There Are Hundreds of New Groceries Hitting Trader Joe’s Stores This Fall — These Are the 13 Staffers Are Most Excited About

Yes, we’re just over a week into September, and yet there are clear signs fall is basically here. Most notably, a fresh load of Trader Joe’s seasonal groceries are already in stores, with more to come in the next few weeks and months. While pumpkin is, of course, part of the lineup, it’s definitely not the main focus this year.  

According to the latest Inside Trader Joe’s podcast episode, which dropped earlier this morning, we can expect a variety of apple, maple, butternut squash, and even Thai curry items to pop up on shelves alongside the season’s most famous gourd. Cohosts Tara Miller and Matt Sloan narrowed down the list of hundreds of items to their absolute favorites. These are the 13 fall groceries they’re most excited about this fall. 

Get all of the juicy sweetness of a fresh fall apple in a gummy. The candies are shaped like apples and come in green and red — green being sweet, green with a tart flavor and red sweet. Matt explains that they’re made in France by a “long time expert in making all things gummy” and will be in stores throughout the season.

This isn’t inherently a sweet, dessert bread, explains Trang, one of Trader Joe’s bakery managers. “It tastes like actual … apples.” Matt, Tara, and Trang think its best use is in a savory fall sandwich (Unexpected Cheddar grilled cheese, anyone?!). It’ll be in stores until the end of the year. 

These almonds are covered in a maple brown butter coating and dusted with cocoa powder and maple sugar. Tara and Matt tried them during the recording and (spoiler!) gave them a rave review. They “smell like a pancake breakfast,” said Matt. Plus, they’re already in stores. 

This frozen dessert serves maple two ways: both in the cookie and a maple-infused ice cream. Similar to the popular Trader Joe’s Maple Leaf Sandwich Cookies, the leaf-shaped cookie is on the softer side, which doesn’t crush the ice cream and won’t end up all over your fingers. Genius! They’ll be in stores later this month. 

Imagine a butter tart with a gooey, sweet maple filling — only in tiny, bite-size pieces. You get the new Teeny Tiny Maple Butter Tarts. Hasmik, a buyer at Trader Joe’s, praised the miniature flaky crusts filled with a not-too-sweet salted maple cream that’s, and I quote, “really good.” Each box comes with 12, and they’re good as is, and even better heated, according to Hasmik. 

Coffee lovers, take note: Trader Joe’s has released a new autumn-inspired coffee creamer for the season. Like the store’s other cold foam creamers, it comes in a can with a nozzle for easy application — similar to whipped cream. The flavor is maple and salted, making it a great addition to coffee or a festive touch for fall desserts. (Matt described it as eating a “maple-flavored cloud.”

Hasmik firmly believes that butternut squash is “the next pumpkin,” which happens to be the star in the grocer’s new Butternut Squash Risotto. The frozen dinner contains Italian carnaroli rice and heats up in the microwave in just five minutes. It’s in stores now.

They may not be inherently fall-themed, but Trader Joe’s new Loaded Mashed Potatoes are plenty cozy and comforting. Made with sharp cheddar, sour cream, uncured bacon, and scallions, everything is mixed with the mashed potatoes for a rich, savory side. Heat them in the oven for about 20 minutes, or pop them in the microwave for a quicker option. They’ll be available in stores throughout the winter.

Speaking of delicious sides, there’s a new bagged salad joining the many salad kits at Trader Joe’s this season. It features dried cranberries, pecans, finely crumbled blue cheese and an orange vinaigrette — all tossed with fresh spinach. Fresh, fall flavors. 

Nestled in the fridge by all of the other excellent Trader Joe’s soups is a new Thai-inspired curry soup made with pumpkin, chicken, and full of aromatics like ginger and lemongrass. Pro tip: Matt recommends serving it with a side of the new Apple Cinnamon Sourdough Bread. It should be in stores throughout winter (unless it sells out sooner). 

Three new scents in new packaging: spiced pear, vanilla woods, and falling leaves, and all in adorable (and reusable!) glass jars. Light any one to make your house smell like peak fall or give them out as a hostess gifts for the holidays — or both. 

These returning dog treats have been on shelves every year since 2021, and are one of the store’s most popular fall items. They’re a good size for most dogs and can easily be broken in half for smaller pooches. 

You might recognized this hexagonal glass jar from the store’s honey hydration kit. This fall it’s being sold as a stand-alone item. Tara describes it as a “warming, moisturizing facial mask.” It’s only available this fall. 

Which of these fall items are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments below!