This summer, I’m embracing the lowkey hangout as a different approach to making plans with friends. Instead of trying to turn everything into an elaborate dinner party or a big event, I’m making space on the calendar for more low-effort gatherings. Think: movie nights, game nights, picnics in the park, and evenings dedicated to crafting. All I need to do is drop into Trader Joe’s and grab the snacks.
Recently, I’ve blamed my lack of quality time with my friends on scheduling and the mounting costs of going out for dinner and drinks. And yet, when I look back at most of my favorite memories, we’re laughing on the couch after lazing around all day or talking long after a dinner has ended. Making space for these genuine conversations and memories happens outside the catch-up martini. They happen when the vibe is chill, and, importantly, the snacks are good.
I’ve already been perusing the aisles of Trader Joe’s for the best low-effort hosting snacks that you can drop into bowls or quickly prepare for an easy but satisfying snacking experience. Keep scrolling for my personal recommendations on the best Trader Joe’s snacks to grab, depending on the type of gathering you’re hosting.
Movie night
The tried-and-true movie night is one of my favorite ways to bring everyone together for a cozy vibe. Blankets, popcorn, and whatever new movie or show (Off Campus, anyone?) we’ve all been itching to see. Obviously, movie night calls for popcorn (salty and sweet options). I also like to stock up on chocolatey snacks that pair well with popcorn—anything I can dump into a bowl and crunch on anxiously during a tense scene. Here are some selects that will make your next movie night memorable:
Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Popcorn
The quintessential Trader Joe’s popcorn is an elevated alternative to cinema-style butter popcorn. It has the same satisfying saltiness without the overwhelming richness. I like to think of it as the most sophisticated choice for anyone who loves a salty option that you can’t stop eating.
Kettle Corn
Another classic, the Trader Joe’s Kettle Corn is one of the best to ever do it. It absolutely nails the perfect salty-to-sweet ratio. I’d stock up on a couple of bags and pass these around your movie night—they’ll go fast!
Synergistically Seasoned Popcorn
For a wild-card popcorn experience, this flavor is like if you sprinkled multiple popcorn seasoning packets into one bowl and shook it around. The flavors vary from salty to spicy, tangy, and even smoky. Not knowing what flavor you’ll get next makes the snacking experience extra fun.
Hot Honey Popcorn
One more—because why not! The hot honey trend has made it to popcorn! Imagine the classic movie theater butter popcorn with a spicy, sweet twist. Hot honey fans will gobble this one up.
Brookie Caramel Candy Clusters
This indulgent snack is a necessary hint of sweetness to go along with all that popcorn. These bite-sized treats include chunks of both chocolate chip cookie dough and brownie dough topped with caramel, a dark chocolate drizzle, and a sprinkle of sea salt. Dump some in a bowl along with your popcorn of choice for the ideal movie snack.
Picnic in the park
A picnic in the park is a low-effort way to get some vitamin D and get a big group together without the pressure of hosting. A friend recently did this for their birthday—dropping a pin and telling everyone to bring blankets and good vibes. Genius! All you need is a speaker and some no-fuss, no-spill snacks. I like to pick finger foods that you can eat right out of the packaging without having to plate or assemble anything.
Chips in a Pickle Potato Chips
As I was carrying these home from the store, a stranger stopped me to tell me how much they loved them. That’s the power of a fan-favorite Trader Joe’s snack. I love a good pickle, but dipping your fingers into a pickle jar in the park? Maybe not. Luckily, these herbaceous chips combine all the seasoning of pickles with the airy crunch of a kettle-cooked chip. They’re tangy, salty, and surprisingly refreshing—just like a pickle.
Crispy Crunchy Mochi Rice Nuggets
Trust me when I say that these are the perfect snack. Every time I bring them to a gathering, they’re gone immediately. Same with every time I bring them home. Salty, crunchy, and a little chewy, they’re made for casual grazing—and definitely sharing. Since they’re made with rice mochi, they’re also gluten-free!
Oatmeal Cranberry Dunkers Cookies with White Fudge Drizzle
Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chip Dunkers are a classic, but this oatmeal cranberry version is equally delicious and less likely to turn into a melty mess in warmer weather. The tart tanginess of the cranberries and the sweetness of the oatmeal and white fudge make for such a yummy picnic snack. While the shape is designed for dunking into a cup of coffee or a glass of milk, I like snacking on them straight out of the package.
Matcha Green Tea
For an energizing beverage, this canned matcha should definitely have a place at your picnics. Canned drinks eliminate the need to pour from any bottles, giving you a no-fuss sip. And at just $1.29 per can, they’re much less expensive than buying a matcha on the way to the park!
Game night
Game night is my Super Bowl. Whether your friend group is highly competitive or not, you can tailor your suite of games to the guest list. Cards, board games, charades, or even a spelling bee (my friends did this and it got HEATED!) can make for an unconventional night. You can even play question games like We’re Not Really Strangers that double as opportunities for good conversation and even better gossip. Whatever you choose to play, I like to treat game night like game day and set out a spread of Trader Joe’s oven-ready, bite-sized finger foods and snacks like you’d find at a sports-watching party.
