The word “snack” used to conjure feelings of deep seated guilt and images of Cheetos, Doritos, Lays and maybe even a Slim Jim. For years I hoped that someone would create snacks that taste sinful, but don’t fill your body with chemicals, preservatives, artificial colors and hydrogenated oils.
I have a very long thank you letter in the works for Trader Joe’s that keeps growing and growing because they continue to listen to our collective yearnings and make virtually guilt free snacking possible.
My focus has never been low fat or low calories and even though organic is preferred, I don’t always eat organic. I eat pre-packaged foods as long as the ingredient list is short and I can identify all of the players.
These are my current top three “snacks” from TJ’s:
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Slims: An incredible balance of deep chocolatieness and a wafer thin salty and crispy pretzel. The chocolate is not the waxy weird chocolate imposter you find on many chocolate covered foods. I could not make these puppies better myself. These little guys are surprisingly light as long as you don’t kill the whole bag in one sitting. Caution: sun + heat + bag of choco pretzel slims = clump-o- chocolate pretzel slims.
Jalapeño Cheese Crunchies: Baked, not fried, these little batons of joy will satisfy even the most discerning hormone craving. I once dipped them in plain sour cream. Enough said.
Wasabi Peas: Er? I have had these many times in little germ laiden bar snack bowls, but the TJ’s varietal are so tasty and addictive… When you first crunch down on one or 20, you get the strong nostril opening wasabi, then you get a lovely warm crunchy pea flavor. I admit, the pea flavor doesn’t sound good, but I guarantee if you eat one, you will be hooked, unless you hate wasabi, in which case, I can’t help you.
HOT OR NOT? I keep seeing people buying these at Trader Joes and not just hipsters and Samurais, but regular peeps like you and me. I gave in and bought a pack. They are essentially “wafer thin” Nori that have been roasted to perfection? I tried one and it tastes like wafer thin roasted seaweed. I think these would be great for garnishing appetizers along with bonito flakes. You can cut them into little shapes or crumble them, but I don’t see myself eating them solo as a snack. What do you think? Have you tried them?
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PACKAGED SNACKS FROM TRADER JOE’S OR ANYWHERE?
Great post Claudia! I want to try the Cheese Crunchies. They sound wonderful! And Trader Joe’s is only 5 minutes from me!
You must try their “Force Primeval Bars: Raisin-Walnut-Apple Bars”. Brown them in a toaster (I like mine like a little darker (if you know what I mean)), and then fill them with a little almond or sunflower butter (both also available at TJs). Add a glass of milk or maybe a soy drink and its on like donkey kong.
fav bad snack = nutella! why don’t they make it in some sort of snax pack?
fav good snack = sliced apples (the snax pack) but you have to get the ones that do not have citric acid on them our your esophogus will go ablaze with heartburn.
Pineapple chips. Very new, unbelievable!!!
my current favorite is pepperidge farms four cheese baked crackers. amazing, decadent and low cal low fat.mmmmm mmmmm good.
I LOVE the seaweed! I buy FIVE or MORE at a TIME! And my kids love them, too! For 99¢ a pop, I’ve convinced myself it’s okay to eat one whole package within a matter of seconds. There’s a reason why TJ’s now has a huge pile of them on a table in the back that must dwindle down each day, and why, when they first started carrying them, they kept running out of stock! My favorite snack right now!
I love this TJ’s snack. I just have it by itself when I crave something savory and crunchy. Yum!
My favorite is Trader Joe’s freeze dried Mango. I wish the Mangoes (Mangos?) weren’t from Thailand but other than that no complaints. (Note: I’m not sure if the mangoes are organic.)