Best Money Saving Supermarket Snack Substitutes

As the cost of living continues to climb, parents are looking for smart ways to keep their kids’ snack stash stocked without breaking the bank. A new study from CritiqueJeu reveals the best supermarket own-brand snack dupes that deliver on taste, quality, and savings. These budget-friendly alternatives to popular name-brand snacks offer comparable (or even better) customer satisfaction ratings at a fraction of the cost. Plus, experts share a key tip: signing up for supermarket loyalty programs can unlock exclusive discounts to stretch your budget further. Here’s a roundup of the top snack dupes to help you save money while keeping your kids happy.

Best Money Saving Supermarket Snack Substitutes

1. Jaffa Cakes: Morrisons Jaffa Cakes (24 Pack, 300g)

• Brand Comparison: McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Original Biscuits (110g)
• Why It’s Great: Morrisons’ version costs just £0.06 per serving (£1.35 per pack) compared to McVitie’s £0.14 per serving (£1.35 per pack). With a stellar 4.8/5 review score—higher than McVitie’s—these chocolatey, orangey treats are a family favorite that won’t dent your wallet.
• Savings: Over 50% cheaper per serving with a bigger pack size.

2. Caramel Chocolate Bars: Tesco Dreamy Caramel Chocolate Bars (240g, 6 bars)

• Brand Comparison: Mars Caramel, Nougat & Milk Chocolate Snack Bars (4×39.4g, 157.6g)
• Why It’s Great: At £0.24 per bar (£1.45 per pack), Tesco’s Dreamy Caramel bars are nearly half the price of Mars bars (£0.45 per bar, £1.82 per pack). They also come with two extra bars per pack and score higher in reviews (4.6/5 vs. 4.3/5).
• Savings: Save £0.21 per bar and get more bars per pack.

3. Twix Alternative: Tesco Crunchy Caramel Chocolate Bars (210g)

• Brand Comparison: Twix Caramel & Milk Chocolate Fingers Twin Biscuit Snack Bars (4x40g, 160g)
• Why It’s Great: Tesco’s Crunchy Caramel bars cost £0.29 per bar (£1.45 per pack) and include an extra bar compared to Twix’s £0.46 per bar (£1.83 per pack). With a 4.7/5 review score compared to Twix’s 3.6/5, these are a tastier and more economical choice.
• Savings: Save £0.17 per bar and enjoy an extra bar per pack.

4. Fruit Pastilles: Morrisons Fruit Pastilles (227g)

• Brand Comparison: Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles Sweets (Tube Multipack, 164g)
• Why It’s Great: Morrisons’ gummies cost just £0.14 per serving (£1.25 per pack), a steal compared to Rowntree’s £0.46 per serving. With a 3.3/5 review score (only 0.3 lower than Rowntree’s), these fruity treats are a budget-friendly hit for kids.
• Savings: Save £0.32 per serving with a larger pack size.

5. Cheese Curls: Tesco Cheese Curls (10 Pack, 150g)

• Brand Comparison: Walkers Quavers Cheese (6x16g)
• Why It’s Great: Tesco’s Cheese Curls offer 10 packs for £0.14 per bag (£1.35 per pack), compared to Quavers’ six packs at £0.19 per bag (£1.15 per pack). With a higher review score (4.8/5 vs. 4.4/5), these cheesy snacks are a win for taste and value.
• Savings: Get four extra packs for less money.

6. Chocolate Mini Rolls: Essentials Waitrose 10 Chocolate Mini Rolls (268g)

• Brand Comparison: Cadbury Chocolate Mini Rolls Cakes (10x26g, 260g)
• Why It’s Great: At £0.15 per roll (£1.50 per pack), Waitrose’s mini rolls are less than half the price of Cadbury’s (£0.31 per roll, £3.08 per pack). With a 4.4/5 review score, just 0.2 points below Cadbury’s, they’re a deliciously affordable treat.
• Savings: Save £0.16 per roll.

7. Digestives: Sainsbury’s Digestives (400g)

• Brand Comparison: McVitie’s Digestives the Original Biscuits (360g)
• Why It’s Great: Perfect for tea-dunking or snacking, Sainsbury’s Digestives cost just £0.02 per biscuit (£0.55 per pack) compared to McVitie’s £1.84 per pack. Both score an impressive 4.4/5, making these a no-brainer for budget-conscious parents.
• Savings: Less than half the price per biscuit.

8. Nougat Bars: Tesco Cosmic Whip Chocolate Bars (8x22g, 176g)

• Brand Comparison: Milky Way Nougat & Milk Chocolate Snack Bars (6×21.5g, 129g)
• Why It’s Great: Tesco’s Cosmic Whip bars cost £0.18 per bar (£1.45 per pack) and include two extra bars per pack compared to Milky Way’s £0.30 per bar (£1.80 per pack). Both score 4.7/5, ensuring kids get the same great taste for less.
• Savings: Save £0.12 per bar with more bars per pack.

9. Chocolate Ice Cream: Sainsbury’s Milk Chocolate Ice Creams (4x75ml)

• Brand Comparison: Magnum Classic Chocolate Ice Cream Sticks (3x100ml)
• Why It’s Great: Sainsbury’s ice creams are a year-round treat at £0.50 each (£2.00 per pack), compared to Magnums at £1.04 each (£3.13 per pack). Both score 4.7/5, proving you don’t need to splurge for a creamy, chocolatey indulgence.
• Savings: Save £0.54 per ice cream and get an extra stick per pack.

10. Chocolate Wafer Bars: Tesco Snappy Fingers Milk Chocolate Wafer Biscuit Bars (8×21.5g, 172g)

• Brand Comparison: KitKat 4 Finger Milk Chocolate Biscuit Bar (4×41.5g, 166g)
• Why It’s Great: Tesco’s Snappy Fingers cost £0.17 per bar (£1.35 per pack), less than half the price of KitKats (£0.39 per bar, £1.57 per pack). With a higher 4.7/5 review score compared to KitKat’s 3.8/5, they’re a tastier and thriftier choice.
• Savings: Save £0.22 per bar with double the bars per pack.

Expert Tips for Maximizing Savings

To secure the best value when food shopping, it is essential to go beyond just comparing prices and consider portion sizes to ensure you are getting the most for your money. Additionally, signing up for supermarket loyalty programs can unlock exclusive deals, discounts, and rewards, making it even easier to stretch your budget without having to sacrifice the products you love.

-Paul Lenglet, co-founder and editor of CritiqueJeu

Why Choose Supermarket Own-Brands?

These dupes prove that supermarket own-brand snacks can match or even surpass the quality of premium brands while offering significant savings. By swapping name-brand snacks for these budget-friendly alternatives, parents can keep their kids’ snack cravings satisfied without straining the family budget. Next time you’re shopping, check out these own-brand options and sign up for loyalty programs to maximize your savings.