• Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil-rights activist who helped end segregation in the US.
• Martin wasn't his given name — he was born Michael King Jr., after his father.
• On top of receiving two bachelor's degrees, he received a doctor of philosophy at Boston University.

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential figures in the US civil-rights movement.

Much of what people know about the activist is limited to his iconic role in the 1963 March on Washington. However, beyond his timeless, quotable speeches there are many fascinating aspects to learn about his life.

Here are some interesting facts about Dr. King that you probably didn't learn in school.

He is the only American, other than George Washington, whose birthday is a national holiday.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day became an officially observed holiday for schools, banks, and federal offices across the US in 1986 — making him the first non-president to have his birthday become a national holiday. 

However, it took a while for all 50 states to get on board with honoring the activist.

South Carolina was the final state to officially observe the national holiday in 2000. 

Stevie Wonder wrote a song to honor the late activist.

In the wake of Dr. King's death in 1968, several notable figures found ways to honor him and aid in the push for MLK Day.

By the late 1970s, President Jimmy Carter pledged his support of the holiday, but the King Holiday Bill didn't pass in Congress. 

To help garner support in the following years, Stevie Wonder wrote and recorded his song "Happy Birthday" in honor of Dr. King. He also joined the reverend's wife on a four-month tour to advocate for the holiday.

After the tour, they delivered a petition to the speaker of the house with 6 million names on it.

Dr. King was always a natural in front of a crowd.

Dr. King's public-speaking talents date back to his teenage years when he won an oratory contest in Georgia for speaking on a topic titled "The Negro and the Constitution" when he was a teen. 

According to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford, in the orientation, he highlighted the contradictory nature of the US Constitution in the context of discrimination.

His name wasn't originally Martin.

Dr. King's given name was actually Michael, after his father, the Rev. Michael King Sr.

In 1934, after King Sr. attended an international Baptist conference in Germany where he became inspired by the teachings of 16th-century religious thinker Martin Luther, he changed both his name and his son's. 

At the time, Dr. King was already 5 years old, so he remained "Mike" to his closest friends and family for the rest of his life.

He was passionate about fighting for racial justice from a young age.

In "The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr.," Dr. King recounted his first personal experience with racism and segregation. 

As a child, his white friend suddenly refused to play with him anymore, and he credited this betrayal as the moment he first became interested in fighting against racism.

He was kicked out of the first grade, and he ended up skipping two more years of school later on.

Dr. King enrolled in first grade at age 5, which was too young per the school's entry requirements, so his teacher expelled him. 

Years later, he was able to skip both the ninth and 12th grades because of his academic achievements. 

Dr. King enrolled in college when he was 15.

Instead of finishing the 12th grade and going through a formal high-school graduation, Dr. King was accepted into and enrolled at Morehouse College at age 15, where he completed a Bachelor's degree in sociology.

One of his first jobs was working for a newspaper.

From an early age, Dr. King had an established paper route.

His work ethic allowed him to be promoted, and he became the youngest assistant manager for The Atlanta Journal delivery station at age 13.

The reverend wasn't always steadfast in his faith.

Although he would later become a religious leader, as a teenager, Dr. King had a very different view of his faith.

In his autobiography, he wrote that he wasn't afraid to openly question everything he had been taught, even when it got him into trouble.

"At the age of 13, I shocked my Sunday school class by denying the bodily resurrection of Jesus," he wrote. "Doubts began to spring forth unrelentingly."

Dr. King wasn't inspired to become a minister until college.

Dr. King didn't always plan on following in his father's footsteps and becoming a minister.

However, according to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford, after he took a bible course with Dr. George D. Kelsey, he was inspired to use ministry as a medium for social justice and racial reform.

He was valedictorian of his class at Crozer Theological Seminary.

Given his rich interest in academia, it makes sense that Dr. King graduated at the top of his class.

He was named valedictorian and honored with a fellowship that covered part of his graduate-study expenses.

He earned his Ph.D. in systematic theology at Boston University.

On top of receiving two Bachelor's degrees (one in sociology from Morehouse College and the other in divinity from The Crozer Theological Seminary), King went on to earn a Ph.D. from Boston University in 1955, making him a doctor of philosophy. 

He was also awarded at least 20 honorary degrees in later years.

As if earning three degrees as a student wasn't enough, Washington State University reported that Dr. King was awarded honorary doctorates from Howard University, Bard College, Yale, Wesleyan, and many other higher-education institutions across the US and the world. 

