They're Here! Our Top 20 Trader Joe's Finds For October
There's a pumpkin spice madness that consumes 90% of the population (and seemingly 90% of the shelf space) every September (and sometimes even earlier). In the midst of that fall frenzy, people tend to forget that there's a whole slew of other autumnal flavors to fall in love with, including apple, cinnamon, maple and all the various other squashes, of course.
Despite their Pumpkin Palooza, Trader Joe's is well aware of the rest of the stuff that's so great about fall, and that's what they've leaned into for their October grocery drop. The new releases (and returning faves) have us loading our carts faster than you can order a PSL. Here's what you need to add to your shopping list ASAP.
1. Mini Maple Flavored Marshmallows
Whether you put them in a latte or a mug of hot chocolate or scoop 'em out of the bag by the handful, you'll love these pillowy little bites. One Redditor says "These are so lovely and fresh. Not too sweet and didn’t have artificial notes." Grab a bag and use them for a fun twist on Rice Krispies treats, make some late-fall s'mores or add to warm almond milk for a before-bed treat. If you have plant-based eaters in your life, they'll also be excited by these because they're vegan!
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2. Lobster Bisque
This New England-inspired soup has TJ fans scrambling to grab a late-summer treat that transitions beautifully into soup season. The ingredients are gluten-free and include sherry, thyme and lobster stock. One commenter on Instagram was excited about this early-fall find, saying "Oooh this is going to taste great on a chilly fall night! Will definitely try!????"
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3. Maple Flavored Fudge
If you're a fudge fan like me, or anything maple-flavored takes you back to Vermont vacations, you're going to love this sweet new TJ's release. Salted butter, sweetened condensed milk, sugar and maple syrup is cooked in traditional copper pans before being cooled for two days, cut and packed up. The "crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture" is intensely sweet, but perfectly portioned in a 5 oz. box. This one is limited, though, and won't be around all winter.
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4. Honeycrisp Apple Granola
On the heels of their Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola that TJ's released last month comes a very fall-appropriate granola to top your yogurt or eat by the handful: Honeycrisp Apple. We're thinking that it might be the secret to an easy apple crumble, too. The bright bag costs $3.99 and includes every single fall spice you can think of. Commenters online love the fact that it's nut-free too (a rarity in the granola world).
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5. Guacasalsa
A brilliant mashup of guacamole and salsa, Trader Joe's finally hopping on the bandwagon that some of us have been on for a while now—mixing your guac with your salsa. Made with tomatillos, TJ's recommends spooning the sauce over pupusas, using is as a French fry dipper or drizzling it over a rice bowl. Find it in the refrigerated case near its popular cousins, Organic Chunky Homestyle Guacamole and Avocado's Number Guacamole.
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6. Vanilla Overnight Oats
If you're too busy to prep breakfasts the night before (or, let's face it, you forgot), you can always count on TJ's for a filling, grab-and-go option for your morning car ride. This cute, bubble-lettered snack is a redesign from their old oblong containers. This new package conveniently fits in your car's cupholders, so it's truly commute-friendly. If vanilla is too vanilla for you, the $1.99 cups also come in pumpkin and almond butter chia.
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7. Fall Leaf Corn Tortilla Chips
Catch the fall foliage without ever leaving your house! Who could resist these cute little leaf-shaped chips for a casual fall hang with friends or a Halloween party spread? Perched in a bowl of piping hot chili or dipped into your fave TJ's salsa, you can't go wrong. They're limited edition, so snag a bag at $2.99 when you see 'em.
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8. Super Chocolatey Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough
"Just tried for the first time and I’m obsessed!!! Very gooey, chocolate-y, and AMAZING!!" says one Redditor who is clearly a fan of the new refrigerated ready-to-bake cookie dough. Others compare this cookie dough to Sweet Loren's but say they wish they were vegan too like their competitor (the TJ's dough has egg so you can't eat it raw). Find the cookie dough in the refrigerated section for $4.99 for 12.
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9. Truffle Ranch Dressing
Redditors are split on this infused ranch but it's definitely causing a kerfuffle online in all its limited-edition glory. "I may have just chugged a whole bottle! Seriously tasted great can’t wait to dip some wings in it!" says one IG user. Decide for yourself if this truffle-flecked dressing is a must-try for you before it disappears from shelves for the season.
