I don’t have a sweet tooth. I have a salty-sweet tooth. I love chocolate-covered pretzels and I demand a sprinkling of crunchy sea salt on my chocolate chip cookies. So, I was psyched to spot Trader Joe’s new Snacky Clusters on the shelf. Here’s what’s in them: Sea Salt Potato Chips, Corn Chip Dippers (some of the best corn chips out there), and Mini Pretzel Nuggets, all crushed up and coated with milk chocolate. It sounds perfect. But is it? Here’s my review.
Let’s start with the positive. Trader Joe’s Snacky Clusters are crunchy. They have a great mix of textures thanks to the thin, crispy chips (we happen to love TJ’s potato chips), the thick, crunchy corn chips, and the chunky pretzels. And the chocolate is good, too. It almost tastes European—it has that little bit of fruitiness and it’s exceptionally creamy. The flavor of the corn chips with the chocolate is fun and unique. And the size of the clusters is just right. You can eat them in one bite, no problem. Okay, now it’s time to take your medicine, TJ’s. Where is the salt?!!! I can’t believe between sea salt chips and salted pretzels, I barely tasted any salt. It’s a big let down. I would even accept a sprinkling of sea salt on top of the clusters as a solution if the snacks themselves somehow lose their salt in the cooking process. I’m not mad, TJ’s, I’m just disappointed. Let’s correct this for the next batch, shall we?
Hi! I’m the editor-in-chief of Sporked. I will never turn down a fresh-shucked oyster but I’ll also leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and I love a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients.
Why you should trust me: I have been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and am an avid at-home cook and snacker. I began my career writing about fine dining and recipes, moved into cocktails and spirits, and now I talk about groceries. If you can eat it or drink it, I’ve probably written about it.
What I buy every week: Trader Joe’s dried okra. Appleton Farms prosciutto from Aldi. Some sort of Trader Joe’s cheese (I’m into the aged gouda at the moment). Frozen waffles (usually the Eggo Cinnamon Toast Minis). Spindrift water (loving the Cosmopolitan right now).
Favorite ranking: Smoked salmon. Imagine me as Scrooge McDuck but instead of coins I’m diving into a vault of slippery smoked salmon slices. Pure joy. I also found some real steals in that taste test!
Least favorite ranking: Canned oysters. I had such high hopes for this but it quickly became a chore. The kitchen smelled like an uncleaned aquarium.
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Justine Sterling
Jordan Myrick
Gwynedd Stuart
