15 Trader Joe's Must-Haves For Apple Lovers
For many foodies, the best part about autumn is all the pumpkin-flavored things (from the pumpkin spice latte and beyond) — but for others, it's all about apples. There's classic apple pie, of course, but there are also plenty of other treats where the fruit is front and center, like cinnamon apple sheet cake or sweet apple butter. On the savory side, there are also a multitude of apple-forward recipes to cook, such as apple, fennel, and cheddar quiche or apple cranberry stuffing. The list, for both sweet and savory dishes, goes on and on. But if you don't want to cook or bake apple dishes from scratch, then there are plenty of delicious treats that you can find at your local grocery store — including Trader Joe's.
If you head to your local TJ's during the fall months, then you're going to be nearly overwhelmed (and delighted) with how many apple-themed products there are to choose from — such as a pie spread and cider donuts. But TJ's also keeps some of these items stocked permanently, which will keep lovers of the fruit preoccupied during the rest of the year, until autumn rolls back around. To help you sort out all of your options at Trader Joe's, we've compiled this list of all of the must-haves for apple lovers. Expect plenty of sweet desserts, fun and satisfying snacks, and even a couple of beverages.
Apple Blossoms
For a simple, delicious dessert that puts apples in the spotlight, try TJ's apple blossoms. Each blossom consists of pastry that has been filled with cooked Northern Spy apples and topped with a cinnamon crumble — so it's very similar to a small apple pie. The blossoms can be cooked from frozen in the microwave (and they'll be ready in just one minute) and will taste delicious all on their own, but you may also choose to top them with whipped cream or pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Each two-count box costs $2.49.
Honeycrisp Apple Granola
This Honeycrisp apple granola is a limited-time item, so you'll have to keep your eyes peeled for it during the fall months. It's made with rolled oats, cane sugar, molasses, warm spices (such as cinnamon, cardamom, and clove), and, of course, Honeycrisp apples. Replace your regular go-to granola and use this in your yogurt bowl for an apple-infused crunch that also adds plenty of sweetness. Or, grab a handful and eat it on its own for a quick, fun snack. You can buy a 12-ounce bag for a limited time at Trader Joe's for $3.99.
Organic Apple Juice
Of course, we have to include apple juice on this list, which is one of the simplest — yet most delicious and satisfying — ways to enjoy the sweet taste of apples. TJ's organic apple juice, which is made from organic apple juice concentrate, is 100% juice and has been filtered and pasteurized. There's zero added sugar but still plenty of sweetness (about 30 grams per serving) from the fruit itself. A 64-ounce container costs $3.99.
Apple Cider Donuts
Donut lovers, listen up — you're going to want to try these apple cider donuts, which are a limited-time item at Trader Joe's. For just $4.99, you'll get a six-count box of these delectable donuts that are perfect for breakfast and dessert alike. These treats are made by a family-owned bakery in Western Massachusetts, which makes them so delicious in part by the use of real apple cider. There's also plenty of cinnamon and sugar on top to round out the tasty flavor of the treat.
Pink Lady Apple Chips
When you want a filling, healthy snack, reach for these Pink Lady apple chips, which cost $2.29 for a 2.5-ounce bag. When they're at their peak freshness, the Pink Lady apples — which are known for their crispness and a flavor that's the perfect balance of sweet and tart — are sliced and vacuum-crisped to transform them into a sweet, satisfying chip. Vacuum crisping uses minimal oil, which is not only healthier for you but also helps to keep the focus on the fruit flavor. Finally, the chips are topped with cinnamon and sugar, making them a bit sweeter and even tastier.
Rustic Apple Tarte
If you're hosting a fall-themed dinner party, look no further for a dessert that will impress your guests — this rustic apple tarte is the perfect choice. The tarte has a buttery crust and a filling made of apples, cream cheese, cinnamon, and sugar. To finish it off, the dessert is topped with a generous helping of slivered almonds. Top it with whipped cream or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate autumnal dessert. The rustic apple tarte, which serves four, is priced at $5.99. Just keep in mind that this is another limited-time item.
