Aldi Nougat Bars Review

Author’s Note: Not a paid review. These are my own weird opinions. Obviously. I have no affiliation with Aldi.

If Clint Eastwood was a marshmallow.

My sister gave me this box of Soft Mini Nougat Bars from Aldi. I’ve seen these nougats floating around the internet for a couple years. People either gush about their deliciousness, or agonize over how deeply disappointing they are.

What’s a snarky little food reviewer to do? Here’s my take:

The flavors

The flavors are fabulous. Thrilling, even. There’s no version of reality where anyone could accurately complain that these treats are bland. They’re bursting with fruity, nutty, and chocolatey flavors. A little slice goes a long way.

The mix-ins

The bars are full of mix-ins. No one skimped here. There are large chunks of freeze-dried strawberry, plump nuts (like pistachios and almonds), thick crusting of cocoa nibs and chocolate chunks, and dense dusting of crushed amaretti cookies. It’s a bouquet of textural contrasts.

Nougat texture

The texture of the nougat is certainly interesting. It’s like a fluffy taffy, with a gritty backstory. It’s chewy-stiff, and yet melts on the tongue. There’s a grainy texture, which somehow isn’t unpleasant at all. It’s too thick to be marshmallow-y. But too airy to be a true taffy. And too stretchy to be what most Americans think of as “nougat.” It’s not creamy. The sugar sort of dissolves in your mouth, like stubborn cotton candy. I said what I said.

(Here is my review of holiday treats from Aldi, if you want to see more festive goodies.)

How sweet is it?

I was pleased by how restrained the sweetness is. Don’t get me wrong, this is candy. But the sugar is magically whipped with other ingredients, like milk, hazelnuts, cocoa butter, and pistachio creme, to make it less concentrated. For folks with raging sweet tooths, this may be a disappointment. But I loved it. I prefer flavor over sweetness, and that’s what you get here.

Paper wafers

There are odd paper wafer thingies on the bottom of each bar. The internet says these are edible. I’m pretty sure I ate some of them, so I hope so. The sticky nougat makes it hard to peel the paper off, and you might not even notice it is there. While not delicious, the paper wafers didn’t ruin my day, either.

Stickiness

Speaking of stickiness, the Florida humidity is not a friend of these nougats. I wouldn’t leave these out, unwrapped, in a humid environment. Mine were fine if I kept them in a bag with the air squeeze out. But they get “wet” in moist air, and sweat, and sort of melt a bit.

Storing the nougat

I wasn’t sure how to store mine, so I put them in a ziplock bag in my refrigerator. Word to the wise: the nougat becomes unrelentingly stiff and almost brittle when cold. Worry not; it will return to its obstinate softness once it reaches room temperature again. You can slice off thin pieces for serving, if you wish.

Not just a holiday treat

This nougat set is sold in a simple, but giftable box, with a festive Christmas tree cut out on the front. Honestly? I am not sure why this is a “holiday” item, especially since these “ice cream shop” flavors could very well be a summer treat. Just saying. In that sense, the Christmas-themed box is a bit limiting. Mmmkay.

Nutrition Facts

A serving is 1/2 a nougat bar. Which is more than I was able to eat in one sitting. The Nutrition Facts vary based on flavor, but you’re getting somewhere around 110-120 calories, 3-5 grams of fat, and 1-2 grams of protein per serving. There’s also 17-20 grams of total carbohydrates (much less than I expected!), and 13-16 grams of sugars. No fiber, tho. Not enough sodium to mention, with around 1% your daily value per serving.

Price and Servings

The four pack of mini nougat bars cost $5 for a 7.05 ounce package. Per nougat bar, that is $1.25. Per serving, it is about 63 cents.

Shelf Life

The “best by” date on my package allowed about 20 months to consume. Nearly two years. A fabulously long shelf life. I approve.

Dramatic Conclusion

These are a fun treat for flavor lovers, and friends of complex textures. While probably not everyone’s cup of tea, these nougats are sophisticated enough for high brow foodie fanatics. I loved them. I would buy them again.

The End.

More Reviews You Might Like (or Hate)

Check out these other reviews I’ve written. Or don’t. I won’t be mad.

• Costco Caramel S’Mores Clusters
• Ferrero Rocher Hazelnut Crunch Bar
• Aldi Strawberry Chocolate Bunny