Trader Joe’s Drops New Vegan Affogato Dessert and I Was the First to Spill the Tea

If you’ve been waiting for this fun new vegan dessert from Trader Joe’s ever since I broke the news months ago, good news, their brand-new Affogato Vanilla Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert has officially landed in freezers nationwide.

Priced at $4.49, each vegan labeled box includes two complete affogato servings that you can whip up in seconds, making this one of Trader Joe’s most unique plant-based launches of the year.

What is it?

An affogato is a simple Italian dessert of hot espresso poured over cold ice cream (traditionally vanilla). This is a fully vegan, ready-to-assemble take on this beloved coffee-over-ice-cream dessert. Each box includes:

• Two cups of Vanilla Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert, made with a coconut-milk base.
• Two packets of instant coffee, one for each cup.

The cups come with a built-in well in the center. All you need to do is open a cup, pour in the instant coffee, and follow it with an ounce of hot water. Within seconds, you get that classic contrast of hot and cold, creamy and bold, sweet and slightly bitter perfect affogato moment without needing an espresso machine.

Trader Joe’s suggests enjoying it as-is or honestly, whenever you need something a little indulgent.

Great as an after-dinner dessert, an afternoon treat or a mid-day pick-me-up.

Can You Make Vegan Affogato at Home?

Absolutely, and it’s easy. All you need is:

• Your favorite vegan vanilla ice cream.
• Strong espresso or instant coffee mixed with hot water.

Scoop ice cream into a bowl and pour the hot coffee over it. That’s it. Homemade affogato takes less than a minute and gives you the freedom to customize flavors (like adding chocolate drizzle, using caramel swirls, or swapping in flavored coffees).

So why buy the Trader Joe’s version?

Convenience foods sometimes get a bad reputation, but they play a real role in making vegan living more accessible. Here’s why:

• They reduce decision fatigue, especially when you want something sweet but don’t want to prep or measure anything.
• They’re portion-controlled, so they’re great for people who don’t want a whole pint sitting around.
• They introduce non-vegans to easy plant-based options, which helps normalize dairy-free products.
• They’re perfect for on-the-go lifestyles, busy schedules, or late-night cravings when you want something quick and reliable.
• And in this case? Affogato is about contrast and timing, so having a ready-to-assemble version is genuinely convenient.

Trader Joe’s nailed the “grab-and-enjoy” factor with this one.

This vegan affogato cup is simple, unique, and honestly pretty fun. It’s a clever twist on a classic dessert. Does the world need this? Maybe not, but it’s fun and different and labeled vegan!

If you try it, let me know what you think!