13 Trader Joe’s Foods That Taste Even Better in the Air Fryer

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

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

Here's a list of TJ's fan-favorites that not only are quicker to make in the air fryer but actually taste even better. For an updated list of Trader Joe's food, click here. 

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

Price: $4.29

One of the only frozen taquito options that promise more filling than shell, 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.

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.

Price: $4.99

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 hoison, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, and chili peppers. You can thank us later.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 more ingredient-filled — take-home options.

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

Price: $5.49

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.

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.

Price: $2.79

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.

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.

Price: $1.99

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.

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 absolutely belongs in the air fryer.