Trader Joe's has lots of meh gluten-free options. But these 6 are 'chef's kiss' perfection

For a long time, I thought people who shopped at Trader Joe's were part of some kind of cult. I knew nothing about the store itself — only that a lot of my hipster friends loved it. A lot. More than seemed normal for a grocery store. I assumed it was an expensive store that I wasn't cool enough to shop at. So you can imagine my shock the first time I shopped there and realized everything was actually super affordable. The obsession started to make a bit more sense.

As someone who must follow a gluten-free diet because of Celiac Disease, I'd grown accustomed to inflated prices on gluten-free items. It didn't matter which store I was at, a loaf of gluten-free bread would always be nearly double the price of a regular loaf. A gluten-free pizza? At least $2 more, for half the portion.

At Trader Joe's, I found gluten-free foods for prices not only comparable to the regular items, but that were straight up cheap. And the quality and taste weren't bad, either. I may not be fully initiated into the church of Joe's, but there are a few gluten-free snacks that keep me coming back.

These are the 6 absolute must-try gluten-free snacks and meals at Trader Joe's.

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Muffins

I first heard about the Trader Joe's gluten-free muffins when my younger brother left home for college. The closest store to his dorm was a Trader Joe's, and a couple weeks into the semester, he started texting me about the muffins. He'd send me photos of different flavors: chocolate, cinnamon coffee cake, pumpkin spice. I filed them away in my mind as something on my to-try list, but never got around to shopping at Trader Joe's myself. Then he came home to visit one weekend, muffins in tow. From that day on, I was hooked.

My favorite flavor is the limited-edition pumpkin, available only in the fall. But the newly released strawberry is a close second. Regardless of what flavor you get, you really can't lose with these soft and chewy muffins.

Price: $5.49, or $5.99 for seasonal strawberry.

Madeleines

Upon entering Trader Joe's recently, I heard a voice ask: "Do you want to try a gluten-free madeleine?"

Yes, disembodied voice, I would like nothing more than that.

I followed the sound to an employee at the sample kiosk. After trying a bite, I grabbed a box with such speed that the employee laughed at me.

The madeleines come individually wrapped in a six-count box, probably with the idea that you can throw one in your lunch box before work without the rest going stale. I, however, ate the whole box in one sitting, tearing each individual wrapper off and watching the pile of plastic grow on my coffee table as I watched TV. Soft and melting, the small cookie-cakes can be best described as mini angel food.

Trader Joe's gluten-free madeleines are a relatively new item, introduced in spring 2023. I sincerely hope they're here to stay for a long time.

Price: $3.49

Mac and Cheese

One of the most popular gluten-free items at Trader Joe's is the mac and cheese, and for good reason. Plenty of frozen, microwaveable mac and cheeses exist, but none so far can compete with Trader Joe's.

If you've ever had the traditional (non-gluten-free) diner mac and cheese from Trader Joe's, you'll taste the resemblance. It's made with the same creamy four-cheese blend, paired instead with gluten-free rotini pasta made with a blend of corn, rice, lentil and quinoa flours. If you're looking for a quick but delicious meal that you can throw in the microwave and eat in minutes, this is the move.

Price: $3.69

Japchae

The gluten-free and vegan stir-fry japchae noodles come frozen. There are instructions on the box for cooking either in the microwave or on the stovetop. I opted for the latter option because I had a feeling it would taste better.

The stovetop directions were simple: place the frozen japchae in a skillet with three tablespoons of water and cook on medium for three minutes. I found that three tablespoons weren't enough and added a fourth. Also, three minutes in, it was still a frozen block, so I just stood over the skillet, sliding the japchae around with a spatula and watched until it looked done.

I also took some liberties with it. The vegan dish comprises only glass noodles and vegetables, so I cracked two eggs into the skillet as it was cooking to add some protein. Once it was done, I topped with a mix of gochujang and soy sauce.

Though I didn't stick to the instructions, after less than ten minutes of cooking, I was rewarded with a satisfyingly tasty meal. My only critique, and one that I've seen others share online, is that the noodles are a bit salty. But the salty taste wasn't overpowering enough to deter me from recommending it, or buying it again.

Price: $3.49

Waffles

If you want an easy, no-bs breakfast, I recommend Trader Joe's gluten-free toaster waffles. Maybe it's because I haven't eaten gluten in so many years, but I genuinely didn't find the taste to be much different than any other basic toaster waffle that I can remember. They come only in the plain homestyle flavor, which I've been eating topped with peanut butter all week.

The best thing about the Trader Joe's waffles is the price. Compared to one of the most popular brand of gluten-free waffles, Vans, which come in packs of six for around $4 to $5, depending on the store you purchase them from, Trader Joe's waffles are eight for less than $3. A deal absolutely unheard of in the gluten-free world.

Price: $2.79

Mini Chicken Tacos

I haven't seen many people raving about them online, but I genuinely enjoy Trader Joe's mini chicken tacos. Maybe it's the ease of throwing a dozen on a cookie sheet, baking for 6 minutes and being done with it. But I also think the taste is super satisfying. More of a snack than a dinner, I dip mine in salsa that I had in the fridge. If you don't have any, add it to your Trader Joe's shopping list.

Price: $5.99

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Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on Twitter.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 6 best Trader Joe's gluten-free foods you need in your cart. Trust me