Source: Kimberly Holland
By Maya Konings, EIC Lifestyle
Friends, the best time of the year is officially here: when Trader Joe’s transforms from an ordinary grocery store into an autumnal paradise. Yes, it is 90 degrees every day this week and there isn’t a colorful leaf in sight. But, it is after Labor Day and the calendar says September, which means it’s officially goodbye to wearing white and HELLO to pumpkin, apple, and maple-flavored everything. I purchased (and ate) an assortment of the new seasonal concoctions that hit the shelves at Trader Joe’s this week, so you don’t have to. I know… my job is so hard. Keep reading to see what is worth your money and what to pass on.
Pumpkin Overnight Oats
While many of the Trader Joe’s seasonal items have been around for years, the pumpkin overnight oats are a new addition to the fall product line. I had no reason to believe that I wouldn’t like these (clearly I’m not someone who shies away from a strong pumpkin flavor), but inexplicably, these fell short for me. They tasted almost exactly like a less sweet version of pumpkin pie filling—texture and all—which was somewhat off-putting as a breakfast. This is more due to personal preference than them being objectively bad, but I would skip these pumpkin overnight oats and go for the classic vanilla flavor instead.
Rating: 5/10
Pumpkin Madeleines
I’ll get right to the point with this one, I am obsessed. These soft buttery cookies have a cake-like texture and taste like the lovechild of a classic madeleine and pumpkin bread. These would be a fantastic treat alongside a hot cup of coffee once the temperature actually starts to drop. If you’re looking to pick up some baked goods from Trader Joe’s this fall, I definitely recommend these.
Rating: 9/10
Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce
This. Is. My. Favorite. Pasta. Sauce. Of. All. Time. It’s rich, creamy, and a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The tomato pairs so beautifully with the pureed squash and subtle notes of parsley, rosemary, and sage. My roommate (and fellow Local writer Caroline Dehn) and I recently cooked this with spaghetti squash and a side of garlic bread for our dinner together. You could also serve it over banza pasta for an easy 10-minute dinner. I will be buying this in bulk to ensure I have it all year long.
Rating: 10/10
Maple & Sea Salt Kettle Corn
I have mixed feelings about the maple and sea salt kettle corn. While it’s by no means a bad product, the maple flavor is not particularly distinct. If you’re just looking to get some good kettle corn, go ahead and buy this. It has a delicious salty-sweet taste and the popcorn is very well coated, almost like caramel corn. But given that it says MAPLE on the bag, I was hoping for a stronger maple flavor than this popcorn was delivering.
Rating: 7/10
Maple Oat Milk Beverage
Honestly, Trader Joe’s needs to re-evaluate how they flavor their maple products. Adding a heavy splash of this to my morning coffee gave me nothing more than just a lightly sweet oat milk flavor. Maybe I’d taste the maple if I drank a plain glass of it, but who does that??? I’ll be sticking to black coffee in the morning while this carton of oat milk sits unconsumed in the back of my fridge for the foreseeable future.
Rating: 4/10
Pumpkin Tortilla Chips
There are probably a fair number of people out there who view pumpkin spice and tortilla chips as two food items that absolutely do not need to be combined. I was initially inclined to agree with that stance, but honestly the pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg flavor in these chips are light enough that somehow it works. While I just tried these plain, I think they would be great paired with the seasonal pepita salsa, which also incorporates some classic fall flavors. While I probably won’t bother repurchasing these when they run out, they are a fun way to switch up a classic tortilla chip for the autumn months.
Rating: 7/10
Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
Dedicated readers will know that I reviewed the butternut squash mac and cheese last year. But I love it so much that it just doesn’t feel right to not mention it again. Friends: if you buy just one thing off of this list: let it be this. This mac and cheese is decadent, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned with a subtle autumnal vibe. It doesn’t feel like you’re eating squash, just like you’re eating mac and cheese while wearing a chunky sweater on a balcony overlooking an apple orchard. Run, don’t walk to Trader Joe’s and buy this before they sell out.
Rating: 10/10
Pumpkin Ginger Mini Hold the Cones
The mini hold the cone ice cream cones are one of my favorite desserts from Trader Joe’s, and the seasonal pumpkin ginger flavor is no exception. The ice cream is a perfectly spiced pumpkin flavor coated in creamy white chocolate. While I wish the white chocolate coating was a bit higher quality, the rich and creamy ice cream itself more than makes up for it. I definitely recommend these for a satisfying fall treat.
Rating: 8/10
Pumpkin waffles
I have nothing bad to say about these waffles. They taste basically exactly how you would expect them to, which is like a basic toaster waffle with a subtle pumpkin spice flavor. They are a tad too sweet for me for breakfast, but I’m not gonna lie, I ate one as a late-night snack after going out with friends and it really hit the spot. If you like the comfort that both toaster waffles and pumpkin flavors give, pick these up.
Rating: 7.5/10
Pumpkin Butter
The pumpkin butter is a cult classic during the autumn months at Trader Joe’s, yet somehow I had not tried it until now. After finally tasting it, I see why it’s a fan favorite. The texture is similar to that of a thick, seedless jam, but is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg and just enough lemon juice to cut the sweetness. I swirled this into some greek yogurt with berries and granola, but it would also be fantastic on the Trader Joe’s pumpkin waffles, in oatmeal, or as part of a charcuterie board. To be honest, I don’t see this becoming an everyday staple in my kitchen, but it certainly was a fun way to bring some fall vibes to my breakfast.
Rating: 8/10
Honeycrisp Apple Candle
Finally, a non-food item as a bonus review. There is literally nothing I love more than scented candles (ask my friends about how crazy I go during the latest Bath and Body Works candle sale), so when I saw this candle in the checkout line I knew I had to pick it up. Being from Washington State, I have a deep appreciation for apples, and the scent of this candle is spot on. It’s powerful enough to make my whole bedroom smell like an apple orchard on a crisp fall day without being overpowering. At only $3.99, there’s really no reason to pass on this.
Rating: 9/10
