In early January, it was reported that McDonald’s would be introducing donut fries at its restaurants, following the successful debut of a similar product at Dunkin’ last summer. Those reports have been confirmed, as McDonald’s will be debuting its own McCafé Donut Sticks as a limited-time release starting Wednesday, February 20.
McDonald’s newest breakfast item consists of deep-fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon sugar for a crunchy outside and soft, doughy inside. They can be purchased by the half-dozen or by the dozen at restaurants nationwide, and a half-dozen Donut Sticks can be paired with a small McCafé brewed coffee for a special price at participating restaurants.
“Donut Sticks are the perfect complement to our existing breakfast lineup, and pair deliciously with our fresh brewed premium roast McCafé coffee,” says Linda VanGosen, McDonald’s Vice President of Menu Innovation. “We initially tested them in select Illinois restaurants in early 2018, and then again in October 2018, as it was critical that we perfected them before we brought them to our customers nationwide. We looked at several donut shapes, tested a variety of doughs, and even worked to get the amount of cinnamon sugar just right for the recipe. We are thrilled to be making breakfast at McDonald’s even more delicious by introducing Donut Sticks.”
McDonald’s has not had a major addition to its breakfast menu in over 15 years. The chain introduced its McGriddle breakfast sandwiches in 2003. The company has tested other items in the past year to boost its breakfast menu, such as muffin tops.