Trader Joe's Cinnamon Powdered Sugar Mini Donuts

Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Powdered Sugar Mini Donuts are one of those products where I’m not entirely sure what to make of them. Not because they’re bad. Quite the opposite, actually. They’re really decent little donuts. The problem is that they’re almost too normal. These are basically the kind of cinnamon powdered sugar mini donuts you might find at any number of grocery stores, gas stations, or convenience stores. There’s nothing particularly weird, inventive, exotic, or especially Joesian about them. And yet...we kinda like ’em.

For $4.49, you get a 10-ounce bag of Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Powdered Sugar Mini Donuts. They’re tiny—about two or three bites each—and have a pretty good cakey texture. They’re soft without being mushy, with just enough density that they don't feel spongy at all. The cinnamon powdered sugar coating adds a pleasant sweetness and warm cinnamon flavor without going completely over the top.

Honestly, these are probably one step up from the normal grocery store mini donuts. The texture is good. The flavor is good. The cinnamon-to-sugar ratio is good. Dunk a couple into coffee and you’ve got yourself a perfectly respectable little breakfast/snack situation. They’re also small enough that you can eat three and tell yourself, “Well, they’re mini,” which is totally sound nutritional science.

But here's the thing: why now? Trader Joe’s drops these in the middle of the fall food explosion, surrounded by pumpkin this, apple that, maple whatever, and approximately 8,000 other products screaming AUTUMN! at you. And then there’s this bag of perfectly ordinary cinnamon powdered sugar mini donuts. No pumpkin. No apple. No butternut squash. No haunted barnyard spices. Just...donuts. Maybe that’s the point. Maybe we need a little normalcy amidst all the pumpkin spice chaos.

Either way, they’re tasty, they’ve got a really nice texture, and they’re certainly worth picking up if you like this type of donut. They just don’t feel particularly Trader Joe’s-esque. Sonia and I will both go with seven and a half stars on Trader Joe's Cinnamon Powdered Sugar Mini Donuts.

Bottom line: 7.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread

We used to buy Trader Joe's Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread pretty regularly in the 2010s. We reviewed it 13 years ago on this very blog. Sonia and I took a long break from purchasing the product and now we're back at it trying this one. They've added the word "spice" to the title: Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese Spread.

The Google search AI informed me that it's basically been the exact same product all along...except it totally isn't. It's similar, but if you click that link in the first line of this review, you'll see that the ingredients, while comparable, are not exactly the same. The nutrition information is different, too. This current product has the exact same serving size yet contains more calories and fat per two tablespoons.

Sonia and I both remember the version from 13 years ago being nearly whipped in consistency while this one is much denser, more like traditional cream cheese spread. It's got a nice balance of creamy tanginess and pumpkin spices. I'd say flavor-wise, it's very similar to that spread we reviewed all those years ago.

It doesn't overdo the pumpkin or the pumpkin spice. There's enough of both to know exactly what you're eating, but neither one comes across like it's trying to kick you in the face with a pumpkin spice latte. The cream cheese itself still comes through, which I appreciate. Sometimes these seasonal spreads can get a little too carried away with the flavor-of-the-month thing and forget they're supposed to be cream cheese.

We've mostly been using it on toast and bagels, although I'm sure there are plenty of other ways to put this stuff to work. It's sweet enough to feel a little indulgent but not so sweet that it becomes dessert. And with that creamy, tangy cream cheese underneath all those familiar fall spices, it's a pretty easy thing to keep reaching back into the fridge for. Basically, if you're a pumpkin spice person, this one makes sense. It pairs nicely with the pumpkin sourdough toast in case you were wondering.

$2.79 for the 8 oz tub. Kosher. Would buy again. Sonia will throw out eight out of ten stars on this one. I'll spring for eight and a half.

