27 Best Trader Joe's Frozen Foods To Enjoy in 2025
Whether you’re trying to save some time during a hectic work week or simply want to give yourself the occasional night off cooking, there are few better places to look than the Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle. Known and loved for its inimitable and ever-evolving selection of unique foods, Trader Joe’s frozen meals have something for every palate.
However, with so many items on the Trader Joe’s frozen food list, knowing where to start when your weekly shop rolls around can quickly become a real head-scratcher. Fear not, though — we’re here to help.
This guide to the best Trader Joe’s frozen food has something for everyone, from main meals and appetizers to indulgent sweet treats that you're sure to love.
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The 27 Best Frozen Trader Joe's Foods To Try
1. Tortilla Española
While you’ll have to decide for yourself where this sits on the list of Trader Joe’s frozen foods ranked from best to worst, it’s sure to be near if not at the top of the list for those who love Spanish cuisine.
The tortilla is one of the cornerstones of Spanish culinary culture, and true to tradition, this iteration from Trader Joe’s frozen food list combines eggs, potatoes and thinly sliced onions for a meal that’ll transport you to your favorite tapas bar.
This pick is made especially for the Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle by a supplier in Spain, so you needn’t worry about authenticity. What’s more, this tortilla only needs a few minutes in a hot pan or the microwave, making it perfect if you’re in need of some uber-speedy sustenance at dinnertime. One of these with some Sriracha sauce is also a delicious breakfast food idea.
2. Italian Tiramisù
Did you know that the word “tiramisù” literally means “pick me up” or “cheer me up”? With that in mind, it’s unsurprising that this next Trader Joe’s frozen food is so popular among dessert lovers.
Ladyfingers are soaked in a combination of coffee and Marsala wine. Added to those is an indulgent layer of mascarpone cheese, with a generous dusting of chocolate powder to finish.
This top pick from the dessert section of Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle is so good that you might just struggle to put down your spoon. With that in mind, you’ll be pleased to know that each box comes with two trays.
However, this is a seasonal dessert, often available in the fall. So be sure to pick one up when you see it, even if it sits in the freezer for a while.
3. Dutch Griddle Cakes
These ready-to-heat breakfast treats are made especially for the Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle by a supplier in the Netherlands. They're especially perfect for those who prefer to start the day on a sweet note and anyone looking for new weekend breakfast or brunch food ideas.
Taller, springier and chewier than regular pancakes, a stack of these is sure to keep you going on a busy morning. They needn’t eat much into your schedule, either, since they take just a few minutes in the oven or toaster.
Your sweet tooth will beg for more, especially when topped with butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. Or, if you prefer a more savory start to the day, opt to serve them with bacon, hash browns and eggs.
4. Mini Cheeseburgers
While the Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle is known for its large selection, these mini cheeseburgers are proof that sometimes the best things come in the smallest packages. Complete with slices of cheddar and a smear of tangy burger sauce, each burger comes sandwiched between Hawaiian-style Aloha rolls.
This is one of the easiest Trader Joe’s frozen meals to bring to the table. Simply bake the slider-sized bites in the oven or, if you’re really in a rush, pop them in the microwave, where they’ll take less than a minute per burger. They’re also super-versatile; enjoy them as a main dish with a salad or share them between friends for an easy and delicious appetizer or tailgate food.
5. Double Chocolate Croissants
Combining two perennial favorites — French pastry and chocolate — Double Chocolate Croissants have got to be top of the list of Trader Joe’s frozen foods, ranked by anyone with a sweet tooth.
A yeast-leavened dough is infused with cocoa powder, giving the pastry a subtle chocolatey flavor. Two sticks of rich, semi-sweet chocolate are then placed in the center, before rolling the entire ensemble into a classic pain au chocolat shape.
Available in boxes of four, this Trader Joe’s frozen food is another great option for families in need of an easy breakfast. Simply remove them from the packaging the night before baking and allow them to prove, then have your mind blown when you come down in the morning to find they’ve tripled in size. From there, simply bake for 25 minutes and serve.
Regular pain au chocolat and almond croissants are also available in the Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle if you want to try something a little less heavy on the chocolate.
