Buzz
Image credit: Trader Joe'sFor years, Trader Joe’s customers have been air frying the brand’s products, and now the company is starting to catch up. On the latest episode of the Inside Trader Joe's podcast, co-hosted by Matt Sloan, Vice President of Marketing, and Tara Miller, Marketing Director, the pair chat with TJ’s staff from around the nation about their favorite items to cook in the air fryer. Jamie, the director of nutrition, shared that there’s been growing demand for air fryer cooking instructions on more Trader Joe’s products. 'Air fryers are so popular now. People are seeking ways to use them instead of the oven,' she said. 'While not all of our products come with air fryer instructions, we add them whenever possible.' Each applicable product is tested in an air fryer to ensure it delivers the best taste and texture. 'We test it in the same way you'd cook it at home,' Jamie noted, 'making sure it’s cooked properly and crispy, just as you’d expect.'
Wondering which Trader Joe’s products really shine in the air fryer? Keep reading to find out!
Gluten-Free Breaded Shrimp
These frozen shrimp are coated in a gluten-free coconut flour breading, making them a perfect air fryer option. 'They're incredibly crispy, and if you serve them without mentioning they're gluten-free, no one would notice the difference,' said Jamie about her favorite air fryer snack. 'They're simply breaded, so they don't have any overpowering flavors. They’re great on a salad,' she added.
Mandarin Orange Chicken
Pablo, a TJ's employee responsible for ensuring new store equipment is in place, recently became a proud air fryer owner and enjoys preparing various Trader Joe’s products in it. The Mandarin Orange Chicken was the first dish he cooked, and although the saucy nature of the dish isn't ideal for air frying, Pablo discovered a clever solution. 'We heat up the sauce separately, then mix it with the chicken after it's cooked in the air fryer,' he explained.
Parmesan Pastry Pups
Pablo’s Parmesan Pastry Pups, another standout from his air fryer collection, are a quick delight, taking just 10 minutes to prepare. The buttery puff pastry crisps up beautifully in the air fryer, while the cheese sprinkled on top fills the air with a delightful aroma. Inside, the mini beef franks remain tender and juicy. As Miller points out, the beauty of these is that they cook in half the time compared to a traditional oven. So, if you’re craving a quick Pastry Pup fix, the air fryer is your best friend for a speedy 10-minute treat instead of the usual 25 minutes.
Jalapeño & Cream Cheese Crispy Wontons are a newer favorite, with air fryer cooking instructions already included on the packaging. In just about seven minutes, these crispy, spicy, and satisfying morsels are ready to enjoy. The crunchiness is especially pronounced after air frying, with Miller noting how perfectly crispy they turn out.
Trader Joe’s employee Brenda, based in Monrovia, California, often whips up a batch of broccolini in the air fryer for her family, including her kids. Although not breaded, broccolini naturally has a satisfying crunch, and the air fryer enhances its taste and texture. Brenda lines the air fryer basket with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and seasons the broccolini with avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Miller shares his appreciation for the air-fried broccolini, especially for its crisp, flavorful florets.
Broccolini is a family favorite for Brenda, a Trader Joe’s worker in Monrovia, California. Her kids love it when she makes it in the air fryer. While it’s not breaded, broccolini’s natural crunch is amplified by the air fryer, making it extra delicious. Brenda lines the air fryer basket with aluminum foil for easy cleanup, then seasons the veggie with avocado oil, salt, and pepper. Miller loves the crispy florets and the delightful crunch they bring to the dish.
When preparing broccolini in her air fryer, Brenda, a Trader Joe’s employee from Monrovia, California, makes it for her entire family, including her children. While it isn't breaded, the air fryer helps achieve a wonderfully crunchy texture. Brenda lines the air fryer basket with aluminum foil for easy cleanup and adds avocado oil, salt, and pepper to season the broccolini. Miller is a fan of the air-fried broccolini, particularly for the crispy texture of the florets.
Dutch Griddle Cakes are a fan favorite, and Emerald, an import manager at Trader Joe’s, loves using them to create a unique breakfast sandwich. She takes these tasty griddle cakes and transforms them into a sandwich base, pairing them with Chicken Breakfast Sausage Patties from TJ’s, eggs, Cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of maple syrup. Emerald cooks the cakes in her air fryer, placing two of them at a time and cooking them for about five minutes per side at 350 degrees. The result is a sweet and savory breakfast sandwich that impressed both Sloan and Miller. If you can’t find the Dutch Griddle Cakes at your local TJ’s, try using Gluten Free Pancakes or Maple Poffertjes for a mini version of the sandwich.
Emerald, a Trader Joe’s import manager handling overseas shipments, has found a new use for the Dutch Griddle Cakes—she makes a delicious breakfast sandwich with them. She pairs the griddle cakes with Chicken Breakfast Sausage Patties from TJ’s, eggs, Cheddar cheese, and a touch of maple syrup. The air fryer is key in making this breakfast come together, with Emerald cooking two cakes at a time for five minutes on each side at 350 degrees. Sloan and Miller were impressed by the sweet and savory combination. If Dutch Griddle Cakes aren’t available at your local store, swap in Gluten Free Pancakes or Maple Poffertjes for a mini sandwich version.
