Five Favorite Fall Finds from Trader Joe’s (for Under $10!)
By Mia Dubin
October 27, 2025
Photo Credit: Trader Joe’s
When it comes to the fall season, two things reign supreme: cozying up to watch Gilmore Girls with a coffee in hand or wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s. That is it. Everything about this time of year screams comfort–from warm drinks and pumpkin-spiced treats to cozy snacks. To make your fall season even better, here is a list of the top five, budget-friendly fall finds at Trader Joe’s!
They say nothing in life is better than mom’s homemade Mac & Cheese, but have they ever had Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese? This sweet-and-salty delicacy is a fan favorite at Trader Joe’s. Fans push and shove, like they are waiting to see Taylor Swift, as they roam the aisles trying to snag this fall favorite for only $3.79!
Lauren Epstein, a freshman journalism major, agrees, saying, “And I just think it’s kind of [a] quintessential comfort food for many people, and it’s also really convenient that it is a microwaveable meal, especially for college students.” Epstein continued, “But with butternut squash mac & cheese from Trader Joe’s, they’ve really hit on the note with all of the flavor details, especially for autumn, it kind of has a more of a pumpkin undertone, even though there’s no pumpkin in it, it sort of always reminded me of like a pumpkin mac & cheese.”
They say nothing in life is better than mom’s homemade Mac & Cheese, but have they ever had Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese? This sweet-and-salty delicacy is a fan favorite at Trader Joe’s. Fans push and shove, like they are waiting to see Taylor Swift, as they roam the aisles trying to snag this fall favorite for only $3.79!
Lauren Epstein, a freshman journalism major, agrees, saying, “And I just think it’s kind of [a] quintessential comfort food for many people, and it’s also really convenient that it is a microwaveable meal, especially for college students.” Epstein continued, “But with butternut squash mac & cheese from Trader Joe’s, they’ve really hit on the note with all of the flavor details, especially for autumn, it kind of has a more of a pumpkin undertone, even though there’s no pumpkin in it, it sort of always reminded me of like a pumpkin mac & cheese.”
Moving on to something sweet, the saying goes, “a cookie a day keeps the doctor away”, right? With that in mind, Trader Joe’s created Halloween Joe-Joe’s, which are similar to a typical chocolate-and-cream sandwich cookie but feature a bright orange cream filling and a carved jack-o’-lantern face on the dark, chocolaty cookie. Biting into these affordable, nostalgic cookies transports anyone back to simpler times. Olivia Visnic, a freshman journalism major, expresses, “I love the Trader Joe’s cookie variations so much! They’re all so cute and fun and remind me of when I was younger and my mom used to buy them!” That said, at $4.49, these cookies are a no-brainer!
Staying on the topic of cookies and sweet treats for only $4.49, Trader Joe’s created a masterpiece: Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies. These little pumpkin spice, pumpkin-shaped cookies, coated in a yogurt with pearl sprinkles on top, are so easy to share with friends (or even keep all for yourself)! According to a freshman, Finance major, Julia Sitnik, she passionately admits, “I love Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Spice Cookies because they taste like fall and are delicious!”
There is nothing in life like the fall colors! The reds, the oranges, and the yellows are always welcome in the fall season! Trader Joe’s, inspired by these fall colors, created Leaf Corn Tortilla Chips. These leaf-cut chips are a perfect match for any dip of your choice, amping up the fall vibes. For only $3.99, these themed chips are a necessity for any college student!
When fall comes around, so does the crisp air and chillier temperatures. Trader Joe’s is a hero for welcoming back their annual Pumpkin Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream. This hand cream has notes of pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and all things fall. As someone who is in awe of all things fall, this smooth cream soothes my hands and prevents cracked, dry knuckles. This is a star item, and at $4.99, it can last a long time!
So, whenever you get the chance, head over to Trader Joe’s, 4429 Calvert Rd, College Park, and grab all of these fall favorites!