The Trader Joe's Pull-Apart Bread Shoppers Are Clamoring For

Trader Joe's has always been popular for its reasonable prices and unique house-brand treats. And at the rate it churns out innovative new products, it's no wonder the offerings often go viral. One of the newest hits that's taken the internet by storm is Trader Joe's Cheddar Jalapeño Pull Apart Bread. Clocking in at around $5 and wrapped in clear packaging to show off the goods, the bread boasts a golden cheesy topping and comes studded with sliced jalapeños.

For those who have never heard of pull apart bread, the dish is exactly what it says on the tin: bread you can pull off into smaller pieces from a larger, central hunk. One way to make the dish is made by taking canned (or homemade) biscuit dough, rolling it up into many small balls, coating each ball with a topping, and then arranging them in a greased bundt pan. The result is not only a visually appealing centerpiece to a meal, but also a delectable and hands-on way to serve an appetizer. 

Other methods involve cross-hatching a full loaf of bread and layering toppings between the cut pieces. The Trader Joe's version comes par-baked in the bag, so customers just need to finish the bread in the oven for a few minutes before serving.

Trader Joe's version of the bread rose to fame quickly after a post by Reddit user yourgirlalex13 gained traction on the Trader Joe's subreddit. They wrote: "Quite possibly the best bread TJ's has ever come out with." More than 100 people shared their opinions in the comments, many of them positive. "I can't stop buying this and eating it straight for lunch," said one user.

However, not all of the reviews were positive. Some commenters had criticism and complaints to share, stating that the bread was too expensive, too doughy, or not flavorful enough for their tastes. Some cited an "off" flavor in their packages, ranging from sour to chemical-y.

Many agreed, though, that the current recipe was a good start and could be tweaked in the future for maximum deliciousness. Copycat recipes are already springing up for adventurous home bakers who want to take on the challenge.

Trader Joe's isn't the only grocery store to stock its shelves with pull-apart bread. Costco has had several pull-apart offerings over the years, including a French option made by the company Tipiak. Also called Pain au fromage, this bread boasts a mix of brie, emmental, and mozzarella cheese and comes in the hatched-top variety. Costco has also offered the garlic and herb version of the Tipiak bread. The price is around $11 for a pack of two loaves.

Whole Foods has previously thrown its hat into the pull-apart ring, too, albeit in a sweet variety. Its Cinnamon Pull-Apart Bread is in more of a monkey bread style, with a cinnamon sugar glaze reminiscent of a sticky bun. This one is not par-baked, but a bread mix, requiring customers to put in a little extra effort. It's a limited-edition offering, but shoppers hold out hope that it will return in future holiday seasons.