When I think or Octoberfest or going to a sporting event I think of pretzels. The nicely done crisp on the outside yet soft and delicious in the center.
But if you are at the big game, they can be quite pricey. And if they have been sitting out for too long then they sometimes aren't up to par.
If you have found yourself saying any of these things then Trader Joe's has got a product worth of not only buying, trying, but of a repeat purchase.
The packaging
The packaging is pretty basic here. It is nothing more than a plastic bag. Inside the plastic bag is another plastic bag that contains a salt packet.
So if you wanted to enjoy this salt-free you can. Also, if you love salt I've found the contents of these bags to be more than sufficient to cover 4 pretzels and have salt leftover.
If you happen to not need all four at the same time you are going to probably find an alternate package as this cannot be resealed.
Taste
This has the taste you would expect from a German pretzel. It comes out mildly crisp on the outside.
This also is tender and doughy in the middle. For a frozen item this is near perfection in terms of taste.
Each one makes for a nice sized appetizer, however it is easy to eat more than one.
The biggest difference between this and a true Octoberfest pretzel is size. This is more single size than some of the ones I've had in the past.
Pairing suggestions
Here are some pairing suggestions to have with your pretzels (if you have more leave them in the comments):
- Enjoy with some pub cheese
- Peanut butter
- Guacamole
- Artichoke Dip
- Garlic Spread
- Olive oil
- Mustard
- and of course beer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Trader Joe's sells soft pretzels. The first variety can sometimes be found with the fresh bread. The other variety Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels are found in the frozen aisle.
While this isn't labeled vegan the ingredients do not seem to contain any animal based ingredients. However, the allergy information indicates it may have traces of milk.
Yes, I've defrosted these without issue. By defrosting them you can reduce the amount of cooking time.
Add enough water to make the tops a bit tacky. Place the salt on a wide plate and press the pretzel tacky side towards the salt.
Overall
For $2.49 for four these are reasonably priced, made in Germany, and are a good pretzel. So while they are a similar product to what has been offered in the past, it is still a good product.
A visual rundown of the product
The bag of Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels:
The nutritional information:
The ingredients:
How to prepare:
How Trader Joe's describes this:
How I enjoyed mine:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels again.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
The Bottom Line
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Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels
Product Name: Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels
Product Description: Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels are a delicious find in the frozen aisle of Trader Joe's.
Price: $2.49
Currency: USD
Availability: Discontinued
Summary
Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels are an outstanding option in the frozen food aisle at Trader Joe's.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Trader Joe's Big Soft Pretzels are a hidden gem on shelves
- They have the salt package already in the bag so you decide how much or how little is best for you.
- A very tasty pretzel that tastes are fresh as one you might get at the big game.
Cons
- Four pretzels in a bag, but the bag can't be resealed.
Alek says
PROST! (Cheers in English translated from Germany) I like that it came all the way from Germany so it has that authentic pretzel taste. I can see this served in parties. Plus much cheaper than a NYC pretzel on the cart which runs for $3 a piece. 62 cents each piece is a bargain especially authentic German pretzel
judilyn says
Went to the big city today, but passed by Trader Joe's without stopping - too full from lunch. Wanted to get home to take a nap. It's a 2+ hour drive, and Hubby was fading fast. This is one of the bad parts about getting old - naps rule! ;->
Virtual hugs,
Judie
becomebetty says
Bummer Judie! I'm sure there will be another time you head into the city! I love hearing about your adventures regardless. And for the record, naps rule at any age.
judilyn says
Trips, even short ones, are exhausting. He’s been asleep most of today.
becomebetty says
Good you two need to relax and enjoy. Sometimes traveling can be absolutely exhausting. Hopefully you took lots of pictures to put up on your blog.
judilyn says
I took more of the art work at the Cancer Clinic and of the mountain view out the windows. Forgot to snap the delicious food at our fave restaurant.
becomebetty says
Thats absolutely wonderful!
Dag says
They are sehr gut! I thought I would add to Alek's german. These are certainly better than their bakery fresh version of soft pretzels. The flour and water is different in Germany. much along the same lines as to why I miss New York City pizza and bagels. TJS Pub Cheese makes them extra good. I have tried all of their Pub Cheese varieties with these pretzels now andIke them all. I really hope they don't end up discontinuing these!
becomebetty says
Danke Dag! And Danke Alek! I'm so glad you both chimed in on this. I figured you could easily talk about authenticity on this product. And I never thought I'd hear someone validating the water differences as playing a key role (along with the flour). And yes, there is nothing like NYC pizza and bagels. I've only tried the sharp cheddar pub cheese, but my husband really likes it too. I know. I think we are now on bag 4 or 5 in our household. Thanks so much for stopping by!
AJ says
Grrr that drives me crazy when you can’t easily reseal the bag!
becomebetty says
Hey AJ! I only mention it because we are a 2 person household and there are 4 pretzels. Plus there is the plastic bag of salt too that also can't be resealed. Not major, but it means someone who only wants to enjoy one will have to creatively repack these. Thanks so much for stopping by!
AJ says
I liked that you mentioned it because as a single person that type of packaging is annoying. I don’t want to eat one and have the rest go stale!
becomebetty says
AJ as someone in a small household I totally understand this concern and know a lot of other readers are in the exact same boat as you. And trust me, you don't want these to go stale or get freezer burn. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Dag says
Lol... no offense to AJ but the whole resealing thing cracks me up. First of all the package is not compressed air tight when you buy it. If you only eat one or two just fold the bag over several times, press out the air & then tape, rubber band or binder clip it. I actually tossed my other two in the refrigerator and didn't have them for several days and they were fine. The thing you have to consider is that bags with the resealable option cost the manufacturer more so the product price could go up.
Ttrockwood says
I am so frustrated i haven’t been able to get these yet! First time they weren’t at the store yet, and different store another day they were sold out! I know i will love these-heck i will risk turning on my oven in the middle of august for them! I am a mustard lover, so i even have great dip at the ready.... hopefully i can get them this weekend
becomebetty says
Hey Ttrockwood! You'll only need 5 minutes of heating. I used my toaster oven to minimize the amount of heat being generated. Can't wait to hear your thoughts on these once you get your hands on them!
TJG says
I fit two packs, eight pretzels, into a 1 gallon Ziploc freezer bag. Open the bag, opening facing up, and stack them in. Eight fit perfectly. For the salt, get a small binder clip, #10 I think. Roll the top of the packet down and clip it and flip the pinch-thingies flat against the packet. OR put all the salt in a shallow, broad plastic container, big enough so a pretzel can fit. It double as salt dipping tray.
becomebetty says
Hey TJG! Thanks so much for adding this! I know some of us aren't going to polish off all four in one sitting. Ok, maybe it happened once or twice in my household. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing this and being so detailed about it 🙂