What are your Trader Joe’s fall favorites? Do you stalk the “new” section like I do, using it as a starting point around which to build the rest of your cart? The new item section at Trader Joe’s tends to explode with options in the fall and winter – making it one of the most interesting times to shop there. In most aspects of life, I gravitate toward the sun, warm weather, the beach – preferring spring and summer to fall and winter. But when it comes to food, I have a definite soft spot for fall and winter treats, both savory and sweet.
While the dominant flavor profile in the fall is pumpkin, there are numerous options for items featuring squash, apples, warm spice blends, and maple as well.
Trader Joe’s Fall Favorites: Pumpkin
Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s
If these were around in previous falls, I must have missed them. I’ve already bought two boxes this season – and so should you, if you enjoy warm spices and creamy pumpkin filling in a Joe-Joe format (Trader’s Joes’ version of sandwich cookies for the uninitiated).
Pumpkin Waffles
These toasted up nicely and paired well with maple syrup for a tasty fall breakfast. An interesting way of including a bit more vegetables in your family’s meals.
Organic Pumpkin
A perennial favorite, stir into soups or curries, or baked into pie. If you haven’t made pumpkin bread, then here’s the recipe you should try.
Pumpkin Spice Pretzel Slims
I was a bit skeptical about these- I thought there might be too much going on. In fact, these are a pumpkin-party-in-your-mouth – with the salty pretzel balancing the sweet, pumpkin-spiced coating, and an extra bit of crunch from the crushed pumpkin seeds.
Mini Hold the Cone Pumpkin Ginger Ice Cream Cones
These mini cones- in all flavors – are great for portion control (an extra bonus when you are trying – somewhat – to limit dairy intake as well). Pumpkin ice cream with warm spices in a crispy cone. Perfect for fall days that end up a little warmer than you thought.
Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies
A fall-inspired version of the once-ubiquitous pink-and-white-animal-cookies, these tasty nibbles are great paired with a cup of tea or cider.
Mini Spicy Pumpkin Samosas
I was a little skeptical, but I found this to be a tasty alternative to traditional samosas, with a nice kick and just the right amount of creamy pumpkin filling in a crisp shell.
What Missed the Mark:
Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque
The only true disappointment in the first round of tasting this fall, we had high hopes for the refrigerated soup option. Unlike many prepared soups, it has a relatively short list of real ingredients.
Pumpkin Spice Batons
Crispy cookie tubes with perfectly pleasant pumpkin filling, these were a bit lacking in flavor and did not compete with either the pumpkin Joe-Joe’s or pumpkin pretzel slims.
Spicy Pumpkin Curry Simmer Sauce
Warm spices, but not too hot, this was a creamy curry sauce you could pair with just about anything. It was fine, but not an item my family is seeking out again.
Butternut Squash Zig-Zags
The package makes these out to be a quick-cooking side dish, but I roasted them at 400 degrees (with my favorite Omnivore Salt, of course!) for close to 30 minutes before they were ready to eat. They were fine, but nothing special.
Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal Cookie Mix
Pumpkin and chocolate are typically a winning combination, and these certainly weren’t bad. But they weren’t my family’s favorite, either.
Fall Zucchette Pasta
The good news – these are adorable, squash-shaped pasta. The bad news? They disintegrated upon cooking and lacked any discernible squash flavor (which, to be fair, was preferred by my picky eaters). Unfortunately, a miss.
Beyond the Pumpkin Patch:
Apple Cider Donuts
These tasty fall treats were even better with a 15-second warm up in the microwave. Coated in cinnamon-sugar these apple-y cake-style donuts are a great breakfast or dessert treat.
Maple and Sea Salt Kettle Corn
This was a sleeper hit in our house. I almost didn’t grab the bag – but now I’m going back for a cartful. Maple + sea salt + kettle corn = delicious!
Honeycrisp Apple Scented Candle
I have a love-hate relationship with Trader Joe’s candles. The ones that are scented like fruits – like grapefruit and mango tangerine – I tend to love. The ones that are supposed to be the smell of baked goods – like lemon cookie and gingerbread – are just not my jam. The Honeycrisp Apple candle is by far my favorite seasonal candle offering. It smells so good you actually want to eat it – and in a “real” way, without a hint of fake apple-ness about it.
Halloween Joe Joe’s Cookies
Joe Joe’s chocolatey goodness paired with a festive orange colored (vanilla flavored) filling and a cute little jack-o-lantern cut-out on the cookie. What more can you ask for?
Fall Sips
Spiced Cider
This is a fall favorite that I stockpile each year, trying to stretch the stash to last us through the last chilly days in February and March. The only hot beverage that my entire family enjoys equally, it is great for breakfast, cozy afternoons, or after dinner.
Organic Blood Orange Rooibos Herbal Tea Blend (Caffeine Free)
I am picky about my teas. I mostly prefer herbal ones, as I don’t touch caffeine after noon. Some are too mild, and taste like little more than water after steeping for minutes. Others are too bold, over-steeping in a matter of moments and tasting almost bitter. The Organic Blood Orange Rooibos Herbal Tea blend strikes just the right balance and is a delicious to sip all day in the briskness of fall.
Pumpkin Spice Cream Liqueur
You can splash this in your coffee, or enjoy straight, over ice. I am sure combining it with vanilla ice cream would also be a fantastic idea.
Autumn Maple Coffee
This lightly roasted, ground coffee brings warm fall vibes to your morning joe, without sugar or calories. A delightful way to spice up your fall coffee routine.
What are your Trader Joe’s fall favorites? Comment below, or tag me on Instagram.
Related Posts:
3 Fall Treats: Your New Favorites
