The 12 Best New Trader Joe's Appetizers Of 2026 (So Far)

For many of us, holiday entertaining means it's time to think about appetizers to start the party and tide guests over until the main meal is ready. It's also something many of us wouldn't mind outsourcing a bit. And the person — or place, in this case — for the job is Trader Joe's. This grocery staple is frequently a go-to destination for charcuterie board fillers and tasty tidbits that can be warmed up and served on a festive platter alongside the best holiday cocktails to celebrate the season.

Part of the fun with Trader Joe's is discovering what is new, especially in terms of appetizers. We scoured online reviews to find out which of the new-for-2026 offerings have people urging others to add them to their red shopping carts.

Please note that prices and availability may vary by location. But hopefully, these mouthwatering morsels will be available at your local TJ's.

Two words: cheese pull. Reviews of these new Potato Cheese Sticks say they deliver on stringy goodness. One Instagram reviewer recommends cooking them in an air fryer, and more than a few like them best with a dipping sauce, whether it's sweet chili sauce, aioli, or ketchup. Trader Joe's also recommends its Hot Honey Mustard. Note that a box only comes with four sticks, so this might be an appetizer option for a smaller get-together; otherwise, plan to buy many boxes to fit your RSVP list.

Purchase a box of four Potato Cheese Sticks for $4.99.

Cocktail meatballs as an hors d'oeuvre? Yes please. These Cranberry and Jalapeño Chicken Meatballs come in a 24-pack of fully cooked meatballs. How to serve them? Trader Joe's merely recommends simmering "in a sauce of your choice" or serving "alongside a tangy dip." Some Facebook users have jumped in to suggest adding a cranberry glaze or warming in a crockpot with a barbecue sauce.

Purchase a package of Cranberry and Jalapeno Chicken Meatballs for $4.29.

Trader Joe's debuted Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers in summer '26, and fans have been loving the slightly spicy filling that also happens to be vegan. One YouTube commenter praised them for having "a lot of flavor." Meanwhile, an Instagrammer complimented the flat shape, which is easier to brown than traditionally shaped dumplings. Serve them with a dipping sauce, such as Trader Joe's beloved Yangnyeom Sauce.

Purchase a bag of Mandu Korean Kimchi Potstickers for $3.49.

One TikTok user called Trader Joe's IPA Beer Uncured Salami Bites "dangerously good." Another reviewer on Facebook positively noted the "waft of IPA" in the small bites, which beer-lovers will enjoy. Of course, the small size would pile beautifully onto a charcuterie board and fit nicely onto a round cracker. A Reddit user also shared that they are, unsurprisingly, "great with Boursin cheese." 

Purchase the IPA Beer Uncured Salami Bites for $4.99.

While one reviewer on Instagram called Trader Joe's new Three Cheese Mini Pide, or Turkish flat breads stuffed with three types of cheese, "super yummy," others have found them a bit bread-heavy. That's what makes them great vessels for a sauce or dip. Trader Joe's recommends Roasted Garlic Hummus, but we think they'd also be worthy of a pesto dip. If you buy a six-pack of these breads, remember that tip — they're not a stand-alone item, but rather a dip delivery system.

Purchase a six-pack of Three Cheese Mini Pide for $3.99.

Ever since the Spicy Queso Dip hit Trader Joe's in July, fans have raved about it. "I want this pumped directly into my veins," one Redditor wrote. Though we dubbed it one of the best new Trader Joe's snacks of 2026, it can also find a place as part of a Tex-Mex grazing board: Just assemble some Trader Joe's festive Fall Leaf Corn Tortilla Chips, Mini Chicken Tacos, Crispy Jalapeño Pieces, this dip, some guacamole, and fresh sliced red and green bell peppers. Yum.

Purchase a container of Spicy Queso Dip for $3.99.

Add some Asian flare to your appetizer spread with these Hane Style Beef Gyoza, which we believe are among the Trader Joe's best items to buy in October 2026, and for good reason. A Reddit fan of these pockets, which are filled with ground beef, shiitakes, green onions, and seasoning, wrote, "Tried these today and they are fantastic, going to buy more expeditiously." Simply cook according to the package and serve with a dipping sauce. "TJ's Soyaki is great to dip," another Reddit user suggested.

Purchase a 12-piece pack of Hane Style Beef Gyoza for $3.69.

Leave it to Trader Joe's to revive the conversation around Outback Steakhouse's Bloomin' Onion with its Onion Flowers, introduced at the beginning of the year. Past customers have found their own ways of preparing Trader Joe's Bloomin' Onion copycat, with some folks swearing by a quick microwave to defrost followed by the air fryer, or in a convection oven. Regardless of how you cook these, reviewers recommend plating them with a dipping sauce like Trader Joe's Peri Peri or Buttermilk Ranch.

Purchase a box of two Onion Flowers for $3.49.

In 2026, Trader Joe's debuted Chicken Breast Bites, which come with a honey mustard dipping sauce. They're fully cooked, so you can quickly warm the bites, and set them and the sauce out with minimal effort. Talk about warm appetizers at their easiest. "My friends and I are basically obsessed with them. High protein, low fat. The dip is very nice too. A zesty honey mustard, not overly sweet," a fan on Reddit gushed about this appetizer.

Purchase the Chicken Breast Bites for $3.99.

Bring together a cracker, a smear of this Parmesan Tapenade, and a piece of salami, and we're in charcuterie board heaven. Fans of this spread, which fuses Parmesan, jalapeño, olives, herbs, and spices, have recommended their preferred pairings, with one suggesting sliced baguette and another favoring Trader Joe's Organic Garlic Naan Crackers. We'd throw our suggestion into the ring with the Green Olive Flats Italian Lingue Crackers to double-down on rich olive umami.

Purchase a container of Parmesan Tapenade for $4.99.

Trader Joe's has had mixed results with its kimbap entries in the past, but the new-for-2026 Spicy Pork Kimbap has devotees aplenty. One Instagram reviewer couldn't hold back their excitement: "Wowwwww this spicy pork kimbap is ahhhh mazing." We love the idea of adding this to your appetizer spread for something a little unexpected, trendy (thanks, gochujang sauce), and a bit spicy.

Purchase the Spicy Pork Kimbap for $4.99.

The introduction of the Charcuterie Party of One has customers feeling seen. "Trader Joe's clearly understands that sometimes I want a cute little charcuterie moment without buying three cheeses, two meats and a box of crackers just to feed myself," one such Instagram reviewer posted. Because sometimes a small party of one or two only needs a few lowkey mouthfuls to save room for the main feast. A Redditor summed it up perfectly: "I'd grab that and one of those $1 packs of olives to have with it."

Purchase the Charcuterie Party of One for $3.49.