12 Walmart-Brand Appetizers, Ranked Worst To Best

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A truly successful appetizer can set the tone for a pleasant dining experience, or if it's really that good, it can even serve as a standalone meal. Luckily, Walmart offers a wide variety of them to suit anyone's needs and appeal to different preferences. But with options spanning multiple aisles and departments, it can be hard to know what's worth a spot in your cart.

For that reason, I set out to try 12 Walmart-branded products, ranging all the way from crab cakes to pizza rolls, under names like Great Value, Marketside, and Bettergoods. I kept a strong focus on flavor and texture, and then ranked them from worst to best to see which checked off those criteria. That way, you'll know exactly what to pick up when you're feeling peckish before your entrée or need something quick and easy to whip up at home for an effortless meal.

Marketside's one-pound box of Frozen Tempura Shrimp is among the group of Walmart appetizers you're sadly better off leaving on the shelf. They seemed promising at first, and I'm not just talking about the pretty price point around $8 for a 12-count box, which is quite reasonable. I'm also referring to their gloriously crunchy texture after being popped in the air fryer.

But no matter how spot-on the airy, delicate yet crispy texture of the batter is, it's not enough to override the fact that the shrimp itself is bland. The protein has a soft and squishy texture that strongly contrasts with the batter, but it has no taste and gets completely lost. The shrimp tempura feels more like a vessel for the included packets of sweet chili sauce and soy sauce, which have to carry in the flavor department. Even then, you're better off making your own crispy tempura at home.

I've had the pleasure of ranking Totino's Pizza Roll flavors in the past, so I'd like to think I've become a sort of connoisseur in the subject. My verdict after trying the Great Value Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Snack Rolls is: Get the name brand. The nearly $5 Walmart version is definitely passable, and hey, the crunchy, brittle outer layer is even likely to make a true fan out of some people, but the overall cohesiveness could be a lot better.

There is a general spiced flavor going on with the Great Value alternative (which is very dark, by the way), with visible flecks of seasoning mixed with the cheese, pepperoni, and sausage bits. It's fine; however, for some reason that I just can't put my finger on, this filling doesn't feel tied in with the exterior. Perhaps it could've used a touch more melty mozzarella cheese and tomato paste to bring it all together and make a marriage of the ingredients.

Great Value pizza rolls will still do in a pinch, but I'd probably just be thinking about how I wish I had Totino's instead the whole time I'm eating them. The only reason they edge out the Marketside Shrimp Tempura is that these at least have a distinct flavor.

I love a good frozen corn dog. The Great Value Mini Corn Dogs that run just shy of $7, however, do not make that list. One box provides 40 pieces that are about the size of an average thumb. (Maybe that's an odd comparison, but we had to put into perspective how mini these truly are.) And after trying one of them, I'd say this is a product that could probably pass being placed on a toddler's plate, though not an adult's.

These corn dogs largely underdeliver in every way. For starters, the batter isn't fluffy, nor is it very flavorful. It's missing that light sweetness most cornbread-like exteriors have. The hot dog is slightly off-putting, too. The texture and even the taste are comparable to Vienna sausages, which I'll attribute to both of them using chicken as the primary ingredient. Normally, that wouldn't be a bad thing, as I grew up eating Vienna sausages and have developed a lasting fondness for them. But here, a beef or pork version would've provided more of that savory flavor I was looking for. Instead, everything about these corn dogs is mild. Mild means it can't be too offensive, though, which brings this product above the last two.

Similar to the corn dogs, there's little to note about the Great Value Beef Taquitos. The latter edges out the former, though, on account of these having a surprising, gentle kick that lingers at the end of every bite.

