Dunkin’ Donuts vs Krispy Kreme: Who Has the Most Affordable Breakfast?

You may lean one way or the other when it comes to who makes the best donuts, but when comparing Dunkin’ Donuts and Krispy Kreme, one can help you stretch your breakfast budget further.

To decide which donut purveyor is the top breakfast choice, we compared the prices of 15 comparable items side by side.

Note that the prices of these items may vary with time and by location. All the prices listed here come from locations in the Chicago area.

1. Glazed dozen

The Original Glazed dozen is probably what Krispy Kreme is most known for. Twelve of their delectable doughnuts cost $14.95. An assorted dozen is a bit pricier at $17.49.

You can put (almost) any donut you want into a dozen box at Dunkin’ — glazed, iced, and beyond — but it’ll cost you a bit more at $20.61.

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2. Glazed half dozen

A six-count of Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed doughnuts is a bargain at just $9.99 for a box, while an assorted six-pack is $11.99.

Dunkin’s half-dozen box, which you can, again, fill with whatever doughnut flavors you choose, is a slightly better bargain at $11.86.

3. Classic doughnut

At Dunkin’, you’ll be paying the same price no matter which donut you want (for the most part) — $2.11.

At Krispy Kreme, the Original Glazed is cheaper ($1.99), but other varieties, like the Chocolate Iced Glazed, are more expensive at $2.39.

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4. Cinnamon Roll/Coffee Roll

The Glazed Cinnamon Roll is another Krispy Kreme classic — and sells for $3.29.

The closest comparative item on Dunkin’s menu is the Coffee Roll, which is also glazed and “laced with cinnamon.” Dunkin’s option is slightly cheaper at $2.86.

5. Munchkins/Doughnut Dots

At Dunkin’, you can grab a box of Munchkins, their famous doughnut hole treats, in a variety of sizes — from a pack of five ($3.75) to 50 ($20.61).

Krispy Kreme’s equivalent, Doughnut Dots, comes in packs of 10 ($3.99 to $4