Trader Joe's Marshmallow Eggs

So these are basically Trader Joe's take on the timeless classic: Peeps. In the words of the most fanatical adult Peeps fan I know, they're "a better alternative to Peeps" with "all natural coloring." Indeed, Trader Joe's Marshmallow Eggs are colored with vegetable juice, turmeric, and spirulina. All of the ingredients seem to be above board, with the possible exception of carrageenan. But hey, a little seaweed-based emulsifier probably won't kill anybody. I'd prefer that over pork gelatin, which is what you'll find in original Peeps.

 

The marshmallow is nice and soft. There's a faint crunchiness on the outside thanks to the thin coating of fine crystallized sugar granules. These do contain pea protein, but fear not. They don't taste like pea protein. If I can taste pea protein, I'll nope out pretty fast. But these are good.

There's a creamy vanilla sweetness and an almost caramel-esque richness to them. They're very soft and fluffy, texture-wise, and they're quite satisfying. Still, in the same way I don't really crave Peeps these days, I probably wouldn't purchase this product outside of a once-a-year Easter novelty, and in reality it'll most likely be even more infrequent than that.

They come in a few different pastel colors like pink, purple, and green, but our TJ's store only had yellow Marshmallow Eggs. We picked up two packs because why the heck not? I would think the lack of gelatin would render this product as vegan, but it's not marked as such. Not sure why.

At $1.49 for three, they're worth picking up at least once to toss into Junior's Easter basket just to see how he likes them. You can always go back to the name brand if he's not into 'em. Sonia and I will polish off our two packs easily enough. We both give Trader Joe's Marshmallow Eggs seven and a half out of ten stars.

Bottom line: 7.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Pizza Bianca

White pizza lovers, rejoice. Because Trader Joe's just delivered something special. The new Trader Joe's Pizza Bianca is proof that tomato sauce isn’t mandatory for pizza greatness and honestly, after trying this, you might not even miss it.

Right out of the oven, the first thing that stood out to us was the dough. It’s fantastic. It's airy, crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. The crust is made from dough that rises for a full day, creating a texture that feels closer to a bakery pie than your typical frozen option. That slow rise really shows up in the bite, giving the pizza a chewy, satisfying backbone that anchors everything else.

Speaking of everything else, this pizza boldly skips tomato sauce altogether. Instead, it leans on a creamy parmesan cheese sauce topped with mozzarella, more parm, dried onion, and rosemary. It's a combination designed to keep the cheese flavor front and center. Normally, I’m a tomato sauce loyalist, but this pie never felt like it was missing anything. The parmesan sauce and cheese medley bring plenty of richness, while the onion adds just enough sweetness to balance the savory punch.

We paired our slices with fresh arugula, which added a peppery brightness that worked beautifully. It also played nicely with a sprinkle of Trader Joe's Aglio Olio Seasoning, though honestly, this pizza doesn’t need any help. That simplicity is part of the charm. It’s flavorful enough to stand alone, but versatile enough that you can dress it up a bit if you want to.

At $4.99 for a 12.2 oz pizza, the value is excellent, especially considering the quality of the crust and toppings. The size is perfect for two adults for dinner. This is an easy repeat buy, and it’s heading straight into our personal pantheon of Trader Joe’s favorites.

The beautiful wifey gives Trader Joe's Pizza Bianca nine and a half stars. I'm officially going with a nine out of ten. The only real downside is that you might wish the pizza were bigger. This is one white pizza that absolutely earns a permanent spot in the freezer.

Bottom line: 9.25 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Caramel Flan

Trader Joe’s Caramel Flan review time, and I’m walking into this one with both excitement and emotional baggage. Why? Because Sonia grew up with flan. Not just eating it. She and her mom can apparently both make it from scratch. Homemade. Authentic. Creamy custard greatness. And yet, have they ever made it for me? No. Never. Not once. I’m not bitter. I’m just flan-deprived.

My personal flan reference point is far less sophisticated. I’ve had it from a couple of decent Mexican restaurants, sure, but my main benchmark is the flan from El Pollo Loco. Years ago, I used to grab that stuff regularly. It was cheap, it was decent, and it scratched the caramel custard itch. I haven’t had it in a long time, but that’s the nostalgia baseline I’m working from.

