Autumn signals one dominant trend for most dessert shops and beverage spots: pumpkin spice. Dunkin’ is not new to pumpkin offerings, including their classic pumpkin pie spice cake donut. And honestly, it’s a solid donut. It could easily be a year‑round staple, in my opinion.
But this write‑up isn’t primarily about doughnuts. Well, mostly not. It focuses on something flavored to echo that signature fall donut. So what’s Dunkin’ doing, exactly? They’re delivering that coveted donut taste in more than just a pastry. Dunkin’ has teamed up with Flipz, the coated pretzel brand, to bring you pumpkin spice donut–flavored pretzels.
A Limited Release
So we tracked them down to taste them for you and decide whether they’re even worth chasing. Because one small gripe I had was that the rollout is fairly limited. They’re available at a select group of retailers nationwide, mainly CVS, Wakefern, Kroger, Five Below, Albertsons, Dollar General, and Stop & Shop.
Even when I started looking, they were hard to find. Part of the issue was that Halloween merchandise had just begun to hit shelves. If you’re announcing something like this, you’d think they’d ensure it isn’t a two‑week scavenger hunt to locate a tiny bag. I eventually found them at CVS in the Halloween section. I haven’t checked since, so they could be a one‑stock item and not restocked. So if you’re hoping to try them, don’t wait for post‑Halloween discounts. You’ll need to move quickly.
Our Take
But that’s not why you’re here. You want to know how they taste. And they’re actually really good. I’m quite picky about pumpkin spice stuff. A lot of places miss the mark. And this isn’t just about pumpkin spice; it’s designed to mimic Dunkin’s pumpkin spice cake donut, adding another layer of flavor.
And they’ve basically nailed it. The spice level is spot on. Compared to a Dunkin’ donut with the same name? It’s remarkably close. I might have enjoyed these pretzels more than the donut itself because the pretzel adds crunch and salt, which amplifies the sweetness and warmth of the coating. The balance between coating and pretzel is just right, which speaks to Flipz’s mastery of their coated pretzels; some brands fall short. I found myself fighting the urge to finish the whole bag in one sitting. I would highly recommend these coated pretzels.
The one downside I’m most bummed about? They’re only around through the end of October, and then they’re gone. That means I’ll have to start the hunt again and stock up while I can.
