Must-Try Costco Snacks to Stock Up On

Many of us walk into Costco with a list in hand, determined to stick to just the essentials. But when you get to the checkout, the tempting snack aisle is right there, inviting you to mosey through and just have a look. Sometimes it becomes more that a quick look, though.

If you find yourself in Costco, passing through the snack aisle at the rows of deliciously tempting treats, all hope is not lost. A few of these treats are actually pretty healthy. Like everything, most need to be eaten in moderation. But there's no denying the candy aisle has some delicious options. Here are 9 Costco treats worth adding to your cart before you checkout.

• Price: $9.49
• Weight: 1.64 pounds (26.3 oz)

The Caramel S'Mores Clusters are without a doubt one of the best Kirkland Signature products. The chocolate coating is sweet and extremely soft while the caramel steals the show. The biggest downside to Kirkland Signature's Caramel S'Mores Clusters is it's hard to stop eating them.

A single bag has nearly 5,000 calories, so you'll need to limit yourself. That being said, if you have a family, once a bag is open, everyone is going to be snacking on these.

• Price: $9.99
• Weight: .975 pounds (15.6 oz)

Getting this out of the way, Jojo's Peanut Butter Bars are not as good a "deal" as the S'Mores Clusters. The package is slightly less than a pound and they cost more. The bars advertise themselves as guilt-free, which you can decide for yourself.

Each bar has 180 calories and 13 grams of carbohydrates. The most important number is just 6 grams of added sugar. There's also an emphasis on "clean" ingredients that are more limited than you'll see from other chocolate bars.

Don't expect to bite into one and feel like you're eating a candy bar. With their lower sugar content, Jojo's bars are less sweet, but they can still satisfy that chocolate craving.

• Price: $11.99
• Weight: 1.25 pounds (20 oz)

Like many Americans, I live in fear of the day my daughter brings home Girl Scout cookies. I know the house will soon be filled with Tagalongs, Samoas, and all the other treats that are almost impossible not to grab when each day.

So, it's doubly tempting for me now that Costco is selling bite-sized Thin Mints. The Thin Mints have 140 calories per nine pieces, and each serving comes with 15 grams of added sugar. To be sure, these are a treat you'll need to enjoy in moderation.

My one suggestion: like Thin Mint cookies, they taste better after being stored in the refrigerator.

• Price: $9.69
• Weight: .88 pounds (14 oz)

Could something from Costco's sweet treats aisle actually be healthy? The Chocolate Brownie Thin Mints from Simple Mills make a good argument. Each serving (12 things) is 140 calories, but there are only 6 grams of added sugars.

In addition, the ingredients are simple and clean. There's a seed & nut flour blend, organic coconut sugar, tapioca starch, arrowroot, cocoa butter, Dutch cocoa powder, and cocoa extract. Simply put, there's nothing artificial in these cookies. They're a treat I like keeping around to give my kids.

• Price: $14.79
• Weight: 3 pounds (48 oz)

If you've been shopping at Costco for a long time you get to know the iconic Kirkland Signature products. Their selection of packaged nuts is a fan-favorite, and there are also nuts that have been covered in chocolate.

There's not a lot to say about Costco's Chocolate Almonds aside from the fact they're a tremendous value. A large 3-pound package costs just $14.79 at my local Costco. They are an excellent item to buy before the holidays when family is over.

• Price: $11.89
• Weight: 1.31 pounds (21 oz)

Here's where I'll admit I bought Nature's Garden Strawberry Yoggies for my kids and they barely ever eat them. The reason for this is simple: I eat them. This is my most often consumed snack. The yogurt on the outside of the strawberries is delicious and melts right off in your mouth. Then the strawberry inside is real and lacks any of the artificial taste you find in many other strawberry treats.

Nature's Garden also plays up the number of probiotic cultures in their Yoggies. I don't know how much of that is marketing, but the simple fact is that these snacks are delicious and any health benefits are simply a bonus on top of their outstanding flavor.

• Price: $11.49
• Weight: 1.63 pounds (26 oz)

I'm not personally a fan of most Nature Valley bars. They're a bit dry. The benefit of their Crispy Creamy Wafer Bars is they have a layer of creamy peanut butter in between wafers. For me, this addition makes all the difference in turning these into a snack I enjoy.

It's worth noting that these bars only have 7 grams of added sugar per bar. If you have a kid without allergies, this could be a good snack to pack before or after sports or other activities.

• Price: $11.99
• Weight: 2 pounds (32 oz)

You've likely seen Brookside chocolates at checkout counters at other grocery stores. I think these chocolates are delicious, and enjoy some of the more "unconventional" flavors like acai.

Of course, the main benefit of buying these at Costco is the value. A 2-pound bag goes for just $11.99. Once again, this is a great treat for putting in a dish around the holidays if you have family in town.

• Price: $8.99
• Weight: 2 pounds (32 oz)

This is an item that might not be common across Costco locations, but my local Costco carries it and they're a fun treat. The individual mochis come in three flavors, Thai Tea, Milk Tea, and Match. My personal favorite is the Thai Tea, which has a little extra sweetness.

If you find this item at your local Costco and enjoy bubble tea, it's worth picking up. They're kind of a fun treat from time to time for my kids.