Fall, autumn, cozy season, spooky season. Whatever you want to call it, the best time of the year is officially here. The scent of Apple Cinnamon Glade Plug-In fills the air, I’m chugging cider daily, and haters can no longer make fun of all things pumpkin. Most importantly, Trader Joe's has released new seasonal products. Alongside the return of beloved, ride or die fall classics like Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese and Caramel Apple Mochi, the TJ's overlords have given us a cornucopia of brand-new autumnal goodies to obsess over. Obviously, I had to try all the new fall Trader Joe's products as soon as I could get my pumpkin-loving hands on them. Here’s how it went.
1. Apple Cinnamon Buns
These beautiful buns are described as "crumb topped Danish pastries with apple filling and cinnamon." It’s like if cinnamon buns and apple pie had a baby. Luckily, these aesthetically pleasing fusion baked goods taste as good as they look.
The sweet, doughy, cinnamon-packed swirls are stuffed with a generous portion of apple filling, and the crumb topping is a delightful addition (who doesn’t love crumb topping?). These apple cinnamon buns would make an excellent cozy season breakfast, snack, or even dessert (I added ice cream and…*chef’s kiss*).
2. Honeycrisp Apple Granola
I was super excited about this one because Honeycrisp apples and granola are two of my favorite foods. Real Honeycrisp apples are the third ingredient in this fall-forward granola, and it shows. The apple flavor is vibrant and full, not artificial tasting, and tasty shards of freeze-dried apple add extra deliciousness.
It's like a trip to the apple orchard granola form. This Honeycrisp apple granola was lovely mixed into greek yogurt, and I’m looking forward to trying it warmed up with a bit of milk or tossed into a seasonal trail mix.
3. Teeny Tiny Apple Pies
As we’ve established, crumb topping is the GOAT of pastry elements. So the fact that these “pies” are 75% crumb toppings is a decidedly good thing. It’s all the best parts of pie distilled in a delightful little disc.
Fair warning though, these apple-y hand pies are basically impossible to eat with your hands (it’s called crumb topping for a reason). But that’s fine because they are best consumed with a spoon, warmed up, and topped with ice cream. You can thank me later.
4. Onion Confit Swirls
I'm not sure if these swirls are technically a seasonal item, but they are new and they are definitely giving fall. These crispy little swirls pack a not-so-miniature punch of umami flavor. It’s like french onion soup distilled in flaky bite-size form. I think these onion confit swirls would be perfect on a cute fall charcuterie board or as a crunchy topping for autumnal soups and salads.
5. Mini Maple-Flavored Marshmallows
First of all, maple isn’t really a fall flavor. Second of all, I’m not really a marshmallow girl. And yet here we are. What can I say? It's Trader Joe’s. And even I have to admit these mini (vegan!) maple-flavored marshmallows are quite tasty. They’re like little clouds of sweet maple deliciousness. I’ve just been eating them straight from the bag, but the possibilities are endless — I think they would make a lovely topping for almost any warm autumnal beverage, or a sweet addition to a seasonal cereal or trail mix.
6. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Ravioli
Pumpkin ravioli? Say less. Pumpkin, nutmeg, and cinnamon bring natural sweetness and delicate flavor to these ricotta-stuffed pasta pillows. I paired them with arugula, caramelized onions, and chicken thighs for a fancy-schmancy feeling fall dinner, and if TJ’s didn’t tell me these ravioli were gluten-free, I honestly don’t think I would know the difference.
7. Pumpkin Ginger Mini Scones
I am a die-hard ginger lover, so these adorable little pumpkin ginger scones were obvs calling my name. Sometimes I swear TJ's can read my mind. Anyway...expectations were high, and luckily these petite pastries did not disappoint. I loved the balance of warm pumpkin flavor with spicy-sweet crystallized ginger.
Trader Joe’s, if you're listening, I think an orange-ginger version of these would be excellent.
8. Butternut Squash Lasagna
Cheesy, creamy, and packed with autumnal goodies like squash, carrots, and pumpkin seeds, this unique lasagna is an ideal cozy season comfort meal. It kind of tastes like harvest bisque in cheesy layered pasta form. I also loved the textural contrast of the crunchy pumpkin seeds. I added red pepper flakes, and would definitely recommend adding your fave spicy condiment if you like a little kick.