“In Joe We Trust”: The Cult of Trader Joe’s Favorites
Let’s face it—Trader Joe’s isn’t just a grocery store; it’s a lifestyle. Fans practically have their own secret language of frozen favorites, seasonal drops, and snacks that sell out faster than pumpkin spice anything. From viral condiments to the frozen meals people stockpile, these are the Trader Joe’s products people can’t stop obsessing over.
Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
Okay, so did you really think we would start with anything else? It began as a humble spice blend and became a Trader Joe’s icon. Sesame, garlic, onion, and sea salt make anything taste gourmet—eggs, popcorn, avocado toast, you name it. It even inspired an entire Everything But the Bagel product line.
Harrison Keely, Wikimedia Commons
Mandarin Orange Chicken
This crispy, tangy, easy-to-make dish is Trader Joe’s royalty. Fans swear it tastes like restaurant takeout—minus the delivery fee. Bake, toss in the sauce, and dinner’s done. It’s one of the most consistently top-rated frozen meals at TJ’s.
Air Fryer Trader Joe's Orange Chicken, Melanie Cooks
Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Nuggets
Crunchy, salty, and packed with creamy peanut butter—these little nuggets are dangerously snackable. Perfect for road trips or late-night cravings, they strike the perfect balance of salty and sweet. People actually panic when shelves run dry.
Trader Joes - "Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels" Taste Test, Mixed Medley
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Forget Reese’s—these are pure luxury in bite-sized form. The dark chocolate shell and rich peanut butter filling make them a fan favorite. They even come in mini cups for “portion control”—not that anyone ever stops at one.
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - Foodz Unbox 328, FoodzFolkz
Cauliflower Gnocchi
It’s the healthy hero that proved cauliflower can do anything. Sauté it (don’t boil!), and you get crispy, chewy perfection. Gluten-free, veggie-packed, and versatile—this gnocchi is a freezer MVP that even non-dieters hoard.
Chili Onion Crunch
Meet the condiment that broke the internet. Crispy garlic, onion, and chili flakes in oil—this flavor bomb levels up pasta, eggs, pizza, and even ice cream (yes, really). Fans call it “Trader Joe’s magic in a jar.”
Crunch Chili Onion - Trader Joe’s Product Review, The Tiny Reviewer
Speculoos Cookie Butter
The OG cult favorite. Made from crushed Belgian cookies, this sweet, spiced spread is dessert in a jar. Fans put it on waffles, toast, ice cream—or just eat it by the spoonful. It’s a legend for a reason.
Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter Ice Cream Review, Tami Dunn
Unexpected Cheddar
A cheese lover’s dream—sharp cheddar meets nutty Parmesan in one bite. Great for mac and cheese, grilled sandwiches, or cheese boards, this fan-favorite regularly sells out. The flavor? Sharp, creamy, and (you guessed it) unexpected.
Unexpected Cheddar Cheese (Ep. #36) - Trader Joe’s Product Review, The Tiny Reviewer
Gone Bananas! Frozen Banana Slices
Chocolate-covered frozen banana bites: simple, genius, and totally addictive. These bite-sized frozen treats are refreshing and guilt-free. Most fans regret only buying one box.
Gone Bananas! (Ep. #40) - Trader Joe’s Product Review, The Tiny Reviewer
Everything But the Elote Seasoning
Inspired by Mexican street corn, this smoky, tangy spice blend adds instant flavor to popcorn, tacos, or roasted veggies. Fans even use it to rim margarita glasses. It’s like summer in a shaker.
FIVE of the BEST WAYS to USE SPICES: TRADER JOE'S Everything But the Elote Blend, Chef EB TV
Dark Russet Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips
A snack-world dark horse—literally. Deeply golden and caramelized, these thick, crunchy chips are beloved for their toasty flavor. Fans stockpile them in fear they’ll vanish again (they’ve been “discontinued” before and caused uproar).
🇨🇦 Dark Russet Kettle-Cooked Potato Chips - Trader Joe’s Product Review, The Tiny Reviewer
Trader Joe’s Hashbrowns
Crispy, golden, and better than fast food, these frozen hashbrowns make mornings easy. Air fry or pan-fry, add eggs, and you’ve got a diner-level breakfast. Fans swear they’re better than McDonald’s.
Trader Joe's Hashbrowns Review 🥔, What's Good at Trader Joe's?
Jo-Jo’s Cookies
TJ’s take on Oreos—and many say they’re even better. Creamier filling, richer cookie, and seasonal flavors like peppermint and pumpkin spice make them a year-round favorite.