Enter Trader Joe’s Caramel Flan. And wow, this stuff is legit. Both Sonia and I immediately agreed this is among the best flan we’ve had. The texture is creamy and thick, not watery or overly jiggly. The caramel flavor is bold and forward with a rich sweetness. There’s also a subtle vanilla-esque undertone that rounds everything out nicely. It tastes balanced and surprisingly premium for a refrigerated grocery store dessert.

You get two cups for $3.49, which feels like a steal for this quality. We tried one the “proper” way: flipped upside down onto a plate. And the other we ate straight out of the cup. Flavor-wise, no difference, but presentation definitely changes things.

The plated version looks fancy, like you slaved away in the kitchen. The cup version? Way less messy. When you flip it, the caramel sauce slides everywhere like it’s trying to escape. I actually prefer eating it right from the cup where you've got maximum caramel control. Sonia says plating it looks nicer. She’s not wrong, but I might be lazy.

In the end, we’re both giving Trader Joe’s Caramel Flan eight and a half out of ten stars. Creamy, caramel-forward, affordable, and absolutely worth picking up. Would buy again. And until the beautiful wifey finally makes me some homemade flan, this might be my go-to.

Bottom line: 8.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's New Zealand Organic Sliced Cheddar Cheese

Trader Joe’s Organic New Zealand Cheddar Cheese is a stellar sliced cheese selection. Imported from New Zealand and made with milk from grass fed cows, this certified organic cheddar comes in at just $4.99 for 8 ounces, and it punches well above its price point.

Right away, the texture stands out. Sonia mentioned it reminded her of Havarti, and that’s spot on. It’s creamy, smooth, and almost velvety as it melts on your tongue. This isn’t a crumbly, dry cheddar. It’s soft and pliable, which makes it incredibly versatile. Flavor-wise, it lands right in that sweet spot between mild and sharp. Aged 3–6 months, Trader Joe’s calls it “subtly sharp,” and I’d agree. You get a gentle tang and savory depth without any aggressive bite. It’s approachable but still very interesting.

I vaguely remember Trader Joe’s offering a different New Zealand cheese years ago that we never tried and honestly, I’d heard some negative reviews of it. If this is the redemption arc, it’s a strong one. This cheese is excellent.

It’s great for simple snacking. I loved eating it plain or stacked on crackers. It also made a fantastic grilled cheese, melting beautifully into a smooth, creamy layer without getting super oily. But the real standout moment? We put it on bison burgers with arugula, brioche buns, and just a few dabs of ketchup and mustard. That combination was next level. The cheddar melted perfectly, adding a buttery richness that tied everything together without overpowering the burger.

For an organic imported cheese at this price, it’s hard to complain. It’s versatile, flavorful, and easy to love whether you’re snacking or cooking. I’m giving Trader Joe’s Organic Sliced New Zealand Cheddar Cheese nine out of ten stars. Sonia comes in just behind me at eight and a half out of ten. Either way, this one’s definitely worth picking up.

Bottom line: 8.75 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Thai Style Yellow Curry Potato Chips

If you’re cruising the snack aisle at Trader Joe's and spot the Thai Style Yellow Curry Potato Chips, do yourself a favor and grab a bag. At just three bucks, these aren’t some globetrotting import with a fancy backstory but honestly, they don’t need one.

Right out of the bag, the aroma hits you with that warm, savory yellow curry vibe. It's turmeric-forward, lightly spiced, and super inviting. The flavor absolutely delivers. It’s bold without being overwhelming, striking that sweet spot where you keep reaching for “just one more" until suddenly the bag is suspiciously empty.

Texture-wise, Trader Joe's Yellow Curry Potato Chips are a win. They’ve got that ideal crispy, crunchy bite. They're firm enough to feel satisfying, but not so hard that you’re worried about dental work. And here’s where things get nostalgic: if you grew up anywhere near the Chesapeake region, you might get some crab chip vibes. As someone who grew up in South Central Pennsylvania just an hour and a half north of the Bay, I can confirm that these feel like crab chips that took a flavorful vacation to Thailand and came back cooler.

We did try to get fancy. Sonia whipped up a dip with yogurt, Trader Joe's Crunchy Chili Onion, and a squeeze of lime. In theory? Amazing. In reality? Flavor overload. The chips already bring plenty of personality, and the dip just pushed things into chaotic territory. Maybe dialing back the chili onion would help—but we never got the chance to refine it because…yeah, we crushed the bag.

