If you shop at Aldi regularly, you've probably seen German Week before. It happens twice a year, and this year's fall German Week will begin on September 17, with 50 limited-time products. They include all the favorites, from seeded breads to frozen schnitzels to fancy cakes that taste exactly like the ones from a German bakery.
But the products are sold out fast. If you love German foods and desserts, you can also stock up on some items at Aldi this week.
When is Aldi's German week
In the U.S., Aldi’s much-anticipated German Week returns September 17–23, 2025, a limited-time event held only twice a year where the retailer stocks its shelves with authentic German favorites like schnitzels, spaetzle, strudels, sausages, and pretzels. It is a rare chance to enjoy Aldi’s European heritage foods without needing a passport.
What you'll find at Aldi’s German week
When German Week arrives, Aldi introduces approximately 50 different German-inspired products that span nearly every category imaginable. The selection reads like a tour through Germany's greatest culinary hits, covering everything your kitchen could need for an authentic German feast.
The bakery section includes traditional breads, from dense, nutty seed loaves to soft, Bavarian pretzels to cookies. Frozen meal lovers will discover hearty options like schnitzel and spaetzle that bring restaurant-quality German comfort food to busy weeknight dinners. The desserts are particularly impressive, featuring traditional beesting (Bienenstich), Black forest cream cake, Frangipane tart, and more.
What people say about German week
On Reddit people are excited days before the even and commenting on what they are most looking forward to picking up?
"Ahhhh I was wondering when the good bread would come out!!! That's my fave and it's hard to find elsewhere, so I'll probably grab a few packs of Rye and a few packs of the Sunflower seed." Did you know that you can actually freeze the bread and enjoy all year around?
"Gonna stock up on apple strudel, I've been waiting for it to come back." - I couldn't agree more!
One other Aldi fan commented: "I’m buying out the red cabbage with apples. Sorry fellow shoppers." So we better hurry up.
15 must-try German foods from Aldi
Out of the 50 products, some are definitely better than others. After trying most of them over the years, these 15 are the ones I recommend buying. They taste the most authentic, offer the best value, or are just plain hard to find anywhere else.
1. Deutsche Küche German Sunflower Seed Bread
This German bread is heavy and loaded with sunflower seeds, with whole rye kernels, and it is unlike any regular bread you’d usually try. It tastes nutty and is perfect for everything from toast with jam to even the open-faced sandwiches Germans love. This bread is even a favorite among many people, as one Redditor commented, “The breads are back! I think they've been missing for the past few German Weeks. And I don't think the price has increased. They're like $5 elsewhere. Thanks, Aldi!”
2. Deutsche Küche Almond Spritz Cookies
These buttery shortbread cookies have a delicate almond flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes them perfect with coffee or tea. They are traditional piped-shaped cookies that are half coated with milk chocolate and crushed almonds. Grab them soon, since they sell out fast!
3. Deutsche Küche Peanut Puffs
These peanut puffs are the German version of cheese puffs, but with peanuts instead. They're light and airy with an intense peanut flavor that's both familiar and completely different from American peanut snacks. They are also not very sweet, as some would assume, as a Reddit user describes them as a mix of sweet and salty, “Not really sweet, just a good solid peanut butter flavor, a bit of salt, and a nice crunch. I can’t always find them in my local, so I try to hit a few stores.”
4. Deutsche Küche German Style Pickles
These pickles taste nothing like the regular pickles you get from stores. The German version of pickles is more sour and spiced with mustard seeds, dill seeds, onions, black peppers, and other spices. I eat them straight from the jar, but they're also good on sandwiches if you want something more sour than regular pickles.
5. Deutsche Küche German Style Red Cabbage with Apples
If you have never tried red cabbage with apples, you should. It’s a classic German side dish that is gently sweet and mildly spicy. The German Rotkohl (red cabbage) is braised with apples and aromatic spices such as cloves and cinnamon. It is usually served with hearty meals such as pork chops, Sauerbraten (marinated beef with gravy), and roast goose during Christmas, alongside potato dumplings.
