The Best Trader Joe's Items Added In September 2026

There are a lot of mysteries in life, such as why Trader Joe's parking lots seem so small, and why our favorite small-format grocery store refuses to give in and embrace self-checkout. Luckily, there's one aspect of the Trader Joe's mystique that's been decoded, and that's which of the store's abundant seasonal products you should check out in the month of September. Any TJ's shopper worth their salt knows that the market is constantly rolling out new limited-time buys to satiate seasonal cravings, and that you need to jump on these deals while the proverbial gettin' is good. As fall kicks off, we're seeing an expected surplus of pumpkin-y goodies, along with other harbingers of autumn like warm apple croissants and spiced oatmeal spread. 

The same excitement that we feel when we see hot new Trader Joe's goodies on the shelf is closely tied to our horror when we come back for seconds and realize that the item is no longer in stock. With that in mind, stay aware that availability is highly subject to change between Trader Joe's locations and that, generally, once items go out of stock, they are gone until next year ... if they come back at all! All stated pricing is accurate as of this writing. 

A great sugar cookie is a wonderful thing indeed, and these delicate treats sing the song of autumn with their pretty, leafy shapes. Their seasonal colors come from natural dyes, and the crunchy coating is pure rock sugar. We can't think of a better accompaniment for sipping tea on the first crisp mornings of fall. Favor a different cuppa? Let us remind you of the best sugar substitutes for coffee. 

Purchase Autumn Leaf Sugar Cookies for $3.99 per box. 

We've heard of adding egg to a baked potato for more protein, but these bites cram multiple protein superfoods — meats, egg, and cheese — into a spud-tastic breakfast patty held together with tater goodness. All you have to do is heat them up in your toaster oven or air fryer, and a nutritious, yummy morning repast is served! Their minimal packaging makes them effortless to tote in your bag to the office breakroom, and their great price beats similar bites at the drive-thru. 

Purchase Tater Bites with Sausage & Uncured Ham for $3.49 per two-count. 

Chicken meatballs are a leaner way to make dinner than beef, and the addition of tart cranberry and spicy chili peppers here surely ensures that flavor isn't even slightly traded off. Rev up your tailgate by subbing these meatballs in for the normal variety in a vintage recipe that includes jelly and store-bought 'balls. We think you'll win mad hosting points, and the prep won't be one lick harder than it generally is. 

Purchase Cranberry Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs for $4.29 per package. 

Pumpkin generally gets all the glory in the fall, but let's not forget that apple also shares the crown — and an apple a day has genuine health benefits, to boot! Nobody would mistake mini apple danishes for health food, but we doubt you'll care when their delicious scent fills your kitchen and that hot, gooey filling hits your tastebuds. These are frozen and bake up in the oven, preferably right before serving. 

Purchase Mini Apple Danish Pastries for $4.99 per bag. 

It isn't trendy butter-dipped ice cream (and maybe that's a good thing?), but passionfruit is still an exciting and unique addition to your favorite dessert. These mini bars make a snack that's the ideal size for grab-and-go, ensuring that you are able to enjoy it before the last vestiges of warm-weather sunshine turn it into mush. The bright zest of the fruit pairs perfectly with the mellow sweetness of the cream in a treat that sounds to be balanced with every bite.

Purchase Passion Fruit Mini Ice Cream Bars for $3.99 per box. 

Just the thought of pumpkin and spice caramel sauce fills us with such spasms of autumnal glee that we can barely begin to enumerate all the delicious dishes on which we'd happily dump the contents of this small jar. Ice cream with spiced caramel drizzle? Oh, heck yes. Shortcake shells from the grocery store with fresh apple slices and this on top? Swoon. For that matter, it would make an exceptional swap for the homemade stuff in our own caramel pecan French toast recipe. 

Purchase Pumpkin & Spice Caramel Sauce for $3.99 per jar.

Once you know the seasonings that make up pumpkin spice blend, it becomes easy to discern their presence in all manner of fall treats, like these pumpkin cream cheese croissants. Trader Joe's recommends heating them in the air fryer for amplification of both scent and deliciousness — and helpfully mentions that a two-pack of these pastries costs less than you'd pay for just one if dished up at a cafe. Enjoy for a scrumptious brunch or with a scoop of ice cream for dessert. 

Purchase Pumpkin Cream Cheese Croissants for $3.99 per package. 

Trader Joe's has had great success with its succession of Takis copycats, proving that no one company owns the patent on rolled tortilla chips. These nacho cheese chips lack the electric spice of their big-name competition, but are much more palatable for serving with dips on football weekends or in children's lunchboxes. Better try them out before they join the sad ranks of discontinued Trader Joe's chips. 

Purchase Nacho Cheese Flavored Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips for $2.99 per bag. 

TJ's itself compares this to the virally popular cookie butter, so we won't feel bad for starting off with one prediction: you likely love cookie butter, so you're almost certainly going to love this. Granola butter is oat-based, which gives it delightful nuttiness, while the sweet cavalry of brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla comes marching in to delight your palate. Consider it as the basis of a creative dessert, or use it in lieu of PB in a peanut butter sandwich idea that's not so traditional. 

Purchase Granola Butter for $5.49 per jar. 

We previously spilled the beans that your oven is the key to diner-style French toast, so now here's another revelation: pumpkin sourdough might just be the greatest thing to happen to brunch since ... dare we say sliced bread? The bread's dough is infused with pumpkin puree and spiced with a seasonal blend. This isn't necessarily bread for every sandwich, but we think you'd drool over a ham sando with creamy brie and some seedy whole-grain mustard. 

Purchase Sliced Pumpkin Sourdough Bread for $4.99 per loaf.