American essayist Henry David Thoreau had a profound impact on his civil-rights career.

Throughout most of his life, Dr. King was a voracious reader. He enjoyed delving into the works of great philosophers and thinkers like Socrates, Rousseau, and Aristotle.

But of all the great texts that influenced him, the essay "Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau was perhaps the most impactful. 

According to his autobiography, Dr. King said Thoreau's belief that an individual should not cooperate with an evil system greatly influenced his worldview. It also inspired his belief in his own ability to enact social change at the individual level.

He first met his future wife over the phone.

While studying at Boston University, Dr. King lamented to friends that he had yet to meet any woman he seriously liked. He then reached out to his friend, Mary Powell, who suggested he meet Coretta Scott.

The couple had their very first interaction over a brief phone call, during which they agreed to meet in person.

At the time, Scott was studying opera at The New England Conservatory for Music and hoped to be a concert singer.

Dr. King wrote in his autobiography, "She was a mezzo-soprano and I'm sure she would have gone on into this area if a Baptist preacher hadn't interrupted her life."

He called Boston his second home.

After spending several of his young-adult years in Boston, Dr. King reportedly referred to it as his second home.

He returned to the New England city several times throughout the rest of his life.

Dr. King and his wife had an unusual honeymoon.

Dr. King married Scott on June 18, 1953, in Alabama.

After enjoying a beautiful ceremony lead by King Sr., the couple looked for a place to stay for the night.

At the time, no hotels in their area welcomed black couples as guests, so the pair spent their first night together at a family friend's house — but he happened to be an undertaker who worked out of his home.

He didn't expect to become a civil-rights leader.

The King family moved from Atlanta to Montgomery, Alabama, when the famous 1956 bus boycott — a citywide protest against racialized segregation on public transit — began.

At the time, King was only 26 and pretty much unknown in activist spaces, though he had previously expressed interest in social justice.

He originally opposed the boycott because he worried that it was unethical to put people's jobs at risk.

But when he realized the ultimate goal behind the protest, he volunteered to use his church's basement as a meeting spot for boycott organizers. During their first meeting, the group elected Dr. King as their president because no one else stood up to take the role.

He then wrote his very first public, political speech in less than an hour. 

He wrote six books throughout his life.

His collected works include "Stride Toward Freedom," "Where Do We Go From Here," and "Why We Can't Wait," which all document the rise of civil-rights movements in the US. 

Additionally, he published a book of his most-requested sermons, a collection of his broadcasted addresses, and an autobiography.

He spoke at over 2,500 events and gave hundreds of addresses a year.

During his short, 12-year career in the public eye, Dr. King delivered an astounding number of public speeches.

It's estimated that between his weekly sermons at church and media appearances, he spoke about 450 times a year.

Although the famed "I Have a Dream" speech will always hold a special place in history, it certainly wasn't the only memorable address he delivered during his life.

Some people believe his last speech foreshadowed his death.

The day before Dr. King was assassinated, he gave a speech in Memphis, Tennessee, to offer support for sanitation workers who had received unfair treatment from their bosses.

The goal of this address was to push for union representation, safer working conditions, and living wages. 

He told the crowd, "And I've seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the Promised Land."

In the aftermath of his death, some people found the language he used to be an eerie indication that he knew his death was imminent.

He won a Grammy award.

One of Dr. King's most controversial addresses went on to receive a high honor.

The speech, referred to as "Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam" and "Why I Am Opposed to the War in Vietnam," was recorded on vinyl and earned him a postmortem Grammy for best spoken-word recording in 1970.

He almost died years before his assassination.

In 1958, a woman approached Dr. King at a book-signing event in New York City and stabbed him with a letter opener.

The attack resulted in a life-threatening injury close to his heart, but he received prompt emergency medical care and survived.

His imprisonment helped JFK get elected.

In October 1960, Dr. King was jailed for participating in a sit-in protest at a Georgia department store. At the time, Senator John F. Kennedy (JFK) was running against Richard Nixon for the US presidency.

Although Kennedy was a registered democrat, his views on civil rights and racial justice had been unclear.

However, upon learning of the reverend's unjust treatment by the police department, a key advisor told Kennedy that his response to the situation would determine his voter turnout in the election.

As a result, Kennedy called Scott King and personally offered her his support.

Many historians credit this action to the large Black voter turnout in the 1960 election and Kennedy's eventual win. 

