If you think Trader Joe’s is only about crunchy granola and good deals, think again. Beyond the staples, you’ll find weird items that’ll make you blink twice — and sometimes laugh or cringe. These are not your average snacks or flavorings. But trying something strange is part of the fun of TJ’s, and you might discover a new favorite—or at least have a great story. Let’s dive into nine of the oddest items at Trader Joe’s you need to try (if you dare).
1. Chocolate Lava Gnocchi — dessert or dinner confusion
This mash-up puts molten chocolate inside pillowy gnocchi — combining pasta with dessert in a way few expect. It’s technically listed among savory aisles yet carries dessert appeal. Some reviewers say the texture doesn’t always match the concept: soft potato + molten chocolate isn’t for everyone. (“Chocolate and potatoes don’t mix well,” one review warns.) But if you like pushing boundaries, this is a wild ride for your palate.
2. Mango Joe-Joe’s — fruity cookies with high ambition
Joe-Joe’s is TJ’s twist on Oreos, and the mango variant is definitely a head-scratcher moment. With bright tropical flavor and cookie structure, it’s a bold flavor mash. Some testers found it “simultaneously bland and artificial tasting.” Yet others praise its originality, especially if you like trying novel dessert spins. If you always sniff around fruit + cookie combos, this is your ticket.
3. Watermelon Jerky — when fruit goes savory
Yeah, you read that right: jerky made from watermelon. It stretches the idea of dried fruit into edgy territory. It’s extremely sweet, more like candy than beef jerky, and high in sugar. Reaction is polarizing — some call it “awful,” others enjoy the novelty. But it’s one of the weirdest items you’ll spot in the dried fruit or snack aisle.
4. Ube Pretzels — purple yam meets salty crunch
These pretzels are coated in a sweet, purple yam–flavored yogurt shell — a tie between savory snack and dessert treat. Their vivid color grabs attention, and the flavor is mild but charming. The visual appeal may be bigger than the taste for some, but the “weird items” label fits. It’s like dipping your taste buds into something tropical while munching on a salty treat. You’ll find them when you’re ready to cross the snack aisle border.
5. Crispy Crunchy Mochi Rice Nuggets
Think of traditional mochi but turned into crispy, airy nugget form. This transforms the classic sticky dessert into a cereal-like crunch snack. Some reviewers say they taste surprisingly light and fun, others find them odd in texture. But they feel like an experimental treat you could chip away at. It’s exactly the kind of weird item that invites curiosity.
6. Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s — mint + cookie mashup
A holiday twist, this variation mixes crushed candy cane bits into the creamy center. It’s festive and bold, with mint flavor vying hard against cookie sweetness. For the peppermint lovers, it’s a must-try; for the rest, it may push the mint overload boundary. Because it’s seasonal, trying it when it appears is part of the experience. Few items combine seasonal whimsy and snack familiarity quite like this one.
7. Pickle-Flavored Popcorn — salty, sour, surprising
Popcorn and pickles? The concept sounds wild — but TJ’s once released a pickle-seasoned popcorn that turned heads. Its intensely vinegary punch made it a snack for lovers of bold combos. Though it’s not always available (discontinued or rotating), it lives on in TJ’s tradition of snack unpredictability. If you can find it, it’s a snack conversation starter.
8. Watermelon Jerky — already listed!
Oops — we already covered watermelon jerky. Let’s replace this with Birthday Cake Popcorn, another standout in the weird department. This popcorn has vanilla glaze, sprinkles, and sugary sweetness — a popcorn version of birthday cake. Some find it too sweet, others delight in the novelty and fun packaging. For fans of nostalgic, dessert-y snacks, it’s a seasonal wildcard you’ll want to grab before it disappears.
9. Ketchup Flavored Sprinkle Seasoning Blend
Yes, ketchup reimagined as a dry seasoning you can shake on foods. It’s bold, strange, and probably one of the most “what even is this?” items TJ’s has produced. It’s marketed to burger or fry lovers who want the ketchup tang in dry form. It’s exactly the kind of minimal-use, high-curiosity product that thrives in the weird item cache. Try it on fries or popcorn — or just marvel at the concept.
How to Approach Trader Joe’s Weird Items
Weird items thrive on novelty. So when you see something that feels like a misfit, don’t dismiss it — pick one, test it, and keep expectations open. Trader Joe’s often rotates these oddities, so timing matters: your favorite weird snack might vanish till next season. Pair them with “safe” staples in your cart, so you don’t risk a bad surprise on the whole trip. And finally, take photos — your friends will want to see what you dared to try.
These 9 weird items represent Trader Joe’s adventurous side — the side that dares you to push boundaries in flavor and fun. They’re not always perfect, but they spark excitement in a way plain products don’t. Whether you love them, hate them, or just laugh at them, they make each TJ’s run an adventure. The boldest brands win at being memorable — and these items certainly deliver on that.
Which TJ’s oddball item have you tried — and would you ever go back for it? Drop your weird snack stories below!
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The post The 9 Weirdest Items from Trader Joe’s You Need to Try appeared first on Grocery Coupon Guide.
