REVIEW: McDonald’s Donut Sticks

McDonald s Donut Sticks

After the employee handed me the bag that contained my six-piece order of McDonald’s Donut Sticks (it’s also available with 12 pieces), I wondered if there were cameras around and I was being pranked. Because it was so light, it felt as if it contained only the obligatory napkins.

But after opening the bag, getting a sweet whiff of cinnamon sugar and not so sweet whiff of oil, and seeing six sticks staring back at me, my Punk’d fears subsided. I don’t know why I thought they’d be more substantial than they are.

McDonald s Donut Sticks Airy

The Donut Sticks are sweet golden-brown dough, sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, and made fresh every morning. They’re also a little disappointing. The cinnamon sugar is everywhere, but there’s no cinna-plosion in my mouth. Because I can taste a bit of the oil used, I thought its flavor dulled the sweet seasoning. However, even licking off whatever cinnamon sugar clung to my fingers didn’t have a strong taste.

No dipping sauce comes with them, although I imagine hot fudge or soft serve would pair well. Unfortunately, I read Donut Sticks are only available in the morning so it might be hard to get them with either, but they really should be an all-day thing.

If I had to compare these with Dunkin’s Donut Fries, these are better, but not by a whole lot. They’re thicker because they’re fluffier and airer. They also taste a little bit better, even though I wish the cinnamon sugar stood out more. Although, they do look freaky.

If you order these, don’t let them sit around. Eat them fresh because, just like McDonald’s World Famous Fries, they taste better when they are and have a bit of crispiness that fades if not eaten quickly. If you pick some up via the drive-thru, eat them while you drive, even though there is a 100 percent chance the Donut Sticks are the nimbus clouds that will rain cinnamon sugar onto your crotch.

Although, like most donuts, you could stick them in the microwave for about 10 seconds, to get some of that fresh-from-the-fryer quality back.

Overall, McDonald’s Donut Sticks are decent, if eaten fresh, and slightly less so, if not. They are not at the luscious level as my sorely missed Cinnamon Melts, but if you believe your breakfasts should end with dessert, which they should, this will do an adequate job.

Purchased Price: $2.29*
Size: 6 pieces
Rating: 6 out of 10
Nutrition Facts: 280 calories, 13 grams of fat, 4.5 grams of saturated fat, 0 gram of trans fat, 15 milligrams of cholesterol, 260 milligrams of sodium, 34 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber, 9 grams of sugar, and 6 grams of protein.

*Because I live on a rock in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, things are a bit pricier here. You’ll probably pay less than I did.

14 thoughts to “REVIEW: McDonald’s Donut Sticks”

    1. Haven’t had the 2019 version, but I tried them when they first came out years ago and liked them a lot. So if they’re the same, I’d say the BK Funnel Cake Fries are better.

  1. I agree it should have a dipping sauce. I wonder if I can request caramel, mocha, strawberry, or hot fudge in a small cup? Using existing dessert toppers for the sticks.

    1. When I tried Dunkin’s Donut Fries, I brought some of my own ‘condiments’ to dip them into (caramel and chocolate sauces), which improved the experience somewhat…but I still thought they were a big bag of meh.

      Like another commenter said, you’re better off with fresh fried dough at a county fair.

  2. I’d give them a C, and that’s if they’re served hot. They just weren’t very good – they tasted like a McDonald’s hamburger roll, sliced, deep fried and sprinkled in cinnamon sugar. Plus I had to wait like 5 minutes in post-drive-thru purgatory to get them.

    Meh, not worth the time or the calories. Get real fried dough at your local county fair.

  3. I bet McD’s uses the extremely low-quality bulk store brand of cinnamon that tastes like the crappiest tree bark shavings. I’m guessing, but Taco Bell’s cinnamon twists probably don’t have much to worry about.

  4. This should have really been made as a Dessert Item with all of the Sundae Sauces available as dipping sauces but if its only available as a breakfast item then it needs pancake syrup because eating these dry aint gonna happen.

  5. I still don’t understand why McDonald’s didn’t just do churros instead. Pair it with a thickened hot chocolate and you have chocolate con churros, a tradition in Spain and a delight.

  6. Just got my donut sticks after seeing the commercial every day
    What a disappointment! They were cold tough and barely any cinnamon & sugar. What a waste

  7. I just bought an order of these, and whomever made them, forgot to put the sugar and cinnamon on them….not so tasty

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