I tried 35 spring products from Trader Joe's. Trader Joe's, Abanti Chowdhury/BI Updated 2025-04-17T18:09:18Z Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? I tried the seasonal foods at Trader Joe's for the spring and reviewed them. The coffee creme Joe-Joe's and Meyer lemon cookies were both delicious and adorable.  The chain's cheese-filled fiocchetti and taco salad kit are both good entrée options. Trader Joe's stocks its shelves with a variety of seasonal products every spring.So, I've been trying the spring offerings from my local store as part of an ongoing series where I review the grocery chain's seasonal foods. Keep reading to see which items I'll be stocking up on and which I'll skip. Editor's Note: This post was originally published in April 2021. Although many seasonal spring foods return, item availability is subject to change.The cheese blintzes would make a perfect addition to any brunch table I was excited to try these blintzes. Savanna Swain-Wilson A blintz is a popular breakfast treat that's essentially a lightly sweetened pancake wrapped around a cheese or fruit filling. They're often associated with Shavuot, a springtime holiday celebrated in the Jewish faith, but are also popular throughout parts of Eastern Europe.I picked up a package of four pastries in the frozen section at Trader Joe's. Although the product doesn't come with toppings, its box features a picture with whipped cream and fruit, so I followed suit to get the full experience. This was my first time trying blintzes, and I mostly enjoyed them. They tasted like a traditional crepe, and I appreciated that their light sweetness became more noticeable with the berries.  I didn't love the cottage cheese filling. Savanna Swain-Wilson However, I don't love the texture of cottage cheese, so I was a little turned off by the filling. VERDICT: Overall, the blintzes were decent, but they weren't my favorite. The fruit and whipped cream certainly elevated them, but I had trouble getting over the texture. But if you're a cottage cheese fan or like a versatile breakfast, these will probably be right up your alley. The gluten-free coffee cake muffins were incredible I was surprised by how big each muffin was. Savanna Swain-Wilson The most noticeable thing about these muffins was their size — compared to a standard version, these were gigantic.Each treat sported that signature coffee cake look with a ribbon-like swirl of cinnamon on the bottom, which was dense and sturdy, yet also slightly crumbly. The tops were adorned with a dusting of sprinkles. These muffins were surprisingly moist and delicate. Savanna Swain-Wilson I'm usually wary of gluten-free pastries because of their tendency to be either super dry or way too dense and crumbly, but these muffins were surprisingly moist and delicate, with a lightly sweet flavor that made them suitable for an early morning bite. When paired with a cup of coffee, the cinnamon flavor really popped.VERDICT: Although I can't see myself buying these muffins all the time, I will absolutely be hitting up Trader Joe's for these when I'm craving a sweet breakfast or having guests over. The oven-baked cheese bites would be great in soup or on their own These cheese bites from Trader Joe's are gluten free. Savanna Swain-Wilson If you ever wanted to know what spaghetti would taste like in snack form, this is your answer. And as strange as that might sound, this item is absolutely worth buying.Basically, these gluten-free bites are dehydrated, aged cheese with a few added seasonings. Like any good snack, these morsels delivered in crunch, and I gave them bonus points for their airiness that gifted each bite with a crispy, melt-in-your-mouth quality. These bites had a good kick to them. Savanna Swain-Wilson What made these a real standout, however, was the zesty chili and tomato flavor that came through with each bite. VERDICT: 10/10. I'm obsessed. The vegan taco salad was delicious Each bag contains iceberg lettuce, blue tortilla strips, corn salsa, and chipotle seasoned seitan. Savanna Swain-Wilson Each vegan taco salad kit contains iceberg lettuce, blue tortilla strips, corn salsa, and chipotle-seasoned seitan.The Chipotle seitan made this mix a filling meal on its own and gave it a necessary layer of savory flavor, which is crucial in salads with a limited amount of dressing. This seitan wasn't