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10 Costco Groceries to Buy if You Have an Air Fryer

updated Dec 15, 2021
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Diptych with Costco storefront on right and air fryer on left.
Credit: left: Shutterstock/Philip Arno Photography | Right: Joe Lingeman

Once an air fryer is part of your culinary collection, you’ll start surmising, “I bet I can air fry that!” Especially as you’re wandering through the aisles at Costco. Trust me — I’m speaking from experience. Turns out, everyone’s favorite bulk warehouse has lots of goodies that’ll crisp up exceptionally well in an air fryer. On my latest Costco visit, I wound my way through the aisles, accumulating a lengthy list of every bulk buy fit for the fryer.

Here are my picks for the 10 best groceries from Costco for filling your air fryer.

Credit: Patty Catalano

1. Royal Asia Vegetable Spring Rolls, $10.79 for 50 pieces

Spring rolls are the ultimate appetizer — they’re flash fried and so crispy that the golden-brown wrapper shatters at first bite. Instead of ordering them to-go, pick up a box of these vegetable spring rolls and head straight for the air fryer. The convection heating crisps the rolls perfectly, and the box even includes the soy dipping sauce for pairing.

Credit: Patty Catalano

2. Caribbean Food Delights Jamaican Style Spicy Beef Patties, $9.99 for 10

Sure, this spiced beef wrapped in a flaky pastry crust can be toasted in the oven, but with the air fryer the pocket pie heats evenly and crisps on all sides. Enjoy one for lunch or dinner.

Credit: Patty Catalano

3. Foster Farms Take Out Sweet Chipotle BBQ Crispy Wings, $17.99 for 4 pounds

There’s a reason why the local pub’s wings are crispier than the oven-baked variety you make at home: the deep-fryer. Give that pub a run for its money with your air fryer. Turn these frozen chicken wings into the crispy, juicy wings you love without the excess oil. Stock up now: Super Bowl will be here before you know it.

Credit: Patty Catalano

4. Kirkland Signature Breaded Panko Shrimp, $18.99 for 40 to 50

Butterflying, breading, and frying your own shrimp is a lot of work. Let Costco’s private-label brand do those steps for you. Then, all you have to do is crisp them up in your air fryer.

Credit: Patty Catalano

5. Hook Line and Savor Everything Crusted Cod, $14.99 for 29.7 ounces

Looking for a quick-cooking dinner? Turn to flaky white fish like these everything bagel-crusted fillets of cod. They air fry perfectly — crispy and browned on the outside, flaky and tender on the inside. Use them all week long in fish tacos, with fries, and with a simple side of air fried veggies.

Credit: Patty Catalano

6. Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food Fries, $6.59 for 6 pounds

French fries are the obvious option for air fryers — after all, that’s why many of us get the appliance in the first place. And at this price, Costco is the best place to stock up.

Credit: Patty Catalano

7. Kirkland Signature Thick-Sliced Bacon, $13.59 for 2 (1 1/2-pound) packages

File this under, “Who knew?” The air fryer turns slices of thick-cut (or regular) bacon into an even better-than-usual breakfast side. Plus, because the rashers are contained inside the air fryer basket, the greasy spatters are kept to a minimum.

Credit: Patty Catalano

8. Aidell’s Chicken & Apple Smoked Chicken Sausage, $13.99 for 3 pounds

Normally, I’d simmer sausage in a flavorful broth (okay, okay, beer), then crisp the casing on the grill. A labor of love, but that’s what it took to deliver a juicy sausage with a browned and crisp exterior. No more. Now I arrange the sausages in the basket of the air fryer and walk away. How’s that for a hands-free dinner?

Credit: Patty Catalano

9. Cuisine Adventures Spanakopita, $14.99 for 48 pieces

These feta- and spinach-stuffed phyllo triangles are the only excuse I need to invite a few (vaccinated!) friends over for dinner. While the oven is occupied with the main event, toss these in the air fryer to brown and crisp.

Credit: Patty Catalano

10. Brazi Bites Brazilian Cheese Bread, $12.99 for 62 pieces

After eyeing these Cheddar & Parmesan bread bites for far too long, I finally took the plunge and I regret not having tried them sooner! Pop this freezer-friendly version of Pão de Queijo in the air fryer at 340°F and you’re 15 minutes from biting into delightfully crispy cheesy buns.

This post originally ran on Kitchn. See it there: The 10 Best Groceries to Buy from Costco If You Have an Air Fryer