The pros: Â Trader Joe's Blackberry Spritzer is more flavorful than seltzer, but don't expect it to be the blackberry equivalent to grape soda.
The cons: Â Non resealable top which mean you are going to lose carbonation if you wait a day or two to drink this. You'll also require the assistance of a bottle opener.
The verdict: Â ...
Picture this: classic TJ's Joe Joe's get a dark chocolate bath and peppermint sprinkles, like an evening sweater upgrading to a holiday party look. These cookies promise a bite of winter magic, and spoiler alert, they deliver with style. But at $3.99 a sleeve (and with limited shelf life), are they worth stocking up on before they disappear for the year?
From the second you open the package, that rich, dark chocolate aroma greets you like a warm holiday hug. Each cookie is generously dipped, promising a cocoa-rich shell that looks almost too good to eat, almost.
Biting into one, you get an instant hit of that deep, bittersweet chocolate, which is thick enough to satisfy without overshadowing the cookie. Inside, the chocolate wafer is soft and crumbly, just like your classic candy cane Joe Joe's, and the minty cream brings a cool, sweet contrast that balances the whole thing out. It's like winter's best flavors all packed into one bite.
And let's talk about that peppermint sprinkle on top. It's festive without feeling too in-your-face-no neon green or over-the-top crunch. Just the right amount of cool mint to remind you that yes, it's the holidays, and yes, you deserve a treat.
The only catch? Sometimes the sprinkle coverage is a little inconsistent. You might get a cookie with a generous layer of candy bits, and the next one might feel a bit bare. Not a dealbreaker-just a small heads-up.
Another thing to keep in mind is that these cookies are seriously addictive. I planned to savor them over a week, but ended up inhaling them in two days. That dark chocolate, that mint, that holiday magic. It's a combo that's hard to resist.
So, are they worth it? Absolutely. Just don't expect them to last long in the pantry-or on the shelves at Trader Joe's, because once the holiday season is over, so are these beauties.
Trader Joe's Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Joe Joe's exactly deliver the holiday joy they promise: velvety dark chocolate, creamy mint center, and festive crunch. They're indulgence-worthy, easy to devour, and camera-ready for any cookie platter. My only advice? Buy more than one sleeve-because when holiday season ends, so do they. This cozy treat definitely earns a spot in the fridge (and your holiday snack arsenal). If you can't find them before the season is over, then check on Amazon for third-party sellers.
Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.
The pros: Â After opening I took a good sniff at the block of chocolate that is Trader Joe's Chocolate Fondue. It smells of rich chocolate.
The cons: Â The calorie count and the serving size. How is this 7 servings? I'm borderline positive I consumed a serving with the spoon I used to stir it with.
The verdict: Â ...
The pros: Trader Joe's Candy Cane Joe Joe's are much like double stuff Oreos with the familiar filling which includes finely crushed peppermint for an enjoyable crunch.
The cons: Not quite as chocolatey as Oreos.
The verdict: ...
Some snacks just have main-character energy, and pigs in a blanket are one of them. They're the unsung heroes of game day spreads, birthday parties, and any situation where "finger food" is the dress code. Trader Joe's has decided to give the classic a makeover with their Parmesan Pastry Pups - swapping out crescent rolls for buttery puff pastry and dusting the top with parmesan cheese. The result? A snack that looks like it belongs at a wine-and-cheese night but still has that cozy, casual vibe you can eat straight off the baking sheet.
Trader Joe's Parmesan Pastry Pups are a frozen appetizer featuring mini beef franks wrapped in flaky puff pastry and topped with shredded Parmesan cheese. They bake directly from frozen in about 15 minutes, filling your kitchen with the aroma of warm pastry and smoky franks. The puff pastry is light yet indulgent, the Parmesan adds a salty edge, and each bite combines buttery, cheesy, and meaty flavors in a familiar but slightly elevated way.
Portion-wise, you're getting enough to feed 2-3 people as an appetizer or one person who isn't here to share. They're best baked in the oven for maximum flakiness, but watch out for excess grease pooling on the pan. The combination of puff pastry and beef franks makes these rich. Priced at $4.99, they're more expensive than making pigs in a blanket yourself, but the convenience factor is high.
There's something deeply comforting about pigs in a blanket. They're the kind of appetizer that never overstays its welcome at a party. Trader Joe's version, the Parmesan Pastry Pups, dresses that nostalgia up with buttery puff pastry and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, making them look just a touch fancier than the classic crescent roll version.
When you open the box, you're greeted with neat little rows of frozen mini beef franks already wrapped in golden pastry, parmesan visible on top. The prep couldn't be easier: preheat, line them up on a baking sheet, and let the oven do the rest. Within 15 minutes, the kitchen smells like a bakery and a ballpark had a delicious baby - buttery pastry mingling with smoky hot dog aroma.
Once they're done, they're undeniably cute. The puff pastry flakes nicely, the parmesan browns just enough to give a toasted, cheesy aroma, and they're bite-sized enough to make you feel like "just one more" isn't a big deal (until you've had six).
But here's the rub - the grease factor is real. These aren't "dab with a paper towel and move on" greasy; these are "small puddle at the bottom of the pan" greasy. It doesn't ruin the flavor, but you'll notice it when you pick one up and see the sheen left behind. The pastry itself is rich and buttery, so paired with the natural fat from the beef franks, you're getting a double dose.
Taste-wise, they hit the classic pig-in-a-blanket notes: flaky outer layer, meaty bite inside, a subtle salty tang from the Parmesan. They're satisfying, but if you're used to making your own with crescent rolls and mini franks, you might find these heavier, and at $4.99 for a small box, not necessarily better.
That said, these are perfect if you're short on time and need something you can pull from the freezer and bake without any prep. They're great for game day, movie night, or when you want something snacky that feels a little more dressed up than chips and dip.
You can make this a couple different ways:
While the package only lists oven directions, you can absolutely make these in the air fryer for a faster cook time and equally crispy results.
Air Fryer Directions:
Pro Tip: If your air fryer runs hot, drop the temperature to 340°F and cook for 11-13 minutes. This helps prevent over-browning while keeping the center perfectly heated.
Not only will this save you time, but the air fryer method also keeps the pastry light and flaky without excess grease pooling at the bottom.
The following are commonly asked questions about this product:
Yes! They crisp up beautifully at around 370°F for 10-12 minutes straight from frozen, yielding flaky pastry and a hot, juicy center
Nope, cook them frozen to get the best texture and avoid a soggy pastry.
Make sure they're spaced out in a single layer. An air fryer needs circulation to crisp up the pastry.
If you're in a pinch and need a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer, Trader Joe's Parmesan Pastry Pups absolutely deliver on convenience and flavor. They've got that flaky, buttery pastry, a sprinkle of salty Parmesan, and a savory mini hot dog center that's hard to resist. That said, they're not perfect - they run on the greasy side and aren't the most budget-friendly way to get your pigs-in-a-blanket fix. If you're serving a large group, homemade or bulk-club versions might make more sense. But for small gatherings, holiday platters, or a low-effort game day snack? Keep a box in the freezer and call it a win.
Don't forget to share your thoughts by going to the "user review" at the bottom of the box (click on the number of stars you believe this product deserves) and leave a comment below.
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