Trader Joe’s Just Dropped These 5 Under-$5 Treats You Need Now

Trader Joe’s has done it again—April is full of irresistible new treats, and these five fresh finds all ring in at under $5. Whether you’re craving something sweet, tangy, or savory, there’s a budget-friendly gem waiting on shelves right now. Let’s break down the top picks you’ll want to toss into your cart ASAP.

1. Celebration Cake Pretzels $2.99/7 Oz

These yogurt-covered mini pretzels are dipped in a rich cake-flavored coating and sprinkled with festive rainbow nonpareils.

Taste Test:

Sweet and salty perfection! Think vanilla frosting with a hint of birthday cake mix, balanced by the crunch of the pretzel.

Texture:

Crispy pretzel core with a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth coating and satisfying sprinkle crunch.

Nutritional Facts:

• Calories: 150 per 5 pretzels (30g)
• Total Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Sodium: 170mg
• Dietary Fiber: less than 1g
• Sugars: 14g
• Protein: 2g

Ingredients:

White Candy Coating (Sugar, Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Oil, Whey Powder, Nonfat Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin [Emulsifier], Natural Flavors), Pretzels (Unbleached Enriched Flour [Wheat Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid], Malted Barley Flour, Salt, Soybean Oil), Yogurt Flavored Coating (Sugar, Palm Kernel Oil, Whey Powder, Nonfat Dry Milk, Yogurt Powder [Nonfat Milk, Lactic Acid], Soy Lecithin [Emulsifier], Vanilla Extract [Water, Ethyl Alcohol, Vanilla Bean Extractives]), Rainbow Nonpareils (Sugar, Cornstarch, Maltodextrin, Lemon Juice, Color Added [Spirulina Extract, Paprika Oleoresin, Turmeric, Vegetable Juice], Carnauba Wax). Contains: Milk, Soy, Wheat. May Contain: Egg, Peanut, Almond, Cashew, Coconut, Pecan.

Pair-With:

Perfect with coffee, or toss a few into a trail mix with nuts and chocolate chips for an elevated snack.

2. Caro Sugo Italian Tomato Basil Pasta Sauce $4.99/24.3 Oz

Imported from Italy, this authentic sauce blends ripe tomatoes, garlic, and sweet basil for a simple yet rich flavor.

Taste Test:

Bright and fresh with a slow-simmered depth—this is no jarred afterthought. It’s got a homemade flair with a touch of sweetness.

Texture:

Thick and slightly chunky, ideal for clinging to pasta or spooning over grilled veggies.

Nutritional Facts:

• Calories: 60 per 1/2 cup (113g)
• Total Fat: 2g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Sodium: 570mg
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugars: 6g
• Protein: 2g

Ingredients:

Whole Peeled Tomatoes (Tomatoes, Tomato Juice, Citric Acid [Acidifier]), Olive Oil, Diced Onion, Sea Salt, Chopped Garlic, Chopped Basil, Dried Oregano.

Pair-With:

Serve with Trader Joe’s organic spaghetti, use as a pizza base, or spoon over grilled eggplant slices.

3. Lemon Poppy Seed Buns $4.49/7.4 Oz

Soft, citrusy buns swirled with lemon curd and topped with a sweet glaze and crunchy poppy seeds.

Taste Test:

Tangy lemon meets buttery pastry—like a spring morning in bun form. The glaze adds just the right sweetness.

Texture:

Fluffy, tender dough with a gooey citrus filling and a light crisp from the baked edges.