Sweet Apple Chicken Sausage
Next up, we have the sweet apple chicken sausage, which costs $4.29 for a pack of five. These sausages contain chopped apples, pure Vermont maple syrup, and some cinnamon spice — so they are infused with autumnal flavors and plenty of sweetness to balance out the savory. The wieners are fully cooked, so the prep work is pretty minimal (just heat them up on the stovetop, for example, until they're browned and crispy to your liking). These sausages work for breakfast and dinner alike, so get creative with how you integrate them into your meals.
Apple Pie a la Mode Ice Cream
This limited-time item is sure to get the attention of dessert lovers — it's the apple pie á la mode ice cream. This TJ's product combines two beloved desserts (which are often paired together, anyway): it consists of vanilla ice cream with apple, pie crust pieces, and a spiced apple swirl (with cinnamon and nutmeg). Enjoy a few scoops of this on its own or, to make it even more decadent, top it with whipped cream and caramel sauce. A pint of this apple pie-inspired ice cream costs $3.99 at TJ's.
Sparkling Apple Cider
When you're celebrating a special occasion, it's time for apple lovers to break out the sparkling apple cider. It's a fun, festive drink that can be enjoyed by adults and kids alike, since it's non-alcoholic. Trader Joe's sparkling apple cider — which costs just $3.49 for a 25.4-ounce bottle — is mostly sweet, but there's a bit of tartness too. Regardless, it's delicious and fun to drink, whether you're celebrating something or simply want to make an average night at home just a little bit more special.
Juicy Apple Gummy Candy
For a limited time, customers can enjoy this juicy apple gummy candy from TJ's. A bag of these contains a mix of sweet red and sour green apple gummies, all of which have a delicious liquid center to make the candy-eating experience more fun and interesting. Keep a bag of these around (during the fall months) for when you want a sweet-sour gummy candy experience. One 6.35-ounce bag costs $2.49 at TJ's.
White Stilton Cheese with Apple & Pear
Apples and cheese already make for one delicious pairing — and it's not unusual to find both on the same charcuterie board — so it only makes sense to combine them into one product, as TJ's has with the white Stilton cheese with apple and pear. The dairy product is infused with an apple and pear compote, as well as red apple pieces (so, in other words, you can expect a prominent apple flavor). Texture-wise, it has a bit of a crumble and an overall airy element. Buy this cheese from Trader Joe's for $13.99 per pound.
Apple Pie Spread
This product from Trader Joe's is essentially apple pie in a jar — it's the apple pie spread, which is a limited-time item available in the fall. This sweet spread is made with chopped apples, cinnamon, butter, sea salt, and brown sugar. When you have this deliciousness around, you won't be paying any attention to your regular butters and jams — instead, you'll be spreading the sweet, warm, autumnal apple pie spread on everything from toast to pancakes to muffins and so on. Buy a 10-ounce jar from TJ's for $3.99, or stock up on multiples.
Sliced Apple Cinnamon Sourdough Bread
Sourdough bread is already delicious, but it gets an upgrade with this TJ's product: the sliced apple cinnamon sourdough bread. The bread still has the tang that you know and love from sourdough, but it also has the sweet taste of apples, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Toast a couple of slices of this in the morning and slather them with butter for a warm, comforting breakfast. Or spread a generous helping of the aforementioned apple pie butter on this bread. A loaf, which contains about 10 slices, is priced at $4.99.
Honey Crisp Apple Cinnamon Greek Yogurt
Here's another apple-infused breakfast option: the Honeycrisp apple cinnamon Greek yogurt cup, which costs just $0.99. It's made with whole milk and contains actual pieces of dried Honeycrisp apples throughout, as well as the delectable flavors of honey and cinnamon. You may just need to pair this with the Honeycrisp apple granola, which could be a dream breakfast for apple lovers. This yogurt is a limited-time item at TJ's, so look out for it during the fall months.
Teeny Tiny Apple Pies
If you love apple pie, then you need to try the mini version with TJ's Teeny Tiny Apple Pies. Each small treat has a buttery and flaky crust with an irresistible filling of diced (and cinnamon-spiced) Northern Spy apples and a brown sugar crumble topping. They're also made to be handheld, so you could eat one on the go if you so choose. All in all, it's perfect for when the apple pie craving hits, but you don't want to make (or buy) a whole one. Instead, buy a four-count box at TJ's for $5.49.