Mini Hold the Cone! Ice Cream Cones
Mini cones, maximum joy. Crunchy, creamy, and adorably tiny, they’re the perfect sweet bite. Flavors like chocolate, vanilla, and seasonal peppermint vanish faster than freezer space.
Green Goddess Dressing
A cult-favorite dressing made from avocado, herbs, and garlic that turns any salad into something special. It doubles as a dip, spread, or marinade. Some fans say they’d “drink it straight.”
TJ's Green Goddess Dressing // Oil-Free Version // Starch Solution, Gish Gets Fit
Trader Joe’s Frozen Mac & Cheese
Rich, creamy, and comfort-food certified, this four-cheese frozen mac tastes homemade. With cheddar, Swiss, Havarti, and gouda, it’s restaurant-level comfort food—ready in minutes.
Tovala Oven - Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese, P. C. Lamarine
Spicy Cashew Butter Dressing
This underrated superstar adds a nutty, spicy kick to salads and noodles. Creamy and slightly sweet, it’s so addictive that people buy multiple bottles “just in case.”
Trader Joe’s Spicy Cashew Butter Dressing, Bareknucklebeauty
Frozen Chicken Tikka Masala
TJ’s take on Indian comfort food hits the mark—tender chicken, rich tomato sauce, and perfectly portioned rice. It’s one of the brand’s most-loved frozen meals for a reason.
Trader Joe's Chicken Tikka Masala and Fiery Chicken Curry, Foodie A1C
Ube Ice Cream
A purple Instagram legend. Made from sweet purple yams, this ice cream is creamy, nutty, and visually stunning. It’s seasonal—so when it returns, fans buy in bulk.
NEW TRADER JOE’S UBE MOCHI FROZEN DESSERT REVIEW, GlenRok Eats
Vegan Kale, Cashew & Basil Pesto
A vegan pesto so good even carnivores love it. Creamy, garlicky, and herby, it’s perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or veggies. One of TJ’s best plant-based creations.
Trader Joe's Vegan Kale Cashew Basil Pesto, VeganEatsTreats
Hold the Dairy! Chocolate Mini Cones
The dairy-free twist on a classic—made with coconut milk but still creamy and rich. Vegans (and non-vegans) can’t get enough.
🇮🇹 Hold The Dairy Salted Caramel Mini Cones - Trader Joe’s Product Review, The Tiny Reviewer
Pumpkin Butter
When fall hits, Trader Joe’s pumpkin takeover begins—and this spiced, velvety spread is the crown jewel. Perfect on toast, oatmeal, or straight from the jar. Fans hoard it before it’s gone.
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter Review: Spreading Autumn Joy on Every Bite!, Jason Mazurek
Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de Queijo)
These chewy, cheesy puffs are a hidden gem. Gluten-free, crispy on the outside, and soft inside—they taste bakery-fresh straight from the oven.
Frozen Chocolate Croissants
You proof them overnight, bake in the morning, and voilà—Paris in your kitchen. Buttery, flaky, and melt-in-your-mouth good. A breakfast miracle.
Trader Joe's: 4 Chocolate Croissants Review, Tami Dunn
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
This seasonal sensation combines creamy cheese sauce with sweet butternut squash for the ultimate fall comfort food. It’s rich, cozy, and sadly only available for a limited time.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese - Trader Joe’s Product Review, The Tiny Reviewer
Peppermint Bark
When the holidays roll around, Trader Joe’s Peppermint Bark becomes a must-have. The creamy chocolate, crunchy candy bits, and festive flavor keep fans counting down to its return every year.
Trader Joe's Peppermint Taste Test, Good Mythical Morning
Trader Joe’s Advent Calendar for Cats & Dogs
Yes, even pets have joined the cult. These treat-filled Advent calendars send furry friends into a frenzy every December. Shoppers say their pets actually recognize the box.
Trader Joe's Advent Calendar For Cats Review And Giveaway, Lucky Ferals
Cheese-Less Cheesecake
A vegan miracle. Creamy, tangy, and shockingly close to the real thing, TJ’s dairy-free cheesecake has turned skeptics into believers. It’s proof that indulgence doesn’t need dairy.
Trader Joe's Cheese-less Cheesecake Non-Dairy Vegan, VeganEatsTreats
Bamba Peanut Snacks
A snack straight from Israel that’s taken the U.S. by storm. Airy, peanut-buttery, and ridiculously addictive, these melt-in-your-mouth puffs are loved by kids and adults alike.
Bamba Peanut Snacks (Ep. #84) - Trader Joe’s Product Review, The Tiny Reviewer
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