It’s no secret that fall flavors are taking over, and no one does fall better than Trader Joe’s. We just can’t get enough of the specialty grocer’s seasonal flavors, from pumpkin spice to caramel apple to maple syrup and everything in between. We have curated the ultimate list of Trader Joe’s autumnal offerings so that you can navigate the pumpkin explosion with ease. Read on for our fall favorites, plus a couple of items we do not recommend. “Fall” in love all over again with these amazing goods.
1. Pumpkin Ginger Mini Ice Cream Cones
These adorable mini cones are almost too cute to eat! They consist of a gingerbread-like cone filled with pumpkin-flavored ice cream topped with a sugary sweet coating. This seasonal offering debuted in the fall of 2017, and we’re pumped to report that it’s back and better than ever. The cones are even tastier when you can get eight of them for only $2.99. Not into pumpkin ice cream? Fear not — Trader Joe’s offers these teeny-tiny treats in both vanilla and chocolate. But since we are all about fall, we recommend the pumpkin variety.
2. Pumpkin Butter
It’s no secret that we’re obsessed with pumpkin butter. Trader Joe’s version has been available since 2008 and has never gone up in price; it still retails for $2.29 per jar. And what makes the rich and velvety spread such a showstopper? For starters, it’s the smooth consistency, lack of cream and eggs, and high level of vitamin A. Plus, it’s fat-free, cholesterol-free, and sodium-free. Run — don’t walk! — to Trader Joe’s to scoop up this deliciousness at once.
3. Apple Cider Donuts
Our next entry is a departure from pumpkin but contains another beloved fall flavor: apple cider. These donuts are made for Trader Joe’s in partnership with a family-owned bakery based in Western Massachusetts. Flavored with actual apple cider, they are best enjoyed with a warm cup of coffee or tea. You’ll love their cakey texture and satisfying cinnamon-and-sugar crunch. All the yum!
4. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
A customer favorite since 2010, Trader Joe’s pumpkin cream cheese spread is our next pick for seasonal success. This sweet spread is one way to sneak dessert into your breakfast. We recommend adding it to a plain or whole-wheat bagel, but to go all out with the sweetness, add the spread to a cinnamon raisin bagel instead. Stock up while you can: at just $1.99 a tub, this fun fall product is sure to fly off the shelves.
5. Pumpkin Pie Spice
Many of our favorite recipes and products contain pumpkin pie spice. So naturally we had to include Trader Joe’s version in our roundup of the store’s best seasonal staples. Why bother to combine ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cardamom when you can just buy this jar? What a time-saver. And at just $1.99 for 1.8 ounces, this spice simply can’t be beat. Use for pumpkin pie, overnight oats, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, and many more!
6. Maple Ladders Cereal
No list of fall flavors would be complete without the ever-delectable maple. One of our favorite maple-infused items, aside from maple syrup, is this crunchy and delicious breakfast cereal, Maple Ladders. Not only is it gluten-free and only 150 calories per serving, but it combines chickpea, rice, and yellow corn flour in an inventive blend. At just $3.29 for an entire box, this cereal is destined for morning greatness.
7. Toscano Cheese With Cinnamon
A delicious but lesser-known cheese, toscano is a surefire way to impress guests with your next charcuterie spread. Experience a little fall magic with this cinnamon-infused version from Trader Joe’s, reminiscent of parmesan plus cheddar and crafted in Wisconsin, the dairy capital of the United States. It doesn’t go overboard with the cinnamon but does impart a nice fall flavor with the warm spice. Some of this fancy cheese can be had for as little as $4 — we consider that a great victory.
8. Pumpkin Spice Coffee
Pumpkin spice coffee — the one fall beverage to rule them all — is back at Trader Joe’s. This autumnal staple gave pumpkin products their cult status, so we simply had to include Trader Joe’s version on our list of favorites. This item is made for Keurig machines, but you can make your own version as well. It’s a true fall classic.
9. Fall Harvest Salsa
We love Trader Joe’s new fall salsa. It combines the elements of a classic tomato-based salsa with some of our favorite autumn ingredients: pumpkin, butternut squash, and apples. The sweet and spicy end result is extra delicious with tortilla chips, on tacos or burritos, and with scrambled eggs. A bonus? It’s only $2.99 for a 12-ounce jar. Be sure to stock up now, since this salsa is only available at this time of year!
10. Pumpkin Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin on pumpkin may sound a little crazy, but this season brings out the inner pumpkin freak in us all. This combination of pumpkin spice and pumpkin seeds is a surprisingly delectable one, almost like a dessert take on a healthy snack. You no longer have to roast pepitas on your own, since picking up this product is a breeze. You can sprinkle it on top of homemade yogurt to start your day or grab a handful for an afternoon snack. Either way, it’s a sure winner.
11. Canned Pumpkin
No roundup of harvesttime grocery picks would be complete without the grand poo-bah of fall products, canned pumpkin. Not only is Trader Joe’s version organic, but it is offered at a great price point of $1.99 for 15 ounces. Trader Joe’s hasn’t raised the price since the product debuted nine years ago. Consider baking some healthy pumpkin muffins or surprising your doggos with homemade dog treats. You can even feed this to your dogs in its plain pumpkin form! However you choose to use it, canned pumpkin is a fall pantry staple.
12. Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese
We cannot get enough of Trader Joe’s take on butternut squash mac and cheese, an item introduced just last season. Perfect for hectic weeknight dinners, this dish can go straight from the freezer to the oven. We suggest that you hurry to your local Trader Joe’s to grab it while you can; last year it sold out rather quickly. With its swoon-worthy blend of cheddar, gouda, and parmesan plus just enough squash purée, this pasta is destined for continued seasonal success.
13. Pumpkin Bread Mix
We are longtime fans of this pumpkin bread mix, one of Trader Joe’s original pumpkin products. It’s perfect for both muffins and bread, so you can avoid baking from scratch this fall. And at only $2.99 for a 17.5-ounce container, it’s a steal. Bonus points are awarded for it being free of artificial flavors and preservatives and being kosher certified. All the yes!
14. Caramel Apple Granola
Another simple yet savory product we love is Trader Joe’s caramel apple granola. It’s perfect on top of yogurt, enjoyed by the handful, sprinkled on ice cream, or used as a substitute for breakfast cereal. We’re smitten with this caramel-apple concoction!
15. Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Introduced two years ago, these little cuties round out our list of fall go-tos at Trader Joe’s. A combination of warm autumnal spices, sweet pumpkin, crumbly shortbread, and tangy yogurt, this item is sure to become one of your favorites, too. We suggest dipping the cookies in hot cocoa, warm apple cider, or a pumpkin spice latte for maximum enjoyment. A bonus? The box retails for just $2.99 for 10 ounces.
Products We Don’t Recommend
1. Pumpkin Spice Almond Beverage
Not every Trader Joe’s pumpkin-themed product can be a winner. Sadly, this is the case for the store’s pumpkin spice almond beverage. A mix of almond milk and pumpkin purée plus seasonal spices, this drink sounds great in theory. In actuality it is alarmingly thick and not to our tastes. Even its easy-pour spout and shelf stability don’t save it, so we do not suggest this item.
2. Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa
Call us old-fashioned, but we just can’t embrace this seasonal twist on hot cocoa. We found the caramel taste overwhelming and far too sweet. While this flavor profile truly shines in ice cream form, we aren’t into it in hot chocolate form. Consider skipping this beverage during your fall shopping trips.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this rundown of our favorite Trader Joe’s fall products. It’s truly the most magical time of the year at your favorite specialty grocery store, so take advantage and sample some of our seasonal picks. Cheers to a fantastic and flavorful fall!
