Kitchn Editors Share Their Favorite Trader Joe’s Finds for Snacking on the Go
On any given trip to Trader Joe’s, there is about a 99.9 percent chance I will buy snacks. This is the store’s sweet spot. And it’s not just the fun and sometimes quirky selection I love — it’s the fact that so many of their snacks are super portable. And my fellow Kitchn editors agree.
These are the go-to snacks our editors always grab, whether it’s for road trips, plane rides, school lunches, or emergency fuel to stash in their work bags.
1. Gochujang Flavored Almonds, $5 for 12 ounces
“Kaitlin introduced these to me when I was at her house painting her kitchen cabinets and I’ve been buying them for weekend trips ever since I got back. I love nuts but find almonds to be hella boring. These are way more fun and actually something I want to snack on.” — Lisa Freedman, Lifestyle Editor
2. Just Mango Slices, $3 for six ounces
“Dried fruit is my jam, especially TJ’s Just Mango Slices. There’s no added sugar so I don’t feel that bad if I polish off the whole bag in one flight.” — Lauren Masur, Staff Writer
3. String Cheese, $3 for 12
“I am not a huge snacker to be honest, but I’m really into Trader Joe’s string cheese. They’re a nice little protein boost without feeling too heavy, and they’re super portable. Plus it’s fun to eat one and feel like a kid.” — Sheela Prakash, Assistant Food Editor
4. Roasted Plantain Chips, $1.70 for six ounces
“I love how crispy and salty these are — satisfying my afternoon potato chip cravings. And when I’m home, I use them as dippers for hummus.” — Patty Catalano, Contributor
5. Mini Cheese Sandwich Crackers, $2.70 for 7.5 ounces
“My daughter is obsessed with these cheese sandwich crackers. They’re organic and, when I tried them side-by-side against Ritz Bits, they’re way more buttery.” — Christine Gallary, Food Editor-at-Large
6. These Peanut Go on a Date Bars, $3 for five
“You will find (at least one!) of these bars in my purse and work bag at all times — and a box in my pantry at home. They’re just sweet enough without being cloying and give me the pick-me-up I’m after in the middle of the afternoon, post-workout, or when I’m starving and stuck on a long commute. I also love that they’re made with just five ingredients.” — Kelli Foster, Associate Food Editor
7. Apple + Strawberry Fruit Bar, $1 each
“We buy the fruit bars almost every time we go into Trader Joe’s and they are most often devoured on the way home, proving they’re an easy grab-and-go snack. The apple and strawberry is our favorite.” — Meghan Splawn, Associate Food Editor
8. Just a Handful of Olives, $1 for 1.05 ounces
“Yes, I am the weirdo eating olives out of a packet at a rest top or on a hike. These green Manzanilla olives are already pitted and are perfect for when I’m craving a salty snack on the go.” — Lauren Kodiak, Managing Editor
What are your favorite Trader Joe’s snacks for when you’re on the go?