Trader Joe’s knows how to turn everyday snacks into irresistible treats. From spicy rolled chips to creamy peanut butter cups, these goodies are giving big-name brands a serious run for their money. Here are 10 snack swaps that taste just as good—if not better.
1. Trader Joe’s Chili and Lime Rolled Corn Tortilla Chips $2.99/9 oz
These bold, rolled chips are coated in tangy chili and zesty lime flavor, made without artificial colors or flavors.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 17g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Stone ground yellow corn, vegetable oil (high-oleic sunflower oil, high-oleic safflower oil, canola oil), hot chili & lime flavored seasoning (salt, yeast, cornstarch, cane sugar [added sugar], citric acid [acidulant], yeast extract, corn maltodextrin [not an added sugar], gum arabic, L-malic acid [for flavor], lime juice concentrate [added sugar], onion powder, vegetable juice concentrate, paprika extract [color], turmeric extract [color], natural flavor, beta carotene [color], tocopherol [antioxidant], oleoresin capsicum, silicon dioxide [anti-caking]), trace of lime.
Preparation Instructions
Ready to eat out of the bag; pair with guacamole or salsa.
2. Trader Joe’s Scandinavian Swimmers $3.79/14 oz
These chewy gummy candies come in fun sea-creature shapes and a variety of fruity flavors.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 100
- Fat: 0g
- Carbs: 26g
- Sodium: 20mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 19g
- Protein: 0g
Ingredients
Cane sugar, tapioca syrup, invert sugar, water, modified cornstarch, dextrose, citric acid (acidulant), natural flavors, sodium citrate, color added (fruit juice, vegetable juice, annatto extract, turmeric oleoresin), organic sunflower oil, spirulina for color, organic carnauba wax.
Preparation Instructions
Enjoy straight from the bag; store in a cool, dry place.
3. Trader Joe’s Organic Corn Chip Dippers $2.79/9.75 oz
These scoop-shaped corn chips are made with organic yellow corn and fried in organic oils.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 16g
- Sodium: 125mg
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Organic ground yellow corn, organic sunflower oil, sea salt.
Preparation Instructions
Ready to serve with dips or chili.
4. Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups $5.99/16 oz
Rich peanut butter encased in creamy milk chocolate, made with high-quality ingredients.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 190
- Fat: 11g
- Carbs: 20g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Dietary Fiber: <1g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Milk chocolate (sugar, cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, whole milk powder, soy lecithin [emulsifier], natural flavor), peanut butter (peanuts), sugar, palm kernel oil, lactose, salt, soy lecithin (emulsifier). Contains milk, soy, peanut.
Preparation Instructions
Keep refrigerated for a firmer bite; best served at room temp.
5. Trader Joe’s Chocolate Vanilla Creme Joe-Joe’s Sandwich Cookies $2.99/13.4 oz
These classic sandwich cookies feature chocolate wafers and a sweet vanilla cream center.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 120
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 18g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Dietary Fiber: <1g
- Sugar: 10g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Unbleached enriched flour (wheat flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), powdered sugar (cane sugar, cornstarch), sugar, palm oil, cocoa powder processed with alkali, canola oil, invert sugar, cornstarch, natural flavors, sodium bicarbonate, sea salt, soy lecithin, vanilla bean specks, ammonium bicarbonate. Contains soy, wheat. May contain milk, egg, coconut.
Preparation Instructions
Best enjoyed with milk; use in ice cream sandwiches or baking.
6. Trader Joe’s Sea Salted Saddle Potato Crisps $1.99/5.2 oz
Stackable, thin-cut potato crisps with a clean sea salt finish.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 150
- Fat: 9g
- Carbs: 16g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Dietary Fiber: <1g
- Sugar: 0g
- Protein: 1g
Ingredients
Dried potato, sunflower oil, corn meal, rice flour, cornstarch, water, corn maltodextrin, sea salt, mono- and diglycerides, citric acid (to preserve).
Preparation Instructions
Serve as-is; great for lunchboxes and parties.
7. Trader Joe’s Cheese Puffs $2.49/7 oz
These light and airy cheese puffs deliver a savory cheddar crunch without artificial colors.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 160
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 15g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Cornmeal, sunflower oil, cheddar cheese, buttermilk, whey, salt.
Preparation Instructions
Ready to munch from the bag; reseal tightly after opening.
8. Trader Joe’s ‘This Strawberry Walks Into a Bar…’ Cereal Bars $2.49/7.8 oz
Soft-baked cereal bars filled with real strawberry pureeand whole grains.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 2.5g
- Carbs: 28g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Dietary Fiber: <g
- Sugar: 16g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Strawberry filling (organic cane sugar, strawberries, apple powder, fruit juice concentrates [pineapple, peach, apple, pear], tapioca starch, glycerin, natural flavor, citric acid, pectin, locust bean gum, red cabbage extract [color], annatto extract [color]), organic wheat flour, organic invert cane syrup, organic expeller pressed canola oil, organic cane sugar, organic wheat bran, organic oat flour, organic oats, contains 2% or less of organic wheat gluten, organic honey, organic non-fat dry milk, cream of tartar, natural flavors, baking soda, sea salt, vitamin B blend (niacinamide, pyridoxine hydrochloride, riboflavin, thiamine hydrochloride, folic acid, cyanocobalamin), organic soy lecithin. Contains milk, soy, wheat.
Preparation Instructions
Shelf-stable; perfect for breakfast or snacks on the go.
9. Trader Joe’s Baked Cheese Crunchies $2.49/7 oz
Baked, not fried, these crunchy curls offer a healthier take on a classic cheesy snack.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 130
- Fat: 6g
- Carbs: 17g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Dietary Fiber: <1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Cornmeal, cheese blend (cheddar, blue cheese), whey, buttermilk, salt, paprika.
Preparation Instructions
Ready to eat; reseal the bag for freshness.
10. Trader Joe’s White Cheddar Corn Puffs $2.69/7 oz
Light, crunchy corn puffs coated in tangy aged white cheddar cheese.
Nutritional Facts
- Calories: 140
- Fat: 7g
- Carbs: 16g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Dietary Fiber: 0g
- Sugar: 1g
- Protein: 2g
Ingredients
Cornmeal, sunflower oil, white cheddar cheese, whey, buttermilk powder, sea salt.
Preparation Instructions
Snack right out of the bag or use as a lunchbox filler.
Conclusion
Trader Joe’s takes on the snack aisle with its own playful spins on familiar favorites. While some match their name-brand rivals in flavor and texture, others stand out for being organic, baked instead of fried, or simply cheaper. Which one will you be swapping into your cart next?