dry or soggy, and though I couldn't really detect the chipotle flavor, it was still seasoned enough to have that taco meat taste. It was like a toned-down version of the chain's soy chorizo. This meal was so easy to throw together. Savanna Swain-Wilson Trader Joe's also nailed the salad dressing. It didn't have a weird artificial taste, and the only downside was that there wasn't more of it.VERDICT: With the mix of textures, super filling seitan, and tasty dressing, this salad is a must-buy for anyone looking to spice up their lunches.The lemon bars tasted homemade These lemon bars are in Trader Joe's frozen section. Savanna Swain-Wilson Chocolate is great and all, but nothing screams springtime like a yummy lemon bar.There was no mistaking the presence of real lemon in these — as soon as I opened the box, I noticed a sweet citrus aroma.I let these lemon bars defrost on my counter for an hour before tasting them, and I'm not sure I'll ever attempt baking this dessert on my own again — they were out of this world. I would never have known these bars were frozen and store bought. Savanna Swain-Wilson Had I not purchased this dessert myself, I never would have guessed it came from the freezer section. Each bar had a scrumptious, fresh taste, so it could easily pass as homemade.The combination of vanilla shortbread with the bright, citrusy lemon curd and a dusting of powdered sugar was absolutely divine. But these stood out for their texture — they had a perfect level of chewiness with an impressively buttery crust despite being frozen.VERDICT: I apologize in advance to anyone who lives near me and wants to try these lemon bars because I might be buying them all the next time I hit up Trader Joe's.These peanut-shaped chocolates were fun and creative These bites were so good, they could have passed as artisan candies. Savanna Swain-Wilson In my opinion, all chocolate tastes better when it comes in a cute shape, and these peanut-like candies were proof of that.Plus, they had just the right ratio of high-quality chocolate exterior to creamy peanut butter filling. Each bite was so melt-in-your-mouth delicious that the treats could have passed for something I'd buy at a specialty candy shop.  I will definitely be buying these again. Savanna Swain-Wilson The texture really won me over, as each piece had an added layer of rice cereal under the coating for extra crunch.VERDICT: To say I loved this candy would be an understatement.The dark chocolate plantain chips are a great springtime treat I was excited to try the dark chocolate plantain chips. Savanna Swain-Wilson Crunchy, salty, and slightly sweet, these plantain chips were everything I'd been craving.I appreciated how Trader Joe's didn't go overboard with the chocolate coating and opted for a light drizzle. Plantains already have a natural fruity sweetness, so they only need a touch of cocoa flavor to highlight their sugary notes. The dark chocolate was the perfect topping. Savanna Swain-Wilson Although I thought these plantain chips were tasty, I'm not sure I would rate them above the jerk-style variety, as I was over these after a few bites. VERDICT: Overall, I'd say these chips are a must-buy for anyone who loves the combination of dark chocolate with salty flavors. I can also see them making a superb sweet addition to any snack platter.I fell in love with the tasty filling in the lemon and ricotta ravioli This lemon and ricotta option is my new favorite Trader Joe's ravioli. Savanna Swain-Wilson My longtime favorite Trader Joe's ravioli is the Caprese one, but after trying this lemon version, I'm not so sure. The ravioli cooked in less than 10 minutes, making it an excellent quick dinner option.In the interest of tasting the ravioli in its purest form, I coated the dish in just olive oil, salt, pepper, and Parmesan.When I took a bite, I noticed the filling was super smooth and had a pleasantly fresh flavor to it. The delicate hints of lemon provided a needed contrast to the ricotta's sweetness to make it less rich than the standard cheese-stuffed ravioli. The meal tasted amazing without a heavy sauce. Savanna Swain-Wilson I also loved that I didn't feel heavy after eating this meal, which almost never happens with cheesy pasta.VERDICT: It's safe to say this ravioli will be my new go-to weeknight dinner this spring.The almond-butter almonds make a perfect