It’s that time of year again for my annual Trader Joe’s Best of Fall Review. Yes, my favorite season where everything is pumpkin spiced and the color orange gets it’s deserved time in the spotlight is upon us. My favorite part of autumn is, of course, the festive food offerings. Sure, every store is decked out in pumpkin spice products, but nobody does it better than Trader Joe’s. Pumpkin-palooza, as the current Fearless Flyer refers, has a cult following on social media. There’s just something about the way TJ’s does the holidays that creates excitement.
So without any further ado, let’s dive right in to my favorite products. I could go on and on for pages, but I had to narrow it down. The following are my top picks, a mix of brand new and returning favorites…
TRADER JOE’S BEST OF FALL – SNACKING & ENTERTAINING
This attractive trio is like a group of friends that get along so well together. Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps are thin and crispy crackers loaded with cranberries. They serve as the perfect compliment to let the taste of the spreads shine.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin 4 Cheese Greek Style Yogurt Dip was way better than I thought it was going to be. The unique dip is kind of impossible to describe, so I suggest you taste it for yourself. It goes really well on these cracker crisps. Surprisingly, it also makes a great sandwich spread. $3.69 each.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Hummus is an interesting new item that again goes perfectly on the pumpkin cranberry crisps. The dessert hummus (yes, it’s a thing) basically reminds me of pumpkin pie filling. $2.49 each.
Nothing says Trader Joe’s Best of Fall Review like Trader Joe’s Fall Leaf Corn Tortilla Chips! These decorative chips scream autumn, as they represent the very leaves that help make the season so beautiful. Empty the bag into a large clear glass serving dish for the perfect party snack. The tortilla chips get their rich hues from all natural sources too, like beets, carrots and pumpkin powder.
Pairs perfectly with the obvious choice of salsa, but also can help scoop up the hummus and pumpkin yogurt dip above. Grab these fall leaves for $2.99 a bag before they blow away for another year.
Trader Joe’s Ghosts & Bats Crispy Potato Snacks are frighteningly good! Really more cute than scary, each bat and ghost-shaped chip is light and crispy. Kids will go batty for this highly snackable item. Another great chip to dump into a decorative bowl for Halloween parties. It’s good all by itself, but can also serve as a dip holder.
Just like ghosts & bats, these chips won’t stay in one place for long, so grab your bags before they float away.
It might not even matter how Trader Joe’s Howling Gourds Pumpkin Ale and The Gourd Tree Pumpkin Hard Cider taste, because the label graphics are so darn cute. I’ll be honest, I did buy them for their looks, but enjoyed the thirst-quenching properties as well. I especially favored the hard cider.
These are the perfect drinks to put on display at your adult Halloween party. Get a 6-pack for $6.99…remember too at Trader Joe’s you can also mix and match beer to create your perfect pack!
TRADER JOE’S BEST OF FALL – BREAKFAST
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bagels and the new Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spread is a match made in heaven. I am so in love with this delightful pumpkin spread, I can’t even tell you how many jars I bought. The bottle is simply adorable and it tastes amazing on bagels, empanadas and even in sandwiches. These bagels are amazing too. Full of flavor and not overly chewy or gloppy.
In fact, I made a amazing sandwich by slicing a pumpkin bagel in half, spreading the pumpkin spread on both sides and adding a slice of swiss cheese and nitrite-free salami. Mmmm, who’s hungry?
A pack of 6 bagels is only $2.69, while the giftable spread is $2.99 a jar.
Trader Joe’s “this pumpkin walks into a bar” Cereal Bars walk into my cart year after year. However, this year I am having a hard time finding them after I snagged the initial box of the season. I’ve noticed the seasonal varieties are very limited this year. Just like the peach that walked into a bar for summer, these fabulous flavors seem to keep on walking into extinction. It’s one and done, if you are even lucky enough to grab that one box.
Besides being delicious, the $1.99 price point for 6 bars makes them very attractive. Soon the cranberry will walk into a bar…if we’re lucky this year.
It’s impossible to walk by Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix and not stock up on a box…or three! This annual favorite is easy to prepare, bringing out the baker in just about anyone. I love to sprinkle a generous amount of raw pepitas on the top before popping it into the oven. The outcome is a perfect golden pumpkin loaf with crunchy top that outshines any of its competition.
