Fall is my favorite time of year. It’s the best time of year for food and food-centered gatherings. Even people who don’t normally cook or bake usually whip up a batch or two of cookies for the holidays or their ‘signature’ green bean casserole for Thanksgiving.
Fall is also the time of year when Trader Joe’s is at it’s best. They have a ton of seasonal food and décor items that we wait for all year! Since my job is to run and eat, I ran over the TJ’s yesterday to give you the DL on what you MUST HAVE from Trader Joe’s before the season is over.
So get over there before it’s all gone no matter how many times I stand in the jam aisle and whisper sweetly…
Until they kick me out.
Trader Joe’s Must Haves for Fall
1. Pumpkin Butter and/or Cranberry Apple Butter. The PB is my jam. I buy 24 jars and use it year round. The cranberry is great mixed with cream cheese on a turkey sandwich. Try it.
2. “This Pumpkin Walks into a bar” Like a Nutrigrain bar, only better. Heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds.
Not sure about the Pumpkin Pop Tarts though. Let me know if you try them.
3. Pumpkin Spice Coffee. This is more for you hot coffee drinkers – I don’t think pumpkin coffee does well over ice.
4. Pumpkin baked goods! They have two super easy baking kits for pumpkin bread.
5. Beverages! Spiced Cider is great warm.
Also their seasonal teas are great. I haven’t tried the pumpkin chai yet. Let me know if it’s good.
6. Soup! Pumpkin Soup is seasonal. Year round they carry a good squash soup too.
7. Pumpkin Cream Cheese. You know, to go on the pumpkin bread you’re going to bake.
8. Pumpkin Crisps and Pita Crisps with Cranberries and pumpkin seeds. I suspect these are more cranberry / salty-sweet than pumpkin-y.
9. Seasonal Beer! I know pumpkin ale is all the rage these days. I’m not a beer girl, but thought I’d pass it on.
10. Decorations! Every year TJ’s has awesome cinnamon brooms and gorgeous Cinderella pumpkins. I love them.
I also bought a sugar pumpkin for a little decoration now and to bake later!
Of interest:
My usual Trader Joe’s Must Haves
Where TJ’s misses the mark
Question: Is Fall the best season for food?
I’m not a fan of pumpkin stuff but I could eat apple crisp every day.
Hello~ My favorite TJ’s season next to Christmas is Fall! I got several pumpkin flavored delights… Macarons , mimi pies, O’s cereal and butter but, that’s just the first haul of many to come. Trader Joes is only a 5 min walk from my house! Happy Dance!
Sweet wishes,
Sara
I am all about the Joe, especially this time of year when everything pumpkin is involved. Just got the cream cheese today (quite possibly the b e s t e v e r) and am already overwhelmed with the growing list of pumpkin-laden treasures I foolishly let slip by! Thanks so much for your excellent recap. Formulating an emergency rebound mission, stat.
I love everything in this post…the pumpkin pancake/waffle mix at TJ’s is THE BUSINESS…It makes the fluffiest, pumpkin-iest pancakes ever. They taste like what I imagine a real autumn to feel like 🙂
Love fall flavors (mostly because it’s all pumpkin-y)! I also love persimmons, which are only available in the late fall. We have a persimmon tree and my mom dries them and they taste amazing!
Love Love! I tried the pumpkin chai mix last year. It seemed to never fully dissolve, was still a bit gritty. So I used it in protein shakes, a scoop of vanilla protein and a scoop of chai, was tasty that way. I’ve already got plans to try the pumpkin coffee iced this week. I didn’t get the beer, but the Ace Hard Pumpkin Cider was good!!!
I’m not big on pumpkin, but the Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps (the crackers) are SO GOOD. I ate them with the laughing cow light garlic herb cheese… heaven!
I don’t like pumpkin. I know, crazy!?
However i did pick up the Pita Crisps with pumpkin seeds (the seeds are OK with me) and cranberries and ate almost the whole bag in one sitting. Delicious!!
I returned the Pumpkin Spice Chai mix…..yuck! They will take back anything so I never hesitate trying something new…great customer service!
Thanks for the head’s up!
Fall is DEFINITELY the best season for foods. I eat pumpkin year round though. I was just telling my friend how TJ’s has pumpkin-fied everything. I missed the cranberry apple butter… I’m going to have to look for it! Cranberry sauce on turkey sandwiches is my FAVE.
Thank you for sharing this! I have lots of reasons to go to my Trader Joe’s before Fall is over. We are getting one closer to where I live this year. I can’t wait!
I just picked up some pumpkin bagels today too! Haven’t tried them but they smelled amazing!
I will be stopping on my way home tomorrow!!! Love Trader Joe’s and love, love, love anything pumpkin.