6. Chiles Rellenos con Queso
This mainstay of Mexican cuisine gets the Trader Joe’s frozen food treatment to provide those in need of a quick, delicious feed-a-freezer meal that’s unlikely to stay frozen for long. Think gooey melted cheese, tender fire-roasted pepper and a crispy battered exterior.
Quick and convenient to bring to temperature, you can cook this dish in your air fryer, microwave or oven. It even comes with a deliciously zesty lemon-tomato sauce. The complete flavor combination will remind you of precisely why you love Mexican food and creates a dish that almost rivals those found at the most popular Mexican restaurant chains.
7. Japanese Style Fried Rice
Equally enjoyable on its own as it is on the side of larger Japanese-style meals, the next pick on our list of the best Trader Joe’s frozen foods sees the brand put its own spin on the traditional Japanese style of rice known as “takikomi gohan.”
Made with pieces of deep-fried tofu, strips of hijiki seaweed and shelled edamame, it comes fully cooked and requires just a short blast in the wok or microwave. One of the best frozen Trader Joe’s frozen foods for vegetarians, it’s especially delicious when served with Sriracha sauce and fried egg.
8. Roasted Garlic and Pesto Pizza With Deep-Fried Crust
If you’re perusing the selection of Trader Joe’s frozen foods in search of the brand’s best frozen pizzas, this next item is for you. Inspired by “pizza fritta,” an iconic Naples food that literally translates to “fried pizza,” if you love Italian cuisine then this is sure to become your new favorite pie.
Each pizza is made for the Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle by a supplier in Naples using traditional dough-making methods, so you know you’re getting the real deal. When the dough is ready, the crust is fried in sunflower oil, resulting in a pie that, once baked, is at once crunchy, airy and chewy.
Topped with provolone, mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano and, of course, pesto and roasted garlic, you’ll want to stock up on this delectable Trader Joe’s frozen food.
9. Shrimp Boom Bah
This sweet, spicy and oh-so-satisfying dish is almost as fun to eat as it is to say. Expect tail-off shrimp coated in a perfectly seasoned batter with a sweet and savory sauce that causes each bite to burst with the most electrifying textures and flavors.
It's also one of the easiest Trader Joe’s frozen foods to prepare, requiring a mere 12 minutes in the oven. In terms of how you enjoy it, that’s up to you. Share it as an appetizer with friends or keep it all for yourself for the most indulgent main dish. This Trader Joe’s frozen food also offers tremendous value for money, providing plenty of 'boom' for your buck.
10. Celebration Cake Gelato
Anyone who loves the classic combo of cake and ice cream is sure to be won over with our next cool limited edition pick from Trader Joe’s frozen food section. Whether you plan to enjoy it as is, sandwiched between cookies or as the base for a decadent milkshake or sundae, Celebration Cake Gelato is the perfect hot-weather treat for life’s sweetest celebrations.
So, what exactly is it? This treat from Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle comprises a base of cake-batter-flavored gelato, which is then mixed with pieces of real cake (yes, you read that right) and finished with a generous helping of rainbow-colored sprinkles. The result is a sensational scoop that dares to change the mind of anyone who thinks they’ve grown too old for birthday cake.
11. Buffalo Style Chickenless Wings
Plant-based diners in search of the best Trader Joe’s frozen foods are sure to love this next item. And don’t worry — these aren’t just another take on Buffalo-glazed cauliflower. Instead, Trader Joe’s challenged its supplier to come up with a vegan appetizer that captures the inimitable crisp, fryer-fresh taste of a classic Buffalo wing.
Made using a combination of soy and pea protein, these wings bring a surprisingly meaty texture to the palate that’s crisp on the outside and impossibly juicy within.
They also cook relatively quickly in the oven or air fryer. Once cooked, give them a good glaze of the supplied Buffalo sauce and taste for yourself what makes this Trader Joe’s frozen food so popular among vegan diners.
Do note that this is a seasonal item, so if you see these wings, pick up a bag as they may not be in the Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle during your next visit.
12. Ube Ice Cream
Have you ever heard of “ube” before? If not, it's essentially a purple variety of yam that’s often used in the Philippines to make a variety of sweet Filipino food, including jams, cakes, candies and, you guessed it, ice cream.
If you’re feeling adventurous, this sweet pick from Trader Joe’s frozen food section is sure to become a new favorite. Sure, its color may remind you more of grapes than yams, but trust us when we say that the flavor is incredible.
Imagine a hybrid of vanilla and pistachio and you’ll have a rough idea of what to expect from this Trader Joe's frozen food. It’s sweet, creamy and nutty all at once, made with real ube purée along with other unexpected ingredients like grape extract and even beet juice. Another seasonal treat (that’s often re-released with other tasty ube-flavored sweets), get it while you can!
13. Portuguese Custard Tarts
If you have a penchant for pastel de nata, this next item on our list of Trader Joe’s frozen foods is sure to tickle your fancy. Originally created centuries ago by monks in Portugal out of a need to use up a surplus of egg yolks, egg custard tarts are now known as one of those foods that never fade in popularity.
While you may think that American-made custard tarts could never compare to the real deal, fear not: those available in Trader Joe’s frozen food section are imported directly from Portugal.
Each box comes with four tarts, but since you’re sure to eat more than one in a sitting, it’d make sense to grab a few, especially as this sweet Portuguese food is only available on a limited, “while stocks last” basis.
14. Speculoos Ice Cream
Speculoos has taken the food world by storm in recent years, so it’s not surprising to see Trader Joe’s hop on the trend. This sweet scoop from the Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle starts with a base of Midwest cream that is then speckled with speculoos.
Sounds good, right? It is! Especially at the end of a hot day, you’ll be glad you stocked up with a tub or two.
You can even elevate this dessert further with a recipe suggestion from Trader Joe’s for speculoos ice cream pie. Simply fill a graham cracker crust with the ice cream, refreeze briefly and then top with chocolate sauce or ganache and whipped cream, plus some crumbled speculoos cookies if you have them on hand. Then relax and enjoy one of the most decadent desserts around.
15. Hold the Cone
No list of Trader Joe’s frozen foods would be complete without at least a mention of some of its most popular ice creams. Available in a variety of flavors, including chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, and with both regular and mini-sized options to choose from, these ice cream cones really take the cake.
Each cone comes lined with rich chocolate on the inside, which helps to reinforce the structure and, in Trader Joe’s own words, ensures maximum “cone life.” A scoop of creamy ice cream is then added to the top, before dipping the entire ensemble in that same decadent chocolate coating.
Don’t eat dairy? No problem! Trader Joe’s also sells Hold the Dairy; the same mini ice cream cone dessert, but made with plant-based milk (coconut milk, specifically).
16. Spicy Peanutty Noodle Bowl
Just because you need a quick meal on a busy weeknight, that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice on flavor. That’s precisely the principle behind this next item from the list of Trader Joe’s frozen foods.
Bold, full of flavor and reminding you of your favorite Szechuan cuisine, the Spicy Peanutty Noodle Bowl from Trader Joe’s frozen food section is exactly what it says on the box. Think tender minced chicken and a blend of bok choy, onions and carrots, all mixed into a bed of wheat noodles.
The best part? It has to be the incredible peanut sauce, delivering to your palate notes of ginger, pepper, tamari and, of course, peanuts.
17. Pretzel Bread Pudding
Bread pudding was the result of somebody with the presence of mind to save stale bread by turning it into one of the Western world’s most popular desserts. This iteration from Trader Joe’s frozen food menu takes it one step further by starting with soft and salty pieces of pretzel. It bakes them in a traditional egg custard, topping the gooey results with indulgent salted caramel sauce.
If you weren’t hungry before you arrived at this item, there’s a good chance you are now. If so, be sure to snap up a few pots of this dreamy dessert if you see them in your local TJs, since this Trader Joe’s frozen food is only available for a limited time.
