With the rise in popularity of dairy-free diets and lifestyles, many customers want to know if they can customize their favorite Dunkin’ drinks with non-dairy milks. As a leading coffee and donut chain, Dunkin’ aims to accommodate different dietary needs and preferences. In this article, we’ll dive into the dairy-free milk options offered at Dunkin’ Donuts locations. We’ll cover which types of non-dairy milks are available, any regional or seasonal differences, and how to order customized dairy-free drinks. Whether you avoid cow’s milk due to an allergy, vegan diet, or simply prefer plant-based alternatives, read on to find out if you can “run on Dunkin’” with non-dairy milk.
Quick Summary
Here is a quick rundown of the key points:
– Dunkin’ offers almond milk and oat milk as dairy-free milk options nationwide. Availability of other non-dairy milks varies by location.
– Customers can substitute almond milk or oat milk at no extra charge in place of regular dairy milk in any hot, iced, or frozen coffee, tea, espresso drink, latte, cappuccino, americano, macchiato, etc.
– Non-dairy milk substitutions are also available for Dunkin’s hot and iced lattes, mochas, matcha lattes, chai lattes, and signature pumpkin spice, peppermint mocha, and caramel macchiato flavors.
– Availability of soy milk, coconut milk, and other dairy-free milk alternatives depends on the individual Dunkin’ location. Customers can check with their local store.
– Those with dairy allergies should inform staff of allergen needs to prevent cross-contamination when preparing their customized order.
The Dairy-Free Milk Options at Dunkin’
Dunkin’ proudly advertises that almond milk and oat milk can be added to any hot or iced coffee, latte, cappuccino, americano, macchiato, mocha, chai, matcha latte, espresso beverage, frozen coffee, or frozen chocolate. This makes it easy for vegans, dairy-free dieters, and anyone who prefers plant-based milk to customize their drinks.
Both almond milk and oat milk are available for substitution nationwide at Dunkin’ at no extra charge. The non-dairy milks can replace regular dairy milk in any size hot, iced, or frozen coffee, latte, espresso drink, or other handcrafted beverage.
For those wondering about nutrition, Dunkin’s almond milk has 30 calories in one cup compared to 90 calories in one cup of whole milk. The oat milk is also low calorie with just 80 calories per cup. So substituting plant-based milk is a great option for lightening up your coffee drink or latte.
Beyond almond and oat milk, other non-dairy options like soy milk, coconut milk, rice milk, etc. may be available on a location-by-location basis. Availability can vary depending on factors like customer demand, distributor availability, and storage capacity at each franchise. Customers can check with their local Dunkin’ store to see if other dairy-free milk choices are offered besides oat and almond milk.
Seasonal and Regional Availability
The oat and almond milk options are available year-round nationwide at Dunkin’. There are no seasonal limitations.
However, availability of soy milk, coconut milk, and other dairy-free alternatives beyond oat and almond milk can vary by region and location. Certain non-dairy milks may be more readily available at Dunkin’ shops in regions with higher vegan populations like Los Angeles or New York City. rural franchises may offer fewer plant-based varieties based on local demand.
Larger Dunkin’ locations with more storage space and diverse customer bases may potentially carry more non-dairy milk choices. Smaller kiosks or stands with limited inventory probably only stock almond and oat milk.
Overall oat and almond milk can be substituted year-round across the country. Customers who want soy, coconut or other dairy-free milks should check with their local shop on current availability.
How to Order Dairy-Free Drinks at Dunkin’
Ordering a customized dairy-free coffee, latte, or other drink at Dunkin’ is easy. Just follow these steps when placing your order:
1. Choose your drink size and style – any hot, iced, or frozen coffee, latte, cappuccino, mocha, chai, espresso, macchiato etc.
2. Select the non-dairy milk you want – either oat milk or almond milk nationwide. Or another dairy-free milk if available at your location.
3. Specify that you want the non-dairy milk substituted in place of regular milk for your drink.
4. Give any other customizations – flavor shots, sweetener amount, topped with foam or whipped cream, hot or iced temperature, etc.
5. Let staff know of any dairy allergies so they can avoid cross-contamination with equipment used for regular dairy milk drinks.
6. Pay the same price as any customized drink! Non-dairy substitutions are not extra.
7. Enjoy your dairy-free Dunkin’ beverage!
It’s that simple to get a latte, cappuccino, macchiato, mocha, or any coffee creation made just the way you like it with plant-based milk instead of regular dairy milk.
Tips for Ordering
Here are some tips for seamlessly ordering dairy-free drinks at Dunkin’:
– Use specific language like “almond milk” or “oat milk” instead of just requesting “milk substitutes” which could be unclear.
– Repeat that you want the non-dairy milk substituted when you collect your finished drink to ensure accuracy.
– Check the drink sticker or marking on the cup to verify it shows “almond milk” or your chosen milk noted.
– If you have severe dairy allergies, request that the equipment be cleaned first and a fresh cup used to prevent cross-contact.
– For iced drinks, ask for non-dairy milk to the top instead of leaving room for cream if you want to avoid derivatives.
– Thank helpful staff and provide positive feedback so locations know dairy-free customization is appreciated.
With clear ordering and smart customization, you can enjoy the full Dunkin’ menu modified to your dairy-free tastes!