Bottom line: 8.25 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Plum Torte

So apparently, tortes and tartes are totally different things. They're both baked goods that can prominently feature fruit, but tortes often contain decadent fillings like ganache, mousse, or chocolate. A torte is a type of cake, while a tarte is a type of pastry. Tartes are French in origin, while tortes hail from Austria and Germany.

Trader Joe's Plum Torte, however, comes to us from Canada. Unlike traditional tortes, this one uses a wheat flour base instead of ground nuts. This is, in fact, the very first torte that Sonia and I have ever had, so we really can't vouch for its authenticity.

But we can vouch for its scrumptiousness. Absolutely divine. From frozen, bake for 20 minutes at 350°F and you've got a stellar dessert for six people.

The crust gets a little firm and almost crunchy on the outside, yet it's soft and moist on the inside. It's sweet and oh-so-buttery. It's just fine by itself...but the plum filling is even better. The beautiful wifey and I were both skeptical that the texture of the plums—particularly their skins—would be melt-in-the-mouth delicious. We feared something leathery, chewy, and/or stringy that could ruin the mouthfeel of the dessert. One bite and we realized our fears were totally unfounded.

The plum filling is at least as good as the breading. It's like a sweet jelly with real plums baked right in. Please watch the video review embedded in this post to see tons of close up shots of the torte in action. Certain bites feature what appear to be entire plums. Delicious.

Our biggest complaint? Not every bite contains plums. Once you've had a bite or two with huge amounts of the plums and the filling, you suddenly want every bite to be bursting with the fruit, but they're just not distributed very evenly. They're tart and sweet and almost reminiscent of a berry medley in terms of flavor.

This toothsome treat does not need any help in our humble opinions, but if you were so inclined, we're quite certain whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream would make this dish even more delectable. We'll try it that way next time. It's nearly plum perfect as is.

Eight bucks for this big 1 lb 2.7 oz box. Product of Canada. Kosher. Would buy again. This is a Thanksgiving Dinner caliber dessert by our reckoning. I wouldn't be ashamed of bringing this as my contribution to the dessert table alongside Turkey Day legends like apple pie and pumpkin pie. The beautiful wifey and I both gave Trader Joe's Plum Torte eight and a half stars out of ten during the recording of our video review. Having reheated and re-tasted it, in retrospect, I'd give it a nine.

Bottom line: 8.75 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Fiesta Guacamole

I certainly didn't grow up eating a lot of guacamole, but I love it. I'm not sure if I'd consider myself a connoisseur of fine guacamole, but here are a few of my credentials: I've eaten it at more than a few decent Mexican restaurants. Sonia and I (emphasis on Sonia) have made our own guac before. We mashed avocados and added our own onions, tomatoes, lemon juice, salt, and a few spices. We've eaten and/or reviewed:

Trader Joe's Spicy Mango Habanero Guacamole

Trader Joe's Chunky Spicy Guacamole Autèntico

Trader Joe's Reduced Guilt Chunky Guacamole

Trader Joe's Avocado Mash

So you know, I'm at least a casual guac fanatic as I'm sure many of you are, as well. Sonia's been eating it since she was a kid, so her guacamole roots go back even farther than mine. And not only are we fond of guac, but we're quite fond of roasted corn and black beans, including any and all corn & bean salsas that we've tried. So Trader Joe's Fiesta Guacamole with Black Beans & Fire Roasted Corn seemed like it'd be right up our alley.

It's good, but it could be better. The corn and beans add a little bit of texture to the guac, but not a whole lot of flavor. And since the guac is so full of corn and beans—which would normally be a good thing—there's not a lot of room for all the pico de gallo type ingredients which give other guacamoles a lot of their flavor.

Don't get me wrong, the product still has some onion, garlic, and pepper flavor, but it needs more of it. It lacks that punch that a lot of excellent guacamole dips provide. It lacks sass. I want to love it, but I just can't help but compare it to the above-mentioned mango habanero guacamole. That stuff was spicy and potent and it brought a wonderful, bright tropical flavor that was totally unique. Corn and beans just don't have the pungency required to punch through the dense earthiness of avocado.

