The $2.67 Walmart Find I’m Stocking up On

Just when you thought breadcrumbs couldn't get more exciting, Walmart's premium line, bettergoods, has rolled out a series of flavored panko mixes with loud and colorful packaging. I was excited to see if the flavors lived up to the boldness of the packaging.

bettergood Seasoned Panko comes in five flavors: Southwest-Style Grille, Fiery Nashville-Style Hot, Pineapple Teriyaki, Chili Lime Verde, and Sweet & Spicy Thai Chili. These flavors promise to shake up the breadcrumb aisle, so naturally, I had to see if they lived up to the hype.

I reached for the Pineapple Teriyaki. I love both flavors, and I was curious how they'd come through in a dry breadcrumb mix. I've enjoyed dried pineapples, but it was the dried teriyaki seasoning that peaked my interest.

How To Use Walmart's bettergood Seasoned Panko

The mix comes in simple, clear pouches, nothing flashy, just filled with a crumbly, sandy mixture. It actually reminded me of the powdery bits left at the bottom of a cereal bag—small flakes and sandy grit rather than big, uniform crumbs.

The package instructions gave two cooking options: oven-bake or air-fry. I went with the oven at 375°F. I lightly moistened chicken tenderloins with water—to help the panko stick—pressed the panko firmly into the chicken tenders, making sure to coat every side.

I packed on extra crumbs with what was left in the bowl and baked the tenders on a rack-lined baking sheet for 23 minutes. The package included timing guidelines for chicken, fish, pork, shrimp, and veggies—handy if you're looking to swap proteins.

The chicken came out beautifully golden and crispy—so crisp that running a butter knife over the surface gave that satisfying ting-ting sound you hear in cooking videos.

The pineapple aroma hit me as soon as I opened the oven door, along with a smoky, almost soy-like scent. The crunch factor was excellent, and I appreciated that the seasoning was balanced enough that I didn't feel the need to add extra salt or sugar.

Flavor-wise, I wasn't completely convinced. I definitely got pineapple, but not much of what I associate with teriyaki (soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, sesame oil). The mix leaned more toward sweet-and-savory breadcrumbs than authentic teriyaki. Still, the taste was enjoyable and the coating delivered on texture.

Pro tip: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Some crumbs fell off during baking, and the sugary bits that caramelized onto the pan required a little scrubbing.

If you're expecting saucy teriyaki flavors, you may be let down. But if you're open to a sweet-savory pineapple panko that delivers on crunch and visual, this mix is worth trying—especially for a quick weeknight chicken tender dinner.

After trying the Pineapple Teriyaki, I’m excited to see how the other mixes stack up. The crunch and convenience alone make these worth keeping around, and I can already see them becoming a staple in my pantry for quick weeknight dinners.

_{To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE.}