When it comes to appetizers—aka leisure bites—Trader Joe’s is usually my go-to. They’ve got the the nom nom noms on lock, and most of the time, it’s a guaranteed hit for quick entertaining or lazy glam nights in. But this time? I met my match in disappointment. The Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese Bites looked yum, sounded cozy, and promised autumnal magic… but babe, they delivered absolutely nothing.
The Taste That Never Showed Up
Let’s keep it real: this was the most boring appetizer I’ve ever tasted from Trader Joe’s. No flavor, no depth—just mushy mediocrity in a breaded shell. Even salt and pepper couldn’t rescue it. I tried pairing it with grilled chicken thighs (because I’m not above saving a meal), but no amount of protein could bring these to life. And before anyone suggests it—hot sauce doesn’t go with butternut squash. Trust me, I thought about it. There’s absolutely nothing you can add to make this edible in an exciting way.
So if your palate prefers tasteless food that sits quietly on your plate, then hey—you might just find these “delish”. For the rest of us who like flavor, texture, and something resembling a vibe? Hard fucking pass, babes.
Apologies in advance for this “suggestion,” icons. Not everything that glitters in the Trader Joe’s freezer section is gold.
And since the month isn’t over, I reverted to September’s Leisure Bites, the Brie, Apricots, Brioche, Prosciutto spread.