Dairy-Free Versions of Popular Dunkin’ Drinks
Dunkin’ customers don’t have to miss out on iconic menu beverages because of dairy restrictions. All of these popular drinks can be made dairy-free by substituting almond, oat, or another plant-based milk:
Iced Coffee – Cool off with creamy iced coffee made with non-dairy milk over ice. Customize with your choice of flavor swirls too!
Latte – Sip a foamy latte crafted with espresso and frothed dairy-free milk for a creamy, caffeinated treat. Add flavors like caramel, mocha, or pumpkin spice.
Matcha Latte – Enjoy the sweet, earthy taste of matcha green tea powder blended with hot oat or almond milk for a antioxidant-packed beverage.
Americano – Savor a hot, rich americano with the subtle nutty or oat-y taste of your preferred plant-based milk option.
Macchiato – Craft this traditional espresso drink with bold espresso topped with lightly frothed non-dairy milk foam.
Mocha – Chocolate lovers can order a mocha with espresso, chocolate sauce, and frothed plant-based milk for a dairy-free dessert-like coffee.
The possibilities are endless! With some easy customizations, dairy-free patrons can enjoy their favorite coffeehouse-style Dunkin’ drink just the way they like it.
Non-Dairy Options for Dunkin’ Menu Specialty Drinks
Beyond basic coffee and espresso beverages, Dunkin’ also allows non-dairy milk substitutions in specialty seasonal and permanent menu items too:
Pumpkin Spice Latte – This iconic fall drink can be crafted with almond or oat milk instead of dairy. The pumpkin and spice flavors pair beautifully with nutty, creamy plant-based milk.
Peppermint Mocha – For the holidays, order this sweet peppermint and chocolate mocha with non-dairy milk for a festive sip.
Caramel Macchiato – This customer favorite featuring vanilla-infused espresso topped with swirled caramel sauce can be served with frothed almond or oat milk instead of traditional steamed milk.
Chai Latte – Dunkin’s chai concentrate can be combined with heated dairy-free milk for a comforting, aromatic, caffeine-free beverage.
Hot Chocolate – Made by steaming almond or oat milk and blending with chocolate syrup, this quintessential winter drink can easily be non-dairy.
So don’t assume specialty drinks are off-limits with dairy restrictions! Most menu items can be customized to your diet with simple non-dairy milk substitutions.
Non-Dairy Options Beyond Drinks
While Dunkin’ is best known for its beverages, the chain offers select food items that can be part of a dairy-free diet too:
Bagels – Dunkin’s plain bagels are typically vegan-friendly and make a satisfying gluten-free breakfast, snack or sandwich base.
Croissants -Croissants are generally made with dairy-free ingredients except for varieties with fillings like cream cheese or chocolate that contain milk derivatives.
Hash Browns – Crispy hash browns sautéed in oil are dairy-free and vegan.
Donuts – While classic donuts are fried in non-dairy oils, most contain milk or eggs. Some vegan donut varieties may be offered depending on location.
Munchkins – Similar to donuts, basic Munchkin donut holes are dairy-free but flavors like cream-filled contain milk ingredients. Check fillings.
Beyond asking about alternate dairy-free milks, patrons avoiding milk products should also inquire about the ingredients in food items of interest to confirm they can be accommodated in a plant-based diet as well.
Trends and Future Dairy-Free Products
Due to high interest in plant-based food, Dunkin’ constantly evaluates opportunities to expand its non-dairy offerings:
Oat Milk Popularity – With the oat milk surge, Dunkin’ is capitalizing on demand by ensuring availability across locations. Regional oat milk shortages indicate its popularity nationwide.
Seasonal Drinks – New seasonal coffee drinks are being tested and added to menus, like oat milk-based horchata and coconut milk boba coffee, to attract non-dairy consumers.
Plant-Based Sandwiches – As plant-based meats grow, Dunkin’ has tested breakfast sandwiches using Beyond Meat’s sausage to appeal to vegan and vegetarian patrons.
Allergy Accommodations – With food allergies increasing, Dunkin’ aims to be a safe option for those with dairy allergies by offering milk alternatives and preventing cross-contamination.
Sustainability – To reduce environmental impact with sustainable choices like oat milk, Dunkin’ provides eco-conscious patrons with plant-based options.
Dunkin’ acknowledges growing demand for non-dairy products and continuously adapts its menu to satisfy diverse customer preferences while also enticing new health and environment-conscious patrons looking for dairy-free choices.
Summary
So does Dunkin’ offer dairy-free milk options? The answer is a clear yes! Customers avoiding cow’s milk for any reason can “run on Dunkin’” by ordering almond milk or oat milk in any hot, iced, or frozen coffee, latte, cappuccino, espresso drink, chai, mocha, and other handcrafted beverages nationwide. Beyond those two plant-based milk varieties, additional alternatives like soy or coconut may be available depending on the specific location. All non-dairy milks can be substituted at no extra charge. Customers should feel empowered to order customized dairy-free drinks by clearly communicating their preferences. With growing interest in plant-based eating, Dunkin’ Donuts provides options for vegan, dairy-free, and environmentally-conscious patrons looking to enjoy coffeehouse-style beverages that align with their diet and values.
