If you consider yourself a foodie in any capacity, then it’s likely your favorite time of year. The ‘ber months bring with them all the elements of every foodie’s fantasy, from cozy vibes to harvest flavors appealing enough to make any mouth water. ‘Tis the season for yummy, indulgent butternut squash soup, the most decadent pecan pies, and gingerbread men so scrumptious, you hardly mind biting their heads off. While you may already have the entrées you’ll serve at your holiday gatherings perfectly planned, every party still needs something to snack on before the main event.
Small bites are easy to overlook when you’re planning a large gathering. Aside from the headache that often comes with concocting an array of tiny pre-meal munches, preparing them is often a more daunting task unless you’re equipped with a culinary army to help you out. Those bacon-wrapped dates seem simple to make until you begin wrapping each one by hand. Before you know it, the guests are arriving just as you’ve only started your oven timer.
If you want to avoid the last-minute scramble of putting together appetizers, pick up some freezer-section staples on your next trip to Trader Joe’s. Unless your guests are also fans of TJ’s, no one will guess that these aren’t homemade.
Trader Joe’s Best Heat and Eat Appetizers
Greek Spanakopita
Allrecipes / Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s Greek Spanakopita will save you the effort of having to make spanakopita at home. Best of all, it’s only $4.49. The spanakopita is made by Greek pastry-makers who combine three cheeses with spinach, onion, leek, olive oil, dill, parsley, salt, and pepper. The only thing you need to do is bake it at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. For a beautiful golden-brown crust, try brushing melted butter on top before baking.
Trader Joe’s shoppers are avid fans of the crowd-pleasing product—even for those who live in the Mediterranean. One Redditor said of the pastry bake, “I’m Greek and this is as close as you’re going to get to homemade [spanakopita].”
If the word of one Greek can’t persuade you, take another fan’s testimony: “[My] husband is from Greece, and he approves of this one…and he is very picky when it comes to Spanakopita.” One Trader Joe’s shopper even had their Greek parents try a variety of the chain’s Greek-inspired offerings, and the spanakopita was among their three favorite dishes.
5 Cheese Greek Spiral
In my younger years, I’d toss one of the Trader Joe’s 5 Cheese Greek Spirals into the oven and call it dinner. After all, how could I possibly resist the mouthwatering mix of Gouda, kasseri, kefalotyri, blue cheese, and a semi-hard cheese, all wrapped in paper-thin phyllo dough? Now, I make sure to pick up a box of these at the store (even when I have no gatherings planned), because it’s just too tempting at $4.49.
As you may have guessed, I’m not the only one who raves over the Greek spiral. Redditors have also taken to the platform to proclaim the glory of the product, and best of all, they’re full of suggestions on how to dress up the spirals. Serve it alongside some of the store’s raspberry jam for dipping, or top it with thyme, fennel seeds, and some Maldon. If your oven’s too crowded, throw it in the air fryer or toaster oven. Lastly, drizzle with honey for a touch of sweetness, then dip it in garlic butter.
Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Allrecipes / Trader Joe’s
My following Trader Joe’s appetizer recommendation is a personal favorite…and one that I’ve also been known to eat in one sitting: Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip. I’ve had my fair share of frozen spinach and artichoke dips, and none of them hold a candle to Trader Joe’s version, which you can get for a stunning $3.79.
It offers a simple blend of artichokes, spinach, Swiss, Parmesan, and various herbs and spices. When I want the TJ’s dip to feel gourmet, I pair it with some lightly toasted sourdough bread dippers. On other occasions, I’ll eat it with whatever tortilla chips or crackers I have on hand. Sometimes it even gets incorporated into savory wraps.
“I like to add some garlic powder, pepper flakes, and a little Parmesan to it,” mentions one person, who prefers to dress it up. Another called it a household staple, saying, “If they EVER get rid of this, I will riot. I buy like five at a time.” And if you really want to impress your guests with something over-the-top, serve the dip in a bread bowl for an extra-cozy soiree.
Fried Olive Bites
Allrecipes / Trader Joe’s
I admit, I’m not an olive girl (or a pickle girl, or one generally drawn to briny foods), so I can’t give a personal take on Trader Joe’s Fried Olive Bites. However, those who do like olives reportedly love these little morsels. These baked cheese olive bites feature two types of olive (kalamata and castelvetrano), which are chopped together and combined with mascarpone, Roquefort, and cream cheese, then coated in breadcrumbs. They’re easy to prep in the oven or air fryer, and they’ll have all your guests asking for the recipe.
Fans of the bites suggest they pair great with marinara sauce or some chili crisp. A cheese dip would also play well with the salty snack, as would a hot honey or a garlic dip. And still, there are consumers out there who prefer to eat the bites on their own. In fact, one Redditor is firmly opposed to saucing up the bites, noting, “In my opinion, it tastes perfect on its own.” While another makes a very valid point: “The dip is literally inside each olive.”
Vegetable Bird’s Nests
Allrecipes / Trader Joe’s
The “bird’s nest” moniker has been applied to an array of treats over the years, from bird’s nest cookies to breakfast cups and even bread loaves. This Trader Joe’s appetizer, which retails for $3.99, puts a different spin on the playful name with its Vegetable Bird’s Nests. The little, twig-laden nest bites are so popular amongst TJ’s fans that they’ve been sold at stores since 2003.
Each box features julienned onions and carrots loosely knotted with kale, which are then fried in tempura batter. It also comes with a soy-based dipping sauce for good measure, though it pairs well with tzatziki, chili onion crisp, sriracha mayo, and more.
Some TJ’s shoppers swear by the bird’s nests. “We’ve been buying these for probably 5 to 10 years,” wrote one Redditor. “We love them as a side to teriyaki marinated chicken and rice.” Several shoppers report achieving perfectly crispy results using the air fryer, and the included sauce receives high praise, with one customer remarking, “I’d buy that sauce by the gallon.”
Dining and Cooking