snack I was a little skeptical about the almond-on-almond combo. Savanna Swain-Wilson With a super smooth coating and lightly salted nutty interior, these almond-butter almonds tasted like candy.Super creamy and sweet, with subtle notes of cocoa and vanilla, the almond-butter coating was so yummy I could have eaten it by the spoonful.VERDICT: Almond on top of almond might sound like a bit much, but it proved to be an excellent choice. These bites were delicious. I hope Trader Joe's keeps them around, but I'll stock up just in case.These crispy mushrooms were a bit of an acquired taste I don't think I'll buy more of these. Savanna Swain-Wilson I love mushrooms, but when I saw these snacks at Trader Joe's, I raised an eyebrow.I wasn't sure what to expect from these, but at a glance, they didn't look super appetizing — more like overcooked mushrooms than anything else.Appearance aside, these were a decent savory snack. They tasted like nothing I'd ever eaten, so I gave Trader Joe's credit for creativity. According to the package description, the mushrooms are lightly salted, dried, and tossed in sunflower oil, so their natural umami taste stood out because it wasn't competing with too many seasonings.Their texture made them a memorable snack, as they had a light, crispy exterior like a chip and a slightly chewy inside like a cooked mushroom.VERDICT: The crispy mushrooms are worth trying at least once, but I don't think I'd buy them again.The cheese-filled fiocchetti with pink sauce was good, but not mind-blowing This meal can be made in one pan. Savanna Swain-Wilson Just as the package suggested, the fiocchetti cooked to an optimal tenderness in less than 10 minutes, but the sauce didn't really look quite right.Even though I measured the water and oil according to the instructions, the mix looked much thinner and less pink than advertised. Despite its light-orange hue, I still gave it a chance. The sauce came out a bit too runny. Savanna Swain-Wilson I generally enjoyed the pasta component of the dish, but the sauce left much to be desired. I thought it desperately needed more tomato and garlic flavors. It's possible I watered it down during the cooking process, but even so, the flavor wasn't as bold as I anticipated, and it came out so thin that it seemed more like a lightly seasoned broth than a sauce.I set aside some leftovers in the fridge and noticed the next day that the sauce had thickened slightly. VERDICT: Overall, I'd say this pasta is a great vegetarian entrée to add to your weeknight repertoire.Although the dish's flavors were quite mellow, the meal could easily be upgraded with a few extra ingredients, like red pepper flakes and more cheese, so I'm willing to buy this one again. The pink and white shortbread cookies would make a great addition to any picnic These cookies hit me with a wave of nostalgia. Savanna Swain-Wilson With their cute floral shape, colorful yogurt coating, and adorable rainbow sprinkles, these cookies were pretty much impossible for me to dislike.They tasted just like the frosted circus animal cookies I was obsessed with growing up. My fellow '90s babies will know what I'm talking about, as one bite of these Trader Joe's cookies instantly transported me to my childhood.  The yogurt coating was creamy and delicious. Savanna Swain-Wilson In terms of texture, they were of comparable thickness to graham crackers with a familiar, crumby feel.Most of all, I enjoyed that these cookies were sweet but not overwhelmingly sugary. The yogurt coating was super smooth and contained subtle notes of vanilla that didn't taste artificial.VERDICT: I can picture serving these cookies as a treat at brunch or an outdoor picnic with friends. They'd also make a great decorative addition to an ice cream sundae. Perfect for kids and adults who want a hit of nostalgia, these cookies are worth buying again. The Meyer lemon cookies would make a scrumptious springtime treat These cookies had the perfect amount of citrusy tang. Savanna Swain-Wilson The first thing that came to mind when I opened this box of cookies was afternoon tea. With their pale yellow color and paper-thin texture, they were practically designed to be consumed off a pretty pastel colored plate atop some doilies.These cookies had a delightfully airy quality and nice crisp that crumbled in my mouth with every bite. These cookies