10 Frozen Soft Pretzels You Should Buy At The Grocery Store And 4 You Should Avoid

Many of us have likely hankered for a soft pretzel only to be deterred by the wildly long line at the stand. Luckily for us, that's not usually an issue at the grocery store. The freezer aisle is typically stocked with boxes of pretzels that require just a pinch of salt and a spin in the microwave (or the oven if you're patient) to conjure up pretzel magic, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. For us, heating up a buttery pretzel offers a highly convenient snack that might be just as tasty as its food court counterpart. 

That being said, all pretzels are not created equal. Supermarkets are downright overwhelming, and you'll probably see multiple brands of pretzels at once while scanning the shelves, making your decision-making instincts go into overdrive. Do they taste good? Are they affordable? Is the package generously sized for around-the-clock indulgence? There's so much to consider when picking a box of frozen pretzels: Some will really pique your tastebuds, while some may not make the cut. 

If you're a super fan of SuperPretzels, it makes sense to have a proper stash for round-the-clock pretzel enjoyment. The 25-Count pack from SuperPretzel contains quadruple the number of pretzels in a standard box, so you can fill your belly with even more doughy goodness. Additionally, buying the jumbo size routinely offers shoppers a lower price per volume: A six-pack costs $4.99 as of May 2023, while Martin's charges $9.49 for the bulk pack, which breaks down to about 37 cents per pretzel. 

The sheer amount of snacking possibilities offered by this option should be enough to pull you in, but the  SuperPretzel brand provides plenty of additional reasons to choose it over others. When one YouTuber discovered that his box of 25 was two pretzels short, the company didn't need any nudging to rectify the mistake. In fact, the food reviewer was surprised when the brand delivered a whole box of merch straight to his door to make up for the error. Most supermarkets carry the 6-count from SuperPretzel, which might make it easier to find. But if you adore salted soft pretzels enough to fill up your freezer with them, the 25-Count box will not let you down. 

While you may associate Wegmans with artisanal cheeses or Mediterranean bars, it actually offers store-brand soft pretzels. One reviewer noted that these pretzels are an enjoyable replacement for Philadelphia salted pretzels, which is quite a compliment considering that the city is known for its pretzels. These Baked Salt Pretzels are vegan and free of lactose as well as artificial additives, as noted by the label on the packaging. These pretzels are suitable for people who follow a vegan or lactose-free diet, which really makes them stand out from other soft pretzel options. And have we mentioned the $2.69 price tag? This product offers great value for money. 

While these pretzels taste good, there's nothing overly unique about them: They're chewy and soft, making them ideal for an afternoon snack. Salt is included in a baggie, so you can season these according to your own tastes and preferences. Splashing a little bit of water on them before baking will give them a toasty brown shade. Purchase a jar of the store's own Queso sauce while you're at it, and voila: You have the perfect snack for movie night at home. 

Gluten-free products are more popular than ever, from crackers to desserts and bread varieties. Case in point: Tonya's Gluten-Free Kitchen Original Soft Pretzels are a slam-dunk of a snack. According to the box, you'll get six generously-portioned knots made with rice flour and tapioca flour. One of the biggest indications that shoppers adore these soft pretzels is the classic compliment that's often attributed to the best gluten-free snacks: These don't taste gluten-free. 

In fact, their fluffy, steaming texture resembles any fresh pretzel you might purchase from a bowling alley or sports bar. One blogger prefers using the oven for a toastier result, though the microwave will also result in a delicious quick bite that kicks tummy rumbles to the curb. Customers that opt for these can count on a filling and yummy snack. Predictably, the price tag for these is higher: As of May 2023, Wegmans charges $10.99 for a packet of these, likely because they're gluten-free. Luckily, these pretzels are fantastic enough to eat the cost (literally). 

Midwest chain Meijer is another grocery outlet that sells ready-to-eat soft pretzels at a bargain. It's hard to argue with the price of these pretzels. These are hauntingly close to SuperPretzel brand offerings in just about every way: The ingredients, baking instructions, even the six-count portion of each box, except for the fact that you'll spend $2.79 instead of the $3+ charged by SuperPretzel. 

Scoring a good deal at the grocery store is vital if we want to keep our finances in check. Indeed, generic salted pretzels from Wegmans or Baker's Best indicate that most frozen varieties are hard to tell apart most of the time anyway. Any knotted dough that's coated in salt and a little butter is highly likely to be irresistible, and we're certain Meijer's offering is no different. Considering the markups that companies try to pull off on branded products, why not shave a few cents off your total? 

Haddar Baked Soft Pretzels are ideal for people who follow a kosher diet. Thirteen-ounce boxes can be scored at Kroger and Stop & Shop. You can also purchase these at kosher supermarkets, which may be your best bet for reliable availability if you plan to stock up often. And why wouldn't you? Just look at how toasted, puffy, crunchy, and delicious they look on the packaging. 

Each box contains six pretzels, and the ingredients basically line up with the big-name brands on the market, although Haddar's pretzels do contain apple juice concentrate, which is a more unusual ingredient in the realm of soft pretzels. The addition of apple juice concentrate may give these pretzels an unusual and enhanced taste. Preparation is quick and easy regardless of the appliance you use. Haddar lists directions for the toaster as well as the microwave and oven, which gives these pretzels a convenient edge. 

We'll never say no to Auntie Anne's pretzels when strolling around the mall. But we'd skip past the Classic Soft Pretzels at the supermarket since they're on the pricier end of pretzels in the grocery sphere. First off, a box of these only contains five pretzels: Five. These are priced at $6.79 at Target, but the same retailer currently sells SuperPretzels for under $4, and that includes one pretzel more than Auntie Anne's boxed offering. The 13.4-ounce weight indicates that they're heftier in size, but evidently not by much.

You might be wondering if these boxed pretzels hold up to the food court counterpart. It seems like the promise of a fast food staple at home is too good to be true. Sadly, they're just not the same. Despite the pouches of salt and butter that help you recreate the wonderful greasiness of the original twist, the boxed version is missing that special touch. Unsurprisingly, some shoppers feel the flavor is slightly bland and don't really resemble the original snack at all. Those who like soft pretzels as a treat are better off waiting till their next visit to the mall. 

Soft pretzels are just one part of Crav'n Flavor's lineup, which includes crackers, frozen pizzas, cookie dough, and more. Crav'n Flavor's pretzels are not reinventing the wheel, but they're priced in a way to make you think they are: A box of six pretzels costs about $4, which is on the pricier end. The fact that the brand claims these contain no preservatives doesn't really make them that wholesome: The ingredients consist of enriched wheat flour, corn syrup, water, and yeast. The pretzels offered by other brands, such as SuperPretzel, Giant, and Meijer's (among others), contain the same ingredients. 

When we're not gauging affordability, we're trying to work out if there's something really special about a pretzel offering: While these pretzels may taste quite good, the striking resemblance to better-known options just doesn't convince us that these somehow up the ante. Suffice it to say that if you want a hunger-obliterating bite, it's best to stick to tried-and-true brands: They are well-reputed for a reason!