We put it in tacos, we used it as a dip with tortilla chips, and we did a few other fun things with it in the kitchen. And that's probably where this Fiesta Guacamole works best. It's versatile enough to add some creaminess, corn, beans, and a little bit of flavor to whatever you're making. I could see it working nicely on nachos, burritos, quesadillas, or even alongside some grilled chicken or steak. So it's not like this stuff is useless by any means. It's just that when we ate it straight up as guacamole, we kept wishing it had a little more personality.

We'll finish the tub, no problem, but we probably wouldn't go out of our way to purchase again. $3.49 for the 10 oz container. Found in the refrigerated section. Kosher. Product of Mexico. Seven out of ten stars from both the beautiful wifey and me for Trader Joe's Fiesta Guacamole with Black Beans & Fire Roasted Corn.

Bottom line: 7 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie Spice Donut Holes

Considering that Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie Spice Donut Holes are gluten free and dairy free, I guess it's hard to shaft them completely. But there have been so many gluten free offerings from Trader Joe's throughout the years that have been just as good, if not better, than their traditional glutenful counterparts that it's hard for me to garner much enthusiasm for these little do-dads.

Yes, we've tried the gluten free pumpkin muffins and liked those quite a bit. I think those are head and shoulders better than these donut holes—and the muffins aren't even pretending to be a dessert treat. Right? I mean donuts are supposed to be more indulgent than muffins. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I'll take those muffins over these donut holes any day of the week. Although I'm guessing they're out of season right now, the gluten free strawberry muffins were even better still.

These donut holes are dense, cakey, and somewhat soft, though they don't quite achieve the mouthfeel of a traditional donut hole in my opinion. There's just a hint of something stiff—a whisper of something not-fresh-baked. The glaze is fine, providing a slightly firmer outer layer and a sugary sheen to the appearance of the spherical treats, though Sonia says it rubs off too easily on the inside of the package. They're bite-sized and convenient.

The flavor is good. There's rice and tapioca flour in the mix, and honestly they taste more like classic wheat flour donuts more than they feel like classic wheat flour donuts. The spice blend is inoffensive with an appropriate amount of sweetness. There's actual pumpkin puree adding a bit of warm, rich earthiness.

Despite the positive buzz about these donuts, I'd steer any gluten free folks toward Trader Joe's Gluten Free Pumpkin Streusel Muffins before these particular gf confections, but that's just my take on the matter. In the end, most folks are just fine with this product if not rabidly fanatical about it. Each to his own.

$3.49 for the 6 oz package. Gluten free. Dairy free. Kosher. Sonia liked these a tad more than I did. She'll give Trader Joe's Pumpkin Pie Spice Donut Holes seven and a half stars. I'll go with six and a half.

Bottom line: 7 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Apple Pie à la Mode Ice Cream

Well, folks, apple season has officially arrived at Trader Joe’s, and this time they’ve taken one of the greatest combinations known to mankind—apple pie and vanilla ice cream—and stuffed the whole thing into a pint. If apple pie a la mode is really just apple pie with ice cream, then wouldn't this technically be Trader Joe's Apple Pie with Ice Cream Flavored Ice Cream..? I mean, it's kinda redundant, no? Meh. Semantics.

This applicious frozen dessert starts with a rich vanilla ice cream base, then adds sweetened spiced apple pieces, pie crust pieces, and an apple cinnamon and nutmeg swirl. Basically somebody took a slice of apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on it and said, “Yeah, but what if we just eliminated the plate?”

I’ve seen some people complain that this doesn’t have enough cinnamon and spice and everything nice. I respectfully disagree. I thought the cinnamon level was pretty much perfect. You definitely get the cinnamon-spiced apple flavor, but it doesn’t completely overwhelm the vanilla ice cream. And the overall flavor is outstanding: milky vanilla, brown sugar, cinnamon, and sweet apple all working together very nicely.

The apple pieces are particularly good. They taste like actual sweet apples rather than some weird artificial apple-flavored substance. They also pick up some of that cinnamon-spiced apple flavor, which makes them taste even more like the filling from an actual apple pie.

Our biggest complaint? Sonia and I both wish there were more apple and more pie crust pieces. The pie pieces that are in there have a nice texture: not too soggy, not too hard, and just enough chewiness to remind you that, yes, there is supposed to be pie in this ice cream.

We did encounter a few sections of the pint that seemed a little icy, which was weird. Thankfully, those spots were pretty sparse and didn't ruin the experience. The vanilla ice cream itself is good, sweet, creamy, and basically nothing to complain about. It provides a nice backdrop for all the apple pie goodness without getting in the way.

At $3.99 for the pint, Trader Joe’s Apple Pie a la Mode Ice Cream is a pretty easy recommendation if you’re an apple cinnamon fan. It’s also kosher. The beautiful wifey gives it eight and a half out of ten stars. I’m giving it eight and a half as well. We’re tough graders, especially when it comes to ice cream, so anything above an eight from us means this one is definitely worth checking out. Get some more spiced apple and pie crust pieces in there, and this would be Pantheon material, easily.

Bottom line: 8.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Pumpkin Sourdough Bread

Trader Joe’s Sliced Pumpkin Sourdough Bread is one of those products that sounds like it could go horribly wrong. Pumpkin. Sourdough. Together. That could easily become some sort of aggressively spiced autumn monstrosity that tastes like a candle smells. Thankfully, that’s not what we have here.

Trader Joe’s Sliced Pumpkin Sourdough Bread is actually pretty darn pleasant. The bread is nice and soft, with a texture that isn’t too dense or heavy. It has a subtle pumpkin flavor and just enough of that familiar pumpkin spice thing happening to let you know it’s a seasonal product without beating you over the head with cinnamon and nutmeg.

If you're looking for an indulgent pumpkin breakfast or sweet snack bread, we recommend Trader Joe's Pumpkin Brioche Twist. There’s also a faint sweetness here, but this is definitely not dessert bread. You’re not going to bite into a slice and think, “Well, I guess dinner is canceled because I just ate pie.” And that makes it surprisingly versatile.

We really liked it as a sandwich bread. One of our favorite combinations was sliced turkey deli meat, mozzarella cheese, spinach, and mayo. The mild sweetness of the pumpkin sourdough works nicely with the savory turkey and cheese, while the spinach adds a little freshness and the mayo brings everything together. Basically, it turns an ordinary turkey sandwich into a turkey sandwich that has spent the afternoon at the pumpkin patch.

We also tried it as French toast, and yes, it works. The bread soaks up the egg mixture nicely and brings a subtle fall flavor to the finished product. But honestly, when it comes to French toast, I think Sonia and I both prefer Trader Joe’s Apple Cinnamon Sourdough. That one just feels more specifically designed for the job.

Still, this Pumpkin Sourdough is a very solid seasonal bread. It’s soft, flavorful, mildly sweet, reasonably versatile and, most importantly, it doesn’t go completely pumpkin spice bonkers.

Not everything with pumpkin in it needs to taste like a Yankee Candle. Thankfully, this doesn’t. Would buy again. Product of Canada. Five bucks for the pre-sliced loaf. Sonia and I both give Trader Joe’s Sliced Pumpkin Sourdough Bread eight out of ten stars.

Bottom line: 8 out of 10.

NEW ITEMS! Big Trader Joe's Fall Haul 2026

It's finally officially fall here in the Northern Hemisphere. That means it's time for pumpkin, apple, sweet potato, and butternut squash goodies. We spent about $400 at TJ's yet again and documented our haul on YouTube once more. We found everything from brand new potato chips to sandwich cookies for dogs to apple pie ice cream to pumpkin spice breakfasts, condiments, sauces, desserts, and pantry items. There's also a talking Dia de los Muertos cat with haworthia succulents growing out of its back, so make sure you click play, like, subscribe, and comment below! Happy Autumn!

