Fall has hit me and Trader Joe’s in full force. I’m skipping through aisles of pumpkin, spices, and apples, wearing an autumnal sweater and humming the Haunted Mansion theme. Do I need these bat-shaped chips? No, but also yes.
It’s my favorite time of year, and the Trader Joe’s team clearly agrees. Around this time, the entrance is positively covered in colorful pumpkins, and returning fall products pop up week after week. I’ve been doing my best to try out every new item as it appears on shelves, and there are a couple that I’ve started to pick up every shopping trip.
My two top picks may surprise you. After all of this seasonal talk, these are not seasonal items, but they are new, delicious, and worth buying again. Before we get to it, here are a few bonus products to look out for:
- Trader Joe’s Horseradish and Chive Potato Chips ($2.99) are back! They’re a returning seasonal item and they’re just plain tasty. The ridge cut means more crunch, which I like. Dip them in sour cream or creme fraîche.
- Trader Joe’s Organic Sparkling Rosé Tea Beverage ($1.99) really surprised me. It has an elegant flavor and just the right amount of bubbles. It’s an excellent non-alcoholic option.
1. Trader Joe’s Roti With Thai Red Curry ($4.29)
I spent a little time in Malaysia and fell head over heels for roti, so I was pumped to see this in the freezer section. TJ’s take on the dish includes three frozen roti and a pack of frozen Thai red curry. I stuck the roti in the air fryer and the curry in the microwave, and everything was ready in seven minutes.
The real star here is the curry. It’s perfectly spiced and lovely to dip the crisp and flaky roti into. This makes a fun appetizer—just cut the roti into individual pieces—or a side for a rice dish. I recommend air frying for longer than the package says, or until crisp.
2. Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies ($4.99)
No one is more surprised by this pick than me. In all honesty, I would not have tried this new bakery item if I wasn’t so committed to trying every new item for you, our readers. But the deliciousness of these ready-to-eat cookies cannot be denied.
The most surprising thing is how soft they are. It is so hard to find a good gluten-free cookie that is soft and chewy. The cookies have a nice vanilla, brown sugar flavor and are generously studded with chocolate chunks. I shared these with my gluten-free neighbor, and she flipped over them. Her husband, who is not gluten-free (like me), ate his fair share, too. They’re a big hit around these parts.