The ALDI Freezer Awards: 15 Ice Creams Ranked for 2026

Late March is heating up, and Aldi’s freezer aisle is having a major moment.

I dug into the latest viral favorites and hidden gems to rank 15 must-try ice creams—so you know exactly what to grab before they disappear.

1. Specially Selected Strawberry Cheesecake (The GOAT)

Introduction: This isn’t just ice cream; it’s a religious experience. If you see this black pint in the freezer, buy three. It is widely considered the “S-Tier” king of the ALDI freezer section.

Price: $4.49
Taste Test: A perfect balance of tart strawberry and savory cheesecake. It’s not overly sweet, which is why fans (and I) keep going back for “just one more” spoonful.
Texture Summary: Dense and velvety. The graham cracker swirl provides a gritty, buttery crunch that stays crisp even when frozen.
Make It Better: Top with fresh macerated strawberries to lean into the fruitiness.
Perfect Pairings: A chilled glass of Prosecco.
Final Verdict: BUY. It’s the best grocery store pint in America right now.

2. Specially Selected Premium Vanilla (The “Pure” Choice)

Introduction: Only five ingredients. No fillers, no “natural flavors,” just high-butterfat bliss. It’s the ultimate “dupe” for Häagen-Dazs, but better.

Price: $5.99 (64 oz)
Taste Test: Pure, clean vanilla bean. It has that “yellow” custard tint that screams high quality.
Texture Summary: Rock hard straight from the freezer. You’ll need a sturdy spoon, which is the mark of real, low-air ice cream.
Make It Better: The viral “Aldi Hack”: Drizzle with Specially Selected Olive Oil and flaky sea salt.
Perfect Pairings: Warm ALDI Specially Selected Chocolate Lava Cakes.
Final Verdict: BUY. It is the gold standard for basics.

3. Sundae Shoppe “Thank You Cherry Much”

Introduction: The ultimate Ben & Jerry’s “Cherry Garcia” challenger. This pint has a cult following on Reddit for its massive fruit-to-cream ratio.

Price: $3.29
Taste Test: Bold, dark cherry flavor with high-quality chocolate flakes that actually melt in your mouth rather than feeling like wax.
Texture Summary: Lighter than the “Specially Selected” line but packed with huge, halved cherry chunks.
Make It Better: Add a handful of sliced almonds for a “Cherry Bakewell” vibe.
Perfect Pairings: A dark roast coffee.
Final Verdict: BUY. It’s half the price of the name brand with 100% of the flavor.

4. Specially Selected Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches

Introduction: These viral French-inspired treats are back for 2026. They are tiny, sophisticated, and incredibly “Instagrammable.”

Price: $4.89 (Box of 3)
Taste Test: The strawberry version is floral and sweet, while the vanilla is classic. The meringue shells are surprisingly authentic.
Texture Summary: A delicate “shatter” from the macaron shell followed by a soft, creamy center.
Make It Better: Let them sit on the counter for 3 minutes before eating to soften the shell.
Perfect Pairings: An afternoon Earl Grey tea.
Final Verdict: BUY. They feel much more expensive than they are.

5. Sundae Shoppe Brookie Dough

Introduction: Can’t decide between cookies and brownies? ALDI solved it. This is a “heavy hitter” for anyone who loves a lot of “stuff” in their scoops.

Price: $3.29
Taste Test: A chaotic but delicious mix of chocolate and vanilla bases with chunks of dough.
Texture Summary: Chewy, doughy, and very satisfying if you like a “textured” dessert.
Make It Better: Warm it for 5 seconds in the microwave to make the dough chunks gooey.
Perfect Pairings: A cold glass of milk.
Final Verdict: BUY. It beats out many name-brand cookie dough flavors.

6. Specially Selected Chocolate (Super Premium)

Introduction: This is for the chocolate purists. It’s dark, rich, and avoids the “watery” taste of budget brands.

Price: $5.99 (64 oz)
Taste Test: Deep cocoa notes with a hint of nuttiness. It’s not “milk chocolate” sweet; it’s sophisticated.
Texture Summary: Ultra-smooth and heavy on the tongue.
Make It Better: Stir in a spoonful of peanut butter for a DIY Reese’s experience.
Perfect Pairings: Fresh raspberries.
Final Verdict: BUY. It’s the best “bulk” chocolate ice cream you can buy.

7. Sundae Shoppe Caramel Cookie Crunch Gelato

Introduction: Sold in the transparent “fancy” tubs, this is ALDI’s play for the gelato market.

