Come September, it’s time for Trader Joe’s to become the haven of fall lovers. All of a sudden, things start becoming pumpkin-inspired, or maple flavored, or covered in cinnamon, and before I know it, there I am walking out with five fall snacks that I had no intention of purchasing.
However, not all of the fall products stocked at Trader Joe’s are worth the space in my already crowded pantry. So, to fall into the season without purchasing all the orange packages, here are some of the seasonal snacks from Trader Joe’s that deserve to make it to my grocery basket.
1. Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s
For those who will settle for purchasing just one item in pumpkin flavor, I suggest that you get this item. These are the pumpkin-flavored Joe-Joe’s, and these offer you a new spin on the traditional sandwich cookies. They’re sweet and spiced, making them more of a dessert than snack, but I believe that’s the best way to describe a Trader Joe’s seasonal product.
Best for: Your sweet tooth.
2. Maple leaf cookies
Technically speaking, these could exist outside the fall season, but there’s just something right about enjoying a cookie shaped like a maple leaf in October. This cookie is made of two crispy cookies with a creamy filling in between, and it tastes like fall without needing the use of pumpkin spice. These cookies are sweet, so you don’t need to eat many of them.
Best for: Anyone who’s already tired of pumpkin.
3. Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels
Salty and sweet lovers, I have something for you. This is a very tiny pretzel that is dusted with a pumpkin spice dusting on top of which some crushed pumpkin spiced pumpkin seeds are sprinkled. It may seem that there’s so much going on, but it really does work. The salty pretzel makes sure that the sweetness doesn’t get to be overpowering.
Best for: Mindless snacking during a study session.
4. Apple cider donuts
No food says fall more than an apple cider donut. The Trader Joe’s version is soft, sweet and delicious to eat while drinking something hot. Heating it for a few seconds is just a way of making it even better. Is it exactly the same as buying a cider donut after a day spent at a pumpkin patch? Not quite. But it’s a fairly close second when you’re busy with school all week.
Best for: Pretending your kitchen is a fall bakery.
5. Pumpkin cranberry crisps
Listen, before you dismiss these because they don’t involve something coated in chocolate. These crackers blend together pumpkin, cranberry and fall spices to make a snack that goes wonderfully with cheese. Instead of being more like a dessert, it’s more along the lines of “my friends and I made a charcuterie board.” Add some goat cheese, brie, or any creamy cheese on top, and you instantly become much fancier.
Best for: A fall girl’s Nights.
6. Pumpkin Spice batons
But if you prefer crunchy, light snacks over heavy, rich desserts, add these to your basket. The rolled wafer cookies are filled with pumpkin spices and go well with your morning coffee. I would definitely buy those to have them around my desk and nibble on throughout the day (but “nibble” is probably an understatement).
Best for: Your afternoon coffee break.
If you want to try to save yourself from spending half your grocery money on seasonal snacks, I would suggest sticking to just three: Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s for some sweetness, Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels for sweet and salty, and Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps for a treat that could actually become a snack.
I’m sure that Trader Joe’s would not stop at tempting me with another 20 varieties of pumpkin treats while going to the checkout, because that’s how it’s supposed to be. After all, they don’t stay in season forever, and that’s the very reason why you have to buy them right now.