From Thai Lime & Chili Cashews to Frozen Mango Chunks, here are the finds that some of our favorite professional chefs pick up when they visit Trader Joe's. . Making such a pastry dough, however, is a painstakingly laborious and time-consuming process. Their picks include the Black Bean & Cheese Taquitos, Parmesan Pastry Pups, and Organic Veggie Bites. Here's What I'll Buy Again. 2023.04.19 braves live cast. No spoon is required! These parmesan pastry pups are done when the crust is golden brown and the hot dogs are sizzling. Trader Joe's French Onion Soup Bites Review | Kitchn This easy finger food is a great last-minute snack that you can easily make from scratch but they are even easier to make from frozen. It makes so much sense: Trader Joe's is filled with everyday staples at great prices, and also specialty items that make dining at home a little more special. I rounded up a few friends and made a huge Trader Joes appetizer platter, serving all frozen TJ appetizers plus a few fresh veggies to round things out a bit. A puff pastry filled with pimento cheese, uncured bacon, and caramelized onions? 1 day ago, by Ariel Baker A post shared by TRADER JOES OBSESSED-Shannon (@traderjoesobsessed) on Dec 24, 2019 at 10:00am PST. Give your guests the cheesy fix they're looking for when you present them with these delicious cheese bites. Cook them in batches if needed or try preheating the air fryer before cooking. These crispy vegetable bird nests are perfect for an Asian-themed dinner! I loved them but I think they are just too spicy to be served as an appetizer. Hors d'oeuvres and small bites are a favorite part of any holiday gathering. These were the sweet and salty bites I hoped the bacon-wrapped dates would be. If you don't want to tell your guests they're from TJ's, your secret is safe with us. The experts at Trader Joe's suggested a few of their favorite appetizers to pop into the air fryer, and they may even taste better once you get the popular kitchen appliance involved. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. . Martha Stewart has a lovely stone fruit and frangipane tart and this pastry shines." I am excited to see you on my blog where i post easy family friendly recipes. While these are an obvious choice for things like smoothies, pies, and other recipes, Chef Fore loves them for savory dishes as well. If you don't have access to the Italian Truffle Cheese, gruyere or cheddar are great options. The result is a perfectly cooked piece of fish with notes of smoky bacon and caramelized brown sugar. They were just spicy enough without overpowering the other flavors. This is a nice change to the traditional onion dips you find at family get-togethers. Chicken isn't dry, well-seasoned, looks good. Martha Stewart has a lovely stone fruit and frangipane tart and this pastry shines.". Stock Up on Trader Joe's Frozen Puff Pastry ASAP TJ's gets its frozen puff pastry from a French supplier and it's made with layers and layers of butter and dough, so you know it's going to be good. There are three main choices: Dufour Classic Puff Pastry, Trader Joe's All Butter Puff Pastry, and Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry Sheets. Chef and culinary educator Mary Kay Gill stocks her freezer with this easy-to-use pastry shortcut. I use it to wrap wine-poached pears for an elegant dessert. Heres my full review, from almost everything in the frozen appetizer section of Trader Joes. A post shared by Trader Joes Junkie (@thetraderjoesjunkie). 3. You can use this corn salsa in more ways than the ole chip and dip. Brie Bites {Easy Puff Pastry Appetizer} - WellPlated.com The hot dogs are good, and the puff pastry is dusted in Parmesan, which totally elevates and makes them suitable for any adults, too. Sweet and salty, crunchy and sticky, these are the snacks we wish had been a staple of our childhood. Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple and previously launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. She is the author of, Pistachio and Chive Goat Cheese on Puff Pastry, Crispy Turnovers with Apple, Bacon, and Caramelized Onions. Think of them as bite-sized fish and chips but with Atlantic salmon instead of a flaky white fish. Snag these fun pre-dinner snacks for roughly $3 in the freezer section. 