What to buy when Pumpkin Palooza hits Trader Joe's this Week

It's Fall at Trader Joe's aka Pumpkin Palooza aka the best grocery trip ever. Here are some of my must-grab items from year’s past!

My best advice: RUN to the store often and ASAP because these products sell out so quickly.

PUMPKIN SPICE EVERYTHING!! Yes.. please. I am that person at the register always asking when the pumpkin stuff at Trader Joe’s is coming out because it sells out fast and with recent shortages that have come up as a result of the pandemic you never know if you’ll be able to grab it again. I cannot even begin to tell you the devastation of not acquiring the pumpkin cream cheese in 2020 and only having it once in 2021. We just may have to experiment with freezing cream cheese in 2022.

So, I present you with my grocery list for all the fall items at Trader Joe’s when pumpkin palooza officially hits town that first week of september.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese

An absolute must-have. It’s probably my favorite thing Trader Joe’s sells in general and I just absolutely love it. I put it on all types of toast, bagels, wraps and even make cheesecake with it.

Pumpkin Freezer Waffles

I make a ton of homemade waffles, but sometimes you just need a quick pre-workout snack and these are the only toaster waffles I tend to purchase from Trader Joe’s. 10/10 recommend pairing it with some pumpkin or regular cream cheese. (I genuinely thought I was the only person who put cream cheese on waffles until I met my wonderful DCP roommate.) It really slaps!

Pumpkin Bagels

One thing about me is I tend to freeze my breads and bagels for extended lasting and I froze these pumpkin bagels last year. I know I purchased the gluten free option, but I’m sure the normal ones taste great too. I love adding cream cheese, deli turkey or even just veggies on these bagels. Maybe I’ll purchase both options this year.

Pumpkin Overnight Oats

The Trader Joe’s brand of pumpkin overnight oats is a great healthy on-the-go breakfast, snack, lunch, dessert option! I love to pair it with greek yogurt. If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, I’m also obsessed with Mush pumpkin pie overnight oats. Both of these brands are sweetened with dates, dairy free and have no added sugar which I genuinely appreciate.

Pumpkin Pancake Mix

I work a lot with Pamcakes Pancakes’ and those are definitely my go-to pancake mix. However, I will combine the Trader Joe’s pumpkin mix with those at times for some extra fluffiness. This pancake mix is full of pumpkin flavor, and the whole family can truly appreciate it. I alternate between gluten free and regular products. Last year, I purchased the regular version of this pancake mix.

Pumpkin Spice RX Bars

While you can find these in any store, Trader Joe’s sells these and they are my favorite brand of protein bars. The pumpkin one ranks second in my all-time top flavors of RX Bars.

Pumpkin Empanadas

I actually never had an empanada before I decided to try the pumpkin ones at Trader Joe’s. I paired them with greek yogurt for a satisfying filling breakfast most mornings. I missed these in 2021, so I'll certainly be on the lookout for them this season.

Hearty Minestrone Soup.

Okay, I can’t actually remember if this is a winter or fall item or both, but this is the best soup I have ever had in my entire life. I’m obsessed with it. I often add in just white meat chicken chunks from Trader Joe’s and/or string cheese for extra protein. I love pairing it with a side of avocado toast as well. This becomes one of my go-to meals during the fall/winter. Bonus: It's vegan and gluten free for all my friends who follow those diets.

These are all items I certainly cannot wait to have back in my house for the Fall.

I’m sure Trader Joe's will come out with an influx of new items that I can’t wait to give a go as well. Plus, I want to try some of the options I never got around too yet. I think the pumpkin cinnamon rolls maybe calling my name. Oh, and the pumpkin ginger hold the cones! I love hold the cones and these sell out like crazy, so I wasn't able to acquire them last year.

I know some newer products are coming out this year like gluten free pumpkin streusel muffins that just sound fabulous, and some different pumpkin pasta options like pumpkin gnocchi which my brother may just love.

While I love most things fall and pumpkin, there are a few products that I’m just not hugely crazy about. The first one is the butternut squash mac n cheese. I did not hate it, but I definitely did not love it. I think it just had too many cheese’s on it at once for me to truly become a fan. However, I’m not opposed to giving it another go since it is so beloved.

I’m also obsessed with protein shakes, but unfortunately did not like the Trader Joe’s pumpkin protein shake that has been around the past few years.

Let me know what Trader Joe’s fall products are your favorite and which one’s you can’t wait to try in the comments below.