It’s a steal at $2.99 a box, so grab a few boxes to keep on hand when the pumpkin craving arises mid-year. Another idea, is to bake a few “giftable” loaves for friends and co-workers!
If you know me, then you know I love coffee. So I went crazy this year and bought Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Coffee ground in the canister for $7.99, as well as the Keurig pods for $4.99. Both have their place in my life at various times. This is the best pumpkin-flavored ground coffee by far. As a coffee enthusiast, you can take my word for it 🙂
Just like its pumpkin spice cousin, I snagged Trader Joe’s Autumn Maple Coffee in both ground and pods as well. I was crazy about the pods last year, so I am happy they are back again. I love how each pods looks like a cute little acorn. The pods also do not use plastic, so they are environmentally friendly. The pricing is the same as the pumpkin variety.
TRADER JOE’S BEST OF FALL – SWEET TREATS
Visually you can’t beat Trader Joe’s Chocolate Mousse Pumpkins. Just so happens they taste just as good as they look. Underneath the adorable pumpkin-looking exterior lies moist, chocolatey cake layered with silky mousse. So sinfully delicious, but you won’t feel guilty for eating a second one.
Each 6 pack costs $3.49.
This is the 3rd year since the introduction of Trader Joe’s Apple Cider Donuts. And they are just as delightful in taste and texture as I remembered. The cake donut is dusted with a splendid coating of cinnamon and sugar, much like a churro, that makes each bite yummy, whether at breakfast or dessert. Such a perfect companion to that cup of coffee!
$3.99 will get you a half-dozen box, perfect to take to the office as a smile-worthy morning treat. Might need to grab a few boxes though, as it’s hard to stop at one.
I swear there is a Joe-Joe for every single season! With that said, enters Trader Joe’s Halloween Joe-Joe’s and Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s. Both varieties taste great, and are favored by kids and adults alike. Especially charming is how the Halloween Joe-Joe’s have a pumpkin carved face on each black cookie shell. The orange-colored vanilla bean filling really makes the cookie pop with creepy goodness!
If you are lucky enough to still find them on store shelves, grab a few boxes before Christmas Joe-Joe’s settle in!
Making a debut appearance this year are Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Espresso Beans. These little nuggets pack a powerful espresso punch. I had not previously tried any variety of candy-coated espresso beans so this was a real experience. The 100% Arabica coffee beans from Brazil are coated with white chocolate and pumpkin pie spices. Then they are naturally colored a beautiful burnt-orange from annatto and turmeric.
Perhaps the best way to describe them is by imagining a pumpkin spice latte is compressed into poppable balls, think Willy Wonka.
At $.99 a bag, you can keep these in your purse for when you need a fix but can’t get to Starbucks.
BEAUTY & BODY CARE
Yes, pumpkin even finds its way into beauty products. Pumpkins are sneaky like that. Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Overnight Face Mask works to add moisture and nourishment to dry, dull skin. I had my doubts about this one when I first bought it because I didn’t like the idea of wearing a “mask” to bed. I was pleasantly surprised how it blended right into the skin upon application so their was no mess factor involved. Sure beats putting your face into a pumpkin pie!
Each attractive, giftable jar is priced at $6.99.
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Body Butter has returned to shelves this year. This customer-favorite is a thick, luxurious lotion that absorbs completely, leaving skin soft and greaseless. It also leaves your skin with a pleasant “seasonal” smell.
Each long-lasting container is only $4.99!
TRADER JOE’S BEST OF FALL – MEAL SOLUTIONS
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque is another quick and comforting food solution at the end of a long autumn day. Or lunch…or really anytime at all because, well, it just tastes good! The creamy, silky smooth bisque is loaded with traditional flavors such as sage and nutmeg. This is your slurpable go-to when you are hungry but too tired to chew. Also great paired with a sandwich or salad.
Each container is priced at $4.29 and found near the other refrigerated soups.
