Justine Sterling
While some grocery stores are content to simply start selling cinnamon brooms and boxed stuffing, Trader Joe’s celebrates fall with a full god-damn collection of Trader Joe’s fall items. The whole place turns into a scavenger hunt for fall flavors like pumpkin spice, of course, as well as butternut squash, maple, and apple. But, like so many TJ’s products, some Trader Joe’s fall foods are amazing, some are okay, and some taste like strange edible experiments made by an overly ambitious aunt.
Every year, we try all the foods and drinks we can find in Trader Joe’s fall lineup. And every year, we add our new favorites to this ranking of the best Trader Joe’s fall items. After tasting through Trader Joe’s fall 2025 catalog, we added nine new items to the list. We dare you to buy all 21 Trader Joe’s fall items in one visit and enjoy a lovely conversation with the checkout person about your intense devotion to autumn. Tell them about us, too. We say hi.
Here are the best Trader Joe’s fall items to buy this year.
- Trader Joe’s Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies
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If you love those little pink and white frosted animal cookies, and you love pumpkin spice, you’re going to flip for these. The cookies are gingery and the frosting coating is smooth and creamy. But my favorite feature are the little sprinkle beads, which add unbeatable texture and crunch.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Pumpkin & Spice Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix
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This Trader Joe’s fall-flavored cookie mix does require some work on your part. It’s not place-and-bake. You need to cream butter, crack an egg, and mix it all together before rolling balls of dough in the provided cinnamon-sugar mix. But it’s still easier than fully making cookies from scratch. And the resulting cookies are really good. They taste like snickerdoodles. They taste like pumpkin spice. They even taste like pumpkin. And they’re delightfully chewy. You could bring these to a party or a dinner or your office and everyone would be really impressed. Plus, your house will smell great after you bake them.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Greek Nonfat Pumpkin Yogurt
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I still can’t believe this is nonfat Greek yogurt. It’s so decadent! It’s so creamy and thick! And it actually tastes like pumpkin rather than pumpkin spice. The pumpkin is earthy and a little bit fruity, and it’s a fun change from the usual berry or stone fruit you find in a flavored Greek yogurt. Paired with a little granola or even just some crunchy pumpkin seeds, this is a great way to start a fall morning.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Sweet Cinnamon Filled Korean Pancakes
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I cooked these cinnamon-filled pancakes in the microwave and they stayed soft and chewy. If you want some crisp coating, warm them in the air fryer. Either way you’ll get a not-too-sweet treat that’s extremely reminiscent of funnel cake or a yeasted doughnut. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s the kind of treat you won’t stop thinking about after having one.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Sliced Apple Cinnamon Sourdough Bread
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Why haven’t I had this before? Why isn’t this as common as cinnamon raisin bread? It makes some of the best toast. It gets crusty and chewy. The apple bits are tender. There’s just a hint of cinnamon. It’s not sweet—it’s tangy, like good sourdough. And it comes presliced in thick slices. While it’s great for morning or afternoon toast, I also bet this would make a killer grilled cheese sandwich.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini
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Honestly, I think Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini is better than the regular Trader Joe’s Espresso Martini. And we liked the regular one. It’s sweet and spiced and, notably, not creamy (real Espresso Martinis are not creamy). It’s nothing particularly sophisticated but it’ll be the perfect thing to sip on while you carve pumpkins. And, if you’re like my colleague Gwynedd Stuart, you’ll probably add a bit more vodka to the mix to cut the concentrated sweetness.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spiced Joe-Joe’s Sandwich Cookies
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Regular Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s are good. But why eat those when these Pumpkin Spiced Joe-Joe’s Sandwich Cookies exist? They’re coated in pumpkin spiced yogurt-flavored coating and topped with a touch of sea salt. They are BIG and they bring big flavor, too. Take a bite and you’ll get flavors of pumpkin and ginger and spice and cream and salt. It’s a lot to pack into just one cookie.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Maple Pancake Snaps
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Big round of applause for food science. These cookies taste exactly like melted, salted butter mixed with maple syrup. They really capture the flavor of a stack of flapjacks, but they’re small, crispy, and buttery. I feel like I should be hearing more about these Trader Joe’s cookies. Don’t sleep on them.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Apple Pie Spread
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It’s exactly as you would hope. This is apple pie filling, just smooth. It’s sweet-tart and not overly seasoned with cinnamon. And before you ask, yes, this is different from apple butter. It’s very much apple pie flavored rather than just concentrated apple. Slather this on toast and start the day the cozy way.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Gnocchi
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Gnocchi are always a hit in my house. And Trader Joe’s gnocchi is consistently good. This one is no exception. It’s cozy and chewy (in the right kind of way) and you can taste just a little bit of earthy-sweet pumpkin on the finish. Served with some brown butter and sage, this is the start of a simple but seriously satisfying fall dinner. If you’re looking for a pasta within Trader Joe’s fall lineup, skip the raviolis and pick this one instead.