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She loves the blend of spice and sour on these crunchy cashews. TJ's veggie samosas taste like they are made from scratch, but can be made in a fraction of the time. A post shared by Trader Joes Geek | Shopping + Food Reviews & Hauls (@traderjoesgeek). Luckily, Trader Joe's has endless options that are easy to grab and devour without everyone getting their paws all over them. Double the ham for a heftier entree style dish! Then, the whole thing is wrapped in a flaky puff pastry that practically melts in your mouth. The ingredients are simple, as they should be: wheat flour, water, butter, salt, vinegar. Best Trader Joe's Frozen Appetizers [Official Taste Test] | Sporked These toasty, cheesy, crunchy, chewy bites are delicious and heat . If you're intimidated to cook scallops, stock this app in your freezer and pull out a box (or two) when your holiday guests arrive. We've also done a little of our own research, and found a few other delicious Trader Joe's favorites that are custom made for the air fryerand for perfect party appetizers, whether you're a devoted fan of customer favorite Mandarin Orange Chicken, or looking for something sweet to pop in your air fryer to finish off your party menu. Every party worth going to has an open space for this favorite dip, and Trader Joe's version is a great option if you don't have time to make it yourself. Trader Joe's Pastry Bites with Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions These are great if you need to round out a Trader Joe's appetizer party, and they land somewhere in the middle for me. They can be enjoyed as is or dipped in your favorite sauces. Whether you want to forget about calories with decadent Mac and Cheese Bites or keep it on the light side with Vegetable Bird's Nests, these are the best Trader Joe's appetizers for any occasion. I did, however, try the scalloped cracker trio that we paired with this dip and am happy to report that every single cracker flavor (rosemary, red chili and garlic) was fantastic. 12 Best (and Worst!) Frozen Trader Joe's Appetizers Whether you want to forget about calories with decadent Mac and Cheese Bites or keep it on the light side with Vegetable Bird's Nests, these are the best Trader Joe's appetizers for any occasion. Fresh-baked pastries crackle in your mouth and leave crispy shards on your fingers, as a good pastry should. Sarazen keeps a stash of theDorot Gardensfrozen crushed garlic cubes from Trader Joe's for those days when dealing with fresh is just beyond available bandwidth. The tender and savory beef franks are wrapped in flaky and buttery puff pastry dough and topped with grated parmesan cheese and baked until golden. The two best foods put together: mac and cheese and french onion soup (well, kinda). These tempura veggie "nests" are crunchy bites of joy, and the presentation is prettier than anything we could do ourselves. Even living near one can raise the value of your home. (Final score: 10/10), Ok, can I let you in on a secret? Flavor-wise, I loved these! A post shared by Carly | Recipes + Reviews (@beautifulbitesbycarly). A post shared by Follow us on our Trader Joes Treasure Hunt (@trader_joes_treasure_hunt). Are you a fan of puff pastry, too? Design: Ashley Britton/SheKnows. So yes, they're amazing. Some of our editors swear by the humble Ore Ida Bagel Bites, while others are firmly in camp Trader Joe's (the Parmesan Pastry Pups were frequently evangelized). You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Made with simple ingredients, these are a delicious, and slightly fancy, appetizer option that always tastes great and turns out well. Easy and tasty, TJ's Ratatouille Bites are a great at-home appetizer. All Rights Reserved. If you don't have time for homemade bruschetta, the Trader Joe's version is quick and easy for spreading on a crusty baguette. Just keep in mind that the cooking time might be a little different depending on the size of your franks and the type of air fryer used. The amount of heat in these little bites was spot on. Maybe its just personal preference (I am much more into savory foods than sweet), but I found them to be too sweet for an appetizer. Creamy Camembert cheese and flaky dough had us sold already, but sweet cranberry sauce makes this appetizer holiday ready. A popular Trader Joe's appetizer, these two-bite samosas are filled with a curry-infused mixture of