Trader Joe's Fall Snacks & Treats Reviewed: What's Worth Adding to Your Cart
Fall at Trader Joe's is its own kind of event. The pumpkin spice vibes arrive in full force, and we are once again here for it — with snacks, opinions, and absolutely no restraint. We tasted our way through the snack aisle so you don't have to make any costly mistakes. Here's the full breakdown.
Pumpkin Pie Spice Bark
Smells like a Tootsie Roll, which was not the vibe we were expecting. The sweetness completely overpowers any pumpkin flavor, and the ginger comes through more than anything else. It tastes closer to a holiday gingersnap than pumpkin pie. Dry, crumbly, and one of us described it as "sweet but bland," which feels accurate. Kids might enjoy it. Adults, proceed with caution.
Rating: 2.7/10
Pumpkin Flavored Joe Joes
These actually deliver on the pumpkin spice promise. True pumpkin flavor, good crunch, and the buttery cookie balances the sweetness nicely. That said, one or two is probably enough. A solid seasonal pick if you're a Joe Joe fan.
Rating: 6.2/10
Kettle Cooked Rosemary & Sea Salt Potato Chips
The clear savory standout of the haul. Great herb flavor, excellent crunch, and not too thick — some kettle chips cross a line and these don't. We left the bag in the office kitchen and it was gone within the hour.
Rating: 8.3/10 ⭐
Honey Mustard Popcorn With Olive Oil
Smells like real honey mustard and delivers a tangy punch right away. We liked it but didn't love it as a standalone snack. A full handful on its own is a bit much. Add it to a party mix with other crunchy things and it earns its spot.
Rating: 6.3/10
Autumn Harvest Sweet & Salty Snack Mix
The name promises fall vibes; the flavor delivers mostly chocolate. The sweet-to-salty ratio skews heavily sweet, and the apple chips listed on the bag were nowhere to be found in ours. Not especially fall-forward. A fine snack mix, just not quite what it says on the bag.
Rating: 4.8/10
Pumpkin Oat Bites
A good option if you want something seasonal that isn't aggressively sweet. Good oaty texture, filling, and a reasonable pick for the lunch box or after-school snack. We like the other oat bite flavors better, but we'd buy these again.
Rating: 6.5/10
Pumpkin Tortilla Chips
A good chip with solid texture and crunch, just don't expect much pumpkin. There's a faint hint of cinnamon but it's not overpowering, and the overall flavor is pretty neutral. These would be great alongside chili or a fall-inspired salsa.
Rating: 6.3/10
Apple Shortbread Cookies
A genuine surprise. Buttery, crisp shortbread with a slightly tart apple flavor that lingers in a good way. Delicate without being fussy, and the packaging is cute enough to be giftable. Would pair perfectly with tea. One of our favorites of the haul.
Rating: 8.0/10 ⭐
Mini Maple Flavored Marshmallows
Smells like a maple candle, tastes like a milder version of that. Medium maple flavor, nothing too intense. Kids will like these, and they'd be great in hot chocolate. A sweet little addition to the Rover treat spot.
Rating: 4.0/10
Cherry Pie Cookies
Our least favorite of everything we tasted, and it wasn't close. The cookie itself doesn't land, and the dried cherries taste artificial — somewhere between cough syrup and almond extract. Skip these.
Rating: 1.3/10
Pumpkin Spiced Pumpkin Seeds
These hit the sweet-savory balance well and have a satisfying crunch. Good mixed into a snack blend, sprinkled on yogurt or ice cream, or tucked into the Rover treat spot. A quieter win in a haul full of loud flavors.
Rating: 6.8/10
Maple with Sea Salt Kettle Corn
We were all pleasantly surprised by this one. The salty-sweet balance works, the maple flavor is present without being overwhelming, and it's genuinely snackable in a way the honey mustard popcorn wasn't. Easy to keep reaching into the bag.
Rating: 7.3/10
Glazed Pumpkin Pie Spice Donut Holes (Gluten & Dairy Free)
Crumbly, sticky, and too sweet. The texture didn't work for any of us, and our coworker Shelley, who stopped by for a taste, summed it up best: "That is gross." We don't think kids would love these either. Hard pass.
Rating: 1.0/10
Granola Butter
The texture didn't win us over and the flavor is just okay. That said, one of us found it genuinely good as a dip for apples or celery, and it's not overly sweet.
Rating: 5.7/10
Pumpkin Pecan Instant Oatmeal
More dessert than breakfast. The sweetness is front and center, think caramel, not oatmeal, and the flavor reads artificial. We wanted to like this one more than we did. Would not buy again.
Rating: 3.7/10
Our Personal Favorites (and Hard Passes)
Casey: Favorites — Apple Shortbread Cookies and Rosemary & Sea Salt Chips. Will not eat again — Cherry Pie Cookies.
Kat: Favorite — Maple with Sea Salt Kettle Corn. Least favorite — Cherry Pie Cookies.
Carly: Favorite — Rosemary & Sea Salt Chips. Least favorite — Glazed Pumpkin Pie Spice Donut Holes. (She has some strong feelings on this one)
Final Thoughts
The savory snacks carried this haul. The Rosemary & Sea Salt Chips and Apple Shortbread Cookies are the ones worth seeking out. On the pumpkin front, the Joe Joes and Oat Bites are safe bets. And the Cherry Pie Cookies and Donut Holes — leave those on the shelf.
Happy fall snacking. 🍂