If you’re on EBT SNAP benefits, you’re probably stretching each dollar as far as it can go, focusing on the essentials to make every penny count. However, did you know that Amazon, alongside the typical beans and rice, offers some shockingly expensive items that are EBT-eligible?
I’ve seen some surprising things while curating our Amazon affiliate store over the years, so I’ve gathered a list of the most absurdly priced EBT-eligible items you can buy on Amazon. Some of these might even make you do a double-take!
If you prefer to watch instead of read, check out this YouTube video.
Most Expensive Items
Prices listed in this article reflect the amounts at the time of researching for the video. Prices on Amazon can fluctuate, so you may find some items are more or less expensive when you check them.
Chocolate-Covered Caramel Apples – $60 for Two
These apples arrive in a fancy box and make a nice gift, but at around $30 an apple, it might be worth rethinking. For the same price, you could buy multiple bags of apples and caramel jars.
Dozen Chocolate-Covered Strawberries – $70 with Shipping
Dipped in Ghirardelli chocolate, these strawberries are indeed indulgent, but at around $70 after shipping, you might find fresher and more affordable options locally.
Saffron Tin – $130
Saffron is famously expensive, but it’s surprising to see this $130 one-ounce tin available for EBT purchase. A luxury for sure!
Tree Hugger Gum – $182
Tree Hugger gum is eco-friendly, but it’s a pricey way to chew. This $182 pack contains 750 gumballs. If you’re budget-conscious, maybe the dollar store gum might be a better choice.
30-Pound Tub of Garlic – $221
If you love garlic, this bulk buy might sound appealing. But unless you’re cooking for a small army, 30 pounds could be overwhelming!
10-Pound Bottle of Olive Oil – $225
Marketed as a premium oil from Sicily, this $225 bottle might be best left to high-end kitchens or large gatherings.
Gift Baskets – $325
Yes, you can buy gift baskets with EBT benefits, as long as more than half of the value comes from food items. We found a few fancy gift baskets on Amazon priced as high as $325! These typically include an assortment of snacks and sometimes a decorative ornament, but the food quality can be hit or miss.
A better budget-friendly option? Look for smaller, affordable gift baskets, like a $40 photo gift box with treats inside—it’s cute, practical, and EBT-eligible.
Kicking Horse Decaf Coffee – $427
Fancy vegan, gourmet coffees are also EBT-eligible. The decaf option clocks in at an eye-watering $427, with other varieties slightly more affordable but still high-priced.
Five Pounds of Vanilla Seeds – $518
It’s hard to imagine needing this much vanilla, but this five-pound bag is EBT-eligible on Amazon if you’re interested.
Lobster Dinner for Two – $515
For $515, you get lobster tails, steaks, cheesecake, and more in this luxury dinner. Opinions are split—some say it’s a great indulgence, others think it’s too much.
There are somewhat more affordable alternatives, like this $205 Lobster Dinner for two.
180-Pound Container of Lowry’s Seasoned Salt – $602
This massive salt container would likely last one person about 45 years, and it’s available with EBT benefits for those looking to commit to a lifetime of seasoning.
550 Pounds of Barbecue Sauce – $1,000
Do you need 550 pounds of barbecue sauce? Probably not, unless you’re marinating something huge. This drum sells for a thousand dollars and is EBT-eligible.
27.5-Pound Bag of Black Truffle Salt – $1,120
The most expensive item on our list, this bag of truffle salt takes luxury to a new level, priced at over a thousand dollars.
Why Does This Happen?
While EBT benefits are typically used for essentials, some items that are EBT-eligible seem more suited to a luxury shopping list. How does this happen?
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) regulations allow EBT benefits to be used for a broad range of foods, provided they’re non-prepared grocery items. This means you can purchase pantry staples, fresh produce, and yes, even high-end or bulk items. Many online retailers, including Amazon, tag products as EBT-eligible based solely on the product’s classification as a non-prepared food, rather than on its price or practicality.
This leads to some unexpected results on Amazon, where bulk and gourmet items that meet these criteria can end up eligible for SNAP. Since EBT regulations focus more on item type than price, anything from budget-friendly essentials to extravagant luxuries can qualify, allowing for some surprisingly high-ticket items to make the cut.
See More Surprising Finds
If you enjoyed learning about these surprising EBT-eligible items, you might be interested in exploring more of our unusual EBT guides and curated lists. Here are some additional resources:
- Surprising EBT Purchases You Didn’t Know About – Discover even more unexpected EBT-eligible items in this popular article on our site.
- Visit Our Amazon Affiliate Store – We’ve spent time organizing a list of affordable, practical EBT-eligible products on Amazon. Everything is neatly arranged by category, so you can quickly find what you need!
You might want to pull this article before some politician makes national news with it. Why? The FARM BILL (which covers SNAP benefits) is soon to be decided, and there’s nothing they’d rather do than cut people’s grocery money.