Instagram user TraderJoesList informed America of the news we've been anxiously awaiting: Trader Joe's has finally released its pumpkin-flavored foods. Of the dozens of foods out there, you deserve to know what's the best. Here's everything we've tried so far . . . Pumpkin not your flavor of choice? Don't worry; we've also tasted Trader Joe's new products for October.
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Ice Cream
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We've had delicious, inexpensive pumpkin ice cream, and Trader Joe's Pumpkin Ice Cream ($4) is not it. It's way too sweet and all spice but nothing nice. The funny, slippery texture doesn't help either.
1 / 14
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Joe-Joe's ($3)
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If you've never had Joe's Joe-Joe's, Trader Joe's take on Oreos, what are you waiting for? The pumpkin flavor, on the other hand, is something you can skip out on. Similar to the Mango Joe Joe's, these have a bit of an unpleasant aftertaste. While the orange filling gets props for being made with actual pumpkin puree, it doesn't quite make for a cookie we want to keep snacking on.
2 / 14
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Anna Monette Roberts
With a beautiful, natural looking pumpkin hue, we thought we were in for a treat. However, Philadelphia’s version is way better, as TJ’s Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread ($3) is really sweet, chalky, and artificial tasting.
3 / 14
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice Coffee
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Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice Coffee ($4) is neither good nor bad; the coffee is on the robust side and boasts an authentic nutmeg note. That said, it's not memorable.
4 / 14
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Waffles
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Though a really good toaster waffle, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Waffles ($2) didn’t deliver enough pumpkin spice flavor. We’d still love to try them with a few dollops of pumpkin butter.
5 / 14
Trader Joe's Country Pumpkin Spice Granola Cereal
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Trader Joe's Country Pumpkin Spice Granola Cereal ($2) has a fun texture thanks to crunchy nuggets that are in the mix. Other unexpected additions (coconut and raisins) weren't our favorite, but weren't offensive either.
6 / 14
Trader Joe's Pumpkin O's ($2)
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Trader Joe's O's, the brand's version of Cheerios, gets a Fall upgrade with pumpkin, cinnamon, and sea salt, and they're just subtle enough to give you your pumpkin-spice fix. The crunchy whole-grain cereal, which is vegan and gluten-free, has a thin sugary coating that's filled with the spices, and it's almost as good as the original Pumpkin Spice Cheerios.
7 / 14
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter
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Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter ($2) nails the acidity thanks to lots of lemon. It’s just a touch of sweet, which we love, but it’s a little thin compared to other pumpkin butters out there. For the price point, we are fans.
8 / 14
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Biscotti
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Trader Joe's Pumpkin Biscotti ($4) are not too sweet and have a really good crisp, crumbly texture. The flavor is more pumpkin-y than pumpkin spice, but we're definitely not complaining.
9 / 14
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Cheesecake
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Like TJ's classic frozen cheesecake, Trader Joe's Pumpkin Cheesecake ($7) is pretty darn good for a frozen dessert. The pumpkin flavor is mild, but that's our only complaint.
10 / 14
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bagels ($2)
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What sets Trader Joe's pumpkin bagels apart from others is they're made with actual pumpkin flour milled from fresh pumpkins. The cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and ginger blend really nicely with the pumpkin flour to create a bagel that tastes like the essence of Fall but isn't sickeningly sweet. For an especially seasonal breakfast, toast it up and pair it with pumpkin butter, pumpkin cream cheese, or apple butter.
11 / 14
Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Rolls With Pumpkin Spice Icing
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Everything about these Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Rolls With Pumpkin Spice Icing ($4) is reminiscent of Pillsbury ready-to-bake cinnamon rolls. We would gladly serve these up for special (and, um, lazy) weekend mornings.
12 / 14
Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice Cookies ($3)
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Erin Cullum
If you buy one pumpkin spice snack from Trader Joe's this year, make it these cookies. The petite cookies taste like a less gingery gingersnap and are coated in a sweet yogurt frosting topped with sprinkles. They're crunchy, not too sweet, and they don't leave you with an artificial aftertaste at all. Plus, you have to appreciate the adorable pumpkin shape!
Made from a blend of California almonds and pumpkin purée, the thick and creamy beverage is spiked with cinnamon, nutmeg, and other seasonal spices but isn't super sweet. While Trader Joe's suggests drinking it on its own over ice in a smoothie, or even heated and garnished with a cinnamon stick, I recommend adding it to coffee for a dairy-free PSL.