The tortilla is very crunchy, while the mix of beef and chili peppers is on the mushier side. There isn't as much of this filling as I'd like, leaving the rolls overall hollow and the bites tasting more like tortilla than anything. These would definitely benefit from some of that salsa pictured on the packaging or any other dipping sauce or condiment, such as sour cream, nacho cheese, or guacamole. Summed up, it's ultimately not a bad buy for around $5; accouterments are simply needed to make this more enjoyable, which isn't necessary with most of the higher-priced items discussed later on in the ranking.

Hushpuppies, a food you'll always find at a Southern fish fry, typically play with both sweet and savory flavors. The Great Value Traditional Hushpuppies, selling for around $7, lean much sweeter. With a crispy outer layer of golden-brown batter, they have a deep, warming flavor with a similar essence to French toast sticks dipped in maple syrup.

So, while the product details listed on Walmart's website recommend enjoying the hushpuppies alongside entrées like chicken, fish, or steak, I could actually picture them much better as a breakfast item (perhaps along with sausages to keep in trend with salty pairings). It feels like a slightly savory take on pancakes. Now, I'm no fan of pancakes, which is why this appetizer falls under the middle line of the list, but in trying to remain as unbiased as possible, I also recognize that there's usually a large appeal for people in sweet, fluffy breakfast-type foods. I can see these being enjoyed by children and adults alike, despite this not lining up with my own personal preferences.

For those who didn't know, Angus beef is typically known for being higher-quality on account of its tenderness and marbling. Walmart's Great Value Premium Angus Meatballs don't fully live up to the reputation, though, as they don't taste like anything special.

The bag cost just over $8 and each piece was about the size of a quarter; these were soft with a very light crisp on the outside after time in the air fryer. All was well on the texture front; however, nothing about the flavor felt premium. It was savory (as expected), but I couldn't make out that "delicious gourmet seasoning" mentioned in the product's description. According to the label, that apparently means ingredients like parsley and garlic powder — neither of which were discernible. Worst of all, they're said to contain Parmesan and Romano cheese, which, again, were totally lost. Whether in a ranking of frozen meatballs or a ranking of Walmart appetizers, there's better out there.

Of the many types of pickles there are, I've come to learn that I like them best fried. At under $4 a box, the Great Value Fried Pickles seem to teeter on the line in proving whether or not that's true.

Don't get me wrong — these were scrumptious. Each bite has the classic tang and juiciness of sliced dill pickles, but the ranch seasoning that the breading is advertised to have is nonexistent. Overall, the batter does nothing for this product; the pickles somehow weren't very crispy, even coming fresh out of the air fryer, and the coating lacked even subtle notes of ranch, like a hint of buttermilk or sour cream. So, these fall toward the middle of the ranking, as I can't give it full points for achieving its intended flavor, but I can't deny they're delectable nonetheless.

For a simple yet more elevated appetizer option, I'd look for the Bettergoods French Fried Onion and Ricotta Bites, which cost just shy of $6 with 10 pieces per box. These have a soft and delicately crispy outer layer made of panko breadcrumbs and fried onions that pairs well with the dairy mixture within.

That being said, the ricotta filling inside is very strong though thankfully not overwhelming. It's used in tandem with cream cheese and mozzarella, and in combination with the breaded exterior, has a simultaneously sweet and savory flavor. Most noteworthy, though, is its texture. The interior is extremely soft, fluffy, and light, which I feel is the biggest draw to this product. Some might even say they're borderline mushy, but if you eat them shortly after taking them out of the air fryer, they're just fine and have a nice textural contrast. Adult palates can especially enjoy this more than many of the previously mentioned products, like the supposedly "Premium" Angus Meatballs and mini corn dogs.

I'm no fan of crab cakes, but in trying to remain fair while choosing the items for this ranking, I had to recognize that paying around $8 for two sizable, perfectly round Marketside Crab Cakes isn't a bad deal. It's likely even an enticing, more easily accessible one for seafood lovers, and I don't think they'd be led astray in trying this Walmart offering out.

