Do you remember the nursery rhyme called “Old Mother Hubbard?” Paraphrasing here, but she went to the cupboard to get her dog a bone and when she got there, “the cupboard was bare.” Sad story, right? The poor old dog couldn’t even have a bone because his owner ran out … or was a poor organizer, but I digress. The point is, nobody wants a bare cupboard — or pantry, if you will — but with rising prices and depleted store shelves, it can be tricky.
This list is all about stocking and re-stocking your pantry. Whether it’s organizing tools to keep things tidy like bins, canisters or water bottle storage or family-favorite snacks like good-for-you water and not-so-good-for-you Rice Krispies treats, I’ve got you covered from shelf to shelf as you hunt for the best pantry purchases out there. Oh, and lest I forget, Amazon Prime means you can have these goodies to your door in as least at two days — no schlepping to and from the grocery store. Somebody pass this list to Old Mother Hubbard, would you? Bless her heart.
Hint Box Score
Hint Water is among my favorite out there because it tastes good and you can feel good about consuming it. I had no idea you could buy it in these handy juice box-sized containers, though! This variety pack includes watermelon, blackberry, cherry and apple flavors that the whole family will love … and that are easy to pack in a lunch or take on the go. This pack of 32 will only set you back $9.
In For A Rice Krispies Treat
It can’t all be healthy, can it? I mean, you’ve got to live a little! Comparatively speaking, there are considerably worse options than Rice Krispies treats and these single-serve portions are great for throwing in a lunch … and you don’t even have to make them yourself. This box of 54 should last you a while and only runs $15.
Good To Go
In my short list of favorite foods, you’ll find steak, popcorn (but only the movie theater variety) and Nutella is literally any form. These Nutella & Go packs pair breadsticks with a generous dollop of that creamy hazelnut spread — all in one handy, portable container. Ideal for work breaks (hey, treat yo’self) or school lunches, this comes in a pack of 24 and cost right at $1 per unit.
A Jarring Experience
My favorite thing about these stackable kitchen canisters is how they’re see-through, which is perfect for artfully displaying everything from coffee beans to lentils. The set of eight borosilicate glass canisters comes with airtight acacia wood lids to keep the contents fresh. Reviewers love these for spices, in particular, and they would look darling arranged on open shelving in your kitchen.
Imagine The Pasta-bilities
Typical storage containers are great for the usual suspects: Flour, rice, sugar, you know the drill. But, the usual containers don’t work for certain things — like pasta. (And, those store boxes of pasta never open and close cleanly, do they?) This set of four focuses on horizontal storage with room enough for eight pounds of spaghetti. You’ll get a set of four with lids here.
On The Shelf
Cans are my archnemesis and I suspect may be the same for a lot of you. They’re hard to stack in a pantry to see what you have and then, next thing you know, you have 87 cans of green beans. This can organizer eliminates wasted space and helps organize your cans in a way that you can observe everything and still have room for the rest of your pantry purchases.
Bottled Up
I can’t imagine I’m the only one with a tumbler/water bottle problem in their kitchen. (Darn you, Starbucks!) I finally had to break down and find a way to organize my haul, which led me to this stacking water bottle organizer. With two tiers, it gives you room for up to six bottles, keeping them accessible and less likely to be knocked over, making a mess.
Sow Your Oats
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but there isn’t always time to make it happen. Grab-and-go options like this cinnamon and pecan instant oatmeal from Quaker mean you can still get some energy for the day, even if it happens after you get to the office. This pack of 12 is a lower sugar option, too.
Clif Hanger
My favorite quick-grab breakfast involves protein or energy bars and this variety pack from Clif is a great one to keep stashed away in your pantry. This set of 16 is priced at $18 and includes four each of six of Clif Bar’s most popular flavors. If you’ve always struggled with breakfast or banishing that 2 p.m. slump, you need these in your pantry.
Mac Attack
How many nights a week does your kiddo ask for macaroni and cheese? It’s “all of them”, isn’t it? This pantry staple from Annie’s will be a hit and ensures you’ll never be out with 12 simple-to-store boxes. Choose from three different types of cheese and do it with the assurance that Annie’s doesn’t use preservatives, artificial flavors or bad-for-you coloring.
