And it's not just because you're basically eating cake for breakfast

Here’s Why You Should Always Buy Muffins at Aldi

If you’re already an Aldi shopper, you probably know the ins and outs of the store by now. Like why Aldi cashiers scan so fast (and stay seated) during the checkout process. Or you’ve noticed how the stores don’t play music while you shop. But perhaps you’ve never paid super close attention to its baked goods.
Because, yes, Aldi has a pretty robust bakery section filled with bread, cookies and, of course, muffins. Typically, Aldi’s bakery muffins cost anywhere from $3.45 for a 12-count of minis to $4.35 for a four-pack of large muffins. That’s already a pretty good value, but what if you could score them even cheaper? It’s possible! Read on to learn why you should always buy muffins at Aldi.
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What type of muffins does Aldi sell?
Under their private label Bake Shop brand, Aldi sells several different types of muffins. Year-round options include banana nut, blueberry and chocolate chip, which each come in large, four-count containers. But then, if you prefer breakfast nibbles as opposed to a large, honkin’ muffin, they have 12-count mini versions of their blueberry and chocolate chip muffins, as well as mixed berry and lemon poppy seed.
Why should you buy muffins at Aldi?
So here’s the thing you may not know about Aldi muffins—they get marked down to up to 50% off around two days before their expiration date. There are a lot of Aldi rumors out there, but this one’s for real. After speaking with an Aldi employee at my local store to find out when the muffins and other baked goods get a solid markdown, I learned it’s really at the discretion of the store manager. Though it can be anywhere from two to five days before the expiration date listed on the package, it’s most likely to be two.
To find the expiration date, look for a small white sticker on the package—this will tell you the date. If it’s a day or two before the expiration, or the expiration date itself, but there is no sign of the muffins being marked down, ask an employee (nicely) for a discount. They may say no or they may say yes; respectfully accept whatever answer they give. They’re just doing their jobs, after all.
So if you’re buying muffins for a class party that day or a brunch tomorrow, you can score a great deal. Buying muffins on a Monday for a breakfast on Friday? You may be better off buying a full-priced package with an expiration date a few days out.
Are other baked goods marked down?
Yes, generally speaking the rule that applies to muffins also applies to other Aldi bakery items. This means the closer the expiration date gets on items like Bake Shop Triple Chocolate Creme Cake, Kitchen Sink Cookies or croissants, the more likely you are to see that white tag on them showing a marked-down price.
What does Aldi do with unsold muffins?
This will bring a smile to your face—Aldi donates any unsold food, including its delicious bakery muffins, to charitable organizations through Feeding America. In fact, in 2024 alone they donated 39 million pounds of food, staying true to their philosophy of eliminating food waste as much as possible.
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