We turn to our grocery store boo, Trader Joe, for exciting spices, unique condiments, top-tier produce and next-level snacks alike. But come summer, we make a beeline for the frozen aisle to scour the ice cream section. From bars to bon bons to pints, here are 24 of the best Trader Joe’s ice creams to shop this summer (and all year long). Some are evergreen to their freezers, while others are seasonal and only available for a limited time. Either way, there’s a scoop for fruit fanatics, chocolate lovers, ice cream sandwich devotees and vegan snackers alike.
The 24 Best Trader Joe’s Ice Cream Products to Put in Your Cart This Year
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Published Jun 10, 2022
1. When Life Gives You Lemons Make Ice Cream
Sweet, creamy and tantalizingly tart, this treat sings with spring-inspired splendor. Think lemon-spiked ice cream with lemon swirl and buttery shortbread cookie bits.
2. Southern Peach Crisp Ice Cream
One of summer’s most iconic desserts just got a killer makeover. Picture swirls of peach jam (made from South Carolina peaches, obvi) and chunks of buttery cinnamon-sugar oat crisp in a sea of sweet cream ice cream. Serve a scoop over a warm piece of peach cobbler to up the Southern-inspired ante.
3. Cold Brew Coffee And Boba Coconut Non-dairy Dessert
Will we be cooling off with this smooth, rich vegan gem all summer long? Survey says heck yes. It stars coconut milk “ice cream,” infused with Thai cold brew coffee and dappled with chewy tapioca pearls.
4. Chocolate Chip Hold The Cone
Sure, you’ve had an ice cream-stuffed waffle cone before. But these cones have a secret: They’re not only chocolate flavored, but they’re also lined with a dreamy chocolatey coating. Might we suggest topping them off with whipped cream and maraschino cherries before digging in?
5. Oat Non-dairy Frozen Dessert Sandwiches
Vegan, sumptuous and sweet, these dairy-free bars will impress kids and grown-ups alike. You'll be wowed by the uncanny vanilla oat "ice cream," along with the pillowy chocolate wafer cookies.
6. Wildberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
There was major buzz around this flavor when it launched last summer, so we’d suggest getting your hands on a pint this year while they last. The bright berry swirl boasts a mix of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and elderberries, the perfect sweet-and-sour match for tangy cheesecake pieces and crust crumbles.
7. Tangerine Cream Bars
Move aside, orange. Tangerine sorbet offers a tart-sweet je ne sais quoi to this nostalgic pop that pairs seamlessly with the bars’ creamy vanilla interior. They’ll taste even better when devoured poolside (or better yet, from *inside* a pool float).
8. Brownie Crisp Coffee Ice Cream Sandwiches
Wave goodbye to your ice cream bowl and coffee mug: All you need to enjoy this grown-up ice cream sandwich is your hand. The coffee ice cream is bold and buzzy, thanks to coffee syrup, Colombian coffee extract and espresso grounds, while the brownies strike the ultimate balance between crisp and fudgy.
9. Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream
It’s earthy, zingy and so damn creamy. This pick starts with a classic ice cream base that’s jazzed up with matcha powder made from finely ground, specially grown green tea leaves. Bonus points for adding a scoop or two to green tea-spiked sparkling water for an epic ice cream float.
10. Vegan Cookies & Cream Vanilla Bean Bon Bons
They’re just the right size for noshing one at a time...but we wouldn’t blame you for polishing off the box in one sitting either. The plant-based bon bons are filled with frozen coconut milk that’s studded with chocolate and vanilla bean creme sandwich cookies.
11. Organic Vanilla Fudge Chip Ice Cream
Trader Joe calls it fudge chip instead of chocolate chip for a reason, folks. The chocolate pieces are chunky, chewy and just the rich foil for organic vanilla. Top it off with salted caramel, homemade cherry sauce or, heck, more fudge.
12. Hold The Dairy! Vegan Chocolate Mini Cones
We all scream for plant-based goodies. These wafer cones are stuffed with "ice cream" made from coconut milk and vegan chocolate. And since they're mini, you can help yourself to two (or three) in a row.
13. Soy Creamy Cherry Chocolate Chip Non-dairy Frozen Dessert
Organic soymilk + organic cane sugar + non-dairy chocolate chips + chewy cherry pieces = a vegan treat that deserves a permanent spot in your freezer. This pint was pulled from shelves in 2019…that is, until customers passionately fought for its immediate reinstatement.
14. Thai Tea Mini Mochi
Two beloved sweets, one teeny-tiny package. The dairy-free filling is made with strong black tea, sugar and, instead of traditional condensed milk, coconut milk. Then, it’s wrapped in a thin layer of chewy rice mochi. Good luck not inhaling the whole box in one sitting.
15. Strawberry Non-dairy Oat Frozen Dessert
How did TJ’s get this vegan treat so creamy and delicious without a drop of dairy, you ask? With oat milk, coconut oil and tapioca syrup for body and agave syrup for sweetness. Blend a few scoops with frozen berries and a few glugs of oat milk to create a killer shake.
16. Mini Mint Ice Cream Mouthfuls
There are a dozen mint chip ice cream patties sandwiched between chocolate wafers in every box. Their adorable size makes them dangerously poppable (we’re talking two bites each). Four mouthfuls are a single serving, but we urge you not to keep count.
17. Black Tea And Boba Coconut Non-dairy Frozen Dessert
Bubble tea stans, it’s your lucky day. The dessert stars a decadent coconut “ice cream” infused with Assam black tea. The base is also swirled with caramelly brown sugar and chewy tapioca pearls. Believe it or not, it gives its cold brew-flavored predecessor a run for its money.
18. Cold Brew Latte Dessert Bars
Go ahead, find a more sophisticated ice pop. We dare ya. You’ll taste robust coffee, decadent cream and a touch of sweetness in every lick, just like your go-to latte from the local café. We wouldn’t blame you for having one first thing in the morning with breakfast.
19. Non-dairy Frozen Dessert Chocolate Fudge Oat Bars
Just like the ones you got from the ice cream truck as a kid, minus the milk. They’re made with oats instead of real cream, so they’re lighter at only 100 calories each and totally dairy-free.
20. Pumpkin Ice Cream
Can you believe the pint is nearly 20 percent pure pumpkin purée? No wonder it’s a fan favorite come autumn. We’ll take a heaping scoop atop a warm slice of pecan pie, please.
21. Vanilla Non-dairy Frozen Dessert
Poor vanilla gets a bad rap for being boring, but this one is 1) vegan, 2) gluten-free and 3) made with an almond base, so it’s definitely deserving of your attention. Top it with fresh fruit, scoop it into a glass of cola for a float or devour it straight from the carton.
22. Ube Ice Cream
For the uninitiated, ube is a purple yam from the Philippines that’s commonly found in desserts. This treat is made with real ube purée and gets its ethereal hue from grape extract and beet juice. While it’s currently off shelves, we (and its cult following) can’t wait for it to make a comeback.
23. Vegan Mint & Chip Bon Bons
We were so stoked when TJ’s launched these refreshing coconut milk-based dessert bites last winter. Needless to say, we’re awaiting their return with bated breath.
24. Candy Cane Joe-joe’s Ice Cream
Keep an eye out for this seasonal staple in December. Creamy vanilla and cool peppermint ice creams are adorned with chunks of Candy Cane Joe-Joe’s Cookies and a ribbon of chocolate fudge for good measure.
