Trader Joe's Breakfasts That Should Be In Your Kitchen Now
As anyone who's waited patiently in a crowded Trader Joe's checkout line can attest, it's worth it. The retail chain that's known for its on-the-mark prepared food selection and addictive snacks just keeps giving the people what they want. From everything bagel seasoning that sells on the TJ's black market (via Refinery29), to the fan-favorite mandarin orange chicken to those dark chocolate peanut butter cups (you know the ones), this Hawaiian-shirted oasis is one retailer you probably feel okay about shopping at (via Kitchn and Business Insider).
The retailer that seems to anticipate what we want before we even want it isn't usually known for its breakfasts, but here, too, TJ's doesn't fail to deliver. It's not the items you'd expect, either, like their reasonably priced cold brew, ungodly selection of oat and oatmeal products, or even their excellent greek yogurt (via Kitchn and PopSugar). Here are a few items that you won't find elsewhere and make for a great — and reasonably priced — breakfast.
Trader Joe's Hashbrowns
This pleasingly packaged stack of fat hash brown patties comes frozen and can be popped into a toaster oven or fried up with your morning eggs for a quick and satisfying breakfast. Unlike those shredded chips that come in most freezer aisles and inevitably end up soggy unless you fry them for an hour, Trader Joe's versions are crunchy and salty and at 130 calories per patty, bigger than McDonald's for fewer calories (via PopSugar and Freezer Meal Frenzy). Pair them with some Organic Tomatillo & Roasted Yellow Chili Salsa (via Eat This, Not That!) or melt cheese on top for an extra-yummy twist.
Almond butter granola
This almond butter granola shows up on list after list of Trader Joe's breakfast favorites for a reason — it's freakin' delicious. Fans say the perfect mix of oats, creamy almond butter, and almonds go well with yogurt, oatmeal, or just even almond "beverage" (via Eat This, Not That! and Influenster). At 9 grams of sugar per serving, you might not want to overdo it — but the addictive clusters are big and crunchy, and at $3.50 for a 12-ounce bag, it's much more affordable than many granola options — and high in fiber and protein.
Frozen chocolate croissants
Who hasn't dreamt of waking up to the scent of freshly baking pastry and melty chocolate for breakfast with their morning coffee? It's not just a faraway Parisian fantasy, friends, and you don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn to snag just-baked croissants from the bakery miles away. They do need to proof, or rise, overnight (via Kitchn and Freezer Meal Frenzy), but as anyone who's tried their hand at homemade puff pastry can attest, it's a fraction of the hassle you'll have to go through for chocolate croissants straight out of the oven.
Unsweetened, organic Acai puree packets
Okay, so you probably wouldn't want to eat an Acai puree packet for breakfast by itself, but for morning smoothie lovers, these packets are like tangy, purple gold. The berry puree comes frozen in little packets that you just run under warm water to break up and can add to anything from a homemade Acai bowl to overnight oats, or a smoothie with almond milk, frozen fruit, and maybe some chia seeds (via Kitchn, Eat This, Not That! and What's Good at Trader Joe's?). With zero grams of sugar and lots of antioxidants, these Acai packets are good for all you health nuts out there who believe in "superfoods" (via Healthline).
Roasted potatoes with peppers and onions
Boil 'em, mash 'em, stick 'em in a stew? Luckily with this ready-to-go bag of potatoes and veggies, you won't have to do any of that (or deliver the ring to Mordor). Breakfast potatoes can be yours, hassle-free, by just tossing this mix into a frying pan (via Freezer Meal Frenzy). Or try baking it on a sheet pan – there aren't a lot of instructions. This Trader Joe's mix is also a great way to fit vegetables into your breakfast — and to round out the meal, just add a protein like an egg, beans, or breakfast sausage. You could even top these 'taters with avocado slices for some added healthy fats (via Healthline). There, you're welcome.