I nearly swooned at the sight of Trader Joe's fall treats! This time of year, there's pumpkin, apple and cranberry galore.
The Best Trader Joe’s Fall Treats, Ranked
Updated Sep. 20, 2024
In the fall, Trader Joe’s becomes a full cornucopia of seasonal treats. For this ranking, I sampled 15 of the store’s most popular offerings. That being said, this Trader Joe’s fall list could easily have gone on for 40 more snacks! Walking up and down the aisles, it was hard to narrow down the options. I found pumpkin galore (both sweet and savory) as well as spiced apple, maple, cranberry and butternut squash products.
The key to narrowing down my list was chatting with the friendly Trader Joe’s employees. Someone showed me around the store and pointed out perennial customer favorites. Plus, employees gave me the inside scoop on what sells out the fastest and what the staff stock up on every fall.
Each product went through a rigorous taste test. It’s a difficult job, but someone has to do it. I ranked them based on quality, unique fall flavor and whether I’d make the trip to buy it again. The standouts will surprise you!
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15. Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps
This box caught my eye in the aisle. The crackers look like a unique blend of sweet and savory that will complement a variety of mild cheeses and dips on a Thanksgiving cheese board.
While the crisps did have a delightful crunch and were visually attractive with a variety of seeds and dried fruit, overall, they did not impress. The addition of thyme and rosemary felt unbalanced from the first bite and didn’t leave us wanting to come back for seconds.
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14. Pumpkin O’s
The Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s are the fall version of the original Joe’s O’s. This toasted whole grain cereal has elements of brown rice, oats and pumpkin. The box says that this cereal is vegan, gluten-free and boasts 26 grams of whole grains per serving. Sounds good so far!
I found the pumpkin flavor to be quite faint. Instead, the O’s had a bit of a syrupy taste. If I buy these again, I hope that Trader Joe’s will bump up the seasonal flavors to make it a special occasion cereal to look forward to each year, like Pumpkin Spice Cheerios.
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13. Pumpkin-Flavored Joe-Joe’s
This fall version of the classic Joe’s-Joe’s consists of pumpkin-flavored sandwich cookies with a creme filling. Like any other sandwich cookie, they can be eaten whole or dunked into a fall drink. You could also twist them open and lick out the delectable creme center.
While I really enjoyed the velvety texture of the soft creme filling, I yearned for a stronger fall spice flavor. If these had a stronger punch of cinnamon and nutmeg, they would have been snack perfection.
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12. Harvest Chocolate Collection
These white, milk and dark chocolate confections come in assorted fall shapes and look so cute in the box. The treats were visual winners even before taking the first bite. Each confection is a colorful, edible delight. The outside is made of chocolate, and the inside is a soft filling, which was a nice surprise.
While these might not be made with the most high-quality chocolate we’ve ever tasted, I didn’t mind. The colors and shapes were enough to win us over. They could be used to garnish the top of a fall-themed cake or fill out an adorable gift basket. Since these chocolates are delicate, just be sure to store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
If you’re looking for another eye-catching dessert, don’t sleep on Trader Joe’s macarons that are made in France!
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11. Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels
This snack is tiny but mighty! The bite-sized pretzels have a yogurt coating sprinkled with crushed pumpkin-spiced pumpkin seeds. The texture was delightful, and every bite offered a satisfying crunch. I found them to be the perfect combination of sweet with a hint of salty. It would certainly be easy to munch through the whole bag in one sitting!
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10. Organic Maple Butter
I might not have noticed this jar on the shelf if it hadn’t been for one of the employees steering us in that direction. This spreadable creamy maple syrup was his seasonal favorite, so it was certainly worth a try. It’s made from organic maple syrup that has been churned until it reaches a spreadable consistency. This makes it a perfect topping to spread on toast. If you want to get creative, add some crumbled bacon, sliced apples or crushed pretzels for a real treat. Or, simply enjoy it by the spoonful. Overall, I was impressed with the maple butter and grateful for the insider tip.
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9. Freeze-Dried Tart Cherries
Most Trader Joe’s stores have one endcap where new products are located. I found these freeze-dried tart cherries there, and they’re a fun addition to the fall lineup. The unsweetened snacks are made with just one ingredient: pitted tart cherries. The process of freeze-drying ensures they taste just like they were freshly picked. I was impressed with the light texture, lovely crunch and the burst of tart flavor.
I would buy them again to toss with popcorn, sprinkle in a salad or add to yogurt in the morning. They could also make a surprising addition to festive charcuterie boards.
