Eeeeks, I get so excited when we talk all things Trader Joe’s!
Anyone else?
I always think I’m bringing you guys some delicious and fun finds, but really, by the end of the day, YOU have told me what to buy, my grocery list is a mile long and I’m GIDDY to shop!
When we found out that we were going to start eating gluten-free at home, I was relieved because so many of our favorite things at Trader Joe’s were already g-free (by coincidence!), but since that initial diagnosis, we’ve trimmed just about everything so that now, we only buy their gluten-free goodies. Today, I’m sharing all of our favorite finds that you should try whether you’re eating gluten or not. TRUST ME when I say, I will not tell you to eat something gluten-free if it’s not excellent. I have thrown out more g-free food because it’s just not fabulous. Everything on this list is FANTASTIC and just happens to also be gluten-free.
Happy shopping! xo
Yes, yes, yes, YES! These are little tortilla chip things that have MAJOR flavor! I mean to tell you, THEY’RE DELICIOUS! They’re really not too spicy, they’re just flavorful! They’re fantastic dipped in salsa, hummus or that buffalo chicken dip…but honestly, they’re totally great by themselves too. LOVE!
Yes, yes, yes, YES! In fact, today, I’m sharing a recipe that uses these in it!! Make sure you check out this post…
…today too! My Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole would be delish this weekend!
One thing Trader Joe’s does really well is their dried fruits and nut mixes. We go through these things like candy. We love so many of them including the dried mangoes and bananas too!
These little crispy cookie bites are fantastic alone or crumbled over vanilla ice cream!
Give me all the praise hands! I like to keep nuggets on hand for easy summer or weekend lunches for the kids or anytime they need a really hearty snack (like on Thursdays when K doesn’t get to eat dinner until 7:30, so these are a great snack!). We have not loved so many varieties of nuggets, but these are really delicious…especially if you throw them in the air fryer 🙂 .
Yes, yes, YES!
Okay, this pizza crust is pretty darn good! I like how it gets crispy and doesn’t taste too cauliflower-y.
My kids love this as a snack and also in their lunchboxes!
I just had five of those almonds with coffee as I wrote this post 🙂 .
Oh my word! You will LOVE these little ice cream sandwiches. THEY ARE AMAZING! You will want to go ahead and get two boxes.
Awe! I love these little crisps! They’re just slightly sweet and oh so perfect!
This was one of the many things we were buying pre-Celiac over here. It’s amazing by itself but also on yogurt or ice cream too.
Ohhhhh my goodness!!!! I could eat a bag of these with every meal. YES, YES, YES! Now, they’re very “truffle-y”, so if truffle isn’t your thing, don’t get them…but truffle is FOR SURE my thing, and I am obsessed with these cheesy little bites! They’re excellent “croutons” too 🙂 .
Okay both of these things should be in your cart whether you’re g-free or not…but especially the pancakes. They taste like they just came off the griddle and are my kids’ current go-to breakfast. I’ve been serving them with both pb and Nutella on top and my kids LOVE them!
Have you tried this body oil? It has a nice citrus scent and is super hydrating! After the shower, I’ve been putting it on instead of lotion and not only do I smell nice, my skin feels great too!
This is a great dip or marinade for chicken too!
You’ll find this yummy pasta in the refrigerated section next to the cheeses and tortellini!
This heats up beautifully for Kensington’s lunch!
Okay, this right here might be the best thing they make…
…whether you can eat gluten or not, YOU NEED THESE CUPCAKES IN YOUR LIFE. They also make them…
…mini too!!! These are SO DELICIOUS! We’ve been buying them for K to take to friends’ birthday parties, we had them for Smith’s birthday…they are really so fantastic and gluten-free!
We now keep this in the fridge any time we need mac and cheese in a hurry. This stuff does not have that “gluten-free” taste 😉 .
These are yummy for breakfast!!
I can’t remember when we haven’t used these on our charcuterie board. So delish!
If the air in heaven has a “taste”, it will taste like this. Cheesy, delicious, airy goodness.
Of course, there are a million other things we love at Trader Joe’s too (I didn’t even take a pic of the G-Free Joe-Joe’s!), so if you’ve missed my previous posts where I share other favorite finds (many with or without gluten!), look below…
Trader Joe’s Faves PART 1 (from February last year, so most of these items are currently in store!!)
