With Summer come and gone, it is now time to enjoy all things Fall, one being Trader Joe’s Fall and Pumpkin Products. Trader Joe’s can bring so much joy with their trendy and seasonal products. So, when I walked into the store last week, the overwhelming amount of Fall colors, smells and products most definitely brought me happiness, comfort and excitement. So as we embrace this new season, I put together some of my favorite (Dietitian approved) TJ’s Fall Finds to share with all of you! A mix of nourishing and not-as-nourishing foods and some non-food products, these fall finds I hope will bring you and your tastebuds joy and add to the excitement of welcoming a new season, Fall.

Trader Joe’s Fall Finds

#1 Pumpkin Spice Pumpkin Seeds

Top your oatmeal, pancakes, yogurt, eat by itself or add to a trail mix. Pumpkin seeds are super nutritious & the added spice & sweetness make it an easy go-to Fall fav.

#2 pumpkin cream cheese

On a toasted bagel, some crackers or fruit, add some pumpkin flavor, creaminess and delicious taste to any meal or snack.

#3 Canned pupmkin

Okay, I know this is very obvious BUT you can do SO MUCH with this little can. Add to vanilla greek yogurt yogurt with pumpkin spice for a healthy dip for apples, graham crackers, bananas, or add in some peanut butter as well for a meal or added energy.
Check out my Pumpkin overnight oats OR Pumpkin energy bites.
I’ll add a hefty spoonful to my oat milk with pumpkin spice over medium heat to add to my Coffee.
Pumpkin waffles, pancakes, waffles, soups, chilis, smoothies. have more than a few of these on hand!

#4 Vanilla Pumpkin Candle

A non-food item, I am aware, however, these guys are cheap and smell so good! You’ll want to grab a few of these as well. These are pretty chep as well.
Tip: make sure to burn the entire first layer or you’ll get a deep hole and not be able to use the entire candle.

#5 Pumpkin Perfect Bar

You can find these outside of Trader Joe’s as well but if you like peanut butter and pumpkin, you will love these bars. Gwen I share these much of the time or I’ll just have half (I know, only sometimes)
Feel free to have by itself or add to some vanilla yogurt. But these are great on-the-go snacks or mini meals.

#6 Pumpkin ICe Cream

Definitely a not-as-nourishing food option but I could NOT write this blog without telling you about this amazingly delicious product! Seriously so so good!
Recommendation: Bring all your senses to this delicious treat, the flavors, creaminess, texture, sweetness etc. etc. to elevate your mindfulness and satisfaction so we don’t end of eating too much.

#7 Rice Cauliflower & Butternut Squash

I love some of TJs frozen food products to help throw together dinner. This product not only cooks up quickly on stovetop but is nourishing, tasty and an easy way to get a lot of color and just a few carbs on the plate.
Have with Chicken sausages or rotisserie chicken and a Side salad for a balanced and nourishing meal.

#8 Pancake Mixes

While checking out the Gluten-free pumpkin mix, a woman came up to me RAVING about how amazing it is! We ALL need pancakes in our lives and Pumpkin pancakes are a seasonal favorite so here you go!
Add more nourishment to these by topping them with nut butter, nuts, vanilla greek yogurt and/or banana slices. Oh, and of course, maple syrup (I am a realistic Dietitian). Adding these other goodies to the pancakes allows you to have less maple syrup.You can also add an egg(s) or turkey sausage on the side for a more balanced meal (protein/fat).

#9 Pumpkin Cranberry Crisps

The non seasonal version of these are phenomenal but these pack a fall punch and are super delicious.
Bring to your next (covid-19 friendly) party, have with cream cheese, cottage cheese or really any cheese some some salami or prosciutto. I know what will be on my next charcuterie board. As a snack or part of an adult lunchable these will be delicious and perfect up till Thanksgiving.

#10 Pumpkin Bisque

We all need SUPER quick dinner ideas and with the cooler weather coming, this soup is a perfect choice.
Add in some chicken (rotisserie if need super fast) and steam up some microwaveable frozen bags of veggies for a more balanced nourishing dinner!
You can even use this as a base, and in more chicken stock as well as adding in other proteins and vegetables like stated above.
Whether by itself or as part of a meal, this will suffice your pumpkin fall flavor and comfort you on cold nights. DIpping some bread in it would be AMAZING as well!

#11 Pepita Salsa

Rather than a DIP use this as a Fall flavor enhancer.
Add it to chicken, ground turkey, sandwiches, soups and so forth!!!
Feel free to try it with chips but this is the way I prefer to use it :-)

#12 Pumpkin Granola Bark

I mean, how delicious do these look….
By themselves as a treat, added into yogurt for more of a snack/mini meal or tossed on some ice cream hehe :-o
These guys will make your tastebuds happy!

#13 Bnut Squash PAsta & autumn sauce

What kid or adult wouldn’t want some cute shaped pasta? Not to mention it is quite delicious, and butternut squash flavor is not overpowering so can add a lot more flavor to the pasta.
You do not NEED to pair it with this autumn sauce but not a bad idea.
I am planning to make a warm veggie pasta salad with this: Roasted Brussel sprouts, chicken, shredded parmesan cheese, and a little butter. Is your mouth watering yet?

#14 Pumpkin Ravioli

Another pasta type BUT this has a lot more fall flavor and is an easy starch to add to a dish.
Just like with the butternut squash pasta above, I would do a sheet pan of roasted fall veggies: brussels sprouts, red onions, carrots with 2-3 pieces of bacon. Roast at 400’ for 30 minutes, make pasta during this time and toss in bowl with some parmesan cheese, slivered almonds and hemp seeds for a comforting and nourishing meal.

#15 Pumpkin Butter

Another item to add to you charcuterie board or top some crackers with plain cream cheese and a little of this for an insanely delicious snack. Can also add to some toast, yogurt, on a sandwich etc. etc. You really cannot go wrong with this product. A little goes a long way, now you just need to decide what to put it on :-)

There were MANY MORE Fall and Pumpkin products however some were overkill for me, not a fan or some I would rather make my own version of.

They had pumpkin waffles and the taste of homemade pumpkin waffles is by far so much better I would rather make a special breakfast or dinner with them. Same goes for pumpkin oatmeal. IT is SO EASY to make your own. Simply add in some canned pumpkin and pumpkin spice cinnamon to oats and liquid before cooking on stove or in microwave stir, then top with banana slices, little maple syrup/honey and you got yourself pumpkin oatmeal! I also will add flax meal, hemp seeds and sometime nut butter to add more nourishment to Gwen and I’s oatmeal.

Pumpkin cinnamon rolls, meh not my thing (I would rather go get pumpkin donuts at a local bakery) and pumpkin empanadas are trying too hard haha. They also have pumpkin bagels and breads but I would rather get the cream cheese or a spread to add pumpkin flavor. But hey, that is just me.

The important thing here is THERE ARE A LOT of options and they joy, deliciousness, and nourishment that these products can offer you. Food is one of life’s greatest pleasures after all so let’s enjoy them without guilt and shame while also respecting and caring for our self.

What is your favorite Trader Joe’s Fall product? Comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Michele