peas, carrots, potatoes, lentils, and onions. It gets warm and bubbly in mere minutes and tastes great with pita chips, crackers, or carrots. They're savory and salty and come with a creamy, spicy dipping sauce. A post shared by Trader Joes Cravings (@traderjoescravings). (Final score: 9.5/10), Im SO glad I tried this one, and I dont think I would have, if it werent for my quest to find the best Trader Joes appetizers of 2020! We tried over thirty different frozen appetizers to get to the truth. They have a little bit of heat but its not overpowering. Hearty and flavorful, this Kibbeh appetizer will become a family fave. Gets close to a Chicago dog. If you want the world's easiest elegant salad for entertaining, look no further than these vacuum-packed cooked beets. The stories you care about, delivered daily. I was not expecting this microwaved dip to be nearly as good as it was. When cooked in the air fryer, these treats develop an "even more appealing crispness." If you have any leftovers (we didnt) keep them in the air tight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Whether your guests are vegetarian or not, these crispy veggie wontons are a no-brainer. Sarazen buys them along with bags of TJ's mixed greens and their chvre and makes a classic salad that tastes like you spent hours on it. So I enlisted the help of my truffle-loving friend to try this one instead. (Samosas! Serve with fresh pico de gallo and guacamole. Related:Check Out These Trader Joes Frozen Foods with a Cult Following. The Sriracha Hummus is top-rated, too . We were extremely dehydrated afterwards.) Even though these scallops look and feel fancy, they're so easy to prepare. The mochi shell is nice and chewy like it should be, and the filling is flavorful and a tad spicy. Not AMAZING, but fairly good. Cooking a big holiday meal is an all-day affair. (Final score: 6/10). The bite-sized phyllo dough cups are filled with a familiar mixture of green beans, mushrooms, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese. I would be proud to serve these at a dinner party any time. (Don't do this at home, kids. Lets get to them! Yes, 100%. I dipped them in soy sauce and Trader Joes sweet chili sauce and both were delicious. Just make sure to buy a few boxes because you will crave more. Ricotta & Pesto Tear & Share Fully Cooked Falafel, $3.99 for 12 ounces Grab a bag in the freezer section for $3.99. Saut them for a crispier skin, or simply microwave them for an even quicker option. Perfect for brunch or lunch, this box of mini quiche duos includes both mushroom and Swiss cheese and bacon and sweet onion options. Sweet & Savory Puff Pastry Projects. They've got a crispy exterior thanks to a special phyllo-type dough, and are packed corner-to-corner with a curry-like mixture of peas, carrots, potatoes, lentils, onions, and Indian spices. Pop them in the air fryer at 400 F for 10 to 12 minutes, giving them a shake partway through cooking. Theres no need to thaw the pups before cooking. Filled with mushrooms, swiss cheese, bacon, and sweet onions, they are absolutely mouthwatering. "Really love the crispy Parmesan pastry; it elevates your typical pig in a blanket." "Really good tastethe Parmesan adds a nice touch and . I highly recommend them for any dips or cheese boards. Pastries filled with eggplant, tomatoes, and four different cheeses? Soup doesn't exactly make a great appetizer when feeding a crowd, so that's why these French Onion Soup Bites are genius. Kid-friendly and easy to whip up, these fried ravioli are made with semolina pasta, and five kinds of cheese that includes ricotta, mild Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Asiago and Parmesan. 4 hours ago, by Monica Sisavat She writes and edits recipe content, interviews chefs for helpful tips and tricks, and works on franchises such as our cookbook roundups and taste tests. Warning: These little corn cones will be gone seconds after you put them down on the table. Trader Joe's version of arancini, or stuffed rice balls, are basically like mozzarella sticks made with fontina cheese instead. Note: Some of these items may be seasonal or only available for a limited time. The soup bites come in an oven-safe tray, so all you have to do is remove the plastic wrap, place the tray on a baking sheet, and pop it in the oven at 400F. This dish will change the way you do appetizers. Required fields are marked *. Cocktail beef franks. But. April 25, 2022 by Tatiana Leave a Comment. 