"I consider myself a bit of a Trader Joe’s aficionado and, with such a title, I look forward to this season all year long. The store smells strongly of cinnamon spice, and the floor is brimming with so much pumpkin and squash that you’re not quite sure which varietals are edible and which are merely for decor. There are the Trader Joe’s fall items you know will return from past seasons because of their popularity (Pumpkin Joe Joe’s, I’m looking at you), but there’s also an eagerness to see what new genius ideas will grace the perfectly-stocked shelves, basically begging you to take them home.
The list of seasonal fall products at Trader Joe’s can be truly overwhelming, so we’ve selected some of the best to show you where to focus your efforts and your taste buds this autumn. Check out my favorites below!
Trader Joe’s Fall Breakfast Ideas
Pumpkin Pancake and Waffle Mix
Pumpkin pancakes—need I say more? I have been trying to branch out with my toddler breakfast ideas, and I’m going to give this one a go. While you could make these pancakes the traditional large size, I think it’d be fun to try them as silver dollar pancakes and top each with a little icing rather than syrup. Or if you’re omitting syrup for kids, a little pumpkin butter would be great!
Pumpkin O’s
I love Trader Joe’s O’s cereal—and now they come in a pumpkin flavor! Not only are they tasty, but they’re made with whole grains, are vegan, and gluten free. The best part? My kids can’t get enough of them and they make for a super easy school morning breakfast option.
Pumpkin Spice Flavored Cold Brew Coffee
Bring the pumpkin spice magic of Starbucks home with this bottle of cold brew coffee—it’s sure to bring some joy into those crisp and busy back-to-school fall mornings.
Pumpkin Waffles
There’s not much to say here. These are basic toaster waffles majorly upgraded with tons of flavor for those mornings when you just don’t have time to start from scratch. For a gourmet upgrade, top these bad boys with some sautéed apples and a nice drizzle of maple syrup. Grab them in the TJ’s frozen section.
Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Baking Mix
If you love pumpkin and cream cheese together, grab this baking mix. You can make pumpkin cream cheese muffins, pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, or the traditional pumpkin roll. TJ’s also has a gluten-free mix.
Pumpkin Overnight Oats
For the easiest fall-inspired breakfast out there, grab ready-made overnight oats flavored with pumkin puree and spices.
Trader Joe’s Fall Meal Ideas
Butternut Squash Italian Lasagna
A perfect go-to when you don’t know what to make for dinner, simply pop this lasagna in the oven for 45 minutes and come back to a delicious fall meal. Crafted in Italy, your whole family will love the delightful fall flavors of butternut squash, Provola cheese, pumpkin seeds, and chives.
Fall Zucchette Pasta
Pumpkin is great, but I somewhat prefer the milder flavor of butternut squash when it comes to savory dishes. This is something I made almost weekly last fall. The pasta is a great bite-size, cooking up to the perfect al dente. Pair it with the Autumnal Harvest pasta sauce (it’s almost definitely on display within your store) or a basic butter and cheese sauce for the most amazing dinner. Looking to blow some minds? Make fall Zucchette pasta mac and cheese!
Autumnal Harvest Creamy Pasta Sauce
Take any favorite noodle (or use the Zucchette pasta above), and turn any pasta night into a fall-themed dinner with this sauce. Made with both pumpkin and butternut squash, it’s a perfect balance of hearty and creamy, all in one jar.
Honey Roasted Pumpkin Ravioli
If you’re looking to whip up a satisfying fall supper in less than 10 minutes, look no further. While the ravioli boils, brown some butter and chop some sage for the best simple sauce. Don’t forget a sprinkle of parmesan cheese to top it off. They even have a gluten-free option available!
Pumpkin Gnocchi
The perfect toddler finger food, these gnocchi come together in about five minutes.
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
Another kid-favorite food, this mac and cheese (found in the frozen section) has butternut squash for some added nutritional value. Find their butternut squash mac and cheese bites for a delicious fall appetizer, too!
Trader Joe’s Fall Spreads, Salsas & Soups
Autumnal Harvest Soup
Looking for an easy-to-pack lunch for workdays? This tomato-based soup gets an upgrade with the addition of pumpkin and butternut squash. Grab some seasonal crackers for a great desk lunch, or if you’re eating at home, pairing this with a grilled cheese is a must.
Pumpkin Bisque Soup
For a creamier, pumpkin-forward soup option, try the pumpkin bisque soup with some crusty bread for dipping.
