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.
Editor's note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by location.
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Black Bean & Cheese Taquitos
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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.
Seasoned Corn Ribs
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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.
Kung Pao Brussels Sprouts
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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.
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Uncured Beef Hot Dogs
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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.
Vegetable Bird's Nests
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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.
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Premium Salmon Burgers
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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.
Pastry Bites Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions
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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.
Quick tips: How to save on your grocery bill
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Grocery shopping doesn't have to break the bank when you use the right strategies. Here are some of our favorite tips for reducing food expenses that we personally put to use:
- Plan your meals around what's already in your pantry, then create a shopping list to prevent impulse purchases.
- Buy store brands instead of name brands whenever possible.
- Always make sure to compare unit prices, not just sticker prices.
- Stock up on staples when on sale, but don’t ever buy just because something comes in bulk.
- Shop the marked-down section for near-expiration bargains
- Join your store's loyalty program so you don’t miss out on member discounts.
Even though something like choosing coupons in your grocery store app can feel like an annoying task to handle every week, the savings can really add up. Double check in case your store also offers perks like gas rewards or any other discounts you might be able to take advantage of outside the grocery store.
Southwest Style Chicken Quesadillas
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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.
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4 Almond Croissants
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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.
Jalapeño and Cream Cheese Crispy Wontons
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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.
Hashbrowns
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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.
Mini Vegetable Samosas
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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.
Organic Tofu
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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.
Shopping pro tip: This month's best deals
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April brings not just warmer weather and sunnier days, but also excellent shopping opportunities. With Easter happening on April 20, retailers will offer significant discounts on seasonal items at the end of the month, while also preparing for graduations, weddings, and spring cleaning season.
Here are some of the best deals to watch out for:
- Cookware sets on sale for graduation and wedding season
- Winter clearance items like coats and sweaters at end-of-season prices
- Spring cleaning supplies with potential BOGO offers at stores like Target
- Air conditioners before peak summer demand drives prices higher
- Lawn care equipment as homeowners prepare for the growing season
- Post-Easter candy and ham at deeply discounted prices once the holiday has passed
- For groceries, consider seasonal produce like asparagus, broccoli, and spinach, which will be at their freshest and most affordable.
Remember that retailers are always thinking a season ahead. They're already preparing to get rid of spring merchandise while you're just getting ready to enjoy it. This makes April a great time to find budget-boosting deals of all kinds.
Bottom line
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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.
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