The Impulsive Buy

REVIEW: Pizza Hut Melts

October 20, 2022October 19, 2022 Marvo 21 Comments

Pizza Hut Melts Pepperoni Lover s

Pizza Hut’s new Melts appear to be its attempt to offer a menu item that’s similar to Papa John’s Papadias, which I assume have been popular since they’re still around and now can be crusted with cheese or pepperoni. They’re both basically pizza sandwiches for one person. Although, if you’re a Pizza Hut PHan (I assume that’s what they’re called), you might think Papadias are Papa John’s take on the P’Zone. But that’s another story for another never.

Pizza Hut says the Melts feature two slices of its Thin N’ Crispy crust loaded with toppings and cheese, folded over using basic crust origami, and baked to melty perfection. It’s available in four varieties — Pepperoni Lover’s, Meat Lover’s, Chicken Bacon Parmesan, and Buffalo Chicken — but I only purchased the first three listed for this review.

Pizza Hut Melts Meat Lover s — *Pizza Hut Melts Meat Lover’s*

*Pizza Hut Melts Chicken Bacon Parmesan*

(No disrespect, Buffalo Chicken. While Melts are made for one, they have the nutrition numbers for three. Yes, I did buy three of the four, but I guess 79 total grams of saturated fat is my limit.)

Also, each one comes with a dipping sauce — ranch for the chicken varieties and marinara for the other two.

Pizza Hut Melts Crust Seasoning

The top crust is sprinkled with parmesan oregano seasoning, which is something I didn’t expect nor something I read in the press release. It adds a little cheesy and herbacious flavor if you decide to take bites sans the dipping sauce, but I don’t recommend skipping the marinara or ranch. (I’ll bring that up later.) The top is also pleasantly crispy, but not so much when it comes to the unseasoned bottom crust.

Pizza Hut Melts Bottom Crust

Pizza Hut Melts Innards

When I peeled back the carb cover, it was surprising that the filling wasn’t the equivalent of smooshing two fully-topped pizza slices together. So “loaded with toppings and cheese” might not be totally accurate. Of course, there’s a chance that mine were made wrong.

Pizza Hut Melts Pepperoni Lover s Innards — *Pizza Hut Melts Pepperoni Lover’s Innards*

Pizza Hut Melts Meat Lover s Innards — *Pizza Hut Melts Meat Lover’s Innards*

*Pizza Hut Melts Chicken Bacon Parmesan Innards*

Even though they weren’t what I hoped “loaded” would be, there still was a noticeable amount of toppings and cheese, and eating one was filling. But the dipping sauces are necessary to turn the Melts into flavorful experiences since there’s none in them. Without the marinara or ranch, these are a bit bland, especially the Chicken Bacon Parmesan.

Pizza Hut Melts Sauce Dip

Pizza Hut’s Melts seem to be the chain’s way to sell you folded pizza slices, and there’s nothing really unique flavor-wise, especially with the Pepperoni and Meat Lover’s varieties.

Now I can see how some might think I’m down on these, but I really did enjoy their crispiness and flavors when the sauce was involved. However, while great to experience once, I’m not sure I’d buy these over a cheaper and less nutritional eye-popping Personal Pan Pizza if I want something meant for one from Pizza Hut.

Purchased Price: $9.49 each*
Size: n/a
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 melt) Pepperoni – 1150 calories, 62 grams of fat, 28 grams of saturated fat, 1.5 grams of trans fat, 165 milligrams of cholesterol, 2660 milligrams of sodium, 95 grams of carbohydrates, 8 grams of fiber, 17 grams of sugar, and 53 grams of protein. Meat Lover’s – 1100 calories, 59 grams of fat, 24 grams of saturated fat, 1 gram of trans fat, 130 milligrams of cholesterol, 2700 milligrams of sodium, 93 grams of carbohydrates, 7 grams of fiber, 17 grams of sugar, and 49 grams of protein. Chicken Bacon Parmesan – 1170 calories, 70 grams of fat, 27 grams of saturated fat, 1.5 grams of trans fat, 130 milligrams of cholesterol, 2400 milligrams of sodium, 86 grams of carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, 11 grams of sugar, and 49 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did. The advertised price is $6.99.

NOT FOOD: Taste Beauty Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, and Nerds Cosmetics

October 19, 2022October 17, 2022 Marvo 3 Comments

*Cinnamon Toast Crunch Eyeshadow Palette*

Nerd s Eyeshadow Palatte — *Nerds Eyeshadow Palatte*

Lucky Charms Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Nerda Cosmetic Brush Sets and Lip Gloss — *Lucky Charms Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Nerds Cosmetic Brush Sets and Lip Gloss*

Now I want some Cheerios cosmetics that makes me look cheery. Or maybe some Basic 4 Cereal cosmetics. (Spotted by Robbie at Big Lots.)

