Food News and Trends Grocery The Best New Trader Joe's Products Under $5 This July Instant Thai noodles, viral waffles, and more of TJ's best new bites for summer. By Alyse Whitney Alyse Whitney Alyse Whitney is a Korean American adoptee who has been cooking ever since she could reach the countertop. She is a food writer, editor, recipe developer, and video host who resides in Los Angeles with her rescue dog, Miso. Allrecipes' editorial guidelines Published on July 17, 2024 Close Photo: Dotdash Meredith / Janet Maples Summer is for snacking, and Trader Joe’s has us covered with plenty of new delights this July. There are so many new products that it was tough to narrow down the essential under-$5 picks, but we settled on six that are guaranteed to become new favorites. From the highly anticipated, sure-to-sell-out viral Bubble Waffles to TJ’s takes on some nostalgic classics like pizza rolls and boxed mac ‘n’ cheese, check ‘em all out below—ideally from the comfort of an air conditioning room. 01 of 06 Bubble Waffles, $4.49 Dotdash Meredith / Janet Maples This popular Hong Kong street food (actual name: gai daan zai in Cantonese) looks like edible bubble wrap, and inside all of those bubbles are airy pockets and a chewy, mochi-like texture. They can be microwaved, popped in a toaster oven, or air fried—which is the best option for the crispiest exterior—in a jiff and topped with sweet or savory components. Try them with a scoop of ice cream, fresh berries, and a drizzle of salted caramel, or go for a schmear of cream cheese and slices of smoked salmon. They can even be folded in half for a unique twist on grilled cheese…or perhaps a breakfast waffle taco?! The possibilities are endless, so let your mind bubble up with creative ideas. 02 of 06 Pad See Ew, $3.79 Dotdash Meredith / Janet Maples For less than $4, you can have a complete meal in minutes. Although it won’t be as good as your favorite Thai takeout, TJ’s take on Pad See Ew—wide rice noodles sautéed with Chinese broccoli in a sweet soy sauce—comes pretty close. It’s vegan (with a combination of tender tofu and chewy tofu sheets) but if you want to add a little more protein, you could scramble an egg and mix it in, which is traditional for this noodle dish. 03 of 06 Panzerotti Pizza Bites, $3.99 Dotdash Meredith / Janet Maples Eat these pizza rolls pinkies out! These are either XXL pizza rolls or mini calzones, depending on how you look at it, and are actually flash-fried before being frozen so they crisp up better than many apps in the air fryer or oven. Stuffed with lots of mozzarella and a bold tomato sauce, they’re an elevated take on the nostalgic after-school snack we all know and love. 04 of 06 Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese, $0.99 Dotdash Meredith / Janet Maples Another nostalgic fave to hit Trader Joe's? Classic boxed macaroni and cheese. The store has sold frozen mac and a boxed version with White Cheddar for many years, but this is the iconic orange cheese powder version. At only 99 cents, it’s a great budget pantry staple and can be bulked up with chicken and broccoli or a can of tuna for a tuna mac vibe. 05 of 06 Bacon & Eggs Shaped Sweet Gummy Candies, $1.99 Dotdash Meredith / Janet Maples Gummies for breakfast—what a revelation! The (new) best part of waking up are these cuties, which are delightfully chewy and naturally colored with fruit and veggie juices. The “eggs” are mango-flavored and the “bacon” is cherry—no pork in sight. They’re as fun to look at as they are to devour! 06 of 06 Organic Peanut Butter Cocoa Crunch, $3.49 One more bonus inclusion, because we couldn't help resist this copycat of Reese’s Puffs cereal (but with far less sugar). Trader Joe's recommends switching things up and pouring in its chocolate milk instead of regular milk. Gotta go try that ASAP! Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit