The New $3.99 Trader Joe's Freezer Find My Whole Family Loves

My oldest son is obsessed with all things soccer. He knows the name and home country of almost every professional player you could think of and wears a soccer kit almost every day. He isn’t loyal to one particular club; he is just a huge fan of the beautiful game.

At dinner, we play flag trivia, and he schools me on my lack of knowledge of global geography. While I can’t really relate to his soccer obsession, one thing we’ve found some common ground on is discovering foods from all around the globe. 

As a kid, he was never much into experimenting with new foods, but his love for soccer and learning about different countries has spilled over into the way he eats, which has influenced my grocery shopping habits.

He’s fascinated by the concept of things like Irish cheddar, French butter, and Swiss chocolate. As you can imagine, heading to our local Trader Joe’s has opened up a whole new world for him. We recently discovered the Trader Joe’s Panzerotti Pizza Bites ($3.29) and they have quickly become his new favorite snack.

Why My Family Loves Trader Joe's Panzerotti Pizza Bites

You’ll find them in the frozen food aisle, and they can be prepared in the oven in just 12 minutes or the air fryer in eight minutes. Convenience aside, the taste is incredible. They are reminiscent of the pizza rolls of my youth but so much better. 

While I am no expert on Southern Italian cuisine, I know that I love it. Since my son wanted to learn about where these came from, we decided to educate ourselves about panzerotto. We learned that they are a classic street food from the Puglia region, originally invented as far back as the 16th Century as a way to use up stale bread.

Traditionally, these savory pockets of pizza dough filled with tomato sauce and mozzarella are fried to perfection. The TJ’s version is fried before being frozen, so they crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. What I love most is that they are made in southern Italy by a local supplier that specializes in this regional delicacy, so you know you are getting something authentic. 

We’ve gotten into the habit of enjoying these right after camp. It’s the time of day when my kids are almost hungry enough for dinner, but it’s far too early to feed them a full meal. These hearty pizza snacks bridge the gap beautifully, and I’d be lying if I told you I didn't sneak one or two for myself.

The dough has a pleasant chew, reminiscent of a bagel with a crunchy exterior. Thanks to the Italian tomatoes, the tomato sauce is perfectly balanced, and there is just the right amount of mozzarella cheese. While we won’t be lucky enough to visit Italy this summer, these offer a little taste of la dolce vita right at home!