The Best New Trader Joe’s Finds Under $5 This March

If you managed to snag a tiny Trader Joe’s tote bag, there are a slew of new items—all under $5!—available this month to fill it with. After weaving through the aisles of the popular grocery chain, I discovered a bounty of new sweets (including the already popular Hold the Cone Tips), make-your-morning breakfast options, a hearty and potato-y frozen treat, and more to choose from. Just remember to get over to TJ's fast, because these new arrivals may not stick around long!

The Best New Trader Joe's Products This Month

1. Papas Rellenas, $4.99

There are so many ways to make Papas Rellenas across Latin America and the Caribbean, but Trader Joe's takes inspiration from the Cuban variation of this comfort food croquette. Inside each fluffy mashed potato ball is a picadillo-ish filling of ground beef, onions, bell peppers, and ample seasonings including garlic and oregano. Each ball is then breadcrumb-crusted and ready to air-fry, deep-fry, or bake to crispy perfection. Try it with Trader Joe’s garlic sauce or your favorite spicy dipping sauce, served as an appetizer or an entrée alongside rice, beans, and salad.

2. Peas and Carrots Sour Gummies, $1.29

Raise your hand if mouthing “peas and carrots” in the background was your job in high school theater productions. No, just me? These gummies are much more fun, whether as part of an Easter basket, playing a prank on someone making a chicken pot pie, or just a fun new snack. These French gummies are made with fruit pectin (rather than gelatin) and natural food coloring using spirulina, paprika, and fruit and veggie juices. And don't worry, the taste like citrus, not vegetables, but if this is how you want to say you “ate your vegetables” today, more power to you.

3. Joe’s O’s Cereal Bars, $2.99

The new best part of waking up are these peanut butter cereal bars that remind me of ones I used to eat in elementary school…but way less sweet! Each bar is sweet-and-salty heaven, packed with Joe’s Os, roasted peanuts, and lightly salted peanut butter plus a drizzle of peanutty coating for a pick-me-up anytime of day, especially on the go. 

4. Cheery Lemon Animal Crackers, $0.99

This single-serving bag of animal crackers has 13 possible shapes to discover—bears, elephants, cats, donkeys, goats, tigers, lions, horses, cows, rhinos, camels, bison, and hippos—all coated in a creamy, lemon-y coating and crunchy candy sprinkles. The bright yellow color actually comes from turmeric, vegetable juice, and beta-carotene rather than artificial food dye, too! They are so crunchy, lightly sweet, and could even be a delightful and surprising addition to a charcuterie board.

5. Strawberry Overnight Oats, $1.99

Trader Joe’s first introduced overnight oats in 2019, but this strawberry version is a brand-new flavor to the lineup. Rolled oats are soaked in water and coconut beverage then blended with strawberry purée and juice plus a dash of salt to balance things out for a, well, balanced breakfast. Top with fresh strawberries and maybe a few mini chocolate chips to spruce things up.