In the end, these chips shine brightest all on their own. Big flavor, great crunch, and dangerously snackable. Would absolutely buy again. Eight and a half stars a piece from Sonia and me for Trader Joe's Thai Style Yellow Curry Potato Chips.

Bottom line: 8.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Chicken Sausage Ravioli

Trader Joe's Chicken Sausage Ravioli is one of the latest additions to TJ's long line of pre-packaged, refrigerated ravioli products, and like many of the store’s other chilled pasta offerings, it promises a quick, convenient dinner for busy weeknights. At $4.49 for a 9 oz package, it’s priced right in line with the rest of the lineup.

This thin stuffed pasta comes filled with chicken sausage, ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses, which sounds like a flavor powerhouse on paper. Unfortunately, the reality is a little more subdued.

The pasta itself is perfectly fine. It cooks quickly, the texture is tender without being mushy, and the thin sheets of pasta hold together nicely in the pot. If you’ve had Trader Joe’s other refrigerated ravioli varieties, the texture here will feel very familiar.

The bigger issue is the filling. Despite the promising ingredient list, the flavor is surprisingly mild—almost to the point of blandness. The filling is mostly a soft, white cheese mixture with only occasional small chunks of chicken sausage mixed in. Those bits do add a hint of savory flavor, but they’re sparse enough that the overall taste remains extremely subtle.

In fact, if you top this ravioli with a typical marinara sauce, the sauce tends to completely overshadow the filling. The pasta basically becomes a vehicle for whatever sauce you choose. Using just a light drizzle of olive oil lets a faint chicken sausage flavor come through, but even then it’s pretty delicate.

One thing that helped dramatically was adding Trader Joe's Aglio Olio Seasoning Blend. The garlic, herbs, and red chili pepper gave the ravioli a much needed flavor boost and turned a somewhat sleepy dish into something far more enjoyable.

To be clear, nothing about this ravioli is bad or offensive. It’s easy to cook, the pasta texture is good, and it works well as a base for sauces or seasonings. It’s just that the filling doesn’t deliver the bold flavor you might expect from chicken sausage and three cheeses.

If you’re looking for a mild, customizable ravioli you can dress up with sauce or seasoning, Trader Joe’s Chicken Sausage Ravioli will do the job. Just don’t expect the filling itself to steal the show. Despite its meatless status, I greatly preferred the recently-reviewed Vegetable Ravioli to this selection.

Nathan's score: 6 out of 10.

Sonia's score: 7 out of 10.

Trader Joe's 2 Affogatos

If you love the taste of coffee, then Trader Joe’s 2 Affogatos might be right up your alley. If you’re like me and mostly view coffee as a delivery vehicle for cream and sugar…well, buckle up.

First things first: this is an import. But not the kind you might expect. When you think affogato, you probably picture an elegant Italian cafe with a tiny spoon and someone named Giuseppe dramatically pouring espresso over gelato. Instead, this product is imported from Thailand, which was a bit surprising. Not bad. Just unexpected. Kind of like if someone tried to sell you Pad Thai imported from Italy. No offense to Thailand. It just feels like we swapped passports somewhere along the way.

Preparation is pleasantly simple. Keep the cups frozen, then when dessert time rolls around, dump the little packet of instant coffee into the center of the frozen dessert and add hot water. That’s it. In about ten seconds you’ve got yourself a DIY affogato situation.

Flavor-wise? Trader Joe's 2 Affogatos absolutely taste like coffee. No ambiguity here. The vanilla non-dairy frozen dessert does a nice job softening the bitterness, creating a creamy, melty coffee float vibe. But the coffee flavor still comes through loud and clear. For hardcore coffee fans like Sonia, this is a win. She gave it seven and a half stars and would most likely buy this product again.

For me, though? I’m more coffee-neutral. I don’t hate it, but I don’t exactly crave it either. And because the coffee flavor dominates, the whole experience leans a bit too espresso-forward for my taste. I'm throwing out six and a half out of ten stars.

Another downside: the servings are tiny. At $4.49 for two small cups, the portion-to-price ratio feels a little stingy. That said, I appreciate the creativity and the vegan-friendly approach. The dessert itself is fully vegan, which is cool. I’m also curious how it would taste if you swapped the hot water for hot milk—or hot oat milk or coconut milk if you want to keep it plant-based. That might make the whole thing richer and more indulgent.

Trader Joe's 2 Affogatos Vanilla Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts are neat to try, great for coffee lovers, but probably not a repeat buy for me. Still, if Trader Joe’s ever releases a full dairy Italian-import affogato, I’m absolutely lining up to try that one.