SPOTTED: 10/19/2022

October 19, 2022October 17, 2022 Marvo 2 Comments

Here are some interesting new products found on store shelves by your fellow readers. If you’ve tried any of them, share your thoughts in the comments.

Great Value S mores Creme Pie — *Great Value S’mores Creme Pie*

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart.)

(Spotted by Eulexis at Circle K.)

*Circle K Fanta Frozen Blueberry Vanilla Froster*

(Spotted by Robbie at Circle K.)

*Nestle Toll House Stuffed Jumbo Cookies*

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart.)

Dave s Killer Bread Cocoa Brownie Blitz Organic Snack Bars — *Dave’s Killer Bread Cocoa Brownie Blitz Organic Snack Bars*

Dave s Killer Bread Oat rageous Honey Almond Organic Snack Bars — *Dave’s Killer Bread Oat-rageous Honey Almond Organic Snack Bars*

(Spotted by Robbie at Central Market.)

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Walmart.)

Sister Schubert s Strawberry Shortcake Bites — *Sister Schubert’s Strawberry Shortcake Bites*

(Spotted by Amanda Y at Kroger.)

(Spotted by Tommy at Shaw’s)

SPOTTED: Kellogg’s Eggo Stranger Things Hawkins Homestyle Waffles

October 19, 2022January 8, 2023 Marvo

Kellogg s Eggo Stranger Things Hawkins Homestyle Waffles

Oh. The photo is upside down. Or is it? (Spotted by Robbie at Walmart.)

REVIEW: Kellogg’s Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Cereal

October 19, 2022October 18, 2022 Marvo 8 Comments

Kellogg s Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Cereal Box

Kellogg’s Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Cereal tastes familiar to me. You might be thinking, “Well, yeah, it’s supposed to taste like a Lil’ Deb Nutty Buddy.” But that’s not it, and I’m pretty sure it doesn’t, even though I’ve never had a Nutty Buddy.

Why am I so sure?

Well, the previous two Kellogg’s and Little Debbie collaborations didn’t taste like the actual treats, so there’s an excellent chance this also doesn’t.

Instead, this reminds me of something that many of you have probably never had — round chocolate puffs from 7-Eleven Japan that we can get here on this rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Note that I mentioned the snack is chocolatey, but not peanut buttery.

Kellogg s Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Cereal Bowl

I’ve eaten half the box, and I’m not convinced that what I’m tasting, besides the chocolate, is peanut butter. My taste buds think it’s the underlying puff, which is made with whole grain oat, whole wheat, and rice flours. Maybe it’s Kellogg’s version of artificial peanut butter flavor, or the company’s attempt at replicating the taste of Nutty Buddy’s wafers, or perhaps both. But whatever it is, it’s the dominant flavor.

Now, the thing about that 7-Eleven snack I mentioned earlier is that it’s one of my favorite things to eat. So having an entire bowlful of something that tastes like it in milk has been awesome. Even though my taste buds aren’t convinced there’s peanut butter flavor, they love this cereal and its airiness.

Kellogg s Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Cereal Holes

Now, some of you might be wondering about those holes. Despite being in every piece, the cereal doesn’t instantly get soggy. When they do get milklogged, they are quite squishy. But I wonder if these, with their sugary coating, would’ve been like tiny Noah’s Arks if those holes weren’t there to help facilitate the sogginess. Anyway, if you’re a slow cereal eater, you’ve been warned.

While I’ve never tasted a Nutty Buddy, which prevents me from comparing it with this cereal, I’ve had enough chocolate, peanut butter, and chocolate AND peanut butter cereals to compare. I think my taste buds might be stereotyping what peanut butter-flavored cereals should be, and I don’t notice any of those with this. So maybe Kellogg’s is doing something different with the peanut butter here. Or maybe my taste buds are broken and I’m overthinking things. Anyhoo, Kellogg’s Little Debbie Nutty Buddy Cereal is quite good as a chocolate with maybe peanut butter flavor cereal.

Purchased Price: More than one should pay on eBay
Size: 13.1 oz box (Family Size)
Purchased at: eBay
Rating: 7 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: (1 1/3 cup – cereal only) 170 calories, 3 grams of fat, 0.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fat, 1.5 grams of polyunsaturated fat, 1 gram of monounsaturated fat, 0 milligrams of cholesterol, 125 milligrams of sodium, 33 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, 15 grams of sugar (including 15 grams of added sugar), and 2 grams of protein.