If it isn't the dessert items that get you this time of year, then it will be the appetizers. And Trader Joe's has no shortage of good appetizers. In fact, Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Puffs might remind you of an appetizer that did not make a return to shelves: Trader Joe's Vegetable Puffs.
Taste
The premise is pretty similar: puff pastry smushed into a small cup size with a filling.
With last year's failed Vegetable Puffs, it just tasted like a dollop of basic tomato sauce. Nothing special.
This year, we've seen the debut of the pretty darn good Pimento Cheese Dip. And while that was pretty solid, there is a pairing issue we need to talk about.
They've decided to pair pimento cheese with caramelized onions which reminded me of the returning French Onion Soup Bites.
Those bites weren't all that great. Perhaps with a heavy dose of Swiss and better directions (not cooking them in the plastic they came in) would have been better.
But the pairing of caramelized onions and pimento cheese was a bit weird. The onions were sweet. And the bacon? I could hardly taste it. I didn't realize that was in there until I looked at the box more closely.
But the cheese didn't do the onions any favors. It was a bit spicy and almost cheddar-y. Not what I would generally reach for together. It wasn't a great pairing.
Otherwise, the puff pastry was like and flaky, and the directions were on point.
But I didn't find these addictive or have the need to have more than one or two. Not what you would want if you are having company.
Overall
For $4.99 these were edible, but not the best Trader Joe's has to offer in terms of appetizers.
Would I buy this again? No, I would not buy Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Puffs again. The pairing just didn't work for me.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
Visual rundown
The box of Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Puffs:
Calories and ingredients
Instructions
How Trader Joe's describes this product:
Out of the package you get:
After being cooked you get:
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Puffs
Product Name: Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Puffs
Product Description: Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Puffs is a new seasonal appetizer option.
Price: $4.99
Currency: USD
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Summary
Trader Joe's Pimento Cheese Puffs are a new seasonal appetizer option.
-
Taste
-
Value
-
Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Ready in under 15 minutes
- Directions were on point
Cons
- Odd flavor pairing
- There are better standouts in the frozen appetizers.
Alek says
You could do at home by taking a dollop of pimento cheese on small square of puff pastry.
becomebetty says
Hey Alek! You can totally to that. And Trader Joe's puff pastry is pretty good. Thanks so much for sharing!
EllenLV says
Thanks Brenda, I keep trying appetizers and have been disappointed lately. Recently, feta, onion, pastry bites, mushy and tasteless. Thanks for saving me time and money.
becomebetty says
Hey Ellen! I have to be honest, I haven't been impressed lately either which is such a bummer. As always your thoughts are always welcome here and I'm glad I can help. Thanks as always for stopping by!
Dagmar says
I actually liked these. And I thought they were good with the caramelized onions. I really couldn't taste the bacon . I am one of those people that thinks everything is better with more caramelized onions and bacon. Is this the best appetizer they've come up with? No but as far as frozen appetizers go these are pretty good. I like that they go back to the drawing board with some of their not so great appetizers like the macaroni and cheese balls that are so much better this year.
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! I love caramelized onions, but I was so disappointed with last year's french onions soup bites (and they were back this year). I'd love to see them revamp some of the appetizers too. Thanks as always for stopping by and sharing!
Janet says
We thought they were horrible! I don’t know what was in it and after looking at the ingredients I still can’t tell what it was, but they were quite spicy. I make something similar from scratch and it is nowhere near that. We ate two and trashed the rest. I’ll never buy again.
Melinda W Roux says
These are one of my favorites! I served at a party and I had about 6 people ask me for the recipe! I keep watching for them to return!
becomebetty says
Thanks for sharing Melinda!