18. Garlic Shiitake Green Beans
Par-boiled and seasoned with an umami-forward soy-based sauce that’s amped up with garlic and shiitake mushrooms, this is one of the tastiest side dishes available in the Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle. These legendary legumes are ready in just five minutes — simply sautée and steam on your stove or give them a short blast in the microwave.
Serve them with Bulgogi Beef Fried Rice — another popular Trader Joe’s frozen food — and bask in the praise with which your guests are sure to shower you. Nobody needs to know they were premade.
19. Kanom Krok Thai Coconut Pancakes
Made specifically for Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle by a manufacturer in Thailand, these pancakes are a perennial favorite on the world-renowned Thai street food scene.
This delicious Thai food is made with a straightforward, traditional, coconut-forward recipe, with coconut milk, coconut sugar and shredded coconut. Baked until crispy on the outside and almost custardy in the middle, they’re super easy to prepare: just heat them in the microwave for one minute or pop them in the air fryer for between seven and eight minutes.
If you haven’t been there already, this popular Trader Joe’s frozen food will have you craving a trip to Thailand to see what else its culinary landscape has to offer.
20. Chicken Shawarma Bowl
Drawing on one of the quintessential Turkish foods, this shawarma bowl combines fluffy rice with red pepper, spinach and shawarma-style chicken to create one of the most popular Trader Joe’s frozen foods for those seeking maximum flavor in a pinch.
A tangy, garlicky sour cream sauce ties everything together beautifully, and the best part? It’s ready in just a few short minutes.
Add this Trader Joe’s frozen food to your roster of delicious lunch food ideas, enjoy it as part of a Mediterranean feast or keep it in reserve for a quick and convenient weeknight dinner. Top tip: have some pita on hand to mop up that impossibly moreish sauce.
21. Breaded Cheddar Cheese Curds
Bringing a flavor of the Midwest to tables around the country, Breaded Cheddar Cheese Curds take a staple of Wisconsin and give it the Trader Joe’s frozen food treatment. Which is to say, they taste precisely as they should.
In the case of cheese curds, each bite should deliver a soft, chewy and trademark squeaky texture, and it’s fair to say that this Trader Joe’s frozen food delivers on all counts. Enjoy as a snack or pair them with your chosen dipping sauce for an appetizer that cheese lovers around the table are sure to love.
22. Organic Roasted Vegetable Pizza
This vegetable-forward pie is perhaps one of the healthiest frozen pizzas you’re likely to find. It’s certainly one of the most health-conscious pizzas in the Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle, loaded with 100% organic ingredients like zucchini, red onion, grilled peppers and garlic.
Each pizza is made authentically by a supplier in Italy (so you know it’s good), and it’s not just the toppings that will please your palate. The crisp and chewy sourdough crust comes spread with a delicately seasoned tomato sauce that tastes like it came straight from Nonna’s cookbook.
Add to this a blend of mozzarella and hard-aged cheese, and if you’ve yet to find healthy snacks that your family will actually eat, this pizza is sure to win them over.
23. Bulgogi Beef Fried Rice With Kimchi
If you’re looking for the ultimate dish to pair with that box of Garlic Shiitake Green Beans you snagged from Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle, look no further than a portion of Bulgogi Beef Fried Rice With Kimchi. Traditionally made with beef, which is marinated in soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar and spices and then grilled over an open flame, “bulgogi” literally means “fire-meat.”
With that in mind, don’t be surprised to find that, despite being one of Trader Joe’s frozen foods, this dish packs a serious flavorful punch. It’s an homage to Korean BBQ and hops on the top food trend of Asian flavors, pairing the protein with fried rice that features a delicious medley of veggies and tangy kimchi. It’s also super simple to prepare — just a few minutes in a hot skillet ought to do the trick.
24. Japchae Korean Glass Noodles and Vegetable Stir Fry
This top pick on our list of Trader Joe’s frozen foods packs a flavorful punch that most wouldn’t expect from such a quick and convenient meal. In fact, this traditional dish is a popular Korean street food due to it being quick and easy to cook while still being packed with flavor.
