10 Delicious Trader Joe’s Freezer Finds to Stock up on This Spring

Spring is busting out all over, and we are all ready to turn in our hearty winter dishes for some lighter fare (and invite everyone over for brunch). It's time to load in some supplies to help make our warm-weather cooking easier. Enter: Trader Joe's. The fan-favorite grocery store is always the perfect place to stock up on fabulous unique frozen goods, and springtime is no exception. Here are the top 10 items I'm seeking out at my local TJ's in their freezer section right now.

1. Egg Frittatas

These little pucks of cooked eggs with Swiss cheese are a great thing to keep in your chill chest. Use them as fast and easy homemade breakfast sandwiches, a quick jolt of protein mid-afternoon, or a quick cheat for eggs Benedicts for a crowd at your next brunch. I particularly love to treat them like a crustless quiche and serve with a green salad for a light lunch.

2. Potato Pancakes

These potato pancakes are a super versatile thing to have in your freezer. I especially like using them as a substitute for hash browns, or an elegant base for canapés.

3. Pork and Ginger Soup Dumplings

The amazing combo of gingery pork filling and fragrant broth in a thin wrapper is just a quick microwave away. They're fancy enough for company, and easy enough for a weeknight treat.

4. Malabari Paratha

Flatbreads are great but fresh ones tend to stale quickly. Enter these frozen parathas from TJs. Light and flaky, they are made in the traditional way by rolling up into a long snake and then making a spiral with the dough before rolling out, making for layers of flaky goodness and a terrific balance of chew and crisp. Cut into wedges for dipping or fold around fillings instead of pita.

5. Macarons 

These delicate French cookies are notoriously difficult to make, and equally notoriously expensive to buy at patisseries, sometimes upwards of $3 each. That makes the Trader Joe's box of 12 assorted flavors a go-to at my house. They thaw in under 30 minutes at room temp, and you would never know they didn't come from a fancy bakery. With two each of apricot, coconut, fig, salted caramel, lemon, and pistachio flavors, there's something for everyone.

6. Organic Green Vegetable Foursome 

This combo of broccoli, peas, French green beans, and zucchini is a great base for everything from a stir-fry starter to an instant salad to the perfect filling for a springtime quiche.

7. Shakshuka Starter

When you have this in your freezer, you're moments away from a from-scratch-tasting shakshuka. Just add eggs and bake according to package directions, and you can liven up your mid-week breakfast or entertain those houseguests without breaking a sweat.

8. Cauliflower Pizza Crusts

Cauliflower crust pizza continues to be all the rage, but when you want to customize your pie experience, you don't necessarily want to have to DIY the crust. Trader Joe's has your back with these pre-made frozen plain crusts; just add whatever toppings you fancy for a bespoke pizza night anytime you want.

9. Kalua Pork Spring Rolls

Succulent Hawaiian-style kalua pork fills these crispy frozen appetizers, for a surprising and fun addition to any cocktail hour. Buy a jar of Trader Joe's Thai Sweet Chili Sauce for dipping.

10. Portuguese Custard Tarts

Pastel de nata—those traditional little tartlets with a flaky buttery crust filled with rich eggy custard—are said to be the delicious result of frugal Portuguese nuns needing a use for egg yolks after using the whites to starch their clothes. One bite, and you won't care why they invented them. You'll just be glad they did.

A version of this article originally appeared on MyRecipes.com.