ranking some of the pumpkin spice foods

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We did it last year, and it’s back again! Grant and I embarked on a mission to hunt down some of the pumpkin spice foods that fill store shelves this time each year. We tasted some and we’re giving our opinions on them!

Note: None of these companies paid us to rate these products – this is just a fun thing Grant and I enjoy doing each fall! All opinions are our own.

Like last year, our ratings are:

Stay away
Proceed with caution
Approved for human consumption
Drowning in a pool of happy-pumpkin love

Noosa – Pumpkin Yogurt

Rating: Drowning in a pool of happy-pumpkin love

This is a solid option for anyone who likes pumpkin but doesn’t want a super strong pumpkin spice flavor. It’s a go-to for us for breakfast in the fall!

Trader Joe’s “This Pumpkin walks into a bar…” Cereal Bars

Rating: Drowning in a pool of happy-pumpkin love

There’s definitely pumpkin spice and pumpkin flavors in there but not in an obnoxious way. Another great grab-and-go breakfast option in the fall!

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Soup

Rating: Approved for human consumption

This soup isn’t our favorite but it’s not terrible either. It’s sort of thick and creamy, like a butternut squash bisque, and the pumpkin flavor is just a bit odd. I think it would be improved with some crunchy bread for dipping.

Pumpkin Spice Mallows

Rating: Drowning in a pool of happy-pumpkin love

We were totally surprised by these! We both thought they would be super weird but they’re surprisingly good. Pop a few in your hot cocoa for a fun twist, or even use them in your rice krispie treats for some fall-flavor!

Pumpkin Spice Cheerios

Rating: Approved for human consumption

These aren’t bad, but the pumpkin flavor is a bit odd. Eaten plain, the pumpkin flavor is stronger – eaten in milk, the flavor is lessened to the point that it doesn’t taste all that pumpkin-y.

Thomas Pumpkin Spice Swirl Bread

Rating: Drowning in a pool of happy-pumpkin love

We’ve all had the classic cinnamon raisin swirl bread – and the pumpkin spice version doesn’t disappoint! It’s delicious, lightly spiced, and lightly pumpkiny – just enough that you feel like you’re eating something fall-flavored.

Trader Joe’s Petite Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Rating: Drowning in a pool of happy-pumpkin love

Pleasantly surprised with these! They definitely have pumpkin spice flavor, but it’s not obnoxious or overpowering. These are basically the fall version of those pink and white frosted circus animal cookies we all loved growing up!

Trader Joe’s Fall Harvest Salsa

Rating: Drowning in a pool of happy-pumpkin love

So good! We had this last year, too, and it’s great for dipping with chips or in our Instant Pot Salsa Chicken!

Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter

Rating: Drowning in a pool of happy-pumpkin love

I buy this every year because it’s SO good! It’s just the pumpkin version of apple butter. I love stirring it into my plain yogurt at breakfast. I’ve also used this as the filling for some epic pumpkin cinnamon rolls.

Bonus Item: Pillsbury Pumpkin Cookies

Rating: Um, love. Obviously.

These aren’t pumpkin flavored BUT we make these every year for Halloween – it’s a childhood-nostalgia thing.

We didn’t have anything this year that earned a truly bad rating – we were pleasantly surprised by many of these items! Check out our list from last year here (spoiler: there were a lot more pumpkin spice food fails last year!) And, remember – just because we didn’t like something doesn’t mean you won’t like it, so give things a try if you’re intrigued!

Happy Fall, friends! We hope you are enjoying the cool weather and filling your bellies with yummy fall-flavored foods!

If you like baking with pumpkin, try some of these recipes!

My Best Pumpkin Bread, Fluffy Pumpkin Pancakes, and Pumpkin Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Brown Butter Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies from Sally’s Baking Addiction

Favorite Pumpkin Muffins from Pinch of Yum

Bourbon Pumpkin Cheesecake from Smitten Kitchen