Someone else at the motel died on the day of Dr. King's assassination.

One of the staff members who worked at the hotel where Dr. King was assassinated died shortly after the reverend did.

The motel owner's wife was so traumatized by the sight and sound of his death that it caused her to suffer from a fatal stress-induced heart attack.

His political position became more radical over time.

Throughout the 1960s, the scope of Dr. King's activism work went beyond civil rights and into economic justice.

He increasingly used his platform to advocate for causes like guaranteed annual income and healthcare.

However, he also vocalized his strong opposition to the Vietnam War, which caused him to lose a significant amount of American approval, according to Jenn M. Jackson's MLK feature for Teen Vogue.

The most memorable part of his "I Have a Dream" speech was unplanned.

During the 1963 March on Washington, Dr. King delivered a monumental speech that had been well-prepared by his speechwriter, Clarence Jones.

But the more he spoke in front of that 250,000-person crowd, the more impassioned he grew, which led him to go off course toward the end of the speech.

Those famous, poetic lines that nearly everyone in the US can quote — "I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up … " — were improvised.

He spoke around the world in countries such as India, Ghana, and England.

Once Dr. King became president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, he began traveling all over the world to deliver speeches about the importance of fighting for racial equality.

Some of his notable trips include his visit to Ghana, where he celebrated the country's independence, his overnight stint in the UK, where he accepted an honorary degree from Newcastle University, and his pilgrimage to India, where he met the followers of Mahatma Gandhi.

He is still the youngest man to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1964, King received this global honor for his unwavering commitment to civil rights, nonviolence, and helping the US government move toward making discrimination unlawful.

He was 35 years old then, making him the youngest male recipient to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 

But five women — Malala Yousfazi (17), Mairead Corrigan (32), Tawakkol Karman (32) Betty Williams (33), Rigoberta Menchú Tum (33) — received the award at younger ages. 

He is honored in cities all over the world.

There are currently dozens of statues and monuments commemorating Dr. King across the US and the world — including one in England at Westminster Abbey and another in Cuba.

That doesn't include the countless schools and 1,000-plus streets named after him across the globe. 

He had a deep appreciation for gospel and jazz music.

Dr. King's religious upbringing greatly influenced his love for music. His mom was even an organist for the church he attended during his childhood.

From the time he was a young boy, he sang in a gospel choir and believed in the healing power of music, especially hymns. He later went on to call singers like Mahalia Jackson and Nina Simone his favorite artists.

He enjoyed jazz music, too.

He even traveled to Berlin and delivered the opening address for the 1964 Jazz Festival titled "On the Importance of Jazz."

Dr. King's final conversation involved a simple request.

According to biographer and historian Taylor Branch, Dr. King's final conversation was with a saxophonist named Ben Branch.

The reverend reportedly asked the musician to play his favorite song, the hymn "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," at an event they were both scheduled to attend later that evening.

However, Dr. King never got to hear Branch's rendition of the song. Moments after making this request, he was assassinated on the balcony outside his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. 

This story was originally published in January 2019 and most recently updated on January 17, 2025. 

Read More:

• 7 of Martin Luther King Jr.'s family members who have continued his legacy
• Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat 64 years ago — here are 15 surprising facts about her
• 15 iconic moments in the LGBTQ rights movement from the last decade
• 21 of the most important human rights milestones in the last 100 years

• I tried 20 breakfast foods from Trader Joe's, from Greek yogurt to pancakes.
• I loved cereals like the strawberry-yogurt O's and vanilla-almond clusters.
• Iconic staples like the protein muffins and frozen hash browns were slightly underwhelming.

Whether I'm in the mood for a protein-packed bar or a breakfast that feels a bit more filling, I look for foods that strike the right balance of convenience, affordability, and taste — and there's no better place to find that than Trader Joe's. 

I tried some of Trader Joe's most popular breakfast foods as part of an ongoing series to review the chain's best items.

Keep reading to see which Trader Joe's breakfasts I'll purchase again and which ones I'll skip.

Editor's Note: This story was originally published on August 15, 2021, and most recently updated on November 19, 2024. Product availability may vary by location. 

Both kids and adults would enjoy the strawberry-yogurt O's

To capture the spirit of a classic breakfast while putting a twist on circular cereal, Trader Joe's infused these bits with the flavor of strawberry yogurt.

The result is a fusion of slightly sweet, subtly fruity, and perfectly crunchy magic that didn't stick to the roof of my mouth.

