Autumn has arrived! At least, according to Trader Joe’s, and that’s good enough for me. Cue sweater, soup and scary scene.
The day the pumpkin takes over the store is like a holiday. It’s exciting to rediscover beloved seasonal items and discover what’s new. It’s also pure madness because popular items sell out quickly, some of them permanently before the “official drop” even begins. It’s an experience, okay?!
To make sure I didn’t miss anything, I dragged my family on a detour to Trader Joe’s on my way home from a weekend and braved the Sunday crowds to see what my store had in stock. Mad? Maybe. It’s worth it? Totally.
Here are the Trader Joe’s fall items I’m most excited about this year.
1. Butternut Squash Mac n’ Cheese
I don’t know how TJ’s does it, but they made this frozen mac and cheese taste like it was freshly made. 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 a 10/10 and I buy several boxes every year. The texture is almost like a mochi pancake, soft and fluffy in the middle and slightly crispy on the outside. Don’t come for me, but honestly, I don’t think they even need syrup.
3. Fall Leaf Tortilla Chips
Leaf Shaped Chips + Buffalo Chicken Dip + Football. No further explanation is necessary.
4. Fall Harvest Soup
I love soups with simple ingredients that I can just heat up and serve. Plus, the flavor combination of butternut squash, pumpkin, tomato, and seasonings is A VIBE. If you’re not in the mood for fall yet, one bite will do.
5. Maple and Sea Salt Pot Corn
This is holding me over until I can buy some freshly made kettle corn at my local fall festival. It’s that good! Buy at least two bags, because it disappears quickly (at home and in stores).
6. Mashed sweet potatoes
I stock up on it every year. Whenever I need a quick serving of vegetables, I heat them up. There’s only one ingredient: sweet potatoes, which means you can enjoy them as is or dress them up however you like.
7. Oatmeal and maple drink
I bought it for the sole purpose of making oatmeal. Warm, creamy, maple-flavored oatmeal on a cool fall morning? I completely agree.
8. Pumpkin Gnocchi
Everything about this product is delicious: the flavor, the texture, the convenience. Just melt a little butter on these heavenly little pillows (or feel like browning that butter with a little sage. YUM), and dinner is served.
9. Mini Spiced Pumpkin Samosas
The best fall appetizer if you like spicy-sweet flavor (I absolutely do).
10. Honeycrisp Apple Granola
I love making my own granola, but this one is definitely worth buying. I love the apple flavor with yogurt, but it’s incredibly good as a shortcut topping for apple crisp.
11. Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
I love this spread because it’s not TOO pumpkiny. My favorite way to enjoy it is on a mini bagel, but it’s also very tasty on an apple or with pretzels. You can also get creative and combine this with puff pastry to make a pumpkin cream cheese danish.
12. Pumpkin Cranberry Chips
Crispy and perfect balance of salty and sweet. I love them on a fall-themed charcuterie board or dipped in creamy butternut squash soup.
New Fall Posts (New, New, and New to Me)
I passed out and threw everything I didn’t recognize into the cart.
1. Savory Squash Pastry Bites
Fluffy puff pastry bites filled with pumpkin and butternut squash, with FOUR different cheeses. I saw this appetizer and immediately thought, “Girl Dinner.”
2. Maple Pancake Snaps
These are just new to me, and I don’t know why I missed them before? These remind me of a maple-flavored raised graham cracker. Nothing earth-shattering, but a very solid fall treat.
3. Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew Concentrate
First of all, I must admit that I am a fan of hot coffee all year round. That being said, I do enjoy a good cold brew every now and then. I liked that this one had no added sweeteners, but the flavor just wasn’t there for me. It needed some cream (TJ’s cinnamon roll, perhaps?), but overall it was just fine.
4. Sweet Potato Habanero Hot Sauce
If you like hot sauces, especially vinegar-based, give this a try. It’s unique and addictive.
5. Potato wedges with Provence herbs
WHY did I just try this? This definitely adds to my arsenal of quick freeze side dishes.
6. Witches make spiced wine
Party wine! It reminds me of a mulled wine – sweet, with a warm flavor profile.
7. Pumpkin Vanilla Hand Soap
With this soap, it’s officially a hit with me.
8. Mini Succulent Skull
I saw these guys and had to have one. It’s just fun and honestly the plants section gets me every time.
What did I miss?
What fall items from Trader Joe’s do I need for my next trip?! Tell me in the comments and I’ll add it to my list.
If you’re shopping for non-fall items, check out our list of Trader Joe’s all-time favorites and my favorite high-protein TJ’s picks.