Nutritional Facts:

• Calories: 390 per bun (105g)
• Total Fat: 17g
• Carbohydrates: 53g
• Sodium: 280mg
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 25g
• Protein: 6g

Ingredients:

Wheat Flour, Sugar, Water, Palm Oil, Canola Oil, Yeast, Contains 2% Or Less Of Skim Milk Powder, Poppy Seed, Modified Potato Starch, Lemon Peel, Egg White, Whey Powder, Egg Powder, Orange Pulp, Egg Yolk, Dextrose, Salt, Wheat Gluten, Lemon Puree Concentrate, Modified Tapioca Starch, Pectin, Lime Puree Concentrate, Citric Acid (Acidifier), Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, Disodium Diphosphate, Citrus Fiber, Sodium Carbonate, Glucose-Fructose Syrup, Coconut Oil, Rapeseed Lecithin, Corn Flour, Natural Flavor, Sodium Alginate, Sunflower Lecithin, Trisodium Citrate, Glucose Syrup, Orange Puree Concentrate, Tricalcium Citrate, Ascorbic Acid (To Preserve), Beta-Carotene (Color), Gum Tragacanth, Milk Protein Isolate, Ascorbic Acid (Dough Conditioner), Enzyme, Vitamin A Palmitate, Riboflavin (Color). Contains Milk, Egg, Wheat. May Contain Almond, Hazelnut, Walnut, Coconut.

Pair-With:

Goes great with Earl Grey tea or a dollop of crème fraîche on the side.

4. Chocolate Chip Energy Bar $1.19/2.4 Oz

A dense, chewy bar packed with oats, peanut butter, and mini chocolate chips—perfect for snacking or pre-workout fuel.

Taste Test:

Nutty and satisfying with the right balance of sweetness. The chocolate chips are the hero here—tiny but mighty.

Texture:

Chewy and hearty with a subtle crunch from oat pieces and nuts.

Nutritional Facts:

• Calories: 260 per bar (68g)
• Total Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 43g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Dietary Fiber: 5g
• Sugars: 15g
• Protein: 10g

Ingredients:

Oats*, Brown Rice Syrup*, Soy Protein Crisps (Soy Protein Isolate, Rice Flour, Sea Salt), Tapioca Syrup*, Chocolate Chips* (Cane Sugar*, Unsweetened Chocolate*, Cocoa Butter*), Invert Sugar Syrup*, Lowfat Soy Flour*, Glycerin*, Oat Hull Fiber*, Sunflower Oil*, Natural Flavors*, Cinnamon*, Sea Salt. *Organic

Pair-With:

Great with a banana and coffee for breakfast-on-the-go or tossed into a gym bag.

5. Passion Fruit Meringue Tartelettes $4.99/7.05 Oz

Mini tartlets with a crisp cookie crust, passion fruit curd center, and delicate meringue top—tiny but flavor-packed.

Taste Test:

Tropical and tangy! The passion fruit curd is bold and bright, mellowed by the soft sweetness of the meringue.

Texture:

Crumbly tart base, smooth curd, and fluffy marshmallow-like top—it’s a textural trifecta.

Nutritional Facts:

• Calories: 320 per tartelette (100g)
• Total Fat: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 44g
• Sodium: 70mg
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 31g
• Protein: 3g

Ingredients:

Passion Fruit Puree, Sugar, Wheat Flour, Powdered Sugar (Sugar, Cornstarch), Cultured Butter (Cream, Lactic Acid Starter Culture), Concentrated Butter (Anhydrous Milk Fat), Glaze (Glucose Syrup [Wheat], Sugar, Water, Pectin, Sodium Alginate, Citric Acid [Acidifier]), Water, Apricot (Apricot, Ascorbic Acid [To Maintain Color], Citric Acid [Acidifier]), Egg White, Cream (Cream, Carrageenan), Egg, Pectin, Almond Flour, Salt, Egg White Powder, Xanthan Gum.

Pair-With:

Enjoy with sparkling wine or herbal tea, or serve as an elegant dessert platter centerpiece.

Conclusion

These five under-$5 treats prove that Trader Joe’s knows how to keep things fun, flavorful, and affordable. Whether you’re stocking up for snack time, dessert, or your next pasta night, these April arrivals deserve a spot in your cart—before they’re gone!