Boulanger
How does Boulanger help me use up ingredients I already have?
Boulanger's pantry tracker lets you scan barcodes or manually add items, then suggests recipes that prioritize those about to expire. For example, it flagged my wilting cilantro and lone sweet potato, leading me to a surprisingly good chickpea and spinach curry.
Can Boulanger generate a shopping list from my meal plan?
Yes, after you pick recipes for the week, the app automatically compiles a shopping list of everything you need. I saved about $30 on my first big grocery trip because it stopped me from buying random stuff I didn't actually need.
I'm seeing a lot of ads in the app—what can I do about them?
The free version includes disruptive full-screen video ads that pop up when you move from planning to your shopping list. To remove all ads, you can upgrade to Boulanger Plus for $4.99 a month, which also unlocks unlimited recipe saves and offline access.
Why is Boulanger draining my phone battery even when I'm not using it?
Some users have noticed the app running in the background for days after use, which shows up in battery usage stats. A quick fix is to force close the app from your phone's settings after each session, or check for updates that may have addressed this issue.
How does Boulanger compare to other meal planning apps like Mealime?
Boulanger stands out with its pantry tracker that scans barcodes and suggests recipes based on what you have, while Mealime focuses more on pre-selected diet plans. However, Boulanger's free version has more ads, and its voice command feature feels like a gimmick compared to Mealime's cleaner, ad-free experience.
