I Tried Trader Joe’s New Products for December 2024

Trader Joe’s new items this month include a handful of delicious products, just in time for the holiday season. As usual, I visited my local Trader Joe’s to taste their new products for December 2024. If you want to know which items are worth picking up on your next grocery run, here’s my list.

1. British Shortbread Cookie Collection ($7.99)

This flight of mini shortbread cookies feels like it was plucked straight from a Bridgerton tea party. Each box includes three flavor varieties: coffee, cocoa, and my personal favorite, toffee nut shortbread cookies.

All three Trader Joe’s cookies have a perfectly crumbly texture and an incredibly buttery flavor that screams “holiday” – even Santa would be happy to have these left out for him on Christmas Eve!

Each flavor differs from the next, with the cocoa and coffee flavors being more earthy and bitter and the toffee nut cookie having a more caramelized finish. My only gripe is the cookies’ size because they’re so small that it’s tricky to dip into tea or coffee – so maybe just enjoy them as they are!

Rating: 9/10

2. Dark Chocolate Dipped Candy Cane Marshmallows ($3.49)

Marshmallows have never particularly thrilled me, so I was pleasantly surprised by how good these candy cane marshmallows from Trader Joe’s are. Each box comes with eight marshmallows, which are dipped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with bits of crushed candy cane.

This little treat is perfectly balanced in both flavors and texture – the dark chocolate keeps the marshmallow from tasting too sugary, and the crunchy bits of peppermint contrast beautifully with the soft, fluffy marshmallow.

You can eat these as they are or drop one in your hot chocolate and let it melt for an extra chocolatey, minty kick.

Rating: 8.5/10

3. Sugared Rice Cracker Stars ($1.99)

They might look like star-shaped chicken nuggets, but these Sugared Rice Cracker Stars are actually more sweet than savory. The description of this new item states that they’re rice crackers dipped in soy sauce and honey, then sprinkled with sugar crystals.

While I definitely tasted the honey and sugar, I couldn’t detect any soy sauce – which is disappointing because that’s one of my favorite flavors of all time.

Even though these didn’t have any of that umami flavor that was promised, they still taste good and are super crunchy, so I’ll have no issue finishing up the bag.

Rating: 7.5/10

4. Phyllo Crisps ($2.99)

If you’ve ever wondered what a hybrid between a granola bar and a flaky pie dough would taste like, look no further. These new Phyllo Crisps from Trader Joe’s are light, crunchy, and sweet – the perfect mid-day snack for the holiday season.

The phyllo base is covered in sweetened dried cranberries, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and oats. Then, it’s covered in a honey glaze and sprinkled with just a dash of cinnamon.

These were just a smidge too sweet for me – I don’t think the honey glaze was needed. The phyllo dough was my favorite part; it’s insanely flaky and delicate while also being able to hold up all those toppings.

Rating: 7/10

5. French Onion Popcorn ($2.69)

I’ve never met a Trader Joe’s popcorn I didn’t like, so I was more than ready to try their newest flavor: French Onion. I’m happy to report that this is now my favorite popcorn flavor of all time at Trader Joe’s!

To evoke that rich, cozy taste that French onion soup is known for, Trader Joe’s uses a mix of onion, garlic and tomato powder, almond with parmesan cheese, butter, milk, and sugar. When all these flavors mix together, they create a super savory snack that’s indulgent and light at the same time.

If you only grab one thing from my list today, let it be this French Onion popcorn!

Rating: 10/10

6. Festively Shaped Pretzels ($2.99)

These are just regular pretzels, but they’re made in festive shapes to make snack time extra jolly. Inside each bag, you’ll find bells, stockings, and stars ready to dip into your favorite hummus or melty cheese sauce.

These pretzels are super crunchy, and the different grooves and shapes make them perfect for picking up the optimal amount of the dip of your choosing.

Pour these in a bowl for your upcoming holiday party, or pack some for a midday snack for a little extra holiday cheer this season.

Rating: 7/10

7. English Fudge Collection ($5.49)

Perfect to give as a hostess gift or just as a treat for yourself, this English Fudge Collection comes with a trio of fudges: Clotted Cream, Chocolate, and Holiday Spice.

I’m not a huge fudge person, but I must admit I enjoyed all three flavors, especially Clotted Cream. This one had a buttery, salty flavor to it and reminded me of Butterbeer from the Harry Potter series. The chocolate flavor is dark and decadent, while the Holiday Spice flavor gave me gingerbread vibes.