Mac and Cheese Bites
You can’t go wrong with this Trader Joe’s classic. A longtime favorite of the TJ’s freezer aisle, these gooey, crispy bites have it all. The secret behind their staying power: a lot of cheese. Filled with a generous blend of cheddar, Havarti, Swiss, Gouda, cream cheese, Monterey Jack, and pecorino romano, they’re not for the faint of heart or the lactose intolerant.
Mini Beef Tacos
Perfect for any party, these mini tacos are an unexpected—but always appreciated—bite-sized snack. Instead of having to assemble your own tacos from scratch, grab a box of these to serve alongside dips like salsa or guacamole. They take the guesswork out of prep but don’t skimp on flavor or fun. Each pre-fried, petite corn tortilla is filled with flavorful ground beef for a hearty (and gluten-free) finger food option.
Detroit Style Pizza
Instead of ordering pizza for game night, pop a couple of these pizzas in the oven for a quick, crowd-pleasing party food. Thanks to its rectangular shape, it’s great for cutting up into smaller slices for easy sharing and snacking. The whole pizza is covered with a generous helping of Parmesan, Romano, and mozzarella cheeses from edge to edge, which helps achieve that signature Detroit-style crunch. All you have to do is heat and eat.
Wine night
You don’t have to go to a bar to grab a drink and gab with your friends. In fact, I’d argue that a wine night at home is far superior to an evening out. It’s a chance to go deeper in your conversations than you might in a loud bar where you can barely hear each other. Pair your bottle of choice with a simple charcuterie board for a low-effort, high-impact night.
Triple Cream Brie
What does your cheese of choice say about you? I like to think that Brie is the cheese equivalent of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy style: elevated classic. It’s the kind of cheese that isn’t too overpowering in flavor but still has an air of sophistication. I make sure to get two blocks—Brie always goes fast! Trader Joe’s Triple Cream Brie is decadent and creamy, which is exactly the kind of pairing you want for wine night.
Fig Butter
I discovered Trader Joe’s Fig Butter at a friend’s very well-appointed charcuterie night in college, and I have never looked back. Whenever I put together my own board, it’s not an overlooked side dip—it’s the main event. No matter the meats and cheeses, I urge every guest to add a dollop of Fig Butter to get the perfect sweet-meets-savory bite. Try it once, and you’ll never build a charcuterie board without it again.
Cornbread Crisps
Need some crunch for your charcuterie board? A step up from your basic cracker, Trader Joe’s Cornbread Crisps add a little something extra to your board. These bite-sized crisps were once fluffy slices of cornbread that were roasted down into golden chips. Each one is crunchy but airy with a salty-sweet flavor that perfectly complements meats, cheeses, and fruit.
Pink Lady Apple Crisps
Apple crisps are another great cracker alternative for your charcuterie board. Airy, light, and a little sweet thanks to a dusting of cinnamon, it’s a gluten-free snack that pairs perfectly with a glass of rosé.
Craft night
As the analog trend continues and the desire for hobbies mounts, everyone I know is going to paint-and-sip nights or ceramics classes. While these are fun options to break up your usual slate of activities, hosting a craft night at home can be just as fun and way less expensive. Getting friends together for some DIYing gives you an opportunity to nurture your inner child with some low-stakes creativity, whether that means watercolor painting, coloring books, scrapbooking, or anything else you can think of. To embrace the fun and silly nature, I recommend snacks that feel nostalgic and remind you of being a kid.
Coffee Bean Hold the Cone! Mini Ice Cream Cones
No need to wait for the ice cream truck to pass by. I love breaking these out for a girls’ night in. While the chocolate, vanilla, and chocolate chip variations of these mini cones are Trader Joe’s classics, the coffee cones are woefully underrated. The chocolate cones make them extra delicious! Pair one with an espresso martini for a fun treat break.
Raspberry Yogurt Candy Clusters
This Trader Joe’s snack reminds me of the DIY yogurt and fruit clusters I used to make as a kid—but with considerably more sprinkles. The clusters are made up of crushed-up vanilla sandwich cookies, pretzel pieces, and crispy rice, all covered in a raspberry yogurt coating and a generous helping of rainbow nonpareils. Crunchy, sweet, tart, and a little nostalgic, they’re a delight to have on your snack plate and a perfect pairing for craft night.
Cookies & Crème Pretzel Slims
A combination of two of my favorite childhood snacks: Oreos and pretzels. These bite-sized pretzels are dipped in vanilla coating and covered in crushed Joe-Joe’s cookies—another fan-favorite—plus a chocolate drizzle. Thanks to the saltiness of the pretzel, it feels like a grown-up, snackable version of your favorite cookies-and-cream treat.
Sparkling Tea
Any craft night needs a fun beverage to sip on. This sparkling tea has all the drama and elegance of a champagne or sparkling rosé, plus the deliciousness of a fruity tea. It makes a great non-alcoholic option that still feels party-ready.
Langa Chinyoka, Contributing Writer
Langa is a Los Angeles-based writer. Her work has appeared in The Paris Review, British Vogue, Highsnobiety, Eyeswoon, Camille Styles, The Good Trade, and more.
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