1/2 cup Cranberry Orange Relish. 1. A busy mom, Sarazen sneaks healthy plant-based protein into easy weeknight dinners by mixing these in with tomato sauce to create a perfect pasta sauce. They are made with onion, carrot, kale and tempura batter, and come with a delicious soy dipping sauce. Egg rolls! Reheats well and didn't burst. We then added up the appetizers with the most points (scores of 1 equaled 5 points, two equaled four points, etc. and salsa. But where most of our holiday-adjacent episodes have the same kind of loopy last-day-of-school episode that this one mostly has, they also tend to fall at times of year when everyone has agreed to more or . Sometimes I place these Trader Joes pastry pups in to my kids lunch box. Trader Joe's puff pastry is made with just five ingredients: flour, butter, salt, sugar, and water. From frozen-aisle stars like Spanakopita to dips like Corn and Tomato-Less Salsa, there are Trader Joe's appetizers for every taste. Voted favorite frozen appetizer in the brand's 9th Annual Customer Choice Awards, you have to try this spinach-filled, flaky puff pastry. The brand's Chicken Spring Rolls and Vegetable Spring Rolls are both popular appetizer options as well. ), and the phyllo dough ended up crunchy, not soggy. Pro tip: Pop them out of the plastic container they're packed in and bake them in a mini-muffin pan instead for a perfectly crisp shell. You might be skeptical, but this (frozen!) Pastry pups are mini pork or beef hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry or croissant dough. While were skeptical that Trader Joes is truly handcrafting their puff pastry in the traditional sense, its clear that attention has been given to quality. Trader Joes cranberry orange relish would pair perfectly with this appetizer. I baked these a few minutes longer than the instructions said because I like my bacon extra crispy. The two most common brands of frozen puff pastry are Pepperidge Farm and Dufour. The ooey-gooey cheesy blend of cheddar, Havarti, Swiss, and Gouda are so delicious and comforting, you'll probably want to stash a box in the freezer for late-night munchies. ", "Really good! That's why we prefer this frozen version that's filled with spinach, ricotta and feta that's wrapped in phyllo dough and warmed in the oven. Put this sweet and savory dip next to some veggies and classic potato chips and watch as it disappears. Since these eats are bite-sized, the TJ's pros note that you can cook all three of 'em in the air fryer at the same time. The Best Tricks for Making Sandwiches for a Crowd, According to a Mom If you're looking for an elevated app, this is the way to go. Credit: Rachel Werner 2. TJ's casserole bites are so delicious, you'll fill up on these alone. Find them in the freezer aisle for $3.80. (Final score: 8.5/10), Sadly, my Trader Joes was out of this item when I hosted my Trader Joes appetizers review party, but they deserve to be on the BEST of list. Each taste tester went through and ranked their favorites on a scale of one to five. Frozen All Butter Puff Pastry Is the Best Thing to Buy at Trader Joe's Because no one is going to eat them. These are dangerous and necessary for any group of mac-and-cheese-loving friends. Trader Joe's Tuesday: Sheet Pan Ham and Cheese Croissant You can arrange them on a platter with toothpicks and soy sauce for dipping, and people won't be able to get enough. 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Your family and friends will go wild for the crispy Kung Pao Shrimp Spring Rolls and tasty Lemongrass Shrimp Wontons. Consider Seasonality. Want a warm and indulgent snack? Here, we're sharing our favorite Trader Joe's appetizers that we've tried and loved. The combination of savory beef franks with flaky puff pastry and sprinkled parmesan is sure to bring the wow factor. For these bite-sized wonders, perfectly cooked pieces of beef are paired with slow-cooked diced mushrooms, shallots, herbs, and wine. That olive "dough" is then wrapped around a rich blend of mascarpone, Roquefort, and cream cheeses, and rolled in panko breadcrumbs. Trader Joe's Chicken Gyoza Potstickers are our favorite store-bought potstickers. The flavor, however, is flawless. It was ever-so-slightly dry but I still enjoyed it.