Autumn has arrived! At least it has according to Trader Joe’sand that’s good enough for me. Cue sweater, soup and scary szn.
The day the pumpkin takes over the shop is like a holiday. It’s exciting to reconnect with seasonal favorites and discover what’s new. It’s also downright crazy because popular items sell out quickly, some of them permanently before the “official drop” even starts. It’s an experience, okay?!
To make sure I didn’t miss the opportunity, I dragged my family on a detour to Trader Joe’s on the way home from a weekend getaway and braved the Sunday crowd to see what my store had in stock. Crazy; Perhaps. Is it worth it? Completely.
Here are the Trader Joe’s fall items I’m most excited about this year.
1. Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese
I’m not sure how TJ’s does it, but they made this frozen mac n’ cheese taste like it was made fresh. It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, and the butternut squash flavor is perfectly balanced. If I had to recommend one fall item, this would be it.
2. Gluten Free Pumpkin Pancake Mix
These are 10/10 and I buy several boxes every year. The texture is almost like a mochi pancake, soft and chewy in the middle and slightly crunchy on the outside. Don’t come at me, but I honestly don’t think they even need syrup.
3. Fall Tortilla Chips
Leaf Chips + Buffalo Chicken Dip + Football. No further explanation needed.
4. Autumn harvest soup
I love a soup with simple ingredients that I can just heat up and serve. Plus, the flavor combination of butternut squash, pumpkin, tomato, and spices is A VIBE. If you’re not in the mood for fall yet, one bite of this will do.
5. Maple & Sea Salt Kettle Corn
This holds me over until I can buy freshly made kettle corn at my local fall festival. It’s so good! Buy at least two bags, because they disappear quickly (in your home and in stores).
6. Sweet potato puree
I put these away every year. Whenever I need a quick serving of vegetables, I heat them up. There is only one ingredient – sweet potatoes, which means you can enjoy them as they are or dress them up however you like.
7. Maple Oat Drink
I’m buying it for the sole purpose of making oatmeal. Warm, creamy, maple-flavored oats on a crisp fall morning? I’m all for it.
8. Pumpkin gnocchi
Everything about it is delicious – the taste, the texture, the convenience. Just melt some butter on top of these little pillows of heaven (or get fancy and brown that butter with some sage. YUM), and dinner is served.
9. Mini Spicy Pumpkin Samosas
The best fall appetizer if you love spicy-sweet flavor (I absolutely do).
10. Honeycrisp Apple Granola
I love making my own granola, but this one is totally worth buying. I love apple flavor with yogurt, but it’s crazy good as a shortcut topping for apple crisp.
11. Pumpkin cream cheese spread
I like this spread because it’s not TOO pumpkiny. My favorite way to enjoy it is in a mini bagel, but it’s also very tasty in an apple or with some pretzels. You could also get creative and pair it with puff pastry to make a pumpkin cream cheese Danish.
12. Cranberry Pumpkin Chips
Crunchy and the perfect balance of salty-sweet. I love these on a fall themed charcuterie board or dipped in creamy butternut squash soup.
New Fall Items (New-new and new-to-me)
I blacked out and threw everything I didn’t recognize into the cart.
1. Savory Squash Pastry Bites
Pillowy puff pastry bites filled with pumpkin and butter filling, topped with FOUR different cheeses. I saw this appetizer and immediately thought, “Girls dinner.”
2. Maple Pancake Snaps
This is just new to me and I’m not sure why I missed it before? These remind me of an elevated maple flavored graham cracker. Nothing earth shattering, but a very solid fall treat.
3. Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Concentrate
First of all, I have to admit that I am a hot coffee girly, year round. That said, I do enjoy a good cold brew every now and then. I liked that this had no added sweeteners, but the flavor just wasn’t there for me. It needed cream (maybe TJ’s Cinnamon Bun?), but overall it was okay.
4. Hot Habanero Sweet Potato Sauce
If you like hot sauce, especially vinegar based, give it a try. It is unique and addictive.
5. Herbs de Provence Potato Wedges
WHY am I just trying them now? Definitely adding to my arsenal of quick freeze side dishes.
6. Witches Brew Spiced Wine
Festive wine! This reminds me of mulled wine – sweet, with a warm flavor profile.
7. Vanilla Pumpkin Hand Soap
With this soap, it’s officially fall in my house.
8. Mini Succulent Skull
I saw these guys and had to have one. They’re just fun and honestly, the plant section gets me every time.
What did I miss?
What Fall Trader Joe’s Items Should I Take On My Next Trip?! Let me know in the comments and I’ll add it to my list.
If you’re shopping for non-fall items, check out our list of all-time Trader Joe’s favorites and my favorite high-protein TJ’s picks.
