Let's face it: Everyone loves to eat fast-food hash browns every once in a while… and some
folks swear that Dunkin's version of the snack happens to be the best of the bunch. If you've
been sitting around wondering why Dunkin's hash browns are so delicious, today's your
lucky day.
This should come as no surprise to you, but social media is all aswirl with wild ideas
and opinions about Dunkin' Donuts' hash browns. People tend to totally love 'em. As one fast-food
aficionado tweeted,
"Dunkin hash browns are the best things to ever exist."
Another Dunkin' devotee passionately tweeted that
"Dunkin hash browns are perfect."
Back in 2013, a Twitter user asked the question that weighs heavily on our minds this hour:
"Why do dunkin hash browns have to smell so damn good?"
Finally, someone on social media with the courage to say what the rest of us are thinking.
Sadly, this tweet received no responses whatsoever, but we have a pet theory; these hash browns
smell so good because they taste so good. And you can quote us on that.
Texture plays an important role in food… in fact, it can make or break a meal. Take
this cake, for instance. Let's say it's bone-dry and feels like a cement wall. Should you decide
to touch this dessert, you'd probably guess that it tastes like absolute trash. On the
other end of the spectrum, just imagine trying to eat a bagel that had the consistency of
a bowl of soup. That would also be the taste of trash, would it not?
"Listen, can I tell you something else? In my family we used to eat out of the trash
all the time. It was no big thing."
Now, as we bear these trashy nightmares in mind, please note how soft and pillowy Dunkin'
hash browns happen to be. In 2016, Business Insider published a bombshell report that
pointed out that Dunkin' hash browns are on the soft side. Blowing the lid off this important
story, the article also claimed that,
"[The hash browns are] incredibly flavorful."
Who are we to disagree? If you like your morning spuds to feel nice and plush... and if you
aren't overly concerned with the crispness factor... these could very well be the fast-food
snack of your wildest dreams. We've said it before and we'll say it again: Hash browns
don't have to be crunchy to be delicious… although crunchy hash browns are also okay
in our book.
However you feel about these hash browns, it's safe to say they're not everyone's cup
of tea. Believe it or not, these greasy little hockey pucks have their fair share of critics
out there. In 2017, DC Outlook ran a brazenly opinionated article that claimed
"[An order of Dunkin Donuts' hash browns consist of] six tiny pieces of soggy potato."
Shots fired! But not to worry: If you insist that your hash browns be crispy and crunchy,
just say the word. As one worldly Twitter denizen proclaimed,
"Shout out to home girl at Dunkin who just gave me 10 crispy hash browns instead of 6."
Meanwhile,the passionate author of another Dunkin-themed tweet offered this shameless
humblebrag:
"Dunkin finally made me crispy hash browns."
So if you want yourself some crispy hash browns at Dunkin' Donuts, just ask. The good people
who work there might even throw you a few extras if you play your cards right. Good
morning, indeed.
If you're looking for a hash brown that kicks up the flavor, Dunkin' Donuts is here for
you. These moist little fellas are spiced with garlic powder, onion powder, sage, and
parsley for extra deliciousness. Dunkin's blend of spices give their hash browns a flavor
boost that must be tasted to be believed. It's a perfect way to jumpstart your day,
afternoon or night… depending on when you like to get your hash brown fix.
If you've ever chowed down on a cold hash brown, you've known great sadness in your
life. It makes the texture all weird! The oil feels extra-slimy! Eating a cold hash
brown is just a terrible way to start the day, so don't do it.
Fortunately, Dunkin's hash browns are heated in toaster ovens before being served to the
general public. That means your bag of hash browns should always be deliciously warm…
at times, even hot.
We're about to say something and it might not sound very nice. Dunkin's hash browns
aren't nearly as popular as McDonald's. In fact, both Spoon University and The Sheaf
have both claimed McDonald's hash browns are the best in the biz.
"Kinda funny looking."
"Your mother gave me this tie."
"Not your tie. Your hash browns."
The question is: how can Dunkin' possibly compete?
For one thing, the fact that McDonald's hash browns aren't vegan will definitely be a problem
for some people. According to the website World of Vegan, the fast-food chain's hash
browns contain milk and were once cooked in beef fat.
So it's worth noting that Dunkin's hash browns don't contain any animal products, making
it the perfect snack treat for vegans.