The freeze-dried strawberries added a slightly chewy pop of natural fruit flavor that accentuated the cereal's subtle vanilla taste. If I have any complaints, it's that there weren't more of them in the box.

The ratio of cereal to strawberry was way off in the first few bowls I tried, with only a few pieces showing up in each serving, whereas the ones I ate later in the week were full of berry goodness. So make sure you shake the bag for a more even distribution.

VERDICT: I will absolutely buy this cereal again, no questions asked. 

The vanilla-almond clusters cereal was delicious enough to eat without milk

I believe you generally can tell a good cereal by whether it's yummy enough to be eaten dry, and Trader Joe's vanilla-almond clusters aced that test.

From the moment I ate that first handful, I was prepared to devour an entire bowl without a spoon or milk.

It had one of the most satisfying crunches of pretty much any cereal I've ever eaten and consisted of perfectly ratioed sweetened-corn flakes, almond slivers, and vanilla-flavored granola clusters that were just the right size for eating by the mouthful.

No one element overpowered the other, so I detected the vanilla and nutty flavors in every bite.

The tasty vanilla-granola chunks really won me over, and they have become such a fan favorite that Trader Joe's also sells a box of them called Just the Clusters.

I personally recommend pairing this cereal with vanilla-flavored almond or oat milk to really amp up the flavor, but it was just as tasty with yogurt.

However, this is a cereal that needs to be eaten quickly, so I'd advise against pouring a gigantic bowl of it unless you're OK with soggy corn flakes.

VERDICT: Despite some minor flaws, I gave this cereal a 10/10 for flavor.

Great with milk and yogurt or on its own, it's the kind of breakfast that's good to have on hand.  

This vanilla cultured coconut milk had a good, creamy texture

The refrigerated section at my local Trader Joe's was packed with a variety of yogurt alternatives. Determined to taste at least one of each kind, I tried the coconut-milk version first.

As I opened the container, I was met with a pristine, pearly white surface and a strong coconut aroma that I loved.

Some liquid formed along the edge of the cup, which is pretty standard when you open a can of coconut cream, so I wasn't alarmed since it just requires some additional stirring.

For the most part, I enjoyed the way this cultured coconut milk tasted. It wasn't completely smooth, but it still had a nice creaminess to it.

But if you're not a fan of coconut, this product probably isn't for you. It was like a coconut yogurt featuring a whisper of vanilla essence.

But if you're a fan of the tropical flavor like I am, you'll likely love this option. 

VERDICT: Between the creamy texture and yummy coconut flavor, this option earned high marks as a dairy-free breakfast in my book. I can totally see myself buying it again.

The apricot-mango Greek whole-milk yogurt had a yummy tang to it

Slightly tart and subtly sweet with a tropical flair, this apricot-mango yogurt was like summertime in breakfast form. 

By the time I got to the bottom of the container, I was scraping the sides with my spoon to get every last bit.

It was sweet and tangy enough to keep me reaching for more without tasting like fruity lotion.

A perfectly wholesome, refreshing, and quick breakfast, it also contained tiny chunks of fresh fruit — mostly apricot — scattered throughout the cup, which added pops of tangy flavor.

VERDICT: This yogurt was so good it didn't need any extra toppings, so you can safely bet I'll be coming back for more.

The black-raspberry Greek nonfat yogurt was quite tasty

I usually top plain Greek yogurt with some combination of fruit, so Trader Joe's just made things easier by flavoring this cup with berries.

The black raspberry's tart flavor profile kept the yogurt from tasting super fruity. It was also very creamy, so much so that I'd compare it more to pudding than Greek yogurt.

Despite these good qualities, I couldn't help wishing it had more of a bite. Had I not devoured my vanilla-almond clusters before getting to this product, I would have totally mixed the two into a parfait.

This is a perfectly fine yogurt on its own, but I'm not sure if it's memorable enough to keep me coming back for more.

VERDICT: Plain Greek yogurt can be found at almost any grocery store, but Trader Joe's isn't an ordinary food shop.

This black-raspberry option caught my attention simply because I've never seen this flavor of Greek yogurt anywhere else, so I'd buy this again.

The organic creamy cashew cultured-yogurt alternative was a fine dairy-free option but not the best I've tried

Right off the bat, I was thrown off by this yogurt alternative's slightly grayish hue and speckles from the vanilla bean. If you're looking for something that has that vibrant-white color, you won't get that here.