On my next Trader Joe’s run, I’ll be picking up two or three more boxes to give as gifts throughout the holiday season. I suggest you do the same!

Rating: 9/10

8. Cheddar & Parmesan Cheese Snackers ($1.99)

This new Trader Joe’s product is like an elevated version of Cheez-Its. Made with puff pastry, these Cheddar & Parmesan Cheese Snackers have such an addicting texture – they’re crunchy but somehow also soft. I know it doesn’t make sense, but you’ll know what I mean if you give these a try.

The cheese flavor tastes natural, not processed or overly salty. Honestly, I just wish these crackers came in a bigger bag because I’d almost eaten the entire bag on my car ride home from the grocery store. (True story, unfortunately.)

Rating: 8.5/10

9. Mini Mushroom Tartelettes ($5.49)

I’m a big fan of mushrooms, so I had to grab this new Trader Joe’s product as soon as it hit the shelves. These Mini Mushroom Tarlettes didn’t disappoint, and they’re huge in flavor. Each tartelette is made with a flaky, crispy pie dough and a creamy, savory mushroom filling.

In the filling, you’ll find ricotta, parmesan, and cream cheese, along with a handful of different mushrooms and a hint of thyme, which brings that cozy holiday flavor.

I popped these into my air fryer for about 8 minutes, and they came out perfectly crispy and golden brown. They’re ideal for a holiday party, and their taste (and look) are far more expensive than they are.

There are twelve tartlets in each box, so grab two or three boxes if you’re feeding a bigger crowd.

Rating: 9/10

10. Garlic Gondolas ($3.99)

There’s nothing quite like the pairing of garlic and bread. Trader Joe’s knows this, and I’m pretty sure that’s what inspired this appetizer, cleverly called “Garlic Gondolas.” These boat-shaped breads are filled with a garlic butter sauce and grated cheese. The crust itself is a classic pizza dough, which gets perfectly golden brown in the oven while the garlic-cheese mixture gets gooey and warm.

I served this bread alongside spaghetti squash and parmesan-crusted chicken, but I think I’ll try topping these boats with some meatballs and marinara next time I serve them.

These were incredibly easy to make and tasted just as good as the garlic bread at my local Italian restaurant. Each box comes with two gondolas, which is enough for up to four people if you split them in half.

Rating: 8.5/10

11. Chao Tôm ($5.49)

This appetizer, called Chao Tôm, is Trader Joe’s take on the Vietnamese dish of the same name. It’s made with minced shrimp and veggies that are fried together and wrapped around a piece of sugarcane.

These little handheld apps are bursting with flavor – ginger, lemongrass, and sesame oil, more specifically. While I was definitely a fan of the flavor, the texture of these wasn’t my favorite. They felt a little bit rubbery as I chewed.

Trader Joe’s website suggests chewing on the sugarcane skewer after eating the shrimp for a light floral, grassy flavor, but it didn’t do much for me. Even so, the unique presentation makes it worth a try, especially for less than $6.

Rating: 6.5/10

12. Strained Thick & Creamy Greek Yogurt Plain ($5.49)

I’m a HUGE fan of Greek yogurt and eat it almost every single morning for breakfast. It’s packed with protein, it’s filling, and most importantly, it tastes amazing when paired with fruit, honey, and some granola.

Trader Joe’s newest Greek yogurt is strained to remove excess whey, which gives it a thick, velvety texture and takes away some tang for a milder flavor overall. I’ve already used this to make my usual morning yogurt parfait, but I also plan on trying to make a marinade and some salad with this stuff later this week.

You’ll get a 32-ounce tub of yogurt for just $5.49, whereas most other stores sell a similar product for around $7 near me. I’ll be buying a few more tubs of this on my next TJ run.

Rating: 9/10

13. Mini Brioche Bites ($4.99)

The cashier at Trader Joe’s told me she wasn’t a fan of their new Mini Brioche Bites, so I didn’t have high hopes for them. After giving these a try, though, I have to respectfully disagree with her. These are insanely good – they’re little donut hole-sized bites of brioche filled with a sweet apricot jam and Brie cheese filling. Each box comes with 16 brioche bites.

I popped mine in the air fryer for about 6 minutes, and they came out crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and gooey and melty in the middle. The flavor is mostly sweet, with a subtle earthiness from the Brie that balances everything out beautifully.

Rating: 8.5/10