Sonia's score: 7.5 out of 10.

Nathan's score: 6.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Spicy Alfredo Fusilloni Pasta

Trader Joe's loves to mash up flavors from different parts of the world and see what happens. Their Spicy Alfredo Fusilloni Pasta with gochujang sauce is a perfect example of that philosophy: a creamy Italian classic colliding with a bold Korean staple.

For $4.79 you get a full pound of pasta, and it’s not just any pasta. This is imported Italian fusilloni, which is essentially the big, burly cousin of standard fusilli. The spirals are noticeably larger, thicker, and sturdier, which turns out to be a great choice here because they hold onto the sauce beautifully. Each twist grabs onto that creamy, spicy coating, making every bite flavorful.

The sauce is where things get interesting. Traditional Alfredo provides the rich, creamy base, but it’s blended with gochujang, the fermented Korean chili paste that brings a subtle sweetness, a little tang, and a gentle heat. It’s an unusual combination on paper, but in practice it works surprisingly well. The result is creamy, savory, and slightly spicy without overwhelming the pasta.

Speaking of spice, don’t expect this to blow your head off. The heat level of Trader Joe's Spicy Alfredo Fusilloni Pasta lands somewhere around a three or four out of ten. It’s enough to let you know the gochujang is there, but it stays firmly in the “family friendly” zone. If you’re a spice lover, you may find yourself doing what Sonia did—adding an extra squirt of gochujang or two to kick things up a notch.

Flavor-wise, we both enjoyed it quite a bit. The pasta texture is excellent, the sauce is rich and well balanced, and the fusion concept actually delivers. That said, we do have one small gripe: we wish there were some vegetables mixed in. A little broccoli, spinach, or even peppers would help turn this into a more complete one-pan meal. Of course, you can easily add your own, but part of the appeal of products like this is convenience.

Still, it’s perfectly good on its own, and the flavors are satisfying enough to keep you coming back for another forkful. All things considered, Sonia and I give Trader Joe’s Spicy Alfredo Fusilloni Pasta a solid seven and a half out of ten stars. A fun fusion idea, tasty sauce, and excellent pasta. Just bring your own veggies and protein if you want to round it out.

Bottom line: 7.5 out of 10.

Trader Joe's Organic Double Chocolate Batard

Listen, I know what you’re thinking. "Chocolate bread? Isn’t that just cake for people who are lying to themselves about their health goals?" Usually, you’d be right. But Trader Joe’s has imported a little slice of Parisian rebellion called the Double Chocolate Batard, and frankly, it’s making the rest of the bakery aisle look like a bunch of amateurs.

For a mere $4.99, you get a decent size loaf that feels like it was hand-delivered by a guy on a Vespa who definitely judges your pronunciation. It looks artisanal, it feels uniquely French, and it demands just 12 minutes of your time at 350 degrees to reach its final, glorious form.

Once it emerges from the oven, you’re looking at a texture that is unapologetically bready. This isn’t a moist sponge or a crumbly cookie. It’s a dense, yeasty, philosophically-stimulating kind of bread. The outside develops that perfect, slight crust that shatters just enough to be satisfying, while the inside remains soft and substantial.

The flavor is the real shocker, though. It’s surprisingly restrained. I’m usually the first person to complain that dark chocolate tastes like expensive dirt, but in this context, it’s the only logical choice. It isn't super bitter, but it definitely isn't cloyingly sweet. It’s chocolate for grown-ups who still want something fun and novel for breakfast.

Sonia and I both went into this with a healthy dose of skepticism, but we were quickly won over by the taste and texture of this unique baked good. It occupies a weird, wonderful space in the culinary world that isn't a muffin, a cookie, or a croissant. It’s just itself. It’s phenomenal for breakfast alongside a strong cup of coffee, and while you could get fancy with some sliced strawberries or a dollop of mascarpone, let’s be real: it's best served toasty and warm with a thick slab of butter melting into every dark crevice.

The beautiful wifey and I were so impressed that we both officially clocked it at eight and a half stars. If you’ve got five bucks and a dream of French indulgence without the jet lag, go find this batard. Although I must leave you with the following warning: try to eat as much of it as you can straight out of the oven. The bread isn't nearly as good when heated a second time. It gets stale pretty quickly once it's out of the bag.

Bottom line: 8.5 out of 10.