But as far as dairy-free alternatives go, I thought this option was pretty good. The vanilla flavor was clearly detectable, and I barely noticed the cashew milk.

Unlike some dairy-free yogurts, this one didn't taste like artificial sugar, and the coconut cream added a nice level of natural sweetness.

I was slightly put off by the texture. It was pleasantly smooth for the most part, but there were some bites that felt a bit lumpy and required some additional stirring.

It was also much slimier than regular yogurt — mine slid off my spoon every time I scooped it and made for a goopy mouthfeel that I got used to after the second bite.

VERDICT: Despite some noticeable issues with the texture, this dairy-free alternative did a pretty solid job of mimicking standard vanilla yogurt.

I didn't necessarily find myself reaching for more, but it was easily one of the better dairy-free alternatives I've tasted. The addition of some fruit or honey-free granola would nicely complement the flavor. 

The strawberry yogurt is simple yet satisfying

This strawberry yogurt was pretty basic as far as breakfasts go, but sometimes reliability is more important than flashiness. 

It had a lusciously creamy texture and tasted like a basket of fresh strawberries.

I also appreciated that it came pre-stirred since I can't stand it when the fruit collects into a clumpy mess at the bottom of a container after you've already eaten all the yogurt. 

If I had any critiques, it's that I would have preferred if the fruit chunks were larger, but this yogurt had such a refreshing strawberry flavor throughout that I truly couldn't complain.

VERDICT: It may be basic as far as breakfast foods go, but this strawberry yogurt is a great option for mornings when I want something quick to eat that's a little bit lighter than a pastry, so I'll definitely buy it again.

The pineapple cottage cheese was a bit too tart for my liking

As someone who genuinely enjoys cottage cheese, I wanted to like this option but couldn't get past the texture.

The pineapple had a slimy quality that didn't pair well with the lumps of cottage cheese and tasted unusually tart. 

VERDICT: If this were pineapple yogurt, the combo might have worked fine, but this option was sadly a miss for me.

The organic cherry-pomegranate frosted toaster pastries blew me away

Everything about these toaster pastries was a perfect 10 for me. The filling tasted like it was made with real mashed fruit, and the exterior was perfectly chewy.

I'm not even a big cherry fan, but I found myself completely in love with the sweetly tart jelly that reminded me of the kind of fancy jam I could spread on a freshly baked scone.

Plus, each treat had a thin layer of yummy icing and pink sprinkles on top that made it simply irresistible.

If I was left to fend for myself for a week, I'd happily live off these pastries alone.

Needless to say, I don't know how I can ever go back to the other brand of toaster pastries I'm used to. These were just that impressive.

VERDICT: If you were to open my pantry, you'd find these pastries there again. 

The dark-chocolate, nuts, and sea-salt bar was surprisingly filling but tasted mostly like peanuts

With few artificial ingredients or fillers, this chewy chocolate-and-nut bar is a solid, no-frills snack designed to keep you energized on days when you have little downtime.

Overall, I enjoyed this bar, but I wouldn't say I was nuts about it — pun intended.

The rich chocolate came through nicely on the front end of each bite and provided a smooth contrast to all of the buttery nuts, but the peanuts were a bit overpowering.

You could've told me this was just peanuts and chocolate, and I'd believe you — I couldn't detect any trace of the cashews and almonds.

I'm not complaining too much because all of those nuts packed the bar with protein. By the time lunch came around, I was certainly ready to eat again but wasn't ravenous.

VERDICT: This Trader Joe's granola bar is a must-buy for anyone who's looking for something tasty and energizing to add to their breakfast rotation. 

It's exactly the kind of on-the-go breakfast that I can see taking to the office.

These vanilla overnight oats were very filling but didn't blow me away

This breakfast option tasted like cold oatmeal, but once I got over that, it was quite pleasant.

The oats were super soft and soaked up the sweet almond-milk taste, but I detected notes of cinnamon and cocoa, which was strange for a vanilla-flavored breakfast.

It wasn't bad, but I'm not sure if I'm completely sold on it just yet.

I've never made overnight oats myself, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. But it kept me surprisingly full for several hours.

VERDICT: I'll pass on buying this again, but I can totally see people who enjoy the nutty flavor of almond milk loving it.

These jumbo cinnamon rolls were the epitome of pure bliss

I would like to sincerely thank whoever is in charge of Trader Joe's baked goods because these cinnamon rolls absolutely knocked it out of the park.

