10 High Protein Frozen Foods You Should Be Picking Up At Dollar Tree

Figuring out how many grams of protein we need every day means talking to your doctor or filling in the boxes of the USDA's online form. Once that's done, we can turn our attention to the more interesting matter of how to achieve that figure. Eating eggs is a good start, plus there are many foods that pack even more of a protein punch, including these creamy, versatile lupini beans. If you're on a budget or have several picky mouths to feed, ensuring everyone's got enough protein in their diet can be an expensive business. Clap hands, then, for the frozen section at Dollar Tree.

This spot is packed with a range of ready meals and ingredients that will help you reach your protein intake goals. From hearty breakfast foods to sumptuous suppers, there's an affordable, tasty option for all shoppers that won't empty your pocketbook. As always, all prices and availability were correct at the time of writing, but you can call ahead to your local Dollar Tree to check if something particular is in stock.

You get around 11 grams of protein per trio of "wyngz," alongside 450 milligrams of omega-3, making these a tasty, savory bite. At first glance they look like actual chicken wings, but they're actually patties shaped from 100% white meat. We think they're brilliant for little ones, as there are no bones to mess around with, which also makes for easier cleanup. If you want a quick protein boost at lunchtime, throw them in the microwave and you'll be chowing down in minutes.

Buy Yummy Boneless Hot Buffalo Style Wyngz for $5.00.

There's nothing like the smell of a hamburger as it sizzles on the grill or in the skillet, and we love adding jarred red peppers to take them to the next level. Pick up a four-pack of these frozen patties — made from 100% beef — and not only will you be rustling up a tasty meal in no time (no defrosting is required), but you'll also be boosting your protein intake by 15 grams per patty. Double burgers all round, we say!

Buy Philly Gourmet Backyard Grillers Beef Patties for $5.00.

There's no missing the fact this single-serve offering from the Hungry-Man range provides a hefty 27 grams of protein — it's plastered all over the packaging. But there's more to enjoy than just a hunka hunka chicken. It's a complete meal in a box, with creamy mashed potatoes, a side of sweet, crunchy corn, and even a chocolate brownie thrown in for good measure. Yes, it delivers on protein and is super convenient, but watch out for the wince-worthy sodium level, and keep this a sometimes treat.

Buy Hungry-Man Boneless Fried Chicken for $4.00.

We included this hearty ready meal in our run-down of frozen foods you should be buying from Dollar Tree, but it 100% belongs here too, thanks to the 26 grams of protein it's packing. Shoppers love the delicate balance of spice and cheese (there isn't too much of either), and although it's got considerable sodium, some reviewers say the quality is so good you could happily eat it on occasion.

Buy Banquet Mega Bowls Buffalo-Style Mac 'N Chicken Cheese for $3.00.

Getting our required protein intake while juggling all the stuff that life throws at us can sometimes be tricky, but that's where ready meals like this come in. This combination of creamy Pepper Jack mac 'n' cheese, sitting alongside white chicken meat that's slathered in a blend of honey and hot sauce, hits the spot every single time. Oh, and each meal provides a generous 25 grams of protein (not to mention calcium and fiber) for just three bucks.

Buy Boston Market Hot Honey Fried Chicken for $3.00.

Dollar Tree's frozen aisle is home to several delicious-sounding breakfast bowls from the Jimmy Dean range, but we plumped for the bacon one because it's got the most protein of them all, at 26 grams. The combination of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and cheese is a warm and filling way to set you up for the day, plus it's ready to eat in minutes after you give it a whirl in the microwave.

Buy Jimmy Dean Frozen Breakfast Bowl — Bacon for $3.50.

The classic protein one-two of chicken and cheese comes together for these yummy microwaveable taquitos. Three of them will give you 8 grams of protein, which might not sound like much, but we think they're a tasty way to round off your daily intake. There are 15 taquitos in each pack, so why not serve them as a movie night snack or a suppertime treat? 

Buy Jose Ole Chicken And Cheese Flour Taquitos for $5.00.

We've debunked the myth of incomplete proteins, so we know veggies can be a valuable source of the good stuff, alongside other nutrients. These yummy dumplings encase a blend of pork, tofu, green onion, and cabbage, and a single tray of them provides 14 grams of flavorful protein. Pop them in the microwave for a couple of minutes (while you rip open the accompanying sachet of sauce) and then devour, either with friends or keep them all to yourself.

Buy Bibigo Steamed Pork & Vegetable Dumplings for $3.25.

Gordon Ramsay's neat trick to get the crispiest fish via a pre-fry spinkling of salt is a winner with us, but if you're pressed for time, you can still enjoy a goodly portion of fish protein, thanks to Gorton's and Dollar Tree. You get six thick, wild-caught, sustainable Alaska pollock fillets covered in a gorgeous golden batter and a not-to-be-sniffed-at 10 grams of protein per fillet. You can deep fry or air fry them, while, in a nod to all those smaller households out there, these frozen fillets come in a resealable bag.

Buy Gorton's Frozen Crispy Battered Wild-Caught Fish Fillets for $5.00.

Not all of us have the time to prepare a full meal from scratch, especially at lunchtime. Luckily, Fast Bites has got us covered with its range of microwaveable sandos. The grilled chicken tips the scales with the most protein of the brand's sandwich offerings at 17 grams, and reviewers say it's also a delicious bite. You can amp up the protein with a fried egg or give it a twist with some pickles or other add-ons.

Buy Fast Bites Microwaveable Grilled Chicken Sandwich for $1.50.