Whether you’re hosting this Easter Sunday or just having a casual get-together, the panic can set in when you go through your shopping list and realize how much prep and money it all takes. After finally picking the right ham and putting together the usual Easter staples, you still have to think about appetizers.
Luckily, there are easier options — and one of them is a quick trip to Trader Joe’s. The grocer has a variety of affordable, ready-to-heat appetizers that take most of the work off your plate.
Here are 20 Trader Joe’s apps under $6 to serve this Easter.
Mini Mushroom Tartelettes
$5.49
These mini Mushroom Tartelettes are, according to popular opinion, one of the best frozen starters and snacks at Trader Joe’s. The downside is that they only pop up on shelves during certain holidays, including Easter.
The 9-ounce box comes with 12 mini flaky, bite-sized crusts filled with sliced white and shiitake mushrooms, an aromatic blend of chopped garlic and shallots, and the rich cheesiness of Parmesan, cream cheese, and ricotta. They’re a simple way to serve something that feels a little more elevated — perfect as a classy hors d’oeuvre for your Easter gathering.
“Very garlicky, very mushroomy. Very much my vibe. 10/10 for me. 7 mins in the air fryer at 350F,” said one shopper on Reddit.
“Super easy and delicious!!”LOVE these – they are the best holiday app by far!” said another.
Everything and the Elote Greek Style Yogurt Dip
$3.79
For a casual and refreshing starter to your Easter feast, Trader Joe’s Everything and the Elote Greek Style Yogurt works perfectly. Inspired by the grocer’s hit seasoning of the same name, this 8-ounce dip combines lightly tart yogurt with the flavors of freshly grilled elote, along with garlic, Parmesan, chipotle pepper powder, and kernels of sweet yellow corn.
Serve it with baby carrots, and you’ve got an easy, crowd-pleasing Easter app.
“This is some good stuff! Tried a little bit with some pretzels the other day,” said one Redditor.
“I actually tried this with potato chips and it was great. But I think it would go well with crackers, tortilla chips, or even veggies as well. It has a really nice tangy, kick to it. I liked it a lot,” said another.
Buffalo Style Chicken Poppers
$5.49
For a poppin’ start to the Easter festivities, Trader Joe’s Buffalo Style Chicken Poppers might do the trick. Combining the traditional flavors of Buffalo-style chicken, these crispy bites are filled with grilled, diced white meat chicken mixed with cream cheese, cheddar, fontina, and Monterey Jack — along with a kick of cayenne pepper sauce — all wrapped in layers of flaky phyllo dough.
“A little spicy kick & delicious straight out of the air fryer with no condiments,” wrote one user on Reddit.
“I love these so much but I can’t keep them in my fridge,” wrote another.
Cha Siu Bao Steamed Pork Buns
$3.99
Trader Joe’s Cha Siu Bao Steamed Pork Buns might not be your traditional Easter app, but these fluffy, steamed parcels filled with Cantonese-style barbecue pork (char siu) in a savory-sweet oyster sauce could work as a fun, unexpected addition to the table.
Mini Chicken Tacos
$5.99
For a Mexican twist on your Easter starters board, Trader Joe’s Mini Chicken Tacos are your thing. The $5.99 box comes with bite-sized corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken breast and a chipotle-tomato seasoning blend, then fried to crispy perfection.
Trader Joe’s suggests popping them in the air fryer and serving them with Guacasalsa or Salsa Autentica — and Bob’s your uncle.
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Olive Tapenade Hummus
$3.49
For last-minute gatherings this Easter, stocking up on Trader Joe’s Olive Tapenade Hummus might be your easiest win. It’s a no-brainer app that costs just $3.49, and you can serve it with a variety of dippers: pita bread, crackers, or tortilla chips.
The dip combines traditional hummus — with twice the tahini, according to Trader Joe’s — and a briny olive tapenade made with black olives, manzanilla olives, capers, and olive oil.
“I love this stuff! It’s so similar in taste to the homemade hummus I get at local restaurants,” said one reviewer on Reddit.
Papas Rellenas
$4.99
Trader Joe’s Papas Rellenas will add that cultured vibe to the Easter table. The $4.99 (14-ounce) box comes with potato croquettes stuffed with a picadillo-style mix of ground beef, onions, and bell peppers, seasoned with garlic, oregano, and black pepper.
Inspired by the Cuban version of the dish, they crisp up beautifully in the oven or air fryer, delivering that golden crunch with a soft, flavorful center. You can pair them with a creamy or spicy dipping sauce, and they double as a satisfying starter — or even a light main.
Empanadas de Ropa Vieja
$5.99
Another not-your-typical Easter app, Trader Joe’s Empanadas de Ropa Vieja are a holiday favorite across Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. The $5.99 box comes with crispy cassava-crust empanadas filled with shredded beef and cooked in a rich tomato sauce with onions, bell peppers, garlic, and warm spices. “Really tasty but they do need an extra 10 minutes in an air fryer,” wrote one Redditor.
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Parmesan Pastry Pups
$4.99
If you want to keep things traditional and safe, Trader Joe’s has you covered with these Parmesan Pastry Pups, which look like a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The $4.99 box comes with mini hot dogs wrapped in buttery puff pastry and sprinkled with Parmesan, baking up into flaky, golden bites with barely any effort.
