I Tried Whole Foods’ New Fall Products and They’ll Make You SO Excited for the Season

Fall has always been the season where I live. I love all things fall: the increasingly cold weather, cozy sweaters, oversized coats, wooly socks, hot coffee, leaf peeping, and — of course — fall food. Apple cider doughnuts, pumpkin muffins, hot chocolate, and mulled wine are some of the best foods any of the seasons have to offer. So, when Whole Foods reached out asking if I’d like to try their new limited-edition Fall Flavors collection, I immediately said yes! 

Their new range of products comes by way of Whole Foods’ own 365 line and launches in stores this month. The lineup features tons of pumpkin, apple, and maple flavors because duh! After some serious (and seriously non-scientific) testing, here are my favorites: 

Spiced Pumpkin Pancake & Waffle Mix + Bourbon Maple Syrup: “Oooh this is good!” were the words that immediately flew out of my mouth. I don’t have a waffle maker (I am very much regretting this decision) and pancakes take patience I don’t often have. These, however, were pretty easy and definitely worth making. I may or may not have messed up the batter slightly (no details will be provided, thank you!) but they still came out fluffy, had a good height, and weren’t overly sweet. The next step was to drench them in the bourbon maple syrup. Yes, please! It wasn’t overly strong on the bourbon, which I was grateful for. I kept coming back for more of these, and I think you might too.

Spiced Pumpkin Bread & Muffin Mix: This was good! So good, I even took to my Instagram to show off my work. I made muffins because they were easier and I didn’t know if I had the right size loaf pan. (After previously cooking in one too small, I didn’t have a desire to do it again or get out my measuring tape.) With these muffins though, there was a good balance of flavor between the frosting and the muffins, so it’s just the right amount of sweetness. If you like Starbucks’ pumpkin loaf, but want some sweetness or icing added to it, this is definitely for you. 

Apple Pear Ginger Italian Soda: I don’t usually drink carbonated drinks, but I did like this a lot. The bubbles weren’t too intense and the ginger gave it a nice kick adding a lil’ something special. I would definitely drink this one again.

Pumpkin Spice Cheesecake Sandwich: It tasted kind of like a combo of Oreos and animal crackers with some subtle pumpkin flavor. Not my favorite out of the lineup of groceries, but in a pinch, I could probably demolish a sleeve. 

Overall, I would definitely buy the two mixes and syrup again, with no hesitation. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked the soda and the mini-sandwiches were of middle grade to me, but still kind of good. After trying these products, I’m even more ready for fall — if only the weather would cooperate!

Of course, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t mention the honorable unmentioned: 

Dark Chocolate Caramel Apple Cups: The packaging evokes Reese’s Pieces. Obviously though, it was nothing like that. I opened the bag and the smell of a candle really hits you in the nostril. It tastes like it smells (FWIW: I have heard multiple accounts of people describing a pumpkin spice latte as tasting like a candle, so I feel this is a to each their own sitch.) It was quite decadent, though normally not a combo I’d choose myself. Unfortunately, it will continue to remain that way.

Organic Apple Cider with Ginger Extract: It gave apple juice vibes. While it was refreshing, the apple taste is just fine. I think I was expecting apple cider — like the kind you have at the farm after a day of apple or pumpkin picking — but it was not. Also, you won’t even know there’s ginger in there.

Apple Pie Soap: Not too sweet of a smell, but it kept making me think I needed to wash my hands because they smelled like food.