While I can't say these converted me into a crab cake lover, I admit that there are some qualities in this flavorful product I appreciated. Even my mom, who joined me in taste-testing this appetizer, noted that the 100% real blue swimming crabmeat is surprisingly generous and easy to make out in every bite. The crust also has a beautiful golden-brown color, accompanied by a crisp texture, and is flecked with visible seasonings like parsley. This is a solid choice if you're ever plagued by a real hankering for crab cakes but can't get yourself to a good seafood chain.

Hear me out: Great Value's Mozzarella Sticks beat even some of the best chain restaurant mozzarella sticks. This frozen appetizer is deliciously savory. Its crispy breading is nicely seasoned and tastes lightly of the garlic and onion it contains. Then, inside you've got part-skim mozzarella that fills out almost the whole stick, meaning you'll hardly ever have a bite of the breading without enough of its dairy counterpart to go with it.

The only notable downside I can think of is that this doesn't have the satisfying cheese pull everyone seeks, as this bites clean off instead. But even as someone who marvels at a good stretch of cheese, I can overlook the lack thereof because of how plentiful and pleasantly milky the mozzarella is. In the best way possible, it's like a semi-upgraded version of mozzarella sticks you'd get at school lunch, and that tasty bit of nostalgia puts these in the top three.

There are very few appetizers as delicious and reliable as jalapeño poppers to me, and the Great Value Cream Cheese Jalapeño Peppers only further prove my point. An 8-ounce carton is less than $4 and contains 2.5 servings, and while I loved these so much that I wish one package provided a never-ending lifetime supply, these are already bigger than your usual bite-sized pieces. Each popper averages a couple of inches, providing multiple bites of goodness.

At first taste, the breading is incredibly crispy. Unfortunately, the pepper is not, though, so pretty much the whole piece slides out with the first bite. You also won't find much heat here, but I'll deal with these slight drawbacks just to enjoy the peppers' sharp tang against the warm, soft, and milky qualities of the cream cheese. The stark contrast in flavors, all encased in a crunchy outer layer, makes it hard to put these down. Luckily, at a very affordable price, you won't have to.

The origin of loaded potato skins is contested, though joints like TGI Fridays resolutely take ownership of the beloved idea. Regardless of the mastermind behind it, from now on, I'll more than gladly eat Walmart's version. One package of the Great Value Potato Skins comes with five pieces for about $5. That's a fair deal in my opinion, given how filling one of these alone is – although with how delicious they are, you won't want to stop there.

There are two factors that truly solidify this appetizer as No. 1. Firstly, the proportion of potato to toppings is elite. The layer of cheddar cheese and bacon bits is nearly as thick as the potato half it sits on top of, which means no bite ever feels too starchy or as if all you're getting is overwhelming bites of the spud. Second, the skin is the absolute perfect texture and consistency. While I'd like to give myself credit for pulling the potato out of the air fryer at optimal timing, instead I'll praise Walmart for putting out a product that has an uber-satisfying, light snap to it when you bite into the skin.

From there, almost everything else is dandy. Really, my only minor criticisms would be that the potato itself is a tad bland. That's based on me taking a bite out of just the spud, though, to get an accurate idea of how the potato tastes on its own. But in reality, the toppings are so generously and evenly distributed that you likely won't get any mouthfuls without that delightfully mild yet salty cheese and crunchy yet chewy bacon. So, all summed up and nitpicking aside, there's everything to love about the Great Value Potato Skins.

For this ranking, I chose and sampled a wide variety of appetizers from Walmart, all of which fall under the store's brands, like Great Value, Marketside, and Bettergoods. Every one came from the freezer section, so I popped them into the air fryer to warm them up before taste testing.

My primary consideration was flavor, taking into account whether the advertised ingredients were prominent enough and if the whole product tasted good and cohesive. I also assessed texture, as all of these items have the potential to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Those that maintained that well were placed higher in the ranking. Lastly, I noted the overall value of the appetizer, keeping in mind that prices are subject to change and may vary by location.