“They’re so good. I pop them in the air fryer when we have get togethers,” wrote one user on Reddit.
Jalapeno & Cream Cheese Crispy Wontons
$4.99
Not everything on your Easter table has to play it safe, and Trader Joe’s Jalapeño & Cream Cheese Crispy Wontons are proof. The 7.5-ounce box includes 12 wontons filled with tangy cream cheese, Parmesan, and diced jalapeños. They crisp up fast in the oven or air fryer—and bring just enough heat to wake up the table.
“These are delicious and the edges crisped up nicely in my oven. Bet they are even better in an air fryer,” wrote one reviewer on Reddit.
“These were incredible. It took about 6-7 minutes in the air fryer for me and came out perfectly crisp, “said another.
Creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip
$3.79
A definite crowd-pleaser, Trader Joe’s Spinach & Artichoke Dip doesn’t have to be just a party or game-day app. Serve it with baby carrots or a nice baguette, and you’ve got a homey starter for your Easter table. The $3.79 tub blends spinach, artichokes, Swiss and Parmesan cheeses, along with a mix of herbs and spices. Just heat it up and serve with whatever you prefer.
“This was absolutely delicious! I had to stop myself from eating the whole thing in one sitting,” said one Redditor.
Pastry Bites Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions
$5.49
If you are hosting for a crowd this Easter, Trader Joe’s Pastry Bites with Feta Cheese & Caramelized Onions are an easy win. Inside each flaky puff pastry, you get a creamy mix of feta and cream cheese topped with caramelized onions, hitting that perfect balance of rich and slightly sweet.
“Love the pastry bites, I have a tray in my oven right this instant! ” said one Redditor.
“The pastry bites with feta and onion is one of my favorites,” wrote another.
Greek Style Chicken Salad
$5.49
If your Easter spread needs something lighter to balance things out, Trader Joe’s Greek Style Chicken Salad does the job. The 10 ounce package includes roasted white chicken, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes, and Kalamata olives for that tangy, herby flavor going on without feeling too heavy.
Mini French Baguettes
$4.49
If there were a dip vessel made for a holiday table, it would be these mini baguettes from Trader Joe’s. For $4.49, you get six small loaves that bake up in minutes. You can slice them up, tear and dip, or use them as a base for spreads — either way they will work as low-effort addition that will pull everything together on your Easter table.
Brie Cheese Flavored Spread
$3.49
Here’s a perfect way to pair those mini French baguettes: serve them with Trader Joe’s Brie Cheese Flavored Spread, which is basically all the good parts of Brie without the rind. It’s easy to scoop and spread, and it costs just $3.49. Drizzle a little honey on top, serve it on a nice plate, and voilà — you’ve got a fancy-shmancy app.
“It’s buttery, creamy and tangy, similar to room temp spreadability but cold. It would go great on a holiday cheese board,” reads one review on Reddit.
Vegetable Bird’s Nests
$4.49
Trader Joe’s Vegetable Bird’s Nests might work as a fun switch-up from the usual Easter apps. Made with julienned onions, carrots, and kale, they’re lightly fried in tempura batter and crisp up nicely once heated. They come with a soy-based dipping sauce and have a nice crunch with a slightly sweet-savory flavor.
“They are crispy, flavorful and come with a delicious sweet soy sauce to dip them in. Perfect starter or side dish. So good!” wrote one Redditor.
Onion Flowers
$5.49
A newer addition to Trader Joe’s shelves, Onion Flowers might bring a slightly over-the-top vibe to your Easter spread — but hey, it’s your gathering, serve what you want. These blossom-cut onions are coated in a seasoned batter and crisp up into that classic crunchy, pull-apart appetizer you’d usually order at a restaurant. They cook up quickly in the air fryer or oven, and once you add a creamy or spicy dipping sauce, they’re a perfect pre-dinner treat.
Mac and Cheese Bites
$3.99
If you’ve got kids coming over for Easter, serve Trader Joe’s Mac and Cheese Bites and you’ll score easy points with even the pickiest eaters. The $3.99 box comes with 10 crispy, bite-sized snacks packed with a creamy center made from a blend of cheddar, havarti, Swiss, and Gouda, plus cream cheese, Monterey Jack, and Pecorino Romano, all wrapped in a crunchy coating that crisps up nicely in the oven or air fryer.
Greek Spanakopita
$4.99
If you want something a little more filling, Trader Joe’s Greek Spanakopita gets the job done. For just $4.99, you get a flaky, layered filo pastry packed with spinach, feta, mizithra, and herbs like dill and parsley. Since it’s pre-cut into wedges, it’s easy to serve — and paired with plain Greek yogurt or a few extra feta slices, you won’t go wrong.
“TJ’s Spanakopita is so, so ridiculously good,” wrote one Redditor.
Mini Vegetable Samosas
$3.99
Trader Joe’s Mini Vegetable Samosas are an easy add to your Easter spread. These crispy, two-bite pastries are packed with a mix of potatoes, peas, carrots, lentils, and warm Indian spices.
