Trader Joe’s is a great place to pick up healthy snacks — and you don’t want to miss ones found in the freezer section. Whether you’re craving something sweet, like chocolate-covered banana bites, or savory, like mini chicken wontons, the popular grocery chain has affordable, healthy items you can keep stocked in your freezer.
Here are 10 healthy options to try:
Why it made the cut: These little banana bites taste just like ice cream, but the only two ingredients are bananas and chocolate. They’re perfect for when you’re craving something cold, creamy and chocolatey. Four pieces have just 130 calories, so they’re a great option for a sweet snack.
Why it made the cut: These tamales are the perfect hearty snack that’ll tide you over through a long afternoon of meetings or help you refuel after a tough workout. At 240 calories and 12 grams of protein per tamale, they are a healthier version of the classic Mexican dish.
Why it made the cut: This pick combines nutrient-packed ingredients like kale, quinoa and sweet potatoes into a flavorful dish that’s great as a filling snack or side dish. Keep a bag in your office freezer to microwave as a snack when your day could use a few more veggies and a healthy dose of fiber.
Why it made the cut: This find includes a savory blend of marinated eggplant, peppers and zucchini that makes for a tasty, fiber-rich snack. Enjoy the veggies on their own or with some hummus or cheese for added protein.
Why it made the cut: These oats are chewy, hearty and filling — the perfect mid-morning snack, especially if you’ve had a tough morning workout and need extra energy before lunch. It only takes 3 minutes to prepare these frozen pouches in the microwave and they contain 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein each. Enjoy as-is or top with berries, sliced almonds or nut butter.
Why it made the cut: While you can easily turn these gluten-free gnocchi into a full meal, they’re delicious tossed in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil and dipped in marinara as a quick snack. They’ll hit the spot just like mozzarella sticks would, but with a healthy dose of veggies, 6 grams of fiber and just 140 calories per cup.
Why it made the cut: Frozen edamame is a great source of plant-based protein and it’s easy to heat for a fast snack. Eating edamame from the shell helps you slow down, so your snack lasts longer and you can visualize how much you’re eating; it takes at least a full cup of edamame in the shell to yield half a cup of beans. Plus, each half cup of contains just 100 calories and packs 4 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein.
Why it made the cut: These mini wontons give you a lot of bang for your calorie buck. Four wontons are just 50 calories, so you can snack on 12 wontons for just 150 savory, satisfying calories packed with 9 grams of protein. They’re great for when you’re craving takeout but just need a light snack.
Why it made the cut: These patties crisp up like hash browns or tater tots, but they’re packed with cauliflower and broccoli — the perfect healthy solution for when you’re craving something crispy, fluffy and salty. You’ll feel like you’re splurging on a savory snack, but two patties clock in at just 100 calories.
Why it made the cut: Frozen cherries are rich in antioxidants and some research shows tart cherries can help reduce muscle soreness. They also have a softer bite than most other frozen fruit, so you can snack on them straight from the freezer without breaking a tooth. For a more substantial snack, use them as a topping for Greek yogurt.
