We’re not about to complain, especially since most of these items end up tasting good… or at least being enough to finish. Yet Trader Joe’s “PB&J” Filled Crepes have sparked a range of opinions, prompting us to offer our own thorough take at this point. So shall we dive in?
Our Official Sporked Review
Pros — A lot of the online backlash surrounding these crepes basically boiled down to the strawberry filling and the peanut butter spread they contain. But to us, the flavor sits on par with the comforting peanut butter and jelly profile you’d encounter in something like an Uncrustable. If you expect all-natural peanut butter and homemade strawberry jam, you might be disappointed. But these taste largely as advertised, and as you would anticipate.
Another frequent critique claimed there isn’t enough peanut butter and jelly filling or flavor present. Yet we disagree for a couple of reasons. For starters, this is a ready-to-eat, on-the-go snack built on a rolled crepe. It wouldn’t be feasible to pack it with an overflowing amount of filling without creating a mess and an unappealing experience. The amount of filling is actually quite comparable to their chocolate hazelnut variation. Most importantly, every bite carries peanut butter and jelly notes. It comes through, even though the flavor is inherently subtler than something Nutella-like.
Cons — The only critique we considered genuinely valid concerns the texture of the crepe itself. Granted, some concessions come with a pre-packaged item designed to be eaten soon after heating, but I would have expected a bit more tenderness. Additionally, the crepe itself tastes rather bland; a touch more salt could have given it deeper flavor.
Final Verdict
Your level of satisfaction with these largely depends on expectations. If you view them as a crepe-based version of an Uncrustable with less filling (for obvious reasons), they’re actually a pretty solid purchase. They’re satisfying, portable, and not messy to eat. Plus, they feature a beloved flavor combination that makes them especially suitable for kids and lunchboxes. But don’t anticipate something exceptionally fresh-tasting or gourmet, because that isn’t what these are—nor what they’re advertised to be.
