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13 Air-Fryer-Friendly Trader Joe’s Foods You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner

The list includes some of the most buzzed-about bites on the market.

Collage of Trader Joe's store front and foods
Updated July 15, 2025
Fact check checkmark icon Fact checked

Air fryers have only been around since 2010, but they have already made a huge impact on the way we cook in our kitchens.

One of the best shopping hacks at Trader Joe's is taking advantage of their frozen meal and apps that are thrifty and so delicious.

Here's a list of the grocery store's fan-favorites that not only are quicker to make in the air fryer but taste even better.

Editor's note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.

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Black Bean & Cheese Taquitos

Courtesy of Trader Joe's taquitos trader joe's

Price: $4.49

If you are looking to save money on groceries, this pack of black bean & cheese taquitos is the right move that offers exquisite taste and a deal you can not beat.

One of the only frozen taquito options that promise more filling than shells, the black bean and cheese taquitos at Trader Joe's are just better with a crispy outside and tender, flavorful inside. Get the best finish on your taquitos by throwing them in on high for about seven to nine minutes.

Seasoned Corn Ribs

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Corn ribs Trader Joe's

Price: $3.99

Trader Joe's makes a seasoned rib of corn that is the perfect stand-in for a vegetable-based diet when others are opting for meat. This calorie-conscious appetizer is for tailgating, parties, and Sunday dinners. Cooking them to perfection in less than half the recommended time makes it better.

Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts

Price: $5.99

Brussels sprouts are difficult to get right when cooking and can take a while to get to that perfect temperature where they crisp up on the outside.

Grab a bag of these spicy and sweet sprouts at Trader Joe's. The sauce is made with a mix of hoisin, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers. You can thank us later.

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Uncured Beef Hot Dogs

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Trader Joe's Uncured Beef Hot Dogs

Price: $3.99

If you have never tried a hot dog cooked in an air fryer, you might not know what you're missing.

Pop them in at 350 degrees for about five minutes, and they'll emerge with a tight skin and juicy beef inside. Because of the texture and ballpark charm, your meal is already elevated, on a budget, and on a whim.

Vegetable Bird's Nests

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Vegetable Bird's Nests

Price: $3.99

Frying onions, carrots, and kale in tempura batter sounds like heaven on earth. Realizing you can pop these tempura vegetable spirals into the air fryer and have them ready in less than ten minutes from frozen is a game-changer.

Fun hack: Consider grabbing the Sweet Chili Sauce to level up the flavor on this app.

Premium Salmon Burgers

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Premium Salmon Burgers

Price: $7.49

The salmon burgers at Trader Joe's can be addictive, and once you realize you can air fry them for prep, the possibilities are endless. Add your frozen patties to the basket at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes, then flip them for a few more. The fish will be cooked thoroughly, flaky, and falling apart beautifully.

Pastry Bites Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Pastry Bites Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions

Price: $5.49

These tiny pastries are savory with a hint of sweetness to them in the most perfect marriage of flaky layered crust, creamy feta cheese, and caramelized onions. Have them ready in a fraction of the time in the air fryer, though probably cooked to the same perfection as a conventional oven.

Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals

alfons/Adobe woman paying contactless credit card

August is here, and with it comes the final stretch of summer. It’s a great time to soak up the season and scoop up hot deals before they fade. Look for savings on:

  • Travel and getaway must-haves
  • Back-to-school basics
  • Clearance swimwear and warm-weather styles
  • For grocery savings, grab peak-season produce, like tomatoes, cucumbers, melons, and berries

As retailers shift their focus to fall, August is the last chance to snag summer essentials at unbeatable prices. Shop smart now before the season (and the savings) slip away.

Southwest Style Chicken Quesadillas

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Southwest Style Chicken Quesadillas

Price: $4.49

Queso is such an addictive ingredient, and these quesadillas are packed with it. Tender, shredded chicken and a variety of produce options work with seasonings to make this one of the tastiest and most ingredient-filled take-home options.

Air frying the tortilla reinforces it, crisping up the edges for a satisfying crunch.

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4 Almond Croissants

Courtesy of Trader Joe's 4 Almond Croissants

Price: $5.99

If you want the best at-home almond croissant experience of your life, then consider grabbing a four-pack at Trader Joe's and prepping them in the air fryer. For best results, leave them out the night before in a plastic bag. About ten minutes at 330 degrees makes them perfectly flaky and fluffy.

Jalapeño and Cream Cheese Crispy Wontons

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Box and tray with Trader Joe's jalapeno cream cheese wontons

Price: $4.99

Wontons are meant to be crunchy on the outside and filled with tender meat, produce, or sauce for a perfect little pocket of flavor.

These jalapeno and cream cheese wontons also have savory parmesan on top. Because they are fried snacks, they crunch up much better when they are air-fried.

Hashbrowns

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Hashbrowns Trader Joe's two plates with breakfast and coffee

Price: $2.99

If you like to have crispy edges on your hash browns, then the best and most efficient way to achieve this is with the air fryer.

This is true no matter what form the hash browns come in, though the patties at Trader Joe's will cook up much faster than in a conventional oven.

Mini Vegetable Samosas

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Mini Vegetable Samosas Trader Joe's

Price: $3.99

Like a variety of small appetizers, samosas are best prepared in an air fryer. Often, microwaving these can make them soggy and unappealing. This fan favorite from Trader Joe's develops a beautifully flaky skin as it cooks in the air fryer for seven to 10 minutes, leaving the produce inside moist.

Organic Tofu

Courtesy of Trader Joe's Organic Tofu bowl

Price: $2.49

Tofu is such a high-protein, natural food source that takes on different textures and flavors. Because of that, it is a core component in meatless or low-meat diets. But cooking tofu can be a difficult balance, especially if you want a texture you enjoy. Luckily, air frying has proven to be a tasty, enjoyable option.

Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill

pawczar/Adobe woman buying fruits at grocery store

Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are three quick tips for reducing food expenses:

  • Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
  • Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
  • Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.

Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task, the savings can really add up.

Bottom line

Walter Cicchetti/Adobe Trader Joe's Grocery Store Vine Street Hollywood

One great hack for Trader Joe's is that the store can help you save on groceries made to mimic your favorite fast and fried food. And remember, if the food is fried or an appetizer, it belongs in the air fryer.

There are many ways to save more on everyday essentials, but for Trader Joe's in particular, is to focuses on is throwing the store's own branded items in your cart as they are usually cheaper. 

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