Costco bakery items have a serious fan base, and honestly, it makes sense. Between the rotisserie chicken and the $1.50 hot dog, Costco already has a cult-like reputation. However, it’s the bakery section that keeps coming up in conversation.

As a fairly new Costco member, I heard endless recommendations from friends and family. Almost every single one pointed straight to the bakery aisle. So, I decided to put these popular Costco bakery items to the test myself.

Below is my honest, item-by-item breakdown. Some of these treats absolutely earn their hype. Others, unfortunately, do not.

Costco Bakery Items Worth The Hype

Brioche Buns

These buns are, without question, the standout of the bunch. My first bite gave me notes like “light, fluffy, sweet… the perfect bun.” After trying several more, both plain and topped, I still stand by that.

The 24-pack makes these an easy pick for sandwiches, parties, or dinner get-togethers. They never tasted stale or dry. Instead, the texture stayed soft, and the flavor was buttery and rich.

Price: $6.99 for 24 Rating: 10/10

Nut And Seed Brittle

This one surprised me. It isn’t a traditional bakery item, but it still belongs on this list. I picked up a pack for a lake day with friends, and it disappeared fast.

Made with nuts, seeds, and coconut flakes, the brittle has a satisfying crunch. It’s sweet without being overwhelming, which makes it a great snack or yogurt topping. This is a treat I’ll happily buy again.

Price: $10.99 for 0.65kg Rating: 9/10

Cookies

Costco’s cookies already have a strong reputation, and this taste test confirms it. They come in several flavors, and each one has a chewy, homemade quality. Furthermore, they strike a nice balance, since they’re sweet but never greasy or sickly.

Because they come in large packs, they’re perfect for parties or gatherings. Better yet, they freeze well, so leftovers don’t go to waste.

Price: $11.99 for 24 cookies Rating: 8.5/10

Croissants

In a head-to-head test against other grocery store brands, Costco’s croissants won easily. They may not match a traditional French bakery, but for mass-produced pastries, they’re genuinely impressive.

They come in packs of 12, so you’ll want help finishing them, since croissants go stale quickly. Even so, for the price, they’re absolutely worth picking up.

Price: $6.99 for 12 Rating: 8/10

Wholesome Grains Sourdough

I hear people rave about Costco’s sourdough constantly, so I finally tried it. The wholesome grains loaf turned out to be a great sandwich bread. It’s dense and chewy, with plenty of seed texture throughout.

That density means it holds up well under heavy sandwich fillings without turning soggy. That said, this loaf isn’t for everyone, since it leans hearty rather than airy. Still, for the price, it’s a solid alternative to artisan sourdough.

Price: $6.99 for 0.92kg Rating: 8/10

Costco Bakery Items That Are Just Okay

Braided Apple Turnovers

I love anything apple-flavored, so my expectations were high going in. The turnovers delivered a flaky exterior and a sweet, apple-filled center. However, I found them a touch too sweet, and the bottom often turned soggy.

With only eight turnovers per package, the price also feels a bit steep for what you get. That said, they still satisfy a sweet craving when needed. Next time, I’ll try heating them in an air fryer for a crisper finish.

Price: $8.99 for eight Rating: 7/10

Costco Bakery Items Not Worth The Hype

Bagels

Unfortunately, this is where the list takes a turn. I love a good bagel, and I really wanted to enjoy Costco’s version. Instead, the blueberry bagels turned out dense, artificial-tasting, and slightly stale.

Worse still, they barely had any real blueberry flavor. Overall, this is one Costco bakery item I wouldn’t buy again.

Price: $4.99 for eight bagels Rating: 4.5/10

Blueberry Muffins

Finally, we reach the weakest item on this list. Costco recently shrunk its muffins, moving away from the “jumbo” size longtime shoppers loved. As a result, both the size and quality took a noticeable hit.

These muffins turned stale and dry within a single day. On top of that, they tasted overly sweet and artificial, with barely any real blueberries inside. I took a few bites and stopped there.

Price: $7.99 for eight Rating: 3/10

Final Verdict

Overall, six out of eight Costco bakery items earned a genuine “would buy again.” That’s a strong track record for a bakery section inside a warehouse store. In the end, it turns out there’s almost nothing Costco can’t do well.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own.