Remembering our favorite childhood foods makes us wish we were kids again. No matter how old we get, we’ll always associate fond memories with those affordable, tasty foods, even if we rarely eat them as adults. Here are 20 of those childhood foods that are both cheap and delicious.
PB&J Sandwich
Almost everyone had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in their lunchbox as a kid. While peanut butter and jelly have been affected by inflation, making PB&J sandwiches with them is still cost-effective because you’ll use them up slowly over a long period. Then, all you need is cheap white bread!
Chocolate Milk
Nothing says childhood quite like a cold glass of chocolate milk. The American Dairy Association praises chocolate milk as an affordable, delicious way to get essential nutrients and calcium. If you don’t like regular milk, chocolate milk is a great alternative that will take you back in time.
Pizza Rolls
Pizza rolls are a classic hot snack that children adore because they taste so good. Parents love them, too, because they can be cheaply bought, and they come in various delicious flavors, including sausage, pepperoni, and hamburger. They’re not the healthiest childhood food, but they’re fine in moderation.
SpaghettiOs
Tinned foods are ideal for saving money without scrimping on flavor, which is why so many adults nostalgically remember eating SpaghettiOs as children. Those tiny spaghetti hoops in tomato sauce are the perfect addition to any meal, including toast or anything with fries, and all you have to do is heat them up.
Cheez-It
Cheez-Its are a staple childhood snack that most of us still happily enjoy as adults. They’re cheesy, salty, bite-sized crackers that taste so good many of us worked through entire bags of them as children. They’re still a great choice for adults looking for a cheap, tasty snack to enjoy.
Grilled Cheese
The grilled cheese sandwich is an all-time classic, and you only need two ingredients. According to Bustle, any bread or cheese will do, so you’ve got complete flavor freedom and don’t need to spend much money. Even the cheapest bread and cheese taste amazing together after they’ve been grilled!
Kraft Mac & Cheese
Kraft Mac & Cheese tastes as cozy as the childhood memories it evokes. It’s an amazingly affordable dinner because it’s dried and boxed with a cheese powder packet. Due to its low price and long life, you can bulk buy Kraft Mac & Cheese for weeks of easy, delicious dinners.
Ice Cream Sandwich
Frozen foods are always a good choice if you’re looking for affordable foods, and kids usually love them. Ice cream sandwiches are a perfect summer treat whether you buy them pre-made or make them yourself with cheap ice cream. You’re never too old to indulge in a sweet, chilled snack.
Cinnamon Toast
Buttered toast quickly gets boring, so sprinkling cinnamon on top is an easy and affordable way to add flavor. This is especially effective for children who hate eating plain foods. For extra sweetness, you can add sugar as well as cinnamon and enjoy several slices.
Squeezy Yogurts
Yogurt is an incredible source of calcium, but many children resist eating it, so squeezy yogurts are a great alternative. They can be bought in packs at a cheap price and in a variety of different fruit flavors from your local supermarket. The squeezy packets evoke fun childhood memories.
Cosmic Brownies
Every kid loves brownies, which is why so many adults fondly remember devouring Cosmic Brownies when they were young. No, we don’t mean the ones from the ‘60s! These affordable store brownies are soft and sweet, with a layer of fudge and rainbow sprinkles on top, perfect as an occasional treat.
Hot Dogs
Hot dogs are popular with both children and adults. They can be a meal at home or a treat at the beach, and they’re always easy to eat and tasty. They’re also usually cheap to make because all you need are buns and wieners, which can be used to create multiple hot dogs.
Chocolate Chip Cookies
We all remember dipping chocolate chip cookies into glasses of milk when we were young, which is why cookies are still a popular snack for adults. In fact, CBS News reports that 35% of people say chocolate chip is their favorite type of cookie. Store-brand cookies are often very cheap, too.
Mashed Potatoes
Potatoes are incredibly versatile, but everyone agrees they’re particularly delicious when mashed. They’re hot, fluffy, and filling, and it doesn’t cost much to buy a bag of them. You can make almost any meal with mashed potatoes because they’re such a tasty, nostalgic comfort food.
Twinkies
We’re unashamed to eat Twinkies as children or adults because they taste so good. They’re a soft, golden cake filled with sweet cream that you can pick up for a low price at any store. Though some people criticize them for being ‘artificial,’ they’re still a beloved childhood staple.
Chicken Noodle Soup
If you’re looking for another delicious childhood comfort food, look no further than chicken noodle soup. Not only is it healthy food and amazing when you’re ill, but it’s also cheap to buy in a can from the supermarket. It’s best enjoyed on a cold evening with some bread for dipping.
S’mores
Anyone who ever sat around a fire in their childhood will appreciate the tastiness of a s’more. You can cheaply make your own with store-brand crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate or buy them pre-made. If you make a mess while eating them, it will only encourage more childhood nostalgia!
Tater Tots
Tater tots are a beloved childhood food because they’re so crispy yet fluffy! Our parents always bought them because they were cheap and easy to cook. HuffPost remembers that frozen food company Ore-Ida actually invented the original tater tots, which you could put in the oven, saving time and money.
Scrambled Eggs
Eggs are another versatile food with which you can make many great meals, but scrambled eggs are an easy meal that most kids enjoy. They’re hot and full of nutrients, and they also taste great. Adding a bit of cream and salt gives them even more flavor for the perfect quick meal.
Chicken Pot Pie
Last but not least, it’s chicken pot pies! Some people make elaborate chicken pot pies, but you can’t beat the classic recipe. It’s nice to make your own sometimes, but it takes time and can quickly get expensive. Luckily, frozen options are much cheaper, and they’re the type we most associate with our childhoods.
Up Next: 18 Reasons Why Men Get Grumpier As They Age
You might read this and be able to relate, or you may feel you’ve become grumpier the older you’ve gotten. Or maybe you know of a male friend or relative who has. Here are 18 reasons why men get grumpier as they age.
18 Reasons Why Men Get Grumpier As They Age
17 Products Millennials Refuse to Buy and It’s Affecting the Economy
Millennials have been the center of so much media attention due to their spending habits. Their unique ways of spending have built up and crushed many traditional industries. In this article, we look at 17 things millennials stopped buying and how that has impacted society.
17 Products Millennials Refuse to Buy and It’s Affecting the Economy
Where Even Truck Drivers Won’t Stop
Truck drivers tend to be hardy souls—well-seasoned travelers who aren’t often afraid to rest up or refuel in risky locations. However, there are certain U.S. locations that even the most road-weary trucker refuses to stop at for fear of criminal activity or natural dangers. Here are 17 such locations that even experienced truck drivers approach with trepidation (or not at all).