6. Inglehoffer Stone Ground Mustard
Germans love their pretzels with mustard. This stone-ground mustard is coarse, slightly spicy, and builds heat as you eat it, but the spice level is bearable. Use it on bratwurst, pretzels, or any sandwich that needs a kick. The stone grinding gives it an almost rustic texture that's completely different from smooth yellow mustard. Try it once, and you’ll never go back to regular mustards!
7. Deutsche Küche Apple Strudel
The Deutsche Küche Apple Strudel is made with thin, flaky pastry and filled with apples, raisins, and a touch of cinnamon. It’s also very easy to bake, close to zero effort. Just take the pastry out, and bake as instructed, and it will make your whole house smell like a bakery while it's cooking. It's one of the most popular and authentic European dessert!
8. Deutsche Küche Bienenstich Almond Cake
Also known as “bee sting cake,” it is one of the best desserts in Germany. Fortunately, you don’t have to travel to Germany to try this, as this frozen cake from Aldi tastes exactly like what you’d have in any German cafe. This traditional dessert layers fluffy cake with vanilla-flavored cream and is topped with caramelized flaked almonds. Just take it out of the packet, thaw it at room temperature, and enjoy!
I developed my own Bee sting cake recipe but if want the effortless version, go with Aldi!
9. Deutsche Küche Black Forest Cream Cake
If you've only had Black Forest cake from American stores, this one will surprise you. This German black forest cream cake is made with a chocolate cake layered with cream mousse, cherry sauce, and decorated with cream and dark chocolate flakes. It’s perfect for special occasions or even when you want to eat an authentic German dessert without flying off there! They will sell out fast.
10. Deutsche Küche Apple Frangipane Tart
This tart features sliced apples and roasted almond pieces baked over a frangipane base, a rich almond cream filling. It is one of the most popular desserts eaten in Germany. And if you cannot get your hands on this, you can also make a Frangipane tart at home by following this easy and authentic frangipane recipe.
11. Deutsche Küche Cheese Spaetzle
Spaetzle are traditional German egg dumplings with an irregular, hand-scraped shape. This version comes with cheese, so you just need to heat and serve. The dumplings have a tender, slightly chewy texture that's completely different from Italian pasta. They can be eaten on their own, or you can also add sausages to them.
12. Deutsche Küche Pork Schnitzel
Ask any German about their famous dish, and they will definitely name this. This frozen pork schnitzel is breaded and ready to cook, providing a classic German dish in minutes. The packs come with 6 portions, which is enough to feed a family. Unlike other frozen meals, this is not pre-cooked, and you can cook it any way you like: deep fry, air fry, or even bake in the oven. Serve them warm with lemon wedges, potato salad, or red cabbage for a complete German meal!
13. Deutsche Küche Bavarian Soft Pretzels
These Bavarian pretzels are so popular that they are always sold out! They are soft-baked, have a chewy texture, and a deep brown color. They come frozen from Aldi with a pack of salt you can sprinkle as per your liking. Taste great with mustard, cheese sauce, and even Nutella (some people may find that weird, but trust me, it tastes delicious) or enjoyed plain with beer.
Buy them fast, as people stock up on them, as this Redditor who plans to buy as many as he can, “All the pretzels that will fit in my freezer.”
14. Deutsche Küche Bavarian Soft Pretzel Sticks
These are my personal favorites! These pretzel sticks are made with the same authentic dough, but in a stick shape for dipping and sharing, and they taste slightly different, too. Just open the pack, bake as per instructions, sprinkle the coarse salt, and your yummy pretzel sticks are ready. Enjoy them with your favorite dipping or pair with light beer or white wine, just like Germans do!
15. Deutsche Küche Warm Potato Salad
German potato salad differs significantly from American versions. They are served warm and dressed with a vinegar-based dressing instead of mayonnaise. This warm potato salad from Aldi comes with scrambled eggs, onions, and a variety of spices. Just toss it in the pan for 10 minutes, and it will be ready to eat!
Whether you're looking to recreate old family recipes, explore new flavors, or simply enjoy specialty foods at Aldi, these 15 meals are a must-try!
The annual wait makes these products all the more special, so avail yourself of the opportunity to fill your cart with these authentic German finds while they're available.
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