I tried the Pumpkin Spice Chai last year – it was definitely a let down! I ended up pitching the whole thing.
The pumpkin chai is awesome!!! I really like it iced too.
I love Fall! I love pumpkin! So let’s see, their season tea is awesome. I was not a fan of the pumpkin soup. A little bland and tasted “off”.
I have not see the pumpkin cream cheese yet.
The pumpkin coffee is AWESOME.
You forgot to include the pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin croissants and pumpkin macaroons. The macaroons are AWESOME!
Have you tried the Sweet Potato tater tots? Pretty good with a burger or just on their own.
I feel like the only one on earth who is not pumkin crazy. Eh, the only thing I go pumpking goo goo for is Beer.
Seriously reading this I just went into a pumpkin coma, and it’s only the beginning of October. Dear lord! 🙂
Unfortunately, I am not a big fan of pumpkin so I’m not so into fall food. Apples and cranberries are cool though.
I remember last year there was a cookie they had around Christmas that was delicious but by the time I went back they were gone. I’ll be stocking up on those puppies this year. Especially because I’ll be like 8 months pregnant around that time!
fall is the most delicious!
Fall really is the best as far as food, but spring is a close second! And I would have to disagree about pumpkin coffee over iced… I love me some iced pumpkin lattes from Dunkin Donuts!! Pure magicalness!
Though as much as I love pumpkin coffee… I’m pining for Starbuck’s Gingerbread Latte! I don’t go there often but when that’s in season… sorry bank account!
My housemate in college makes the best pumpkin pie! Oh I miss those days back in the UK!
Thanks for all the great suggestions, i will buying some of these for sure (as if i need an excuse to buy more food). I tried the pop tarts and the chai tea mix and I’d say skip both. Neither is very pumpkin-y.
So I bought a pumpkin in August and I know I’ll need another one before it is time to carve. Can you please give me some ideas for what to do with the one I have?
I really need to get to Trader Joe’s ASAP!
We don’t have Tj’s in Canada 🙁
Well then you should move here 😉
Oh I love the pumpkin butter! So good!
I never go to Trader Joe’s because it’s out of the way, but I think I’ll have to make an exception! Those Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps sound so good! Like their addictive Rosemary Raisin Crisps, but better!
And I need to pick up a six-pack of pumpkin ale soon.
I hate the pumpkin spice coffee soooooooooo much. It tastes like te worst coffee on earth. Did they take garbage coffee that had been sitting around all day then run water through the filter again and then add nutmeg and cinnamon? Because that’s what it tastes like.
Ah! This is the second down vote! I need to note it.
It’s not that it’s awful but, there’s really no detectable pumpkin flavor. just an average spice coffee. On the other hand, the pumpkin macarons tasted as if they were shipped from Ladurée!
I love fall food, I do. Thanksgiving meal, pumpkin everything, etc… My only issue is that by the time January rolls around I look at my ass and say “what the hell?” So yes, the best… and the worst.
It was the best of times… it was the worst of times…
Kind of weird seeing all the fall products when it’s spring in Australia.
You missed the pumpkin spice granola. The boys were literally SQUEALING and SCREAMING with excitement over this at the local TJ’s last night. We caused such a scene….over granola. Yes that happened.
I will totally get that granola, but granola is my weakness so I need to do it when I’m at peace with eating the whole box in one day. Seriously. That will happen.
Just bought the pumpkin butter today….so excited to try it tomorrow for breakfast!
It’s my favorite 🙂 Sometimes I put it over regular cream cheese or a laughing cow on toast.
i just bought the pumpkin biscotti! I dipped one in my coffee this morning.. delish!
I bought the Pumpkin Chai Latte mix on my lunch break! Currently drinking it over ice! Sooo great!! =)
Apple cider is also fab with salted caramel vodka… 🙂
Noted.
Oh my goodness that sounds amazing! I feel like this will be life changing in the fall drink department
pumpkin butter! I buy it homemade from a specialty shop about an hour away from home. So good and worth it!
The Denver TJ’s REALLY NEEDS TO STEP IT UP!
And have you ever seen their cinnamon brooms? They smell amazing and are also adorable. Love them.
Yes! I wanted one but they were all out! Boo.
I am def going to have to try that pumpkin butter! Never seen that before.
The pumpkin butter is amazing and surprisingly low in sugar.
I so will make a trip to TJ’s tomorrow just for pumpkin bars!!!
Oh you forgot the Pumpkin Spice granola from TJ’s! It’s seriously amazing! I put it with cinnamon apple Greek yogurt the other day and honeycrisp apples and it was basically fall in a bowl. I have tried the pop-tarts, but I almost bought some last week.
I was just at trader Joes the other day marveling at all of the delicious goodies they have for fall! Ours didn’t have a huge wall with it all, but every aisle had some stuff that was delicious!