Trader Joe's Kimbap

Nate's Notes: Post updated. New pic and paragraph below.

Good morning, folks! It's time to look at Trader Joe's Kimbap. Neither Sonia nor I had ever tried this dish before, but we both like sushi so we decided to give it a whirl. This one's primarily a video review in stunning 4K resolution but for those of you who just want to relax and read, here's a few paragraphs on our findings...

This Asian dish comes frozen and it thaws in 2-3 minutes in the microwave. The packaging recommends serving it hot or cold while Koreans who know the dish say it should be served at room temperature. I found hot or room temperature worked great while chilling the kimbap in the fridge made the mouthfeel a little funky.

Still, the taste and texture are remarkable considering it comes frozen solid. There's an unexpected sweetness to the dish—akin to sesame sauce—plus all the rich veggie flavors you get from tofu, burdock root, carrot, radish, spinach, and seaweed. It's filling, satisfying, convenient, and reasonably priced at $3.99 for nine big sushi-roll-esque discs.

Update: we purchased this product again just so we could try it pan fried. With this preparation method, you only microwave for one minute from frozen. Then apply egg wash and fry on each side 2-3 minutes. The result is absolutely scrumptious. The product is more structurally stable this way and packs even more savory flavors. See pic below.

Product of Korea. The packaging and traderjoes.com only specify that it's vegetarian, but there's nothing in the ingredients that wouldn't be vegan, and other actual vegans out in cyberspace have declared that it is, in fact, vegan. I give Trader Joe's Kimbap eight out of ten stars while the beautiful wifey will go with nine out of ten.

Bottom line: 8.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's PB&J Filled Crepes

Peanut butter and jelly. Is there a more universally beloved combination of foods? Maybe pizza. Maybe tacos. Maybe those little chocolate covered pretzel dealies that somehow disappear from the pantry overnight. But PB&J is pretty much the comfort food equivalent of a warm blanket and sweatpants.

So naturally, when Trader Joe's came out with PB&J Filled Crepes, Sonia and I were interested. For $3.99, you get six individually wrapped crepes. They're ready to eat as is, although Trader Joe's recommends giving them a quick zap in the microwave for 6-8 seconds. We went with 10 seconds because we're rebels like that, and they came out hot and ready to eat. No thawing, cooking, or other nonsense required.

As a quick breakfast or little pick-me-up, these aren't bad at all. The peanut butter and strawberry jam combination is tasty, and there's something inherently comforting about eating a PB&J in crepe form. It's basically taking a childhood sandwich and giving it a passport.

But these suffer from the same maladies as Trader Joe's Hazelnut & Cocoa Filled Crepes. The crepe itself is a little too chewy and doesn't exactly melt in your mouth. More importantly, there's simply not enough filling. I want that peanut butter and jelly to make its presence known. I want it squishing out the sides a little. Instead, there's considerably more crepe than filling.

And while I have nothing against strawberry jam, I'm just going to say it: I would have preferred classic grape jelly. Peanut butter and grape jelly is the OG. But whatevs.

Still, Sonia and I like these just a little more than the Hazelnut & Cocoa version. Maybe it's because we're in the mood for peanut butter and jelly more often than we're in the mood for Nutella. Whatever the reason, these are a perfectly decent little grab-and-go breakfast or snack. Six and a half stars from both Sonia and me for Trader Joe's PB&J Filled Crepes.

Bottom line: 6.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts

Trader Joe’s Raspberry Filled Donuts are one of those products that look like they’re going to be a whole lot more exciting than they actually are. They’re an eye-catching shade of pinkish-red, dusted with a powdery coating, filled with raspberry, and come to us all the way from Belgium. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, not much, really. But also…not everything goes right.

These come frozen, so there’s no baking, frying, microwaving, or other culinary nonsense required. All you have to do is thaw them. A couple hours in the refrigerator and they’re ready to go. Easy enough.

