The 10 Discontinued Items from Trader Joe’s We Miss the Most

And, unfortunately, they’re unlikely to return.

Trader Joe's is one of the best grocery stores for its unique and innovative selection of products. From different types of flavor-blasted gnocchis, like cauliflower or Chocolate Lava Cake, to “pumpkin spice” flavored everything you could imagine, TJ’s is literally a playground for foodies on the hunt for creative and eccentric items. Unfortunately, despite reactions from its fans, it’s not uncommon for the store to discontinue certain popular items, leaving some customers in tears, anxiously hoping for and awaiting their return.

“There are several reasons why Trader Joe's might discontinue products, which can be due to low sales or production issues, whereas other times, it's to make way for new products or to streamline their inventory,” says registered dietitian, Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD. Seasonality is also a big factor, whereby a new favorite gingerbread-flavored breakfast loaf or biscotti could disappear once summer hits and not be available on shelves year-round.

And, an item may or may not come back during peak season a year later (or ever again, for that matter). It’s not so easy to predict if or when items will be discontinued, which means it may be a surprise or ambush. Generally, though, Best notes, “If items that have low sales, limited demand, or are difficult to produce consistently, they may be at higher risk...Additionally, seasonal items may only be available for a limited time, and once they're gone, they may not return until the following year,” Best adds.

Of course, it’s always bittersweet to say goodbye to favorites but remember—while certain discontinued items may be gone for good, it’s easy to find a new favorite that hits all the marks. Trader Joe's routinely adds new (and tasty) items to their shelves, as a way to replace them and keep its selection of products as fresh and exciting as possible.

If you’re at TJ’s and spot an item similar to a discontinued favorite, give it a shot—you may be surprised. After all, it’s Trader Joe’s, so you’re likely to experience a deliciously unique, high-quality alternative, no matter what. Still, we get the disappointment, especially with these items that customers seem to miss most.

Cookie Butter Cheesecake Bites

These delectable bite-sized treats had a creamy cookie butter cheesecake filling encased in a chocolate cookie crust. Needless to say, they were absolutely delicious. “They were a favorite among many Trader Joe's customers, and it's estimated that they were discontinued in 2018,” Best says. Priced at around $4.99 a box, these bites were pretty phenomenal. We don’t see them returning anytime soon, though. Luckily you can make a similar version at home with our Chocolate Cookie Cheesecake.

Matcha Joe-Joe's

“These green tea-flavored sandwich cookies were a delightful twist on Trader Joe's beloved Joe-Joe's cookies and had a creamy matcha filling sandwiched between two crispy matcha-flavored cookies,” Best says. Trader Joe’s sadly discontinued the Matcha Joe-Joe's back in 2019 or so. They were affordable ($2.99 per package) with a lovely taste and texture. Miss the flavor? Try these Matcha Green Tea Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Speculoos Cookie Butter Cheesecake

Paying $4.49 for a cheesecake had never felt so worth it—sadly, the Speculoos Cookie Butter Cheesecake from Trader Joe’s is no longer available. This creamy, rich cheesecake combined the irresistible flavors of Trader Joe's famous Speculoos cookie butter and classic cheesecake. Fans were disappointed (we understand), but, luckily, it’s easy to still (and likely forever) enjoy Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie Butter in its traditional spread form, and on anything you like, too.

Bacon Jam

This $3.99 jar was a customer favorite, for sure, so it was a major bummer when Trader Joe's discontinued its Bacon Jam back in 2017 (and it has yet to return). “It was a sweet and savory spread made from caramelized onions, brown sugar, and smoky bacon and was a versatile condiment to enjoy on burgers and sandwiches or as a dip,” Best says. Though Chef John's Bacon Jam does the trick, too!

S'mashing S'mores

Who can resist s’mores, especially in the summertime, sitting on the beach or by the campfire? However, the great thing about the s’mores from Trader Joe’s was that no campfire was required. “These bite-sized marshmallow-filled chocolate bars were a convenient and delicious option for s'mores lovers, but were discontinued around 2016,” Best says. It’s safe to say, a few smiles were definitely “smashed” upon hearing the news.

Wasabi Mayonnaise

At just $2.99 a bottle, this unique condiment combined the heat of wasabi and the creaminess of mayonnaise to deliver a well-balanced sauce with a bold, spicy, and zesty flavor and rich texture. “It was a popular choice for sushi or to be eaten as a dip for fries, but the wasabi mayonnaise was discontinued in 2019,” Best explains.

Dark Chocolate Tahitian Vanilla Caramels

“These decadent caramels were made with rich dark chocolate and were flavored with Tahitian vanilla, for a luxurious and indulgent treat,” Best says. Sadly, Trader Joe’s discontinued them a few years ago, around 2018, and it’s unlikely for them to return. It’s a bummer, but you can still find dark chocolate treats and staples, like Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups to munch on and satisfy a sweet tooth.

Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Nuggets

When these came out, they were an instant hit. “Trader Joe's Honey Mustard & Onion Pretzel Nuggets were [craveable] bite-sized pretzels with a perfect balance of sweet, tangy honey mustard, and savory onion flavors, but were discontinued in 2021, leaving pretzel enthusiasts disappointed and craving their unique taste,” Best says. You may be able to find pieces of pretzels in snack mix in the future, but nothing has officially been released.

Pumpkin O's Cereal

Trader Joe’s pumpkin-flavored foods often last for the season, and whether or not they return the following year depends on the product. “As a seasonal offering, Trader Joe's Pumpkin O's Cereal delighted fans with its pumpkin spice flavor and crunchy oat rings,” Best says. This cereal was a fall favorite, but Trader Joe’s discontinued it once its season ended in 2022.

Mochi Rice Nuggets

These crispy, bite-sized snacks had a nice and crunchy rice cracker texture, along with sweet and savory aspects of traditional mochi. They were a major hit with shoppers and secured some rave reviews online, but Trader Joe’s discontinued them back in 2020. Needless to say, people were definitely not pleased with the news.