16 Best and Worst Trader Joe’s Fall Snacks

Trader Joe’s fall lineup always gets people excited, but let’s be honest—some of them are more hype than flavor. While Trader Joe’s excels in offering a variety of delicious fall snacks, not every seasonal item is a hit. It’s always fun to explore the seasonal offerings, but some are better left on the shelf. To save you from snack-time disappointment, we’ve sorted through the best and worst of Trader Joe’s fall lineup so you can grab the hits and avoid the misses this season.

Best: Pumpkin Spice Batons

These light, crispy rolled wafers filled with a creamy pumpkin spice filling are a fall favorite. Their delicate texture and perfect balance of sweet and spiced flavors make them irresistible. The hints of cinnamon and nutmeg are subtle but distinct, capturing the essence of fall without overwhelming the palate. They pair well with coffee or tea and make for an elegant treat. The batons are packaged for easy sharing, though you might be tempted to keep them all to yourself.

Worst: Pumpkin Spice Hummus

This attempt to merge the savory world of hummus with the sweet and spicy world of pumpkin spice falls flat. The sweet pumpkin spice flavor feels out of place when mixed with chickpeas, resulting in a flavor that’s more confusing than enjoyable. It’s difficult to find the right dippers—crackers and veggies just don’t complement it well. The consistency is good, but the taste misses the mark. This is one of the rare misses in Trader Joe’s pumpkin lineup.

Best: Apple Cider Donuts

Trader Joe’s Apple Cider Donuts are soft, cakey, and made with real apple cider for that true fall flavor. Dusted with sugar, they offer just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of spice. These donuts are perfect when warmed up and paired with coffee or tea. Their light, moist texture and authentic apple flavor make them a standout fall treat. Whether for breakfast or dessert, these donuts bring a festive taste of autumn to your table.

Worst: Bacon & Eggs Shaped Sweet Gummy Candies

While the idea of gummy candies shaped like bacon and eggs is whimsical, the execution leaves much to be desired. The gummies are overly sweet and have an artificial fruity flavor that doesn’t match their breakfast-themed appearance. The texture is also quite rubbery, making them more of a chore to chew than a treat to enjoy. The novelty of the shapes wears off quickly once you taste them, and they don’t offer much satisfaction beyond their quirky look. It’s a snack that might be fun to look at, but not something you’d reach for again.

Best: Apple Cinnamon Buns

Trader Joe’s Apple Cinnamon Buns bring together the warm, comforting flavors of fall in a perfectly indulgent pastry. These buns are soft, flaky, and packed with a sweet apple filling, laced with a hint of cinnamon spice that gives them a cozy, autumnal flavor. The balance between the tender dough and the juicy apple pieces creates a delicious harmony of textures, making each bite satisfying and rich. The cinnamon glaze on top adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the delicate apple flavor. 

Worst: Maple Butter

While Trader Joe’s Maple Butter spreads smoothly and has a lovely texture, it’s overwhelmingly sweet without much depth of flavor. The buttery richness you might expect from something labeled as “butter” is missing, leaving it to taste like a sugary spread. It’s hard to figure out how to use it beyond spreading it on pancakes or toast, and even then, it’s too sweet for many. For some, the pure maple syrup flavor is enjoyable, making it a “hit,” but for others, it feels too one-dimensional and overly sugary, making it a “miss.” Despite being made from pure maple syrup, it’s not versatile enough

Best: Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

This creamy, comforting dish is the perfect fall comfort food, blending the sweetness of butternut squash with sharp cheddar and gouda cheeses. The sauce is rich, but the slight sweetness from the squash keeps it balanced. It’s an easy meal for chilly evenings or a special side dish for holiday meals. The nutmeg and other spices give it just the right amount of fall warmth. It’s a family-friendly option that’s sure to please.

Worst: Mini Maple Flavored Marshmallows

Trader Joe’s Mini Maple Flavored Marshmallows promise a fun twist on a classic treat, but they fall short in both flavor and texture. While the maple flavor is certainly present, it’s overly sweet and artificial, overwhelming the delicate marshmallow base. The texture is also a bit off—denser and stickier than regular marshmallows, making them less enjoyable to eat on their own or in hot drinks. They can work in certain fall desserts, but many find the flavor too overpowering for versatile use. 

Best: Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps

These crunchy crisps are perfect for fall entertaining. Made with real pumpkin and dried cranberries, they offer a slightly sweet flavor that pairs wonderfully with cheeses like brie or sharp cheddar. Their light, crispy texture makes them a great addition to any charcuterie board or a solo snack. They strike the right balance between festive and versatile, making them an autumn favorite. Whether for a party or just a cozy night in, these crisps are a win.

Worst: Pumpkin Spice Pretzel

Pumpkin Spice Pretzel are small, crunchy pretzels covered in a thick layer of pumpkin spice yogurt coating, but the flavor balance is off. The yogurt coating is overly sweet and doesn’t work well with the salty pretzel base. The artificial pumpkin spice flavor is overpowering, turning what could have been a balanced snack into a candy-like treat that’s too sugary. They’re also messy, with the coating melting quickly in your hands, making them more hassle than they’re worth.

Best: Honeycrisp Apple Granola

This granola blend is a perfect nod to one of fall’s best fruits—the Honeycrisp apple. The crunchy clusters of oats mixed with dried apple pieces and a touch of honey make for a delicious and balanced snack. It’s perfect for adding to yogurt, sprinkling on ice cream, or enjoying on its own. The light cinnamon seasoning enhances the apple flavor without overpowering it. This granola is a great way to bring a taste of autumn to your breakfast or snack time.

Worst: Pumpkin Overnight Oats

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Overnight Oats sound like a convenient and festive breakfast option, but they fall short in terms of flavor and texture. The oats are overly mushy, lacking the satisfying chew that you’d expect from a good bowl of overnight oats. The pumpkin flavor is underwhelming and feels artificial, with too much cinnamon and nutmeg overpowering any natural pumpkin taste. It’s also too sweet for many, making it hard to enjoy as a healthy breakfast option. While the convenience is appealing, the flavor and texture leave much to be desired, making this one of Trader Joe’s less successful seasonal items.

Best: Pumpkin Cheesecake Croissants

While these croissants sound like they should be a decadent treat, the reality is less exciting. The pumpkin cheesecake filling is overly sweet and lacks the tangy depth of real cheesecake, while the croissant itself doesn’t achieve the flakiness you’d expect. The result is more doughy than flaky, making for a dense pastry that doesn’t live up to its promise. Despite the festive idea, the execution falls flat, leaving this snack in the “pass” category.

Worsts: Pumpkin Cheesecake

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cheesecake has the potential to be a rich, fall-flavored dessert, but it misses the mark for many. The texture is dense and heavy, lacking the creamy smoothness you expect from a good cheesecake. The pumpkin flavor, while present, is muted, and the spices don’t quite come through as boldly as they should. Additionally, the sweetness is overpowering, making it difficult to finish even a small slice without feeling overwhelmed. Despite its festive concept, this dessert doesn’t live up to expectations and is more of a miss than a must-have.

Best: Maple & Sea Salt Kettle Corn

For fans of sweet and salty snacks, Trader Joe’s Maple & Sea Salt Kettle Corn is a must-try. Each kernel is perfectly popped and lightly coated in real maple syrup, with a dash of sea salt to balance the sweetness. The result is an addictive snack that’s perfect for fall movie nights or casual snacking. The maple flavor is authentic without being overpowering, and the popcorn remains light and crunchy. It’s a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create an amazing snack.

Worst: Halloween Joe-Joe’s Cookies

While Trader Joe’s Halloween Joe-Joe’s Cookies are visually fun with their spooky designs, they disappoint when it comes to taste and texture. The cookies themselves are dry and crumbly, lacking the rich, chocolaty flavor you’d hope for in an Oreo-style treat. The vanilla cream filling has an artificial taste, and the orange coloring, while festive, doesn’t add anything to the flavor. They’re cute for a Halloween-themed party, but many find them underwhelming when it comes to actually eating them. For the price, there are better cookie options available at Trader Joe’s.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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