Top 5 Trader Joe’s Fall Foods, Ranked

1. Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese

You would probably never think to pair butternut squash with mac and cheese, but Trader Joe’s did, and it’s a huge hit. Savanna Swain-Wilson with Insider says she’s “totally converted and this mac and cheese is amazing and may be my favorite thing I tried. The squash puree and three-cheese mixture melted seamlessly into each other, forming a mouthwatering and decadent bechamel. Rigatoni noodles turned out to be the ideal choice for supporting such a heavy sauce, giving every bite that gooey, cheesy goodness. The dish had bits of fresh sage sprinkled throughout, which gave it a strong herbal aroma and slight bitterness that perfectly balanced out the sweetness of butternut-squash flavor.”

“This savory rigatoni pasta boasts the perfect blend of cheese including Parmesan, cheddar, gouda, butternut squash pureé, and seasonal spices, like sage,” says Restaurant Clicks. “It’s a great dish you can microwave when you crave something hot after a long, cold day.”

“There was one box left when I looked for it, so I said why not?! And you guys, it was SO GOOD,” according to Green Wedding Shoes.  And it was easy to make, “just heat in the microwave (gotta love that)! I paired it with some grilled chicken and roasted green cauliflower for a yummy fall dinner. This is also probably one of their most popular fall items according to my local Trader Joe’s store.”

2. Pumpkin Spiced Joe-Joe’s Cookies

There are the fall theme versions of the classic Joe-Joe’s cookie and they don’t disappoint. “The cookies themselves were soft and scrumptious,” boasts Insider. “Basically, they’re everything a person could want in a fall cookie, and I’m always happy when I eat them. If these aren’t in your cabinet yet, immediately head to your nearest store and stock up on three or four boxes.”

“An autumnal spin on the classic Joe-Joe’s cookies, the popular Pumpkin Spiced Joe-Joe’s Cookies are for true pumpkin spice lovers,” according to Parade. “The treat starts with Pumpkin Joe Joe’s before being dipped in a sweet and impeccably Pumpkin Spiced yogurt-flavored coating that’s topped with a sprinkle of sea salt for balance.”

According to Tasting Table, “These are all about the filling, which is more pumpkin pie than pumpkin spice — which is why there’s now mention of spice on the box’s label. Without much zest from cinnamon or anything similar, the cookies end up being pretty darn sweet.”

3. Honeycrisp Apple Granola

Looking for a new twist to your granola? This best bet is made with dried Honeycrisp apple slices, sweetened with honey and molasses, and spiced with cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and clove. “I eat granola and yogurt almost every day for breakfast and am therefore always on the lookout for interesting flavors of granola to mix up my morning routine,” explains Emma Christensen, General Manager of Simply Recipes. “I love that this granola is apple-forward with just a hint of spice (think: ‘apple,’ not ‘apple pie’)—it’s been a fun way to start my day on these recent chilly fall mornings. The clusters are also big and sturdy enough to make my breakfast feel hearty or to eat out of hand as a snack later in the day.”

“It is sweet. It’s a granola,” adds Real Simple, noting that this product also “has a lot of nice apple flavor.” The website says, “Enjoy it with milk, like a breakfast cereal, or mix it in with some yogurt for an interesting combination of flavors and textures. While this item is only expected to be around for the fall, it might return in the near future if customers like it.”

According to Buzzfeed, “Honeycrisp apples and an array of fall spices make this the perfect yogurt pairing, ice cream topper, or even stand-alone snack.”

4. Pumpkin Ginger Scones

These first came to TJ’s in 2023 and Green Wedding Shoes loves them saying they are “SO SO good.” Why? “These adorable little scones are tender, lightly spiced, and full of pumpkin flavor. I love that you can bake as many or as few as you like, so you can always have warm little scones ready to go. They’re especially good with a steaming cup of chai or topped with pumpkin butter.”

“They are really tasty, crumbly, classic scones with pumpkin and candied ginger,” writes Real Simple. “Pro tip: You can also bake these tasty scones in your air fryer!”

If you’re not big on baking, but don’t want to miss out on all the fall treats, Buzzfeed says, “These ready-to-bake scones will be right up your alley.”

Run, don’t walk to Trader Joe’s to get this ice cream. An Instagram post on Delish says: “WOW just WOW! This is as good as you would imagine. It’s a salted maple ice cream with a salted maple swirl. I just posted a reel if you want to see the inside and view that maple swirl and the joy it brings with every bite.”

“It’s just spot-on, which is rare in a maple-flavored product; like watermelon or bacon, it’s an easy flavor to get wrong, often coming across as woefully artificial,” comments Tasting Table. “However Trader Joe’s does it, they fold in those cozy fall-tasting notes in a smooth, high-quality ice cream base. With no cookie dough pieces, chocolate chips, or chunks of fruit and nuts, it’s nothing too heavy, yet heavy on the flavor of a good autumn brunch.”

Looking for the perfect fall dessert? Parade states, “The limited-edition Salted Maple Ice Cream should definitely be on the top of your list. Noted to be ‘gloriously thick, decadently creamy, and decidedly rich,’ you might run through a tub (or three) this fall season.”