A chill is in the air (in certain parts of the country), the leaves are slowly starting to change colors, and Starbucks still refuses to offer a vegan version of its iconic pumpkin spice latte. It’s official: pumpkin season is here. And Trader Joe’s is here to usher in the coziest season of the year.
Unlike the PSL, Trader Joe’s pumpkin items don’t stay on shelves from late August through January. These goods are hyper-seasonal, and when they’re gone, we have to say goodbye until next fall. So don’t miss the bandwagon, and get shopping.
Where to buy vegan pumpkin spice products
Although Starbucks’ world-famous PSL isn’t vegan in the US, you can still find a vegan-friendly pumpkin spice latte stateside.
Peet’s Coffee has reliably served vegan patrons this iconic beverage for years. It’s made with espresso, dairy-free steamed milk of choice, and a vegan-friendly pumpkin syrup that’s reminiscent of pumpkin pie. It comes topped with a sprinkle of warm baking spices. All you have to do is ask for plant milk.
Peet’s Coffee
The coffee bar at Whole Foods is often overlooked, but it’s an excellent option to quell a pumpkin latte craving. The syrup is vegan-friendly and plant milk is always available (check your local store for options). Add a few shakes of cinnamon to add a bit more spice.
Beyond a vegan PSL, you can find plenty of vegan-friendly pumpkin spice treats throughout the supermarket itself.
Vegan pumpkin products at Trader Joe’s
Head to Trader Joe’s, grab your red cart, and stock up on these 14 vegan pumpkin products while they’re still on shelves.
@halloweenology/Instagram
1Organic canned pumpkin
Between the baked goods, smoothies, soups, and morning bowls of oatmeal, we can’t even fathom how many cans of pumpkin purée we go through during the fall season. From September to November, our cupboard is never without at least one can of this smooth squash.
Sarah Nicole Ray
2 Pumpkin rolls
Miraculously, most ready-to-bake cinnamon rolls are accidentally vegan, including Trader Joe’s pumpkin-flavored rolls. Here’s a pro tip to make every bite taste like the center: douse each roll with a few tablespoons of vegan cream (like Silk’s heavy whipping cream) before baking, making sure it runs down the sides. The dough will soak up the liquid without getting soggy, so each fluffy, tender layer tastes like that wonderfully gooey center.
Go Dairy-Free
3 Pumpkin bagels
Pumpkin flour and pumpkin pie spice pack these seasonal bagels with an overload of flavor. We’re topping ours with dairy-free cream cheese and pumpkin butter for a decadent morning meal. Note: stay clear of the gluten-free pumpkin bagels, as they contain egg.
@bigboxvegan/Instagram
4 Pumpkin overnight oats
Sweetened with date paste, these nourishing oats provide that pumpkin flavor you crave without a sugar bomb. They can be enjoyed chilled or warm, straight from the container, or topped with a dollop of crunchy almond butter. We’ve been known to pack these for lunches as well as breakfasts on the go.
Trader Joe’s
5 Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s
These cookies sell out fast. Head to Trader Joe’s now and get yourself enough Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s to last you the season, because they will not last through November. The same logic applies to the Jack-o-Lantern Joe-Joe’s. These chocolate cookie-based treats don’t taste like pumpkin, but the fun shape and limited time availability make them impossible to resist.
Trader Joe’s
6 Pumpkin bread and muffin mix
Whether you need a sweet treat on the quick or prefer to keep your baking as simple as possible, this pumpkin bread and muffin mix makes baking manageable. The instructions do call for a chicken egg, but that can easily be swapped with a vegan egg replacer.
@bigboxvegan/Instagram
7 Pumpkin O’s cereal
Whether you enjoy it with dairy-free milk, yogurt, or as a snack on its own, Trader Joe’s Pumpkin O’s Cereal is adding a touch of fall festivity to our mornings and satisfying our pumpkin cravings all season long. We’re grabbing a box and embracing the magic of autumn with every spoonful.
@bakeeat350/Instagram
8 Pumpkin chocolate chunk oatmeal cookie mix
This homey dry mix is vegan-as-is and can be prepared with a simple flax egg or applesauce to substitute for the called-for chicken egg. Pro tip: try baking the dough in an 8 x 8 square pan for thick, chocolaty, pumpkin pie oatmeal bars.
@bigboxvegan/Instagram
9 Pumpkin spice granola bark
The rich, earthy notes of pumpkin seeds are complemented by a harmonious mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of maple syrup, delivering a comforting and satisfying crunch with every handful. This delicious blend of organic oats, seeds, and spices is a celebration of the season’s bounty, and a hearty and nutritious way to start the day.
@traderjoeslist/Instagram
10 Pumpkin spice coffee
For just a hint of pumpkin spice flavor without the added syrups, give this home brew a try. The medium-dark roast is infused with orange peel, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, vanilla beans, and natural pumpkin flavor. Pair it with a splash of steamed oat or soy milk for a smooth cuppa that doesn’t aggressively taste like pumpkin.
Trader Joe’s
11 Pumpkin spice hummus
Don’t get this twisted for a savory hummus—TJ’s pumpkin spice hummus definitely lands in the dessert hummus category. You bet it’s a thing, and it’s delightful. This seasonal spread is the perfect pairing for Pumpkin Joe-Joe’s and crisp fall apples.
@bigboxvegan/Instagram
12Pumpkin tortilla chips
Crafted with simple ingredients including pumpkin purée, pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, and nutmeg, these crunchy chips pair perfectly with Trader Joe’s autumnal salsas.
@traderjoeslist/Instagram
13 Pumpkin gnocchi
Besides its tender, pillowy bite, we love gnocchi for its super quick cooking time. After you get the water boiling, you’re two minutes away from a hot plate of pasta. We’d coat these pumpkin pillows with a decadent vegan browned butter and fresh sage sauce.
Trader Joes Memphis
14Sugar Pie pumpkins
Yes, actual pumpkins! Unlike the massive gourds used for Jack-o-Lantern carving, these petite pumpkins are sweeter and far more manageable when it comes to de-gutting, cutting, and baking. Roast up a whole one and use the flesh for a truly scratch-made vegan pumpkin pie.
For more vegan Trader Joe's finds, read:
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Sarah McLaughlin (@sarahmclaughlin) is the New Products Editor at VegNews and is always on the search for the newest innovations in plant-based food.