Trader Joe’s Faves PART 2 (from May!)
Trader Joe’s Faves PART 3 (from August!)
Trader Joe’s FALL FAVES
Trader Joe’s Faves PART 4
Okay, what should we be buying? What have I missed? Please share!!!!! I’d love to know! xo
Alexis deZayas says
I tried their honey flavored yogurt for the first time this week and it was delish!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I need to try that!!
Lauren says
Curious how you have handled the gluten free transition in terms of the other kids. For example, when you go to a restaurant, are they able to order whatever they want or are they all sticking to g-free 100%? Same with visiting friends houses, etc? I imagine with young kids it wouldn’t be tough but would think with kids Smith and Ashby’s age it might not be that easy?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes! When we’re at home (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks…it’s all g-free) everything is gluten-free, but when we’re out and about, I let them order whatever they want.
Kelsey says
The prepared (with sauce and cheese) cauliflower pizza crust is delicious. There is also a great cauliflower fried rice that makes a quick meal with some eggs and an avocado. We’re big fans of the GF brownie mix and the GF pumpkin muffins in the fall. PS: the applegate GF nuggets are awesome. Not TJ’s, but I find them at Whole Foods. Also check out Against the Grain if it’s available near you. Great pizzas, pizza crusts, and baguettes.
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
You guys have such interesting groceries and snacks in the US! I need to visit Trader Joe’s, haha! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Hannah says
What a great round-up! They won’t be here until the fall, but my all-time GF favorites from TJ’s are the pumpkin pancake mix and the pumpkin loaf and muffin mix. We always add white chocolate chips! File that away for the fall?
Mix and Match Mama says
I”m always in the mood for fall 🙂 . Thank you for these tips!!!
Debbie says
It’s our family favorite! You have to stock up early because they run out.
Carly says
Not from Trader Joe’s but Freschetta has gluten free pizzas now. Amazing.
Mix and Match Mama says
Really?! Thank you!!!!
Kelly says
The Freschetta pizzas are really good! I’m not g-free but my mother-in-law recently had to g-free because of celiac disease and we bought the Freschetta pizzas to have while other had non-gluten pizza. Its nice and crispy! They are expensive but Publix puts them on BOGO pretty frequently.
Jennifer says
Freschetta gf pizzas are so good & Target has good sales on them too!
Erika Slaughter says
I need that body oil in my life ASAP!!
Jaime says
These are great finds! I’m going to try the pancakes next! Could you do a gluten free costco haul?
Mix and Match Mama says
Yes!!! Good idea!!
Audra says
What I love most about TJ is picking up the packet at customer service of all their GF foods! So many I had been missing for years!
Sheaffer Sims says
If the air in heaven has a taste. I cackled out loud. I LOVE THEM TOO.
Mix and Match Mama says
Right?! That’s EXACTLY what it would taste like!
Sarah says
I’ve added so many of these things to my list. Thanks Shay!
Mary Lucini says
Trader Joe’s Movie Theater Popcorn! It’s gluten free and very addicting to snack on!
Carol says
Love Love your Trader Joe’s post! It helps with letting us share what others like and try new and different things that we might have never tried otherwise. And just in time for my bi weekly shopping at Trader Joe’s. Thanks! I have always wanted to try the chicken nuggets but wasn’t sure how they would be but they are definitely on my list to purchase now. Ever since the first time I tried Trader Joe’s tomato soup, it is the only kind I will buy. It is the best! Love it with a grilled cheese sandwich. Also their Butternut Squash Soup is wonderful and I’m thinking it is gluten free also. Off to add the pesto to my list. Thanks again for making shopping easier.
Amanda says
Good Morning. Yummy!!! My mom has my grocery list to pick up for me. She is coming back to Canada today. I am totally tacking on some of that stuff!! Have you given up your nightly brownie??
Mix and Match Mama says
We have for now. The whole g-free thing took the fun out of it 😉 .
Megan Moran says
The Glutino brand brownies are excellent!! Try those out!
Susanne says
The TJ’s gluten free brownie mix will give you back that little nightly pleasure! They are delicious. I buy that mix even when I’m not doing gluten free!
Mix and Match Mama says
Really? Thank you!!!!
MIchelle Ragsdale says
Yes, it is amazing! My fiance who doesn’t have to be gluten free loves them too!
Katherine says
Simple mills brownie mix is also SO tasty and fudgey!! All their products are gluten free.
Denise says
The King Arthur GF brownie mix is indistinguishable from regular brownies. We bring them to family events all the time and everyone eats them, whether GF or not?.
Hannah says
Agreed on King Arthur!!! Have brought them to many events, not mentioned they were GF, and everyone always goes back for seconds (and thirds!).
Erin says
The whole foods brand GF cauliflower pizza crust is soooooo much better then the TJ crust. Like so much better! That was a tip from seersuckerandsaddles and she was right on. Hopefully you have a whole foods!
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a great tip!!!
Kaitlin says
Applegates Gluten Free chicken nuggets are AMAZING! Making pasta dishes with brown rice pasta. Our Costco carries a large gf granola! Elizabeth’s Kitchen also makes delicious gf granola! My friend who has celiacs cannot do the trader joes everything but the bagel seasoning. She gets sick from it and has a reaction. You are doing such a fantastic job!
Carly says
FYI your Trader Joe small individuals packages of Salami and Provolone cheese are currently at Costco in exact same individual packages as well. I think the salami maybe diced instead of sliced but exact same small packages.
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s fantastic!!!
Tanya says
This isn’t from Trader Joe’s, but I just noticed that my daughter’s absolute favorite breakfast item is gluten-free. They are the Veggies Made Great Chocolate muffins, found in the “healthy” freezer section of the grocery store. They are also available at Costco, although I have never found the chocolate variety at my location. They are delicious and good for a quick breakfast or snack. Have a great Thursday!
Mix and Match Mama says
Thank you so much!!!!
Andrea says
How do the sweet potato crackers compare to the ones from Costco? I’m currently obsessed with Costco’s. #cantstopwontstop
Mix and Match Mama says
I feel like they taste identical!
LisaD says
Trader’s has a gf Norwegian crispbread in the cracker section that I love… it’s crispy, nutty, and great with cheese.
Sarah P says
We love the Acai bowls too! I love the GF cornbread mix and I have the GF pumpkin bread mix to try too. I am definitely going to add those brownie crisps to our TJ list. Have a super day!
KayLynn Stone says
Thank you! I am struggling to find things that are Gluten free – but doesn’t taste horrible. I just started my journey with a brand new diagnosis of Gluten intolerance and its been a huge struggle thus far.
Jaime says
There Rice Pasta and Cheddar is a great gluten free alternative to regular boxed mac and cheese!
Ellibelle says
Wish we had a Trader’s Joe close by. I always read about all these wonderful things. Maybe we’ll get a store one day, in the meantime I’ll visit when on vacation.
Thanks for sharing!
Ellibelle’s Corner
Jane says
Love these posts! I’d be so interested in a post on what to skip too where you talk about all the grocery items you’ve tried and thrown away because you didn’t love them.
Kristi Mitchell says
I LOVE the “Crispy Crunchy Mochi Rice Nuggets”. When I first went GF I wouldn’t have survived without them. In my TJ’s they are next to the crackers (not with the rest of the chips).
Michele Triscik says
Ian’s gluten free nuggets found at Target are the best! Only nuggets my kids eat and they are not GF!
Shana says
I am totally addicted to the dark chocolate peanut butter cups! Soooo good!
I have a dog and always love TJ’s doggie treats selection and they’re at such great prices.
I had to put my now twenty-one year old son on a gluten free diet when he was four. Back then, there was hardly any gluten free foods and it was so stressful and overwhelming trying to figure everything out. Lots of research and way more cooking. I’m so grateful now for all the amazing options and choices out there. It really is so much easier!
Thanks for the post!
Beth Valenta says
You must try the GF mini pretzels. We love them with their spicy mustard. So much better than regular pretzels.
Mix and Match Mama says
Did you say spicy mustard?! I haven’t tried theirs yet!!
Karen says
I love all of these ideas!! Most of them are now on my list, and I may start frequenting Trader Joe’s a lot more often.