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8. Apple Shortbread Cookies
Trader Joe’s all-butter shortbread cookies have a fresh apple taste with a delightful crunch. I found that these cookies had just the right amount of apple flavor. With an elegant apple stamp on the top of each cookie, they are simple yet lovely. Plus, they are sold in a cute, petite box that would be great for a gift basket. I will be back to buy more throughout the season.
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7. Savory Squash Pastry Nites
It is important to peruse the freezer section to find all the seasonal products! These frozen bite-sized snacks are brand-new to Trader Joe’s this year. They could serve as a great appetizer for entertaining holiday guests or as a light meal for yourself when enjoyed with a crisp salad and a chilled glass of champagne. The delicate pastry cups wrap around a rich pumpkin and butternut squash filling that makes you keep coming back for more. The best part is that these bites can be cooked from frozen in the oven or air fryer. Take our advice and stock up now so you have them in your freezer all throughout fall.
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6. Pumpkin Spice Rooibos
There are a plethora of fall-themed beverage items hidden throughout Trader Joe’s as well. Look for seasonal beers, cold brew coffee and, of course, tea. This herbal blend tea is a warm and inviting beverage for the autumn months. It’s made from a blend of rooibos tea, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
I was particularly impressed with the fact that these tea bags were delicately packed in a pyramid-shaped sachet for perfect steeping every time. They come packaged in a lovely tin for storage that also makes for a beautiful gift. Pick up one for yourself and one to share with a fellow tea aficionado.
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5. Autumnal Harvest Soup
The fall months are definitely soup season! This ready-made soup in a jar is a creamy tomato-based soup with pumpkin and butternut squash. It can easily be warmed in the microwave or on the stovetop. Serve a bowl with a grilled cheese sandwich filled with Gouda for the perfect fall meal.
I loved every spoonful of this colorful soup. It has great flavor and everything about it felt cozy and warm. Plus, it’s an easy, healthy meal that’s ready to enjoy in minutes.
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4. Maple Spiced Nut Mix
I enjoyed this nut mix by the handful. It’s made with maple rosemary almonds and pecans seasoned with red and black pepper, along with sweetened dried cranberries and pepitas.
The sweet side of this snack is the first thing you taste, with the heat hitting the palate a bit later. Every bite is the perfect mix of soft and crunchy that soon becomes irresistible. I thought this was a great fall snack to keep on hand to balance out the sugar-laden seasonal treats. I will be stocking up on this one to enjoy throughout the year.
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3. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
This frozen meal is an annual customer favorite, according to the staff. After taking the first bite, it is easy to see why. It’s an easy microwave meal made with rigatoni pasta tossed in a butternut squash puree and a blend of Gouda, cheddar and Parmesan cheeses. All you have to do is pop it in the microwave for about five minutes and out comes perfectly al dente pasta. I particularly loved the fall herbs infused into every bite. There were hints of nutmeg, sage, black pepper and thyme, with a kick from a pinch of cayenne pepper. Even though this was a frozen meal, there wasn’t a hint of anything fake-tasting. Just great, rich flavor.
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2. Pumpkin Cheesecake Croissants
The top two slots on this ranking were so neck and neck that it was hard to decide which one would take top honors. Even though these pumpkin cheesecake croissants are in the number two slot, they are still the best of the best at Trader Joe’s.
The box contains two ready-to-bake croissants that must be made in the oven. It’s important to note that the packaging says not to prepare in the microwave. Read the instructions carefully on this one, because you have to let them thaw at room temperature for about 20 minutes while the oven preheats.
Once you take that first bite, it will be well worth the wait. Imagine everything you love about a warm and flaky cheese Danish combined with the best elements of pumpkin pie. It is perfection!
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1. Fall Harvest Salsa with Fall Leaf Corn Tortilla Chips
Taking the top slot in our Trader Joe’s fall snack ranking is a combination of two seasonal products: the fall harvest salsa with fall leaf corn tortilla chips. Honestly, this fall twist on chips and salsa is so adorable, I want to host a party!
The salsa is a blend of fruits and veggies including pumpkin, apples and butternut squash. Of course, there are also an abundance of tomatoes along with fire-roasted tomatillos, red bell peppers, jalapenos, and lime juice. If you pick up a jar, you simply must also grab a bag of Trader Joe’s fall leaf corn tortilla chips. You won’t have to search since they are normally located right next to each other in the chips aisle.
Originally Published: September 20, 2024
