Fall is here at Trader Joe’s: Here are 8 seasonal items to try

Pumpkin this, pumpkin that. Regardless of the weather, autumn starts once stores start putting out their pumpkin products. Suddenly, a craze emerges among consumers who’ve apparently spent the last year yearning for their pumpkin spice latte. You’d think that after years of seeing random foods come in pumpkin spice flavor, it would get sickening. Yet somehow, something small inside me gets excited when I smell the cinnamon brooms, see the classic butternut squash mac and cheese and whatever new pumpkin-flavor combo is out. Trader Joe’s is my playing field, and I have made it my hobby to stay up to date with every new product drop. Keep reading to find out what Trader Joe’s products you should reach for this autumn.

Pumpkin Spice Mini Sheet Cake 

This goes straight into my cart the moment I spot it. The pumpkin spice mini sheet cake evokes a kind of gluttony I’m not always proud of. I make nightly visits to this cake like it’s a sacred ritual. I free it from the fridge, slicing a sliver off every night and eating it off of a paper towel. It’s the best part of my day. 

Pumpkin Tortilla Chips

As a lover of salty chips, I buy four bags of these when they first come out. These pumpkin tortilla chips have the perfect salty bite, a subtle pumpkin flavor and a satisfying crunch. They’re much more salty than sweet and pair well with any dip or on their own. 

Pumpkin Pie Spice

This is my pumpkin product cheat code. I often get disappointed when I spend an extra $20 over my grocery budget when shopping in the fall. I’ve found that simply adding my own pumpkin spice can give the same taste without straining my wallet. The pumpkin pie spice is cheap, lasts a while and can be added to coffee, cold foams, cookie batter and much more.

Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce 

This is a new one for me. I was torn between this autumnal pasta sauce and the autumnal soup. Turns out I made the right call with this one, because once I got sick of it as pasta sauce, I used it as the base of a sweet potato soup. Enjoy it with some pumpkin ravioli, in a homemade pumpkin bolognese, or in your next soup.

Butternut Squash Risotto 

If you’re ready to branch out from Trader Joe’s butternut squash mac and cheese, this creamy butternut squash risotto is for you. It makes a quick, comforting bowl to relax with after coming in from the crisp chill outside.

Pumpkin Pancake & Waffle Mix

A classic that never gets old. The pumpkin pancake is one of my favorite pumpkin foods. These pancakes are best enjoyed on a chilly morning, cooked in sizzling butter until the edges crisp and drizzled with maple syrup.

Pumpkin Ginger Hold the Cone 

With the beginning of autumn comes the mourning of summer. If you’re scrolling through your summer photos and getting sappy, reach for the pumpkin ginger hold the cone ice cream to remind you of hot summer days and ice cream nights. Remember, you can still eat ice cream after summer!

Underappreciated Money Savers: Mini Pumpkins & Candles

I’ve always loved the Trader Joe’s mini pumpkins and pumpkin candles to make my home feel cozier and ready for the fall. They’re cheap and easy to pick up while grocery shopping and the pumpkins come in a variety of colors.