How do you feel about sweet and savory combos? We feel just great about them, and we're not
alone. The fine people at Thrillist were clearly thrilled upon pairing Dunkin's hash browns
with Dunkin's donuts. In their words,
"Our brain power has been drained as a direct result of pairing these 'hash browns' with
miniature donuts."
Thrillist never mentions which Munchkin works best with the chain's hash browns… which
we'll take as an open invitation to experiment, thanks. We imagine that the Cinnamon Munchkins
would taste great with hash browns. Oh, and what about those delightful Jelly Munchkins?
Sounds like a scrumptious combo… particularly if you're an adventurous eater.
Do you find the very notion of these fast-food combos oddly appetizing? Well, there's no
reason we should have all the fun. If you know what's best for you, you'll drop everything
right this minute and march stridently to your nearest Dunkin' Donuts. Then, you'll
gleefully purchase a few bags of Munchkins and hash browns. After that, we expect you
to cram each and every one of these treats right into your piehole. By the end of the
experiment, you shall come to know what flavor combinations you enjoy best. You can tell
people you're doing this in the name of science, and eventually they may come to respect you.
In time, you may even come to respect yourself.
"Science is a liar sometimes! Oh boy."
As you've no doubt surmised, these bite-sized treats make for excellent snacks. In fact,
they can prove to be rather addictive… much like potato chips. If you ask us, there's
something about bite-sized snacks that are oddly compelling… we find it nearly impossible
to resist these itty-bitty potato rounds. In fact, McDonald's interaction of the modern
hash brown looks downright bulky in comparison. Close your eyes, take several deep breaths,
and ask yourself: "What kind of hash brown do I like best? Do I like McDonald's especially
floppy take on the product, or Dunkin' Donuts' bite-sized interpretation?" Honestly, if we're
going to eat greasy garbage, we're going to eat Dunkin's greasy garbage. Their bite-size
interpretation of this trashy fast-food staple is just more fun.
Some folks love to stuff a bunch of french fries into their burgers… but we have a
better, even more delicious idea! In 2020, a chef named Suzi Gerber told Business Insider
how she recombines common Dunkin' offerings and turns it into the ultimate chowdown. She
starts with Dunkin's Beyond Sausage sandwich...and then? She makes magic!
"I ditch the cheese [and egg] to make it 100% plant-based and I add mustard, hot sauce,
and hash browns, and it is delicious – a little crunchy and salty, and super-filling."
Why not try it next time you're at Dunkin'? As a general rule of thumb, adding hash browns
to your favorite Dunkin' offering is a quick and easy way to spice up your life.
"....Alright let's give it a try…"
"Oh I need to unwrap it…"
"Wait wait wait wait"
"Sarah eating on camera as she tells you how good it is, right?"
"Guh-guh-guh."
Ever scanned a recipe only to find that one of the ingredients is ...hash browns? Sounds
strange, but it happens… well, at least on Dunkin' official website. That's where
you'll find several high-toned, rather improbable recipes for dishes like cranberry brie hash
brown canapés.
Moreover, the fast food chain published a hash brown nachos recipe back in 2014, a BBQ
hash brown canapés recipe, and a jalapeño canapé recipe that also features these spuds
front and center. What's more, Dunkin' claims the herbs and the spices in its hash browns
can help elevate a number of other dishes.. but we suspect that individual mileage may
vary.
There may come a day in your life when you grow sick and tired of your usual snacky comfort
food options… and when that sad day comes, it's time to start experimenting. That's the
only surefire way to bring some of the old magic back! If you grow sick of, say, your
favorite cookie… why not sprinkle on a pinch of sea salt and see if you fall in love all
over again? And if your go-to breakfast happens to be six Dunkin' hash browns, there are a
number of ways to spice things up. Of course, social media is totally flush with unsolicited
advice. One trendsetter took to Twitter to talk about these trashy, tasty treats, writing
that:
"Next time you go to Dunkin ask for crispy hash browns with cream cheese and ancho sauce
on top. You won't regret it."
Meanwhile, another Twitter denizen made quite the yummy discovery:
"Put ketchup on my dunkin coffee lid so i could dip my hash browns in it while i walked
down the street"
Dunkin's hash browns also complement a range of dips, including barbecue sauce and ranch
dressing. If you're looking to turn your hash browns into a whole new experience, just be
brave and experiment until you find something that totally works for you. Sounds like a
grand old time, doesn't it?
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