Price: $3.89
Taste Test: Heavily dominated by the caramel swirl. It’s very sweet—maybe too sweet for some.
Texture Summary: Softer than traditional ice cream with a distinct “crunch” from the cookie bits.
Make It Better: Add a pinch of sea salt to cut through the sugar.
Perfect Pairings: Pretzels (for that salty/sweet combo).
Final Verdict: BUY. It’s a top-tier “movie night” treat.

8. Sundae Shoppe No Sugar Added Chocolate PB Gelato

Introduction: A 2026 newcomer. For those watching sugar, this is the most impressive “diet” option ALDI has released.

Price: $3.79
Taste Test: You can barely tell it’s sugar-free. The peanut butter is salty and rich.
Texture Summary: Slightly softer than regular gelato due to the sweeteners.
Make It Better: Top with crushed sugar-free chocolate chips.
Perfect Pairings: Sliced bananas.
Final Verdict: BUY. It’s a “guilt-free” win.

9. Belmont Super Premium Moose Tracks

Introduction: The quintessential American flavor. ALDI’s version is famous for having “huge” peanut butter cups.

Price: $3.49
Taste Test: Vanilla base with a thick fudge ripple and those iconic mini PB cups.
Texture Summary: Classic, creamy, and dependable.
Make It Better: Scoop it into a waffle cone to handle the weight of the fudge.
Perfect Pairings: A side of salty peanuts.
Final Verdict: BUY. It’s a staple for a reason.

10. Earth Grown Non-Dairy Strawberry (Oatmilk)

Introduction: ALDI’s vegan game is strong. The oatmilk base is the preferred choice over almond or coconut for most Reddit users.

Price: $3.49
Taste Test: Very “jammy” strawberry flavor. The oatmilk adds a slight cereal-like aftertaste that actually works.
Texture Summary: Surprisingly creamy for being non-dairy.
Make It Better: Blend it into a vegan milkshake with almond milk.
Perfect Pairings: Vegan chocolate syrup.
Final Verdict: BUY. It’s the best vegan option in the store.

11. Sundae Shoppe Italian Gelato Cups (Cappuccino)

Introduction: These come in two-packs and are designed for portion control (if you have the willpower).

Price: $3.99 (2-pack)
Taste Test: Strong coffee notes with a creamy finish. It’s like a frozen latte.
Texture Summary: Silky and light.
Make It Better: Pour a shot of actual espresso over the cup for a “double affogato.”
Perfect Pairings: Biscotti.
Final Verdict: BUY. Perfect for a quick, “fancy” dessert.

12. Sundae Shoppe Keto Peanut Butter Fudge

Introduction: One of the few Keto ice creams that doesn’t taste like frozen chalk.

Price: $3.99
Taste Test: Strong PB flavor, though it has that “cooling” erythritol finish.
Texture Summary: Crumbly if eaten cold—requires “tempering” (sitting out) for 10 minutes.
Make It Better: Microwave for 10 seconds to fix the crumbly texture.
Perfect Pairings: A low-carb protein bar crumbled on top.
Final Verdict: BUY (for Keto followers). SKIP if you eat real sugar.

13. Sundae Shoppe Mint Chocolate Chip

Introduction: A classic green mint. It’s simple, but sometimes simple is exactly what you need.

Price: $2.49 (Big tub)
Taste Test: Very refreshing. The mint is “peppermint” forward rather than “spearmint.”
Texture Summary: Traditional budget ice cream—a bit airy, but very scoopable.
Make It Better: Layer it with chocolate syrup for a mint-sundae.
Perfect Pairings: Brownies.
Final Verdict: BUY. It’s the best value for a family party.

14. Sundae Shoppe Fruit Bars (Strawberry)

Introduction: Not technically “ice cream,” but they sit in the same aisle and are a fan-favorite for summer.

Price: $2.69
Taste Test: Tastes like frozen pureed fruit. Very refreshing and not too sugary.
Texture Summary: Icy and crisp.
Make It Better: Drop a bar into a glass of lemonade or a cocktail.
Perfect Pairings: Fresh mint leaves.
Final Verdict: BUY. A great low-calorie alternative.

15. Sundae Shoppe Neapolitan (The “Emergency” Tub)

Introduction: The three-flavor classic. It’s the cheapest thing in the freezer.

Price: $2.29 (Big tub)
Taste Test: Standard. The strawberry is a bit artificial, the vanilla is fine, and the chocolate is weak.
Texture Summary: Very light and melts quickly.
Make It Better: Honestly? Just buy the Specially Selected Vanilla instead.
Perfect Pairings: Sprinkles and lots of chocolate sauce to hide the flavor.
Final Verdict: SKIP. Life is too short for mediocre ice cream. Spend the extra $2 on the premium stuff.