I love all of TJs pumpkin goodness, but I have to say that the “pop tarts” were a miss for me. Sigh, I guess they can’t get everything right.
OMG! I love going to Trader Joes during this time of the year because of those! 🙂 I get the Pumpkin Spiced Tea! Soooo refreshing and sooo good! 🙂
I have the pumpkin spice coffee and it’s amazing! I think i’ll try pumpkin cream cheese next…haven’t see any pumpkin english muffins around this year yet though, have you?? I’m starting to get upset about that 😉
I am SO SAD that Calgary doesn’t have a Trader Joe’s (or a Whole Foods). Seriously so sad. I have major TJ’s envy right now. *sniffle*
I love the cinnamon brooms and the Pumpkin Bar mix, but I make muffins with it. It is so good.
They were out of cinnamon brooms and I wanted one!
Why God Why???? Why don’t I have a TJ’s here????
You didnt cover the pumpkin pancake and waffle mix!!! BEST STUFF EVER…. been trying to stalk up on it but its always sold out here. Its life changing and even my man thinks so 🙂
I agree! That’s one of my favorite TJs items!
don’t forget the pumpkin ice cream! i haven’t tried it yet, but i saw it at TJ’s yesterday and it looks amazing =)
the pumpkin rooibos tea and pumpkin butter from trader’s are both fantastic! I actually didn’t like the Fall Harvest Tea which was surprising because usually I love their seasonal items.
I love TJ’s, but the pumpkin chai is awful! Don’t do it. It tastes like feet.
Thanks for the head’s up!
It certainly is!
I love the wide range you get over there; I’d like to try the pumpkin chai latte! 😉
Fall *IS* the best season for food. Everything is so cozy…..
People, I think, have more gatherings in the fall – to watch football, get-togethers for holidays, etc.
I want everything to come in pumpkin form. I want to try that pumpkin chai. I don’t drink coffee so I don’t often get the seasonal drinks that pop up in places like Starbucks. I also LOVE decorating. I need to convince my husband that having pumpkin decorations is a good thing.
The pumpkin pop tarts = YUM! I bought them “for my son”. The pumpkin chai tastes like pumpkin spiced dish soap.
Love all the pumpkin stuff! I wish I had a TJ’s closer! I miss all the summer fruit but the pumpkin makes up for it!
I’ve only been to Trader Joe’s one time. So sad, I know!!! This awesome list of food is definitely making me want to go back asap!
HOT DIGGITY DOG!!! I’ve already snapped up some pumpkin butter, but I’ll be stopping soon for pumpkin bar mix AND (both) crisps AND the pumpkin cream cheese AND the pumpkin pop tarts.
I can $2.99 myself right into $80 at Trader Joe’s, happens every single time!
I’m going this weekend to stock up!
I forgot about their pumpkin butter! That stuff is amazing, I ate it in 3 days last year. I’ll try to practice better self control this time around. For the fall, I’m all about apple cinnamon stuff!
Their pumpkin cream cheese is my FAVORITE! I also purchased the pumpkin rooibos tea but haven’t tried it yet. Obviously I need to head back to check out a few other items!
I love their pumpkin spice coffee. I am one of those weirdos that likes it cold! 🙂 Yum!
I got that pumpkin spiced coffee after sampling it in store. I LOVED it in the store, but for some reason when I made it at home it was not so great… That pumpkin cream cheese looks delish!
I was thinking I should try the cranberry apple butter and pumpkin butter…Fall is totally best season for food, well, that is if you love butternut squash, all things pumpkin and lots of sweet potatoes and apples- which I do!
The nutrigrain bars are yum! The pop tarts are YUM! The chai is yum! The boxes bread mixes are yum! (And super easy!)And the cream cheese is YuM!
I bought the pumpkin bars bake kit. Pretty tasty! I LOVE the pumpkin butter. So, so good!
Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin! 🙂 Actually one of my October goals is to try out 2-3 recipes involving pumpkin just to try to jump on the band wagon a little bit 🙂
I honestly think trader joes is my soul mate. I just tried the pumpkin granola and it was amazingggg and I hear that pumpkin waffles will be out in the next week or so. Pumpkin overload but it’s just so good.
The frozen waffles or the mix? My TJ’s had both
They have a pumpkin rooibos tea and pumpkin Greek yogurt, too (I picked those up yesterday). I also love TJ’s for all my pumpkin-flavored foods!
what’s a sugar pumpkin!?
It’s the kind of pumpkin you bake with for pie and stuff 🙂
I love pumpkin everything. I’m so jealous you have pumpkin cream cheese. I don’t have a Trader Joe’s by me. But I do love Wegmans, and I live in Wegmans Mecca, so half win..?