Fall Harvest Salsa
When I picked this up, I had two great meal ideas: a solid snack option for my toddler with hidden veggies (score!) and a great topping for a pumpkin chili recipe, like this one from Pinch of Yum. This could also be great on a festive fall charcuterie board and paired with tortilla chips.
Trader Joe’s Fall Snacks & Treats
Pumpkin & Spice Snickerdoodle Cookie Mix
These cookies are a super easy and quick treat to whip up that have all of the best flavors of the season. Something sweet to enjoy after the pumpkin patch or while you’re curled up watching your favorite family Halloween movie!
Pumpkin and Halloween Joe-Joe’s
There’s no way I could put together a list of the best Trader Joe’s seasonal products and leave these off. I love these cookies unconditionally, with pumpkin flavoring in both the cookie and the cream filling. Need I say more? Pro tip: If you love the idea of celebrating the season but don’t love pumpkin flavoring, the Halloween Joe-Joe’s are an upgraded cookie design with the classic Joe-Joe’s (chocolate and vanilla) flavor.
Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Well, this is where I show my true colors and admit that I have eaten an entire box of these in one weekend. I’ve always been a fan of cookies with icing on them, like the pink frosted animal cookies from my childhood. These are even better because they’re pumpkin spice-flavored. You’ve been warned: these are delicious—and addicting.
Barebells Pumpkin Spice Protein Bar
Protein bars are the perfect afternoon snack all year round. They help us get from lunch to supper with a little extra energy. Now, we can combine that afternoon win with a seasonal pumpkin spice flavor.
Caramel Apple Dipping Kit
Another fun way to use up your apple-picking haul is to DIY caramel apples. TJ’s Caramel Apple Dipping Kit comes with six sticks, peanuts, sprinkles, and, of course, caramel!
Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels
I personally love these spiced pretzels this time of year. They’re the finishing touch that every charcuterie board, school lunch, or afternoon pick-me-up needs. You won’t regret grabbing these bundles of fall joy.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Croissants
Pumpkin and cheesecake may just be the best combination since witches and black cats. Whether you view these as a sweet treat or an indulgent breakfast we all deserve, they won’t disappoint.
Ghosts & Bats Crispy Potato Chips
Kids wait for these to come out every year because they make baked potato chips that much more fun! They’re a staple in our school lunches in the fall.
Fall Leaf Corn Tortilla Chips
Snack away on these super crispy chips that pair perfectly with your favorite dip and are adorably shaped like fall leaves. Dip away in your favorite salsa or my personal favorite, Trader Joe’s spinach and kale greek yogurt dip.
Caramel Apple Mochi
If you haven’t gotten on the mochi train yet, now’s the time. The perfect size, these are sure to become your family’s favorite after dinner sweet treat—so be sure to pick up several boxes!
Mini Pumpkin Ginger Ice Cream Cones
The Hold the Cone! mini ice cream cones always make it into my cart during every Trader Joe’s run I make, so I had to buy the new pumpkin ginger flavor to try this fall. They’re a tasty bite of pumpkin for an after-dinner dessert you won’t regret.
Other Trader Joe’s Fall Favorites
Spiced Cider
My TJ’s was handing out samples of this delicious beverage and all I kept thinking was how lovely this would be warmed up and spiked with a little liquor. The “spiced” gives traditional apple cider a fall flavor kick.
Haunted House Chocolate Cookie Kit
For those who love spooky season just as much as the holiday gingerbread house season, grab this fun Halloween activity for the kiddos to do this October.
Fall Scented Candles
If you’re like me, then it’s not really fall until you’ve got a few autumnal candles filling every room in your house, with what can best be described as the smell of warm and cozy. Stock up on a few of these candles (you can basically buy 10 of them for the cost of some higher-end candles) because they smell that good. The Vanilla Pumpkin has a light fall scent and the Honeycrisp Apple will transport you straight to the apple orchard.
Vanilla Pumpkin Scented Hand Soap
Trader Joe’s hand soaps and lotions are always a favorite buy for me—and this new vanilla pumpkin scent is so exception. Not only is this a practical item to pick up, but the fall-themed bottle will double as cute seasonal decor in your kitchen or bathroom, too.
Harvest Brunch Dog Treats
Let the entire family in on the fun with these seasonal dog treats. They’re made with turkey, fall fruits and veggies, and dog-friendly herbs—AKA, everything your pooch will love to sit for!
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.
Laura Adom, Contributing Writer
Laura is a freelance writer, mother, and wife living in Columbus, Ohio. She is passionate about skipping the small talk and sharing the unfiltered truths and taboo topics of motherhood and womanhood. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her enthralled in a mystery book, eating tacos, or creating core memories with her family.