With every bite, my taste buds were treated to a glorious combination of buttery dough, cinnamon, and plenty of yummy icing. They smelled and tasted like something I'd buy from a bakery.

What set these apart from other store-bought options was the ample cinnamon presence. Some of the frozen cinnamon rolls I've tried rely on the sugary icing for flavor, but that was not the case with these.

Trader Joe's rolls sported a cinnamon coating on every layer, which wonderfully toned down some of the sweetness of the sugary icing.

Even though it was pretty heavy as far as breakfasts go, I didn't feel too full after eating it, which made it home run.

VERDICT: I don't eat cinnamon rolls often, but I'd happily buy these again next time I'm hosting friends or family.

The dark-chocolate protein muffin has the potential to be great

If you had told me a few years ago that people were making muffins in the microwave, I might have scoffed. Yet, here we are.

With 12 grams of protein per serving, these treats are essentially a wholesome take on the massively popular mug cake.

Despite the fact that they aren't vegan since they contain whey, these muffins have unsurprisingly been all the rage ever since Trader Joe's first dropped them. 

The instructions were straightforward: Simply add water to a cup, mix it well, and microwave it all for a minute.

It sounded easy enough, but as many who experiment in the kitchen know too well, baking is a science. Just because I was working with an instant muffin didn't mean I wasn't subject to the rules.

After free pouring water into the dry mix and microwaving it for a minute, the muffin wasn't even solid, but rather a cup of bubbling, scary-looking chocolate goop. 

Out of fear of possibly consuming something raw, I microwaved it for another minute, hoping the excess water would cook out. But instead, I ended up with semi-soft, semi-hard funk that smelled like a slightly burned brownie batter. 

The taste wasn't much better since it was bitter like unsweetened cocoa, and the texture was rubbery like old leftovers. I gave up on this meal after a few bites.

VERDICT: I still have mixed feelings about this protein muffin because I feel like it has the potential to be delicious when prepared correctly, so I'd give it another chance.

The maple protein muffin was just OK

To avoid repeating the same mistake I made with the dark-chocolate muffin, I measured out the water in a cup and stirred it exactly according to the package instructions.

That did the trick, and after less than two minutes in the microwave, the cup of beige batter solidified into the promised pastry.

Although I was super impressed by how quickly this muffin came together, it still left a lot to be desired since it had an unpleasant, microwaved texture.

And unlike most muffins — which are dense, moist, and scrumptious — this was spongy and dry. 

The flavor was weak compared to what was advertised by both its packaging and scent. Even though it smelled like maple syrup, it tasted like a slightly eggy pancake or thick crepe.

I didn't actually dislike it, but given how much hype these got on the internet, I was pretty disappointed.

VERDICT: Although I found it incredibly cool that I was able to cook a muffin in my microwave, I'll pass on buying this option again.

The gluten- and dairy-free frozen pancakes were an OK option, but I prefer the waffles

These pancakes were flops, literally.

Having tried and loved Trader Joe's gluten-free waffles, I expected these to be on the same level, but I can't quite put my finger on what went wrong.

I know human error is partially to blame since I opted to cook these in the microwave — which is usually the worst option on the box — but these pancakes were rubbery and bland.

Not even dousing these gluten-free pancakes in a sugary syrup could save them — instead, it turned them into a soggy, sad mess.

Determined to give this option the benefit of the doubt, I later gave it another chance by toasting the pancakes, which was a total game changer.

The edges crisped up nicely and the center became pillowy soft like a traditional pancake.

But the flavor still wasn't anything to write home about. It can't be easy to replicate the buttermilk taste without dairy, but a touch of vanilla or some other added sweetness could've helped. 

VERDICT: Trader Joe's has better gluten- and dairy-free products than these pancakes.

Although I ruined my first impression, they still paled in comparison to the chain's gluten-free waffles, so I'll skip buying these again.

The frozen hash browns tasted great with ketchup

Home fries and shredded potatoes are great, but nothing beats the convenience of handheld hash browns.

Trader Joe's sells these hash browns in a pack of 10, which is a pretty solid deal for the price. And even better, they don't contain too many bizarre ingredients.

Per the instructions, the hash browns can be cooked in the oven or pan-fried based on your preference, so I opted for the stovetop.