Related: Trader Joe’s Just Brought Back a Popular Seasonal Baking Item, and Fans Are Calling It ‘Immaculate’
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10. No-Boil Noodles
Never one to turn down a shortcut, a true TJ's fan knows the importance of a quick meal. These no-boil noodles will help you get dinner on the table in no time. The bag, which costs $2,49, is full of single-serve pasta nests that cook up beautifully in whatever sauce you've got going. Over on Instagram, some folks were instant fans. "Made cacio e pepe with them," said one. "Loved them with the fresh bruschetta sauce!!! Restaurant quality deliciousness!!!" added another. But don't limit your options to Italian sauces. The Trader Joe's website suggests stir-frying them with vegetables and TJ's stir-fry sauce, which sound like a great weeknight dinner.
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11. Double Fold Bourbon Vanilla Extract with Vanilla Bean Seeds
Just in time for the beginning of fall baking season, this new vanilla extract has Instagram users excited, with one already daydreaming up recipes to use it with: "Can't wait for cooler weather. Add this in my French toast or pancake batter ???????? and for Thanksgiving [to] put in with my candied sweet Ppotato." At $7.99 for 3.3 ounces, this is a serious deal and will definitely not last long.
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12. Apple Cinnamon Buns
These pretty Danish pastries with apple filling and cinnamon would be delectable straight from the box for breakfast or heated up with vanilla ice cream for dessert. They're giving apple pie-meets-cinnamon bun vibes. Trader Joe's pastries rarely disappoint, either, with one Redditor saying "My partner and I have both eaten 4 of these in the past week… Only last night was I able to wait long enough to heat it in the air fryer for a couple of minutes they are SO GOOD!!!"
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13. Harvest Chicken Breast
This quick and easy dinner is a fully cooked stuffed chicken breast with butternut squash, sweet potato, onions, carrots and wild rice. Some Redditors posted that it has been difficult to find in their stores due to an initial packaging error, so the rollout to some stores has been slow. Those who were able to find it say it's a delicious heat-and-eat weeknight meal that could also double as a holiday table entree.
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14. Baked Sheep's Milk Ricotta Cheese with Herbs de Provence
For all of your holiday cheese plate needs, look no further than this beautiful round of sheep's milk herbed ricotta. Some reviewers say that it tastes like the best parts of a lasagna, which we're not mad about. Find it in the cheese case in limited quantities for $11.99.
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15. Creamy Toscano Cheese Dusted with Cinnamon
Another cheese case addition, early taste testers of this one report that it's giving creamy cheddar and aged parmesan vibes with added sweetness from the dusting of cinnamon. One Redditor offers up a tip for serving, saying "It is excellent. I like it on the cranberry pumpkin seed crackers (also a fall seasonal item)."
Related: This Fan-Created Take on a Popular Discontinued Trader Joe's Item Has Shoppers Running to the Store
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16. Brigadeiros
These fudgy freezer case poppems have sparked a debate on IG and Reddit as users debate the origin (Brazil vs. Portugal). However, these chocolatey little gems are delicious nonetheless. "They’re tasty! Very ganache-y, like little balls of cake frosting!"
Related: Shoppers Are Calling Out Trader Joe's For Its 'Epic Mistake'
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17. Garlic and Asiago Cheese Dip
Perfect for your holiday spread or as a dinner party app, this is a heat-and-eat dish that's perfect alongside some crostini or cut-up veggies. Users are instantly excited about this one, saying "It’s insanely good!!!! Just tried it this morning ????" and "Reminded me of warm Boursin garlic and herb. I think would be great with some tomatoes or even shrimp mixed in since it also reminds me of scampi."
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18. Teeny Tiny Apple Pies
"Omg this combo! I need nothing else in life! ??????" says one IG user about these baby pies topped with vanilla ice cream. Heat in the air fryer for a few minutes for some serious fresh baked pie goodness. Four pies will cost you $4.99, which we think is a sweet deal.
19. Wicked Good Mini Chocolate Bars
For the Trick-or-Treaters in your life (or just you), open a bag of these mini candy bars, pronto. Redditors love the four different flavors that come individually wrapped. "I’ve been stalking my store for these, and they showed up today 10 minutes before I arrived. I was excited! Had them for lunch. The Milky Way and Snickers dupes were my fave. The Kit Kat /100 grand one was kinda odd. The trick-or-treaters can have that one…maybe ??"
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20. BBQ Seasoned Spatchcocked Chicken
Even though barbecue season is technically over for the summer, it doesn't mean you can't have a BBQ-like experience from your kitchen this fall. Enter the BBQ Seasoned Spatchcocked Chicken, a dinner that'll cook in no time. Because it's spatchcocked (flattened), this bird cooks quicker than a regular whole chicken. It's also already marinated in maple syrup, honey, apple juice, coffee and mustard, so you don't have to worry about seasoning.
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Next: The Best Trader Joe’s Groceries to Buy When You’re Feeling Under the Weather, According to Fans