Literally meaning “mixed vegetable,” japchae is a stir fry made with onions, spinach, carrots and bell peppers. These are added to glass noodles made from sweet potato and seasoned using soy sauce. All of this is brought harmoniously together with a sauce made from sesame oil and brown sugar, forming one of the healthiest frozen meals for those who refuse to sacrifice flavor.
25. Chicken Breakfast Sausage Patties
While many of the items in Trader Joe’s frozen food section are great for those in need of quick and convenient dinners, what about breakfast? What about those mornings when your alarm mysteriously doesn’t go off or when the kids are running late and risk missing the school bus?
Allow us to introduce TJ’s Chicken Breakfast Sausage Patties. Each patty is crafted with antibiotic-free chicken, seasoned to perfection with herbs and spices that include sage, thyme and crushed red pepper. This Trader Joe’s frozen food is tasty on its own, filling when paired with eggs and an excellent picnic food idea when served with biscuits or English muffins.
26. Apple Tatin Tartelettes
In order to fully appreciate this sweet addition to Trader Joe’s frozen food offering, it’s important to know where it came from. So the story goes, the very first tarte Tatin came about when French hotelier, Stéphanie Tatin, left her apples cooking in butter and sugar for too long.
To salvage them, she decided to lay pastry over the apples, baking the whole ensemble in the oven before serving it upside down. Whether or not this is true, the dish is now a popular dessert around the world.
It’s certainly one of the finest sweet treats on Trader Joe’s frozen food menu, made authentically in France. However, while this may be a perennial favorite for sweet tooths around the world, they are only available for a limited time (as you may have noticed is the case with many sweet Trader Joe’s frozen foods). So, if you see a box of these individually portioned tarte tatin during your next grocery shop, be sure to snag a few.
27. Sfogliatella Pastry
Literally translated as “thin leaf” or “layer,” Sfogliatella Pastry makes it to the list of our favorite Trader Joe’s frozen foods in part because it looks great, but mostly because it tastes amazing. Each clam-like pastry treat is the result of a laborious lamination process that forms thin, leaf-like layers of pastry.
In this case, they’re filled with ricotta cheese and candied orange peel, before being partially closed. In terms of how to cook them, simply remove them from the freezer, bake for 35 to 40 minutes at 350° Fahrenheit and enjoy.
The only drawback is that this Trader Joe’s frozen food is seasonal, often available around the holidays. Therefore, if you see them in the store, grab a box — you won’t regret it.
Is Trader Joe’s Frozen Food Healthy?
Whether or not Trader Joe’s frozen food is healthy depends on a number of factors, meaning that there’s really no “one size fits all” answer. Things to bear in mind when looking for the healthiest snacks at Trader Joe’s are each product's sugar and sodium content, as well as the amount of fat, calories and carbohydrates that each serving contains.
As an example, Trader Joe’s frozen foods like Japchae Korean Glass Noodles and Vegetable Stir Fry are healthier than other, more fat-rich foods like Double Chocolate Croissants. Similarly, those in search of healthy snacks for kids will find that desserts, like Hold the Cone ice creams and Apple Tatin Tartelettes, are likely to contain high amounts of refined sugar compared to Kanom Krok Thai Coconut Pancakes, which can be enjoyed with sweet or savory toppings.
The best thing to do to ensure that your Trader Joe’s frozen food selections align with your health goals is to check the ingredients and macros listed on the packaging. You may be surprised to find that some are healthier than you think, just as you may be disappointed to learn that others are only suitable for the occasional treat. That’s not to say that you can’t enjoy those more indulgent meals — it just means that you should consider doing so in moderation.
Take a tour of your local Trader Joe's and you’ll soon see why the chain has garnered such a cult following around the country. From the quirky names it gives its products to the incredible and ever-evolving selection of Trader Joe’s frozen foods, it’s something of a mecca for those who want to eat well without breaking the bank.
Whether you have a sweet tooth, are looking to expand your savory palate or need a few quick and easy meals that refuse to skimp on flavor, Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle is sure to have what you’re looking for. In other words, if you haven’t yet ventured inside your local T-Joe’s and discovered everything it has in store, you might just be in for a wonderful — and tasty — surprise.
For even more ways to explore your favorite foods, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
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