What’s New at Trader Joe’s in January? French Double Chocolate Bread, Buffalo Chicken Meatballs & So Much More

Apologies in advance to your "healthy eating" resolutions

trader joe's store in ca
Trader Joe's

Hot take: Trader Joe is the grocery boyfriend of the people. He's always dreaming up unique appetizers, mains, snacks and desserts for his fans to try that they can't find anywhere else—and at a fair price. This month, his collection is bringing plenty of late-fall splendor and holiday magic, along with everyday items that deserve a spot in your weekly rotation.

Below, you'll find nine of my favorite new Trader Joe's items to shop this January, including Kaamté Gouda Style Cheese, Organic Double Chocolate Batard and Buffalo Style Chicken Meatballs. Consider my top picks and add anything that intrigues to your shopping list.

How to Make a Trader Joe’s Charcuterie Board: A Food Editor’s 12 Favorite Cheeses, Meats and Accompaniments


1. 2 Affogatos Vanilla Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert

Calling all vegans and coffee lovers: It's never been easier to enjoy affogato, aka coffee served with a scoop of ice cream, before. This unique frozen dessert features two servings of rich, non-dairy ice cream, each of which comes with their own packet of instant coffee so you can enjoy the famous Italian after-dinner treat at home. This vegan version will give you a pick-me-up and satisfy your sweet tooth at any time of day.

2. Buffalo-Style Chicken Meatballs

These all natural and minimally processed bite-sized morsels are begging to steal the spotlight at your next game night or watch party. (Super Bowl, anyone?) Choice cuts of chicken are ground with the familiar flavor of tangy hot and sour buffalo sauce and blended with Monterey Jack cheese. They are fully cooked, and the best way to heat them up is simply to pop them in the air-fryer, although a microwave oven will do the trick in a pinch.

3. English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich

If the only thing that gets you out of bed in the morning is the promise of a breakfast sandwich, I can relate. But there’s no need to send DoorDash to your local diner, friends, because Trader Joe’s has you covered. Here, you get two hearty breakfast sandwiches—made from English muffins that crisp up beautifully when heated in an air fryer (or alternatively, the microwave) with a savory pork sausage, scrambled egg and sharp cheddar filling. Yum.

4. Silver Birch Farms Traditional Carnitas

Can the deep-fried goodness of traditional Carnitas be made, well, healthier? Silver Birch Farms says yes. Their technique skips the deep frying in favor of a surface sear and slow roast. The result isn’t at all lacking flavor, but it does cut back on the caloric indulgence significantly.

Best of all, this meat requires zero preparation on your part: Just throw ‘em on a tortilla (I prefer corn, but you do you) and toss them in the microwave for 30 seconds. Add your favorite salsa, perhaps some cheese and avocado, and dinner is served.

5. Organic Double Chocolate Batard

Here, the baguette’s more indulgent cousin: a rounder, suppler version known as a batard. This one is enhanced with two different types of chocolate and a dash of sugar mixed into the French dough. It’s not overly sweet, though, so feel free to dunk it in a mug of hot cocoa or enjoy it with a savory slather of salted butter or cheese.

6. Cold Brew Coffee, Black

Cold brew from your local cafe can cost a pretty penny, but this budget-friendly blend of Turkish Arabica beans is just as smooth and richly flavored—and because it comes black, it’s just as easy to customize to your liking.

7. PB&J Oat Bites

No time for breakfast? No problem. Reach for one of these PB&J Oat Bites for a relatively healthy way to start your day or satisfying your afternoon snack craving. These blessedly kid-friendly and gluten-free morsels are easy to take on the go too.

8. Mini Beef Tacos

Tiny tortillas (a blend of yellow and white corn) are loaded with pre-seasoned and oh-so tender beef in this quick and easy meal. Since the tacos are pre-cooked and crisped up before freezing, they are a breeze to reheat to perfection in the air fryer.

9. Kaamté Gouda-Style Cheese

This gourmet gouda-style cheese—a farmstead cheese that hails from a family of cheesemakers in the Twente region of the Netherlands—is creamy, semi-hard and oh-so buttery. It’s excellent for snacking, a fine addition to any cheese board and melts beautifully, too. Be sure to try it while you can, because this dreamy cheese is only available for a limited time.


Resized 20230822 160749 1707534340613

Freelance PureWow Editor

  • Has 5+ years of experience writing family, travel and wellness content for PureWow
  • Previously worked as a copy editor, proofreader and research assistant for two prominent authors
  • Studied Sociology, Political Science and Philosophy in the CUNY Baccalaureate independent study program.

taryn pire 3

Food Editor

  • Spearheads PureWow's food vertical
  • Manages PureWow's recipe vertical and newsletter
  • Studied English and writing at Ithaca College