also didn't taste artificial. Savanna Swain-Wilson As a fan of all things citrus, I appreciated that the tangy flavor was detectable but not artificial tasting. They also had a slightly floral quality, which probably came from the use of Meyer lemons.Either way, they were absolutely delicious.VERDICT: If you're searching for a super light sweet treat to munch on, look no further than these Meyer lemon cookies.I couldn't get enough of the candy-coated almonds I loved the pastel colors. Savanna Swain-Wilson With their slightly crunchy, colorful shell, these candy-coated almonds look a lot like Cadbury's mini eggs. They were also delicious.The coating offered a yummy crunch that regular chocolate-covered almonds can't compete with. Plus, I loved the pastel colors.The chocolate layer was pleasantly smooth, and the almond center gave these treats dimension and a yummy, nutty flavor.VERDICT: As someone who frequently craves chocolate, these springtime almonds are a must-have.This blood orange cake mix made a delicious loaf, but I wasn't impressed by the icing Trader Joe's blood orange cake was easy to prepare. Savanna Swain-Wilson I've never thought to use blood oranges for anything beyond cocktails, so I was excited to try this mix. The moment I started mixing the ingredients, I caught a strong whiff of the bold, citrus aroma, and the batter was bright orange. Like most boxed cake mixes, this came together with just a few ingredients and under an hour of bake time. It also included a packet of icing, which saved me even more time. The cake itself was yummy. Savanna Swain-Wilson On its own, this cake was awesome. The blood orange flavor was pronounced, offering a unique profile that was noticeably more tart than sweet. Its texture was dense yet tender and moist, like a pound cake. However, I found the icing tasted too much like candy. It was sweet with a seemingly artificial flavor. Next time, I'll try topping it with my own cream cheese frosting and blood orange zest. VERDICT: Buy the cake mix, but ditch the icing — it doesn't need it.These lemon madeleines were sweet and delicious I thought Trader Joe's madeleines were a fair price. Savanna Swain-Wilson These fluffy tea cakes were sweet, buttery, and delicious. The lemon zest flavor was very subtle yet detectable.They're dainty, which made them suitable for early mornings when I wasn't quite ready for a full meal. The flavor was comparable to a classic vanilla pound cake, with just the slightest kiss of lemon. The firm yet spongy texture would be ideal for dipping in hot coffee or tea. VERDICT: As someone who often craves light sweets in the morning, these lemon zest madeleines hit the spot. I'll gladly be buying a couple more packages before the season ends.Fans of spinach would really enjoy this frozen Florentine lasagna I had never tried Florentine lasagna before. Savanna Swain-Wilson Based on the box, I assumed this lasagna would be loaded with Italian flavors, but I later learned that Florentine is actually a French cooking term that refers to a dish with cooked spinach and a cheesy, creamy sauce.I was excited about this dish since it's vegetarian, serves more than one person, and doesn't require any actual prep work — just patience. It took about an hour to bake in the oven. Savanna Swain-Wilson Per the instructions, you can heat this in the microwave in two six-minute intervals, but I opted to bake mine in the oven for just under an hour. The aroma of garlic, herbs, and cheese filled my entire apartment while this cooked, which was reason enough to give this a solid rating. The texture was quite soupy. Savanna Swain-Wilson However, spinach has a high water content, which was evident the moment I cut into this lasagna. It looked more like a cheesy soup with pasta. So, getting any kind of square slice was impossible. I used a spoon to scoop it onto my plate.If you really dig cooked spinach, you'll probably enjoy this. The bitter, metallic green tasted great with the creamy, sweet ricotta. I also appreciated that Trader Joe's included Parmesan in the cheese blend — which added a nice balance of salt — and a ton of flavorful dried herbs and garlic.VERDICT: Although the Florentine lasagna offered a lot of fragrant, cheesy flavor, its lengthy cook time and sloppy texture kept it from being as good as possible. Trader Joe's Springle Jangle was just OK