And once thawed, the dough is perfectly fine. It’s soft, reasonably light and airy, and certainly donut-esque. It’s just not anything earth-shattering. It doesn't feel or taste fresh-baked in any way. I’ve had plenty of frozen Trader Joe’s pastries that have made me stop and say, “Hey, this is actually pretty darn good.” These didn’t quite get me there.

The raspberry filling, however, is delectable. Sweet, fruity and distinctly raspberry-ish, it’s easily the best part of the donut. It's nice and smooth. No little seeds to get stuck between your teeth. Unfortunately, there’s just not nearly enough of it. And this is where things get a little…rasp-barely.

Each donut is probably three or four bites, and if you’re lucky, one of those bites will contain a decent amount of raspberry filling. The rest is basically powder-coated dough. Which is fine if you really like dough, I suppose, but when "raspberry-filled" is, like, the name of the donut, you want there to be a good bit of raspberry filling—especially when it's so good compared to the not-so-memorable breading.

At $3.99 for six donuts, these aren’t exactly a tremendous value, either. They’re certainly convenient, and they’re perfectly edible, but there are only six of them and the most interesting part is frustratingly sparse.

They’re not bad donuts. They’re just donuts that leave me thinking they could have been so much better with a little more filling. And considering all the other sweet stuff competing for space in our freezer, I probably wouldn’t buy these again. The beautiful wifey will spring for a generous seven out of ten stars on Trader Joe's Raspberry Filled Donuts. I'll drop six and a half.

Bottom line: 6.75 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Italian Pistachio Gelato

Pistachio gelato. It's one of those flavors that I feel like I should eat more often, but for whatever reason, it doesn't seem to make its way into my freezer all that frequently. Maybe because I'm too busy eating cookie dough. Maybe because I'm too busy eating everything else. Maybe because I'm just easily distracted by shiny new Trader Joe's desserts. Who knows.

But here's a familiar flavor in yet another format: Italian Pistachio Gelato Style Frozen Dessert. Previously, the pistachio portion of this Italian-made frozen dessert shared billing with Fior di Latte in a seasonal two flavor container. Now the pistachio gets the whole pint to itself, and, according to Trader Joe's, it's the same pistachio gelato from the same Italian supplier.

Anybody remember Trader Joe's old Pistachio Gelato? I reviewed that one back in 2019, and I remember really liking the combination of sweet, nutty pistachio flavor and actual pistachio pieces throughout the gelato. It was also packaged in that plastic Talenti-esque jar, which I rather liked for reasons that had absolutely nothing to do with the food inside it.

This new version is a little different, though. First, there are no actual pistachio pieces or nuts here. It's smooth, creamy and pretty darn easy to eat, with a nice pistachio flavor that's nutty, lightly sweet and just a touch salty. That's pretty much what Trader Joe's promises, too, describing it as sweet, creamy and with a delicately savory edge.

Texture-wise, this is also lighter than I expected. It's nice and smooth and creamy, but it's not nearly as dense as most gelato I've had. It's almost...airy. Maybe "whipped" is the word I'm looking for? There's definitely some air in here, giving it a lighter mouthfeel than that old-school pistachio gelato, which had a heavier, thicker consistency. And while I don't necessarily dislike that, I do kinda miss the old version's heft. I also miss the pistachio pieces. And the jar. I apparently have unresolved feelings about that jar.

One other difference worth noting: the old gelato used some heavy cream, while this one only lists nonfat dry milk in terms of dairy. The list is built differently overall with sugar, coconut oil, and glucose syrup rounding out the top ingredients this "gelato style frozen dessert."

If you like pistachio, you'll probably like this just fine. It may not completely blow your mind, but it's a pleasant, smooth, creamy frozen dessert that hits the pistachio mark without getting too heavy or going overboard on the nut flavor.

