We're officially 12 hours into Halloween which means pumpkins are out the door and holiday marketing begins... now? Sources say Dunkin' is releasing their classic holiday-themed menu tomorrow, what a joy! I am a Dunkin' lover at heart (Upstate New York is still instilled in me), therefore let's take a dive into what the gluten-free folk can indulge in this holiday season.
First off, is Dunkin even gluten-free?
There are possibilities of finding gluten-free items at Dunkin', particularly in their classic drink line of coffee and refreshers. Holiday and seasonal specials can tend to throw a wrench in the conception, leaving basic items to create a 'safe-zone.' All coffees and syrups are gluten-free, as well as their non-dairy milks. Their locations typically use Planet Oat Oat Milks as an option, which is a certified gluten-free product by the Gluten-Free Certification Organization (GFCO). As always, cross contamination is a worry for Celiac and gluten-free individuals... for me personally, this is how I look every morning with no issues:
Here's what were working with this season:
Cookie Butter Cold Brew
Peppermint Mocha Signature Latte
Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte
Spiced Cookie Coffee (Hot or Iced)
Loaded Hash Browns
* These items do not include their new donuts and sandwiches, for obvious reason.
Cookie Butter Cold Brew
This already sounds bad from the start. Dunkin' classic cold brew, some syrup, and of course: cookie butter cold foam and crumbles. Due to this being a returning item, it is safe to say there is a valid source for their allergen information, unless they throw us for a loop and change everything entirely. Last winter, I did attempt to order without cold foam and cookie crumbles, but failed epically, so I would not recommend. The syrups and cold brew blend, itself, IS gluten-free, but there is a notable risk when ordering items premade with gluten. Therefore, I'd recommend just staying away from this drink entirely, and looking elsewhere in their menu.
Peppermint Mocha Signature Latte
Another returner, and a classic for the season, peppermint is the key to a coffee drinker's heart during the winter months. Topped with mocha drizzle, whipped cream, and cocoa power, Dunkin' surely adds their own twist to their classic holiday drink (I have been watching my Mom drink this for years so I get it). Mocha Syrup is free of gluten because it is the same as their classic swirl available for enhancing coffees, as well as their other toppings on the signature latte. As we established before, all milks are also gluten-free at your favorite Dunkin' spots, therefore this holiday special is gluten-free.
Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte
The first sip might take everyone to a wintry wonderland, with its flavor described as creamy-rich white chocolate, caramel drips, and sweet cinnamon sugar to top everything off. The fan favorite may seem wonderful, but is it gluten friendly? Yes! Similar to the Peppermint Mocha Latte, the caramel swirl used in class beverages is also used as a topping for their holiday specials, conveniently. Per usual, the espresso and milks are safely available, as well as their specialized toppings for this drink, in particular.
Spiced Cookie Coffee
The sound of this holiday swirl may seem impossible to try, but it's possible! There are not any cookie derivatives in the swirl, therefore making it safe to spice up your daily order with mixing brown sugar cookie syrup, oatmilk, vanilla extract, and Dunkin's famous coffee. We can get the taste of the cookie, without actually having the typical ingredients halting our enjoyment! The brand new item for this years lineup is one to be enjoyed by the gluten-free coffee lovers.
Loaded Hash Browns
This may be a long shot, but let's see how the breakdown goes. Nine freshly cooked, toasted hash browns drenched in melty queso, garnished with crumbled bacon comes to Dunkin's holiday newbies this year. The hashbrowns, themselves, are free of gluten on the ingredient list due to being based with corn flour and flaked potatoes. Snackin' Bacon is also an item that does not list any gluten-filled ingredients on their lists. In this case, the base of their cheese sauce may produce an issue with the possibility of flour-based cheese, and as of now, it is unknown whether their sauce will be gluten-free or not. This is a new item for 2023, and not yet listed within their allergen section, therefore it is unclear whether we can enjoy delectable queso drenched hash browns this holiday season.
To top everything all off
The bottom line is, nearly everything coming to your local Dunkin' menu tomorrow is gluten-free. Their holiday signature lattes, and cookie swirls are a definite safe zone (aside from cross-contamination possibility), leaving questions for their Loaded Hash Browns and Cookie Butter Cold Brew. Personally, I plan to avoid these items for the unknown answers, but I will be first in line for the Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte for yet another season.
Love this 🩷