After just a few minutes in the frying pan, the hash browns developed a beautiful golden-orange sheen around the edges. Once removed from the heat, they retained some greasiness, but it was nothing that couldn't be fixed with a quick pat from a paper towel.

I liked that they had a nice, crispy exterior with no burned edges or cold pockets in sight, but the inside seemed slightly too soft, even bordering on wet.

After talking with some friends who swear by these hash browns, I've learned that air frying apparently eliminates that problem, but I also thought they were slightly too salty.

They weren't necessarily bad, and I liked the way they tasted with ketchup since it made for a yummy balance of salty, sweet, and acidic.

If you're looking for something that tastes like McDonald's renowned hash browns, these are unfortunately nothing like that, save for the shape.

VERDICT: Although these weren't the best hash browns I've ever eaten, they're good to keep around as a last-minute breakfast and simple enough that kids will love them. Just make sure you have ketchup.

I didn't care for Trader Joe's steel-cut oatmeal

Steel-cut oats, which are high in fiber, can be a pain to cook on the stove. Luckily, Trader Joe's frozen steel-cut oatmeal has a shorter cooking time.

Each package comes with two shrink-wrapped, cylindrical blocks of oatmeal that can be cooked in the microwave on high for two and a half minutes (and then a final minute after stirring). 

Though this oatmeal would likely be convenient for those wanting a high-fiber meal, as far as breakfast goes, I didn't find this particularly memorable.

It tasted like oatmeal I've had at hotel continental breakfasts — not inedible, but certainly not exciting. It had a slightly nutty flavor, but I couldn't detect the brown sugar or maple notes advertised on the package.

As someone who prefers smoother oatmeal, I also found the dish's coarse, chewy texture off-putting. It tasted as if it was undercooked, even though it wasn't.

VERDICT: Trader Joe's steel-cut oatmeal wasn't for me, but those looking for a filling, high-fiber breakfast may want to try this product.

The frozen brioche French toast tasted like a delicious brunch classic

Right off the bat, I loved this dish for two reasons: It wasn't a gimmicky French-toast stick, and it was thick enough to withstand a waterfall of maple syrup without becoming mushy.

I heated the French toast in the toaster oven for eight minutes without flipping them, as the instructions on the box didn't specify whether I needed to rotate the slices.

Each slice of brioche was about as thick as a standard ruler and had a sugary, sweet, slightly eggy flavor.

I thought it was tasty enough with just a pat of melted butter on top, but I'm sure it'd be even better with fruit, whipped cream, or a dollop of mascarpone. For me, maple syrup was the winning topping.

The only area where I'd dock points is the texture. Though the center of the French toast was pillowy soft, the corners of each slice were crunchy and stiff. It wasn't a complete dealbreaker, but it still makes me less inclined to purchase it regularly. 

VERDICT: Because of its convenience, Trader Joe's brioche French toast is worth trying at least once. 

I had trouble getting the eggwich breadless breakfast sandwich to cook evenly, but it was a satisfying meal

This breakfast dish, which consisted of a thin turkey-sausage patty and a layer of American cheese sandwiched between two disc-shaped scrambled-egg patties, seemed like a busy protein lover's dream.

I followed the instructions and heated the sandwich in my toaster oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes. The edges of the top egg layer started to brown during the final minute of cook time, prompting me to yank this sandwich out early.

Despite this snafu, a few sprinkles of hot sauce (and trimming the burned pieces) brought the sandwich back to tasty territory.

The combination of peppery turkey sausage, the thin layer of melty American cheese, and scrambled eggs was savory perfection. Plus, the sandwich filling had enough seasoning that the meal didn't feel overpowered by an egg taste. 

VERDICT: Though I prefer a more traditional sandwich with actual bread, I'd be willing to buy Trader Joe's eggwich again.

I didn't like Trader Joe's chicken-sausage breakfast bowl at all

Even after following the microwave instructions on the packaging, I thought this breakfast bowl tasted unpleasant and chewy, with no discernable flavor besides salt.

Between the rubbery, bland eggs, chunks of grayish-brown chicken, and bits of cheese sticking to the sides of the bowl, this was one of the biggest letdowns out of all the Trader Joe's frozen meals I've tried. 

I wondered if throwing the assortment into a tortilla with salsa or mixing it with potatoes would've improved its flavor. However, even after dousing the entire bowl with hot sauce, I still couldn't finish it.

VERDICT: It's a no for me.

Click to keep reading other Trader Joe's taste tests in this series.