$3.99 for the pint. Product of Italy. Would probably buy again. Seven and a half stars from me for Trader Joe's Italian Pistachio Gelato Style Frozen Dessert. Sonia will give it eight out of ten stars. It's good but it definitely won't dethrone Trader Joe's Horchata Ice Cream as our current favorite TJ frozen dessert product.

Bottom line: 7.75 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Shelled Edamame

Trader Joe's Shelled Edamame come frozen. They've had a few other edamame products throughout the years, some of which came refrigerated, but this one is our favorite so far. These edamame are on par with stuff we've had from Japanese restaurants—very high quality. They're not too pricey at $2.29 for the 12 oz bag, and they're a good source of fiber and protein.

Sonia boiled ours in salted water for about four minutes. We had them with rice, salmon burgers, and a cucumber salad the other day, and it was filling and satisfying without feeling heavy at all.

Like all good edamame, these soybeans are slightly firm on the outside, tender on the inside, and flaunt a nutty veggie umami flavor that goes great with grains and bases like rice, quinoa, or noodles. We usually eat them with fish, but they also pair well with proteins like chicken and tofu.

They’re super versatile. Toss them into a stir fry, throw them into a poke bowl, or blend them up into a vibrant green edamame hummus if you’re feeling adventurous. Some might call me a soy boy for stocking up on these little green legumes, but when a healthy food tastes this good and takes practically zero effort to make, I’ll wear that badge proudly.

Whether you’re looking for a quick weeknight side dish or just want an easy way to bump up the protein and fiber in your meal prep, these are an absolute freezer staple. You really can’t beat having a bag of restaurant-quality edamame ready to go whenever the craving hits.

Product of Thailand. $2.29. We'd both buy Trader Joe's Shelled Edamame again. Eight out of ten stars from me. Eight and a half stars from the beautiful wifey.

Bottom line: 8.25 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Crispy Rice Bars

Trader Joe's Crispy Rice Bars have been around for a few months now. Sometimes I'll deliberately avoid reading online opinions about a product so I can go into my review as blind and as objective as possible. However, sometimes it's just not practical, and sometimes curiosity gets the best of me and I'll read others' thoughts before sampling a product myself. This is one of those instances.

I didn't find there was one overwhelming majority opinion on this product. It's got its fans, for sure, as most TJ's products do, but it's got its fair share of detractors, as well. Similarly, Sonia and I are split on this one. Let's break it down into positives and negatives and then the parts we don't agree on.

The first thing that jumps out at the beautiful wifey as a positive is the texture. I won't argue with her on that point. It's very similar to classic Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats in terms of density and chewiness but maybe even a tad softer—I'm talking about the pre-packaged ones, not ones freshly made in your kitchen at home. Homemade is (almost) always best. Trader Joe's offering is very easy to bite into and pleasant to chew.

The product is also very convenient and modestly priced at $2.99 for eight bars. The format is perfect for school lunches or brown bag work meals. Again, a thumbs up from both of us.

What we're both not fans of: some of the ingredients. Pork gelatin. Sonia and I both avoid pork when possible. It also alienates the kosher crowd from the product. May contain wheat. That counts out the gluten free folks, who may have otherwise turned to this product since it's rice and tapioca-based. And finally, carrageenan and seed oils might eliminate people with inflammation issues.

What we disagree on: the taste. Sonia likes it and enjoys it quite a bit. I taste something odd and off-putting. It's sweet. Sure, you can taste toasted rice and sugary marshmallows but underneath it there's something I'd call a chemical flavor. One Redditor describes it as "a very artificial marshmallow taste." I certainly don't disagree, but I can't tell if that industrial flavor is attached to the marshmallows or something else. Sonia kind of tastes it but isn't really bothered by it as much as I am.

In the end, Sonia would consider a repurchase while I would not. I've had two from the box and I'll let the beautiful wifey finish the rest. No need for a return, but if it were just me alone, I would have at least thought about it. Product of Canada. Seven and a half stars from Sonia for Trader Joe's Crispy Rice Bars. I'll throw out five and a half. FYI this isn't the first time TJ has done Rice Krispies Bars. 

