5/8 Sodium 240mg 5/8 Carbs 22g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Brie cheese

Box says: Berry jam blend of blackberries, raspberries, strawberries in a flaky phyllo cup and topped with brie cheese.

Our thoughts: Is this a dessert or an appetizer? Could be either. Whether you are looking for sweet or savory, you’ll find it in this unique appetizer. Savory combo of cheesy goodness covers bright, tart berries delivered in a flaky, easy to eat cup.

Buy it at Target $4.99

No. 7 Macaroni & Cheese Small Bites, 365

Where we bought it: Whole Foods

Price: $5.29

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 210 5/8 Fat 8g 5/8 Cholesterol 15mg 5/8 Sodium 340mg 5/8 Carbs 27g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Cooked macaroni

Box says: Macaroni and cheese made with real cheddar cheese.

Our thoughts: These are some of the smallest mac and cheese bites we found, but they will stand up to any craving you have for a carb-heavy snack. Creamy, thick, and cheesy inside, wrapped in a crunchy outer shell. A real winner.

Buy it on Amazon $5.29 5/8 Buy it at Whole Foods $5.29

No. 6 BBQ Boneless Chicken Bites, Farm Rich

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $6.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 190 5/8 Fat 9g 5/8 Cholesterol 30mg 5/8 Sodium 710mg 5/8 Carbs 17g 5/8 Protein 12g

First ingredient: White meat chicken

Box says: White meat chicken “fritters” have one of the tastiest layers of breading we found. The sauce is sweet and perfectly complements these large meaty pieces of boneless chicken. If you are saving calories — save them for these fritters.

Our thoughts: BBQ sauce is sweet and wasn’t too thick. Real chicken and good bite-size pieces.

Buy it at Heinen’s $6.99 5/8 Buy it on Instacart $6.99 5/8 Buy it at Target $4.99

No. 5 Goat Cheese Bites, The Pioneer Woman

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 240 5/8 Fat 14g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 520mg 5/8 Carbs 21g 5/8 Protein 8g

First ingredient: Goat cheese

Box says: Creamy goat cheese covered in pretzel crumbs and served with a side of delicious marinara sauce.

Our thoughts: Speaking of unique appetizers, you must like goat cheese to appreciate this bite. But if you are a fan, you will love these little bites of creamy goodness. The seasoning in the cheese is A+. You get a mouthful of flavor from the crispy pretzel crust too. They are good dipped in the provided marinara sauce, but why mess with perfection? They are better without it!

Buy it at Target $5.99

No. 4 Spinach & Cheese Phyllo Bites, Athens

Where we bought it: Heinen’s

Price: $3.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 200 5/8 Fat 9g 5/8 Cholesterol 20mg 5/8 Sodium 340mg 5/8 Carbs 23g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Enriched wheat flour

Box says: A savory blend of spinach, feta and cottage cheeses with a touch of dill nestled in phyllo dough.

Our thoughts: There’s more cheese in this Spanikopita than in most brands, but it helps balance the spinach and provides a nice break from all the fried and battered appetizers. It is the perfect “pop in your mouth size” contained in one bite.

Buy it at Heinen’s $3.99

No. 3 Uncured Bacon Wrapped Scallops, Good & Gather

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $7.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 220 5/8 Fat 17g 5/8 Cholesterol 40mg 5/8 Sodium 410mg 5/8 Carbs 3g 5/8 Protein 16g

First ingredient: Scallops

Box says: Uncured bacon and Atlantic scallops.

Our thoughts: Touchdown and going for two! If your first thought is this appetizer is a little too fancy for your Super Bowl party, think again. First off, who doesn’t love bacon? Wrap it around a succulent, firm scallop and you have a touchdown in your mouth! And the toothpicks make this an easy grab-and-go bite. It may be a little greasy, but we repeat, who doesn’t love bacon?

Buy it at Target $7.99

No. 2 Toasted Sausage Ravioli, Pioneer Woman

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $5.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 190 5/8 Fat 7g 5/8 Cholesterol 10mg 5/8 Sodium 520mg 5/8 Carbs 26g 5/8 Protein 6g

First ingredient: Enriched semolina flour

Box says: Ravioli filled with gooey cheese and sausage coated in seasoned breading and fried to crispy perfection with a side of delicious marinara sauce.

Our thoughts: A perfect nod to the toasted ravioli served at your favorite Italian restaurant. The crispy outer shell is the perfect vehicle to deliver the meaty and cheesy filling. The pasta retains an al-dente texture. The sausage is perfectly spiced. The marinara sauce brings that nice blend of Italian spices.

No. 1 Parmesan Pastry Wrapped Uncured Hot Dogs, Good & Gather

Where we bought it: Target

Price: $4.99

Nutrition per serving:

Calories 230 5/8 Fat 17g 5/8 Cholesterol 45mg 5/8 Sodium 380mg 5/8 Carbs 15g 5/8 Protein 7g

First ingredient: Enriched wheat flour

Box says: Topped with a blend of parmesan cheese, sesame, poppy and caraway seeds.

Our thoughts: Outstanding balance of flavor. A delightful aroma while baking primed our taste buds. The flaky dough browns up nicely and provides crunch in every bite. Not your usual hot dogs, these little meat bites will remind you of Lil Smokies. Just the right pastry-to-dog ratio, and the toasted seeds add additional texture. Not your typical pigs in a blanket. Game over!

Buy it at Target $4.99

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