16 Snacks At Costco Perfect For Office Parties

Office parties are a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's nice to informally hang out with your coworkers, but on the other hand, there's a little more pressure on how you present yourself than there would be at a casual gathering with friends. Enter food — the universal conversation starter and community builder since the dawn of humanity. A good snack platter can always break the ice; after people have eaten something they enjoy, the atmosphere becomes more relaxed and fun.

Whether you're in charge of organizing the office party or are simply looking to bring helpful things that don't require any cooking, Costco is a one-stop shop for all the party snacks you could ever need. These snacks come in appropriate party-sized packages, with a gentle price tag. When choosing what to bring, don't overthink it. Stick to the classics and include some special items for the coworkers with dietary restrictions. We've compiled a list of 16 snacks you can buy at Costco that are friendly to the wallet, easy to arrange on platters and in bowls, and don't make a big mess, making them perfect for an office get-together.

Starting off with one of the best Costco snacks for meat lovers, these mini meat and cheese rolls are easy to serve up if you don't have the time to make an elaborate charcuterie board. Deli meats are always a hit, and for under $20 this pack gets you 30 pieces of mozzarella cheese wrapped in prosciutto and soppressata.

Salty finger food is a must-have at any party, so some of Costco's Kirkland Signature salty snacks definitely need to make the shopping list. That said, the usual pretzels and salted sticks can get a bit boring and repetitive, so why not switch things up with peanut butter filled pretzel nuggets? The filling gives a much more substantial bite; just make sure to warn the coworkers that nuts are present in case anyone has an allergy.

Remember when we said stick to the tried and true favorites? Chocolate chip cookies definitely fall into that category. Costco is selling a box of 60 mini cookies for about $12 in its bakery section, giving you the option to bring something to the party that tastes homemade but doesn't cost an afternoon to make.

Maybe you don't want to play it safe, though. If you're looking to challenge your coworkers to try something new, Costco's baklava with honey is the best thing to bring along. This classic Mediterranean dessert is sweet, nutty, delicate, and crunchy. Although it's usually served in larger pieces, the wholesaler sells a creative medley of smaller bites.

Speaking of the Mediterranean, this Italian treat is the epitome of slowing down and enjoying the moment — something office culture could benefit from on occasion. Costco is selling classic Italian biscotti made with whole almonds, which are especially appropriate for a brunch-themed party where you can dip them into coffee, just like nonna intended.

Among the meaty, salty, and chocolatey snacks, it's wise to keep some lighter options, such as dried fruit. Its natural sweetness still makes it feel like an elevated snack. Costco's neatly arranged tray of tropical dried fruit only needs to be placed on the serving table, as it already looks camera-ready.

There's something about the blend of salty and sweet that's just so darn satisfying to munch on. Costco sells a mix of roasted cashews, almonds, pecans, and pistachios coated in honey; the perfect party snack for those who go nuts for nuts. For the coworkers who don't like pistachios, the wholesaler has the same mix spotlighting macadamia instead.

Everything bagels in a crunchy form? Immediately yes. These are a great swap for the classic salty crackers, bringing something new and exciting to the snack table. The guests can dunk them into a dip (here are 13 dips Alex Guarnaschelli would serve at a party) or top them with deli meats, cheese, and even the aforementioned dried fruit.

Your gluten-free coworkers unfortunately can't partake in the bagel chips, but they can enjoy the salty crackers made from almond flour. Because these are certified gluten-free, they're safe for people with celiac disease. They are also completely plant-based and paleo-friendly, plus the short and straightforward ingredient list is sure to impress any health-conscious colleagues.

We have the crackers, so now we need the cheese — but buying a variety of cheeses, cutting them up, and arranging them on trays can be such a time-consuming (not to mention expensive) activity. Thankfully, Costco comes to the rescue with a pre-made cheese platter that includes four types of cheese cut up in cracker-sized squares, costing under $15 for two pounds.

One of the underrated Costco snacks that deserves a spot in your cart is the praline pecans, also known as fancy pecans. They come with a delectable sweet coating, proving once again that the combo of sweet and nutty is hard to resist. In true Costco fashion, the luxe pecans come in a big 2.5-pound container, costing around $16.

Aussie bites are something between a muffin and granola. The star ingredients are oats, dried apricots, raisins, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, honey, and shredded coconut, giving these bites lots of dimension in both flavor and texture. They're crumbly, tasty, and a health-conscious snacking option for the party-goers.

Kirkland Signature offers a good lineup of sweet snacks, among which the s'mores clusters really shine through as a nod to everyone's favorite campfire treat. In these clusters, the classic s'mores ingredients are paired with kettle-cooked caramel for a more elevated feel and are sure to bring out some childlike joy among the coworkers.

Since many people struggle with a gluten intolerance or otherwise choose to eat gluten-free as a dietary preference, it's nice to have several accessible snacks present at the party. Costco has a great selection of gluten-free snacks, so the choice is ample. The crunchy green pea chips, for example, are made from real veggies and come high in fiber and protein as an added benefit.

If you're looking for a party snack that straight up tastes like dessert, don't pass up these lemon donut bites. The bright, citrusy flavor is especially fitting for gatherings taking place in the spring or summer, making them a nice seasonal addition to the grub table. One 34-ounce container is selling for about $8, so price-wise they're a cheerful find, too.

There's no party without a classic veggie platter. After diving into the indulgent snacks first, people sooner or later start craving something fresh, so having crunchy vegetables on hand with a good dip is a must. At Costco, a big tray with five different veggies and a ranch dip is selling for less than $15, making it the ultimate time and money saver.