Trader Joe's has been on an ube kick lately like, full-on "let's turn everything purple!" mode. Enter Trader Joe's Ube Pretzels. At $2.99 a bag, these promise a sweet and salty snack with a Filipino-inspired twist. This isn't a new product, but one that has returned to shelves since 2022.
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Review
Trader Joe's Ube Pretzels come in a resealable bag filled with mini pretzels coated in a muted purple shell that's supposed to taste like ube. And while that sounds like an automatic win: sweet, salty, and purple. Tthese didn't exactly blow me away. The coating-to-pretzel ratio is spot-on: the mini pretzels get an even layer of that ube shell. It's just that the coating itself is… well, let's just say I've had better.
Visually, these pretzels are more of a soft lavender than a vibrant purple. Not exactly Instagram bait, but still pretty enough for a snack. The mini pretzel shape is a good call, small enough for easy snacking, big enough to satisfy that salty craving.
Here's where things fell a little flat. The coating is sweet, but it's missing that deep, nutty, vanilla-meets-coconut flavor that makes ube so special. It's like the coating is a sugar shell with a purple dye job. A good white chocolate base would have been a better match to carry the ube flavor in a more natural, creamy way rather than the yogurt candy coating.
I will give them credit where it's due: the pretzel-to-coating ratio is on point. You get that classic crunchy pretzel bite and a sweet shell that doesn't overwhelm. It's just that the shell itself didn't wow me.
I wanted to love these, but they ended up being just okay. They're easy to snack on, and the mini pretzels are the right choice here, but the coating is where they lost me. I'd reach for them again in a pinch, but I'm not exactly clearing shelf space in my pantry for them either.
How to Serve
- Straight from the Bag: For when you need a sweet-salty fix.
- Trail Mix Hero: Mix with nuts and chocolate for a snack mix that feels fancy.
- Ice Cream Topper: Crumble over vanilla ice cream for a little crunch.
- Lunchbox Treat: Pop a handful in a snack baggie for an on-the-go sweet-salty treat.
Creative Uses
- Pretzel Bark: Melt white chocolate, mix in these pretzels, and spread on parchment for a homemade bark.
- Snack Board: Pile them high on a cheese board next to dried fruits and nuts for a pop of color and crunch.
- Crumbled Topping: Add to yogurt or oatmeal for a sweet-salty contrast.
- Movie Night: Pair with popcorn for a sweet-salty snack mix.
Other Ube Inspired Products
The following are other Ube Flavored product. All are currently seasonal:
FAQs about Trader Joe's Ube Pretzels
Below is a list of frequently asked questions about this product:
Nope, traditional wheat-based pretzels here.
Not really, more of a muted lavender, so don't expect a neon snack here.
Sadly, the ube flavor is pretty mild, more sweet than anything else.
Yes. The entire line of ube products rotates. So pick it up if you love it. Otherwise, you will can find this through third-party sellers on Amazon.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Ube Pretzels are a fun concept that almost gets it right. The mini pretzels were the perfect choice, and the coating ratio was spot-on. But the muted purple coating didn't wow me, and the flavor fell a little flat. A good white chocolate coating would have taken these from "meh" to "must-have." For now, they're an okay snack, but not the star of the snack aisle.
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Trader Joe's Ube Pretzels
Product Name: Trader Joe's Ube Pretzels
Product Description: Trader Joe's Ube Pretzels are muted on color and on taste. This is a seasonal flavor.
Price: $2.99
Currency: USD
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Summary
Trader Joe's Ube Pretzels are a returning favorite to store shelves.
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Taste
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Perfect Pretzel Ratio – Good balance of coating and crunch.
- Fun Snack Option – Sweet and salty is always a win.
- Budget-Friendly – At $2.99, they’re a cheap snack experiment.
Cons
- Muted Purple – Not the pop of color you might expect.
- Mild Flavor – The ube is pretty shy in this one.
- Underwhelming Coating – Missed opportunity to shine with a white chocolate base.
I'd love to hear what you think! Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.