Trader Joe’s is known for having an incredible array of seasonal fall products.

This year I decided to taste test a spread of different Trader Joe’s fall products to 1) get in the spirit of the new season and 2) see if their products lived up to the hype.

It also basically gave me an excuse to go crazy and try a bunch of different snacks – but, hey! It was for the good of the people!

I made sure to research what fall products were available before going into the store. I went to Trader Joe’s website and curated a list of items that sounded both interesting, and that fit my taste palette. 

When I got to the store, I instantly got SO DISTRACTED with the number of fall items all over the store. It felt like fall products were everywhere – seriously, just look for all the orange packaged goods! The overwhelming amount of fall products made me thankful for my list because it prioritized what was ‘nice to have’ versus what I really wanted to try. 

There were so many more fall products that I wanted to try at Trader Joe’s. 

But I am just ONE PERSON, and having this many snacks in my apartment would NOT bode well for my stomach.

Shopping for all these items made me excited to have a fall-themed party next year with friends where we could try a big assortment of fall foods. I’m definitely going to add that to my fall bucket list for next year if it’s safer for us to gather in bigger groups again! 

Trying new seasonal foods is a fun way to get in the mood for the new season. Time has been flying during COVID. So, it was nice to take a break from my regularly scheduled grocery list to appreciate what the new season has to offer. 

So, thanks Trader Joe’s! Can’t wait to see what’s to come this holiday season. Now here’s my review on 13 Trader Joe’s fall products you have to try!

#1 – Mini Cornbread Biscotti

I’m going to start by saying that I am not a biscotti fan. But CORNBREAD – yes, please! The flavor reminds me of these well-known Japanese bird-shaped cookies people give each other as omiyage (or souvenirs) when they come from Japan. These are a bit on the dry side, though I think that’s normal for a biscotti? I’m not sure because, again, not a biscotti fan. I recommend pairing with a good cup of coffee!

Rating: 7/10

#2 – Turkey Pumpkin Mole Burrito

Funny enough, this was not on my original list of fall products, but the description sounded so good! I’m a big cilantro fan. So I was sold reading that this was turkey, green pumpkin mole, cilantro rice, and sweet potatoes. You have the option of either heating this frozen burrito in the microwave or putting it in the oven. I heated mine in the oven for 30 minutes to get a crispy tortilla on the outside. The mole has a nice little kick to it but only a slight hint of pumpkin. 

Rating: 8/10

#3 – Mini Spicy Pumpkin Samosas

These spicy samosas are good, but you don’t get that much pumpkin flavor. They have a little kick to them, and I loved the blend of spices, but there was minimal fall or pumpkin vibes. I wouldn’t go out of my way to get these again, but they’re worth a try!

Rating: 6/10

#4 & #5 – Autumnal Harvest Pasta Sauce & Zucchette Pasta

THE SAUCE. I did not know what to expect. I thought it would have a strong pumpkin flavor, but it’s more of a vegetable fall cream soup. Or, like a light tomato bisque. 10/10 in my book and the fun shaped Zucchette Pasta makes the whole dish that much better! The shape of the pasta allows you to have the perfect scoop of sauce in every bite! It’s a fun switch up from regular pasta. Plus, the Zucchette Pasta is only $1.99, so it’s not like you have to pay a premium to elevate your fall meal! 

Rating: 10/10 

#6 – Maple & Sea Salt Kettle Corn

WOW – this was an unexpected win for me. I thought it would be super sweet, like the type of kettle corn that’s glazed over with sugar and way too sweet. But no! This was not overwhelmingly sweet at all. I’m not a sweets person and typically prefer salty butter popcorn, but I would demolish this bag in a heartbeat. The light maple syrup flavor is excellent and gave me the feeling of being at a fall carnival. 10/10, especially for those fall nights in watching Hulu or Netflix. 

Rating: 10/10

#7 – Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

I was the most excited about this one because the packaging and description looked so good! And while I did enjoy the three cheese blend mac and cheese, it was a little too rich for me and left me in the biggest food coma! I’d still recommend this because the mix of cheeses was perfect. If I had to choose, I would pick the Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce > this mac and cheese for a regular dinner. This feels more like something I’d eat if I had a strong craving for something rich and cheesy. Definitely worth a try for any mac and cheese lovers out there!

Rating: 8/10

#8 – Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps

 My mom came with me to Trader Joe’s when I picked up all these items, and she made it clear that she loved these crisps (10/10 in her book)! My initial taste test was just “eh,” but her rave review made me want to like them. So, I tried eating them again, but this time with cream cheese, which was a huge game-changer! I highly recommend listening to the box, which says that these crisps are meant “to complement cheeses, dips, and spreads.” The thyme and dried cranberry flavor in the cracker paired with the cream cheese perfectly! 10/10 with spread, 5/10 without = 7/10 overall!  

Rating: 7/10

#9 – Pumpkin Bagels

First off, I LOVE pumpkin bagels. I’m not sure why but I always have, and this Trader Joe’s version is definitely worth the buy! It has good flavor with hints of spices and little bits of pumpkin. They smell delicious even before you put it in the toaster oven. 10/10 would 100% get these every year!

Rating: 10/10

#10 – Pumpkin Empanadas

This one packs a pumpkin punch, unlike some of the other items, like the Pumpkin Samosas. The filling for these empanadas has the same consistency and flavor of a warm pumpkin pie. It’s perfect if you’re looking for warm, fall comfort food this season. 

Rating: 8/10 

#11 – Pumpkin Spiced Pumpkin Seeds

Pretty good, but not my favorite. The candied sweet flavor has only a slight hint of pumpkin spice flavor, which I guess if it had any more, it’d be overwhelming. The added sweetness takes away from the traditional pumpkin seed texture and flavor you know and love. These are very easy to snack on, so I will probably finish the bag. I just don’t know if it’s worth getting over traditional pumpkin seeds. 

Rating: 5/10

#12 – Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli

I’m not so sure about this one, you guys. You can taste the pumpkin for sure, but the taste was nothing special. I was expecting there to be a bit more flavor either from the pumpkin or the ricotta, but alas. Even combining it with the Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce couldn’t save it. 

Rating: 4/10

#13 – Pumpkin Spiced Batons

These were surprisingly good! I thought I wasn’t going to like them because I don’t have a huge sweet tooth. But, the wafer baton was very crispy, and the pumpkin filling was very light! I think these would pair well with an afternoon cup of coffee or tea. 

Rating: 7/10

Looking for more ideas to get the most out of the fall season this year? Get your free downloadable Fall 2020 bucket list with boxes next to each idea so you can check off activities as you go!

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