Nathan's score: 5.5 out of 10.

Sonia's score: 7.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Creamy Corn

Even though Trader Joe's Creamy Corn is ideal as a Thanksgiving side dish, who's to say you can't have a harvest-themed meal or two in the fall months leading up to Turkey Day? What if you feel like eating sweet corn with a creamy cheese sauce just because it's Thursday? That's kinda what Sonia and I did yesterday.

And we were impressed. This four dollar bag of corn and cheese comes frozen and includes three different sets of cooking instructions on the back of the bag: stovetop, microwave, and conventional oven. Stovetop seemed like the logical choice. Just cut open the bag, empty the contents into a large skillet, cover with lid, and heat for 5-7 minutes. Ours took roughly 10 minutes to come to a steady simmer, but we've got an electric range and it can take a bit longer to heat things up.

The sauce isn't crazy thick, which Sonia and I both thought was a good thing. It didn't feel heavy or overly indulgent. There's just enough cheese to keep things interesting. Cream is, in fact, the second ingredient, followed by skim milk. There's also white cheese and cheddar cheese in the mix. The seasonings include shallot, sea salt, and white pepper. It's a nice flavor if you're looking for something sweet, slightly tangy, and subtly savory. A dash of your own black pepper, hot sauce, or something like Trader Joe's Everything But the Elote doesn't hurt if you're craving a bit of extra sass.

The texture of the corn was very nice. It felt surprisingly fresh. It had a nice bite to it, kind of crisp, and ever so slightly waxy. It wasn't a soggy mush like other creamed corn dishes can be, nor was it overly chewy. It mixed well with other veggies like peas and mashed potatoes, and it blended seamlessly with our other Thanksgiving-esque fare including turkey, gravy, and stuffing.

The "best by" date on our bag was well over a year in the future from our purchase date, so if you've got a big freezer, it would be easy to stock up. $3.99 for the 14 oz bag. Product of Italy. Sonia and I would both buy Trader Joe's Creamy Corn again. It's a-maize-ing. Eight and a half stars a piece.

Bottom line: 8.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Cinnamon Bun Oat Creamer

All right, fall fanatics. Here's a limited time seasonal product review for you. Trader Joe's Cinnamon Bun Non-Dairy Oat Creamer is back by popular demand for the autumn 2026 season. I'm pretty sure this is the third annual appearance of this nondairy cinnamon roll flavored creamer. It's sweet and scrumptious and makes plain old coffee taste like a freshly baked cinnamon roll.

For just two bucks, you get 16 ounces of this oat-based kosher vegan coffee additive. The sugar and oats combine for a pastry-esque essence that does bring at least the suggestion of a real cinnamon bun. The spices are warm and aromatic and not overbearing in any way.

It's silky and smooth—just thick enough you can froth it up a bit. There's some pea protein in the ingredients, but it doesn't show up in the flavor profile, thank goodness. It's agreeable enough with coffee, but I suppose you could have it with tea or even cold brews. The beautiful wifey liked putting a splash or two on her oatmeal.

If I'm going to have coffee, I still prefer traditional dairy creamers, but I must admit this stuff isn't bad. I grew up with alternative milks and have had plenty of oat milk and nondairy foods and desserts throughout the years. This is great for folks with many dietary restrictions: it's dairy-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, kosher, and vegan. If you're sensitive to seed oils, you might wanna sit this one out.

Also check out: Trader Joe's Non-Dairy Brown Sugar Oat Creamer.

As many of you know, my wife Sonia is the resident coffee aficionada and is, predictably, far more into this product than I am, so we'll just let her score this one solo. She would buy Trader Joe's Cinnamon Bun Oat Creamer again. She'll throw out eight and a quarter stars for this buzzworthy alternative to conventional coffee creamer.

Bottom line: 8.25 out of 10.