I will say that I’ve found DiGiorno’s gluten free thin crust pizzas (which I’ve actually only found at Wal-mart) to be my absolute favorite pizza of all time. I really like thin crust anyway, and this crisps up perfectly… Just a suggestion to try!
Stefany says
Love these post…I have been told by Trader Joe employees that any Trader joe brand of food that you don’t like can be brought back, just bring the package back in and they will refund your money. That makes it really easy for me to try new things of theirs, no worries about wasting money on food that doesn’t taste good. That being said, I have not found anything I didn’t like yet. ?
Mix and Match Mama says
Really?! I didn’t know that!!!
Kim says
And you can have them open anything that you want to try in the store. If you don’t like it, you don’t buy it.
janet says
TJ’s just opened near me and I’m now looking at the clock to see how long until they open. I NEED those ice cream sandwiches!
Mix and Match Mama says
You do!!!!!
Marianne Carlisle says
You SO need those ice cream sandwiches! I discovered them about a year ago and they have become a staple in my freezer. In fact, I bought 3 boxes just yesterday. Enjoy!!!
Erin says
Speaking of Gluten Free Pizza, our Blaze Pizza in Tennessee has several gluten free crust options! Ours has gluten free original, keto, and cauliflower options… all GF! Super fun build your own pizzas if you haven’t tried it!
Laurie says
Did you know Trader Joe’s had a podcast? Maybe it has been mentioned and I missed it. You can learn about their product selection, seasonal favorites, etc.
Mix and Match Mama says
Well dang, I need to listen!!
Janet says
I recently found their podcast. It has been interesting to listen to while I walk my laps. TJ’s Peanut Butter cups are my all time favorite. I may love them more than a Reese’s Cup. I live 2 1/2 hours from a TJ’s. Trying to figure out how I can get those ice cream sandwiches home still frozen.
haley @ Peachy Keen Blog says
Their gluten free mac and cheese is to DIE for!! I can no longer have corn :(, which is in their GF Mac, but WOW is it good!!!
Sandi Kellman says
I love their gf raisin bread. Having it for breakfast with their cashew butter now!!!!
Mix and Match Mama says
I’ve never tried their cashew butter. You love it?
Jennifer Atmore says
Costco has a new bag of GF chicken nuggets that are amazing! My 11 y/o is a super picky eater and he will eat 10 of the nuggets for his lunch several days a week (thanks to your hot lunch Thermos tips!).
Morgan says
LOVE those waffles! I put PB, a drizzle of honey, and cinnamon on top! I also love the Chia seed and hemp seed bars (both gluten free)! You’ll find them near those PBJ bars you purchased.
Jana says
A Celiac tip for you, I always keep a squeeze bottle of mayo on hand for company. If you have burgers or sandwiches, etc.. makes life easier. If someone is not used to the gf diet they will inevitably put the knife back in the jar… Also be sure and check your sunscreen!
Mix and Match Mama says
That is a fantastic tip!!!
Julia Krowiak says
We love their gluten free cornbread and in the fall the gluten free pancake mix is the BEST. SO GOOD! We stock up when fall comes around.
Katherine says
TJs has great gluten free alternative pastas – brown rice/quinoa, red lentil, and black bean. I think they all have great consistency!
Shari says
I love the gluten-free cranberry maple nut granola, I grab some every time, so good!
Kelly says
I shop basically exclusively at Trader Joe’s, with a once a month Costco trip. They have so much good stuff!
A few favorite gluten free items you didn’t list:
– the brown rice and quinoa spiral pasta
– the red beet crackers (similar to the sweet potato)
– their regular oats -in a bag – are certified gluten free (which many brands aren’t). I’m not sure if their instant ones are or not.
Jordan says
The mini chicken tacos and taquitos from TJs are the best! Super easy in the oven and I’m sure your kids would go nuts over them. Also if there’s an Aldi near you I’d get some GF brownie mix there! Every time I make them my friends tell me they taste like the Ghirardelli ones 🙂 really all of the Aldi GF mixes are good and not $$$ like Glutino
Jennifer Henke says
I have been G free for about 10 years. I stick to items that are labeled as “certified” GF. Are any of Trader Joes items Certified, or whats their labeling policy? This is the trickiest part for me, knowing what brands to trust that aren’t labeled Certified.