Trader Joe’s fall edition has become just as anticipated as Halloween itself with 2025 being one of the most popular years yet. With shelves stocked with cozy flavors, from pumpkin, to maple, to apple, the choices are endless. I tasted over a dozen items, returning and new, where highlights shined through and others were better off staying in the store.
The snack aisle continues to prove that Trader Joe’s knows how to do fall flavors right. The height of this section starts with the maple sea salt kettle corn: flakes of sea salt on a coating of sweet maple glaze. The moment the bag opens, a gust of sweet air fills the atmosphere practically inviting you in.
Returning to the snack shelves, the pumpkin tortilla chips are just as tasty as before, but the fall leaf chips don’t live up to their fun look. While they could be great for a festive party, the chips are simply basic and nothing special on their own.
When it comes to the main course, the frozen section hit the nail on the head. The butternut squash mac and cheese remains a seasonal favorite for all shoppers, but the new butternut squash risotto gives it real competition. Both are standouts, but if I had to choose, I’d go with the risotto for its creamy texture and perfectly balanced flavors. It’s the kind of dish that makes you forget it’s from the freezer.
The desserts, as always, are where Trader Joe’s shines. The pumpkin sheet cake and apple cider donuts remain classic and flawless. But if you want to branch out, grab a pack of the pumpkin blondie brownies. Pillowy soft and filled with pumpkin flavors and spices, they feel homemade and the kind of dessert that’s gone in one day.
Of course, not everything is a winner. The pumpkin batons should be avoided at all costs. The pumpkin flavor was nonexistent, practically tasting like nothing, and the texture inside was grainy and coarse. Honestly, it tastes more like packing peanuts than a sweet treat.
Even worse, without a doubt, the pumpkin spice coffee beans. The flavor of the coffee was similar to a spiced tea but in a coffee it tasted watered down, nauseating, and utterly vile. The next day when I smelled the beans, I felt sick to my stomach. Even as I sit writing this, my stomach churns at the mere thought of this drink.
Overall, the fall haul was a rollercoaster. While some foods made me want to buy in bulk to save for the winter, others made me wish I never tried them. Stick with the blondies, kettle corn, and risotto and it’s a golden experience. However, if you must try the coffee beans, don’t say I didn’t warn you.