The 10 Best Summer Finds at Trader Joe’s Were Made for Easy Outdoor Entertaining

Raspberry Oat Bites

Just when you thought you’d have a break from packing school lunches, it’s time to start thinking about summer camp snacks. I spotted these Raspberry Oat Bites, and knew they would be perfect for quick on-the-go breakfasts or sack lunches. I love that these soft baked bites are filled with whole-grain oats, that they’re gluten free, and that a box is only $3.99. These are definitely going in my carry-on bag as a hearty (and not messy!) airplane snack for summer travel.

Hot Honey Mustard

Hot honey anything is a huge trend right now, and Trader Joe’s is on top of it. As a native Chicagoan, there’s no way I am putting ketchup on my hot dogs, but I will be dousing them in this hot honey mustard all summer long. And you can absolutely put this condiment to use with more than classic barbecue fare. It’s great when used in a marinade for chicken or drizzled over grilled asparagus. A 9-ounce bottle of this irresistible sweet heat is only $1.99.

Red, White and Blue Cookie Bites

My daughters went bonkers for these colorful cookie bites. They gobbled up the tub so fast that I went back to get a couple more to save for a Fourth of July party! The tiny chunks of vanilla cookie are covered in cherry, lime and blue raspberry coatings to create red, white and blue treats to eat by the handful. These will be fun to add to a festive summer dessert spread or to use as decorations for an America 250 celebration cake. The 10-ounce containers sell for $4.99 each.

Potato Cheese Sticks

I did a double-take when I spotted the new potato cheese sticks in the freezer section—because they looked downright wacky. At first, I figured they were a play on the deep-fried “on a stick” trend popular at state fairs, but these are really a play on Korean corn dogs. There’s warm and gooey cheese at the center, surrounded by a sweet batter that’s dotted with cubes of crisp potato. A box of four appetizer sticks sells for $4.99, and they can be heated in the oven to recreate the street food experience at home.

Hot Honey Popcorn

Speaking of hot honey, I also had to try the hot honey popcorn. There’s a reason it won a Taste of Home Award! It was one of those sweet-and-spicy foods that creates an addictive snacking loop where you keep going back for just a few more bites. And it makes for a great movie snack. If lots of heat isn’t your thing, don’t worry, this treat leans into the sweet side of things. It’s like kettle corn with a slight kick. Each 7-ounce bag is $2.99.

Lemon Tiramisu

Rich tiramisu takes a bright and sunny turn with this dessert from the freezer section. The lady fingers are soaked in lemon syrup instead of coffee, the cake is layered with lemon curd, and the whole thing is topped with lemon-flavored mascarpone cheese. The package costs $5.99 and comes with two individual servings. I love that no assembly or baking is required for this impressive dessert. Just thaw and eat!

Passion Fruit Orange Guava Juice Blend

I can’t help myself when I see anything made with passion fruit, so this juice blend certainly caught my eye. The sweet-yet-tangy beverage is bright and refreshing for summer and can be used in a variety of ways. I like to mix some in with my seltzer water to make a mocktail spritzer, and I think it’d be outstanding in rainbow mimosas. The juice is sold in a 4-pack of 8.45-ounce cans for $4.49.

Parmesan Tapenade

I didn’t know what to expect when I first spotted the tub of Parmesan tapenade in the refrigerator case, but I’m so glad I gave it a try. It differs a bit from a traditional olive tapenade. Here, thick shreds of Parmesan cheese are the star of the show, and they’re combined with garlic, jalapeno, oil, vinegar, seasonings and Manzanilla olives. Besides the outstanding briny, savory flavor, I loved the versatility of this product. It can be a spread, a dip or an ingredient to toss in a pasta dish. The 8-ounce tub sells for $4.99.

Strawberry Mini Sheet Cake

The Trader Joe’s mini sheet cakes have a cult following, with numerous viral hacks circulating online for transforming them into layer cakes or adorable petits fours with minimal effort. I bet you could even turn them into the dot cakes everyone is making these days.

Various flavors are available throughout the year, and right now is the time to snag the strawberry version for summer. I can’t get enough of the gorgeous seasonal strawberries at my local farmers market right now, and this cake tasted like it was made from those very same fresh berries. There are organic strawberry preserves in the batter and strawberry puree in the cream cheese frosting. The 18-ounce cake is a bargain at $5.99, and will be available through August.

Limone Alfredo Sauce

My favorite Trader Joe’s find for the summer season is this bright and zesty citrus Alfredo sauce. I love how the lemon balances the rich sauce to make it light enough to enjoy with warm-weather fare. Of course, it’s great with pasta, but you can also toss it with chicken or shrimp. I have found it works best when combined with reserved pasta water to give it the exact creamy consistency you’d find in a restaurant. At only $3.99 for a 15-ounce jar, I’ll reach for this one all season long.

Next up, I’ll have to try another flavored Alfredo sauce, which recently won a Taste of Home Award: the Salted Pistachio Alfredo Sauce from Sauz.