Credit: Liv Averett
- Egg White Bites Harvest Vegetable Hash
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You must love sage to love these autumnal Trader Joe’s egg bites. Luckily, I do. Along with the sage, these bites are loaded with sweet potatoes and butternut squash. And there’s a good amount of cheese in the mix, too, so they’re super savory and satisfying. They cook up quick in the microwave and maintain a tender texture. They’re gluten free, low cal, and high in flavor.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Bagels
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I will be buying these pumpkin bagels again. They’re so chewy and pumpkin-y with just a hint of pumpkin spice. We tried these untoasted and still loved them. But hot from the toaster with a crunchy exterior? This is the kind of breakfast you enjoy wrapped up in some sort of shawl-sweater hybrid while taking in the color-changing fall foliage.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onion Tart
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Sold in the refrigerated section by the salads and wraps, this heat-and-eat tart is extremely good. The filling is cheesy and earthy and squashy and like French onion soup but a tart. The crust gets super crispy and stays buttery. It’s all of my favorite fall flavors in one far-too-easy-to-eat item. You can serve this for brunch, lunch, dinner—a midnight snack. It’s better than anything you can make at home and definitely one of the best Trader Joe’s fall items to buy this year.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Croissants
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Imagine if a Danish and a croissant and some pumpkin pie had a tasty pastry baby. That’s what you get with this treat (which you’ll find in the frozen breakfast section). The filling is tangy and fruity (in that pumpkin-y way), and the pastry is perfectly flaky and layered and crispy. These croissants rival pastries I’ve gotten from local coffee shops.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Maple Pancake Flavored Puffs
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I’m a big fan of these puffs. They’re big, honking puffs that are confusingly shaped like croissants. And they tasted exactly like a butter- and maple syrup-drenched pancake. They also happen to be vegan and gluten free. Some folks wanted more flavor. But I think the restrained flavor makes them easier to eat by the handful.
Credit: Merc
- Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Bites
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Looking for a Thanksgiving appetizer? Not anymore, because you’ve got this. These little pastry bites are topped with ricotta and squash puree. The pastry is flaky as all get out, the cheese is creamy and salty, and the squash is seasoned so it’s not too sweet. I’ll admit, these didn’t come out looking Insta-ready. But they taste so good, you won’t have time to photograph them before they’re all gone anyway.
Credit: Liv Averett
- Butternut Squash Risotto
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People freak out when this frozen risotto comes back and they are right to do so. It’s so good. It’s savory and creamy and just butternut squashy enough to make it feel like a fall treat. The rice stays decently al dente even in the microwave. And it’s seasoned enough that you don’t even need cheese—though it certainly wouldn’t hurt. If you topped this with some fried sage people would think you were a pro chef.
Credit: Merc / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Brioche
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Out of all of Trader Joe’s fall products, this is probably the one I look forward to the most. You just can’t find it anywhere else. The bread itself is airy and chewy and just a bit pumpkin-y. The cinnamon swirl adds the right amount of sweetness—you won’t feel like you’re eating dessert for breakfast, but you will feel like you’re getting a treat. And you can eat it on its own or toasted. (It’s truly spectacular toasted.) When I bought this for our taste test, the checkout guy said I should try it as french toast. Hell yeah.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Lasagna
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Trader Joe’s really went all out with this autumnal lasagna. The egg noodle sheets are layered with butternut squash sauce and cheesy bechamel sauce, and it’s topped with breadcrumbs, cheese, and crunchy pumpkin seeds. It’s a textural fall wonderland. And it’s so, so, so cheesy. If you are looking to sneak some butternut squash into someone’s diet, feed them this. While it certainly takes time (45 minutes in the oven!), it’s worth it.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese
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I have one word for this jewel within the mountain of Trader Joe’s fall items: incredible. It’s savory, cheesy, and creamy. And it has a hint of sweetness from the squash puree. It’s hard to stop eating it. It’s so well seasoned and that hint of black pepper really puts it over the edge. Folks really hyped up this frozen mac and cheese, but it surpassed even the highest praise.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Maple Leaf Ice Cream Sandwiches
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These new ice cream sandwiches might be the best of all the Trader Joe’s fall items to hit stores this year. The cookies themselves are leaf-shaped and beautiful—there’s so much detail! And they’re soft enough that you can bite through the sandwich without the ice cream completely squidging out. The ice cream is buttery and creamy and subtle in its maple quality. The whole thing comes together to taste like a maple-soaked buttered waffle. But ice cream.
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
Best Sprinkle Cookie
Best Baking Mix
Best Yogurt
Best International Dish
Best Toast
Best Booze
Best Cookie Sandwich
Best Cookies
Best Spread
Best Pasta
Best Microwave Breakfast
Best Bagel
Best Tart
Best Frozen Breakfast
Best Snack
Best Frozen Appetizer
Best Side Dish
Best Bread
Runner-Up
Best of the Best
Best Frozen Dessert
Other Trader Joe’s fall items we tried:
Pumpkin Spice Cream Liqueur, Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay, Harvest Chili, Maple Leaf Cookies, Pumpkin Biscotti, Pumpkin Pie Bagels Gluten Free, Maple & Sea Salt Kettle Popcorn, Pumpkin Flavored Joe-Joe’s, Pumpkin Butternut Squash Bisque, Pumpkin Bread and Muffin Baking Mix (gf), Non Dairy Oat Creamer Cinnamon Bun, Toscano Dusted with Cinnamon, White Stilton with Apple and Pear, Pumpkin Spice Flavored Cold Brew, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Fall Zucchette Pasta, Autumnal Harvest Soup, Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce, Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli, Gluten Free Pumpkin Ravioli, Apple Cider Donuts, Pumpkin Waffles, Maple Sea Salt Kettle Popcorn, All Butter Apple Shortbread Cookies, Pumpkin Bisque
Hebba Gouda
Vinz Karl