I am loco for the return of Trader Joe’s Turkey & Pumpkin Mole Burrito. I find it makes a perfect take-along lunch because it can be microwaved right in the wrapper once loosened. Each burrito is packed with a flavorful combination of turkey, smoky pumpkin mole, rice, beans, cubed sweet potatoes and cheese. Even the flour tortilla wrapper holds more taste than the norm. Serve alongside a tablespoon of sour cream and hot sauce.
Each burrito costs only $3.99 and can be found in the grab-n-go refrigerated section.
Trader Joe’s Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce has been a beloved annual item since its incarnation back in 2015. Thankfully, it is back once more, but unfortunately sans its perfect companion, the pumpkin-shaped pasta. I am actually quite upset about this. Nothing went better with this pumpkin-infused sauce than pumpkin-shaped pasta! How can you not see this TRADER JOE’S???!!!!! Oh sorry, I’m still grieving this loss and tend to get carried away.
I will patiently wait for its possible return next year. In the meantime, I will be trying these Trader Joe’s Trofie Colore Pasta instead.
The sauce is $3.49 a jar. The pasta is $1.99 per package. This equals the cheapest family meal ever 🙂
This classy combo of Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Alfredo Sauce paired with Trader Joe’s Tricolor Spaghetti is just about as fall as you can get. The colors and flavors are just screaming out autumn with all of it’s appetizing appeal.
This is the perfect indulgent comfort food, easy to serve up with little effort but a whole lot of elegance. The rich, creamy pumpkin-based sauce is endowed with a savory blend of cheeses and spices, making it the perfect pasta topper. And of course, I have a weakness for pasta that reflects the color of fallen autumn leaves.
In addition to a fab dinner, this duo makes an elegant addition to a food gift basket. The sauce is just $3.49 a jar and pasta a mere $1.49!
It’s hard to go back to boring mac & cheese after you’ve experienced these perked-up versions. Firstly, Trader Joe’s Hatch Chile Mac & Cheese is worthy of a spot in this fall-related post even if it’s not particularly a fall item. All I know is that it’s delicious and available in the freezer section right now, but for how long it will be available is anyone’s guess. So by all means, go try it, you will not be disappointed. In reality, most things are seasonal at Trader Joe’s, aren’t they?
Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese however, does rightfully take a spot here, and is a customer favorite that seems to fly out of the freezers fast. This delightfully cheesy offering makes a simple side dish or indulgent lunch. I love the shape of the short tubular pasta that the sauces clings onto so well.
Both are $3.99 a package, while they last!
EVERYTHING ELSE
Trader Joe’s Apple Caramel Greek Yogurt is not only my favorite yogurt of the season, but probably ever! The little flavorful apple pieces blended throughout the creamy yogurt is just so pleasing to my taste buds.
An honorable mention goes out to the pumpkin flavor, as well as the Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Creamy Cashew Cultured Yogurt Alternative. Both were also good, but not to level of excellence I found the apple caramel to be.
The $.99 price tag is another reason to love this yogurt 🙂
It’s back and somehow better than ever this year! I don’t know if it’s the apple crop or the spice blend, or maybe just the fact that I missed it so much, but Trader Joe’s Spiced Cider is a must-have seasonal item. Nothing says fall like a warm and cozy cup of hot spiced cider. In fact, don’t stop at fall, hot cider is a must all through the winter too!
Last year it sold out by November, so I suggest loading up now for those future moments when you need a cup of comfort.
Trader Joe’s Vanilla Almond Spiced Chai might not be specifically seasonal, but the flavors of chai and spice blend allows it to sneak right in without looking out of place. I added it to this article because I was delighted with the taste of this non-dairy, vegan smoothie. It may or may not be a new item, but it was certainly new to me!
I find that most protein smoothies of this nature have a chalky taste, but not this one. It was smooth and carried a delightful, spiced flavor that could compete with any chai drinks prepared at a coffee shop.
I suggest you try a bottle for $3.99 and see for yourself!
That concludes my Trader Joe’s Best of Fall Review. Hope this serves as a useful guide on some fantastic products to try. I find each visit to TJ’s to be an exciting adventure of discovery for my taste buds, particularly during this time of year.
Head out to your local Trader Joe’s, grab a copy of the Fearless Flyer and stock your pantry with flavors of fall. Have fun with it and enjoy! Until next time…Live, Laugh, Love…and EAT!