The One Trader Joe’s Item You Should Grab Before Halloween, According to Store Employees

Mara Weinraub
Mara WeinraubSenior Editor of Groceries at The Kitchn
I cover the grocery news worth talking about. In my six years as a journalist, I worked at Hearst Magazines and freelanced for SAVEUR, Food52, TASTE, and Edible Long Island. I’m also a longtime volunteer with Minds Matter NYC and a first-time aunt to an objectively adorable nephew.
published Oct 8, 2024
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WESTLAKE OHIO - OCTOBER 2020:
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Not so fast, Santa. Frosted trees and ruby-red wreaths may be lining whole sections at certain retailers, but now that it’s officially (and weather-ly) fall, we’d like to pause for a moment to celebrate one of the most wonderful times of the year: spooky season. Anyone else have “Rewatch Edward Scissorhands” on their Halloween bingo card?

We’re certainly not alone in this sentiment: In the latest episode of the Inside Trader Joe’s podcast, cohosts Tara Miller and Matt Sloan invite “Captain JayJay,” manager of a TJ’s store in California, to chat with frequent shoppers about their favorite items. About a third of the way through — just past the truffle pizza, cheese and chili tamales, and budget-friendly flower display — JayJay chimed in with four new and exciting groceries “coming our way for Halloween.” 

We’re talking about a trio of returning sweets, plus a new decorating kit the team has been teasing for weeks. Let’s take a look.

1. Chocolatey Caramel Pretzel Drumstick Decorating Kit

Tara and Matt first leaked details about this new festive decorating kit in early September — and weeks later, they (and JayJay) are still raving about it. We haven’t seen it pop up on shelves just yet, but we’re certainly keeping an eye out for the bright yellow box. It contains pretzel sticks and soft caramels, chocolatey melting chips, and sprinkles for molding into turkey-inspired drumsticks or maybe even these classic witches’ broomsticks. 

2. Pumpkin Spiced Teeny Tiny Pretzels

TJ’s has not one, but 73 pumpkin-themed items hitting shelves this season. These teeny tiny pretzels are back for a limited time and making the most of their guest-starring role. They double up on the pumpkin spice in the yogurt coating and pumpkin seed topping, proving once again that, even in small doses, sometimes more is more.

3. Spooky Bats & Cats Sour Gummy Candies, $3.49 for 14 ounces

Do gummies shaped like spooky bats and cats taste just as good as, say, ones shaped like starfish and dolphins? We’d bet our trick-or-treat haul the answer is a hard “YES.” At least one frequent shopper agrees; you’ll find three of “any seasonal gummy” in her cart.

Credit: Nina Derwin

4. Maple Flavored Fudge, $2.99 for 5.29 ounces

If you told us this fudge grew on maple trees, we’d buy it. The flavor in these “perfectly shaped cubes” is so spot-on, which is why it’s one of our absolute favorite finds this time of year.

What’s your favorite Trader Joe’s fall grocery? Tell us about it in the comments below.