Can It
We’ve looked at one convenient way to store cans already but this presents an entirely new option: Dispensing. These standing bins (you’ll get a three-pack) are great not only for storage but for cycling through frequently used staples and even cans of soda or dog food. Each basket has a built-in handle to facilitate movement and can be folded down and out of the way when not in use.
Spice Things Up
If you’re always on the hunt for more storage space, there’s an option right in front of you that you’re probably not using — the door. This over-the-door storage rack has five heavy-duty metal baskets of varying size perfect for spices at the top and larger pantry staples at the bottom. No drilling is required but a couple of suction cups are included to ensure stability.
Chips And Dip
One of my favorite healthy snacks is hummus but I get tired of replacing the refrigerated version. These shelf-stable snack-sized containers stack in your pantry, giving you 12 dip options in three flavors: Original hummus, roasted red pepper hummus and black bean dip. Try the variety pack or put all your eggs in one proverbial basket by choosing 12 of a single flavor. (Hint: It’s the roasted red pepper for me!)
Cereal Killer
Who doesn’t love to snack on cereal? Adults love it, kids love it, everyone loves it. But, traditional cereal is really bad for you — full of sugar and chemicals … and yuck. These individual cups from Magic Spoon are keto, gluten- and grain-free, low-carb, high protein and contain zero sugar. The variety pack includes fruity, frosted, peanut butter and cinnamon roll flavor options.
Peanut Butter Jelly Time
Unless you’re one of the unfortunate ones (or have one of them in your house) who can’t have peanut butter, this peanut butter powder is a pantry must-have. Traditional peanut butter can separate plus it’s full of sugar. Peanut butter powder has one-third the calories and 87 percent less fat than that beloved Jif. This 30-ounce container will last a long time, too.
Fruit Salad
Are there people in your house who wouldn’t stop a piece of fruit to save their life? These fruit leather strips come in a pack of 48 with flavors like cherry, apple, strawberry, apricot, grape and raspberry. Each strip has zero added sugar and a quarter-cup of real fruit inside. It’s the perfect after-school snack or treat with a hidden secret you don’t have to tell a soul.
How Have You Bin?
Soooo, what are you going to do with all these great (but tiny) pantry buys? You’re going to need just the right bins to organize them and — surprise, surprise — I’ve found the perfect ones. This six-piece set of organizer bins feature a skinny (but longer) design ideal for fruit leathers, tuna packets, single-serve cereals and oatmeal and more.
Line-r Dance
It’s too late for me so save yourselves! The next house I move into, I’m definitely going to add these non-adhesive shelf liners to my pantry. Not only do they keep condiments from tipping over, but they can be wiped clean easily. This roll includes 10 feet of liner paper but there are options at the link for up to 35 feet. (Be sure to measure your width, too!)
Wrap It Up
Why, oh, why are there so many types of bags, wraps and papers these days? Turns out, they need an organizer of their own. This adjustable organizer is a great addition to your pantry to corral your baggies, cling wrap and more with three shelves for convenience. One reviewer referred to it as “such a simple thing to solve such a big headache.”
Don’t Be A Jerk-y
Sasquatch will have nothing on you if you snag this eight-pack of beef steak bites and stash them in your pantry. Your little (and big) carnivores will appreciate these after practice or those times that you want a snack but don’t know exactly what. And, because they’re in morsel form, you can pop them easily without the typical chewiness of regular jerky.
Cream Of The Crop
Listen, heavy cream is one of my most favorite foods … and I know that sounds weird because it not really, well, food. But, it is a wonderful addition to everything from coffee in the morning to cream-based soups in the evenings. This heavy cream powder comes in a one-pound tub and is shelf-stable so you can add it to basically anything to reconstitute it. (And, it’s in my cart!)
Sticker Shock
I’m one of those people who like for things to match. (I also don’t like my food to touch on my plate but that’s a topic for another day.) These pre-printed clear stickers will be the cutest on your pantry containers and bins. This set includes 136 labels for everything from your brown sugar to your pasta. It’s a great buy for less than $15.