As fall’s crisp air settles in and the leaves’ colors begin to change, an extensive selection of seasonal foods appears at Trader Joe’s. Food options range from pumpkin sweet treats to maple savory snacks, but the Trader Joe’s fall lineup brought unexpected disappointment this year. The standout items have varying ratings, so it’s important to know which sweet and savory treats are worth adding to your shopping list.
Unfortunately, the Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Pumpkin Bagels quickly fell short of expectations. With a dry texture, they were hard to chew and lacked the softness expected of a bagel. The pumpkin flavor was barely noticeable, leaving the bagel with a bland taste. Save the 4.99 dollars and explore some more appetizing and flavorful options. Missing the mark, the Gluten-Free Pumpkin Bagels receive a rating of two out of five feathers.
Some fall beverages provide the perfect refreshment to pair with Trader Joe’s Cookies, but the Non-Dairy Pumpkin Oat Beverage is not one of them. With a dull flavor and little seasonal spice, the Pumpkin Oat Beverage was worse than expected and ultimately disappointing. When looking for a beverage to spice up your drink options, it’s best to steer clear of this pumpkin oat milk mixture. Even with the more affordable price of 2.99 dollars, this drink receives only two out of five feathers.
Despite the first underwhelming items, the Pumpkin Flavored Joe Joes, similar to Oreos, perfectly balance the crunch and cream. With a strong pumpkin spice flavor in both the cookie and the cream, this cookie would pair well with a tall glass of milk. However, the intense sweetness of the cookies slightly overpowers their pumpkin flavor. Overall, cookie lovers will appreciate the Pumpkin Flavored Joe Joe’s, an easy item to add to your cart at the low price of 2.99 dollars, earning four out of five feathers.
The Pumpkin Loaf also stands out as one of the best fall items, featuring a delicious sprinkle of sugar and fall spices both on top and throughout the loaf. With a strong but not overwhelming pumpkin flavor, the loaf has the perfect amount of sweetness, and although a little dry, it would be near perfection warmed up with jam or butter. At the price of 4.99 dollars, this Pumpkin Loaf is a must-try when it comes to Trader Joe’s fall snack selection, deserving four out of five feathers.
Ending on a high note, the Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels are surprisingly the best item of the bunch, costing only 3.49 dollars. With spiced and flavored yogurt coating and crushed seasoned pumpkin seeds, this mini treat complements the right amount of crunch with a sweet finish. If you plan on buying any of these items, these pretzels should be at the top of your list, earning five out of five feathers.
While some items of the Trader Joe’s fall seasonal launch of 2024 are well-executed with strong flavors and enjoyable textures, others fall short, lacking seasonal spice and flavor. Trader Joe’s managed to produce some creative and desirable items, leaving loyal fans with options to look forward to enjoying during the upcoming fall season, so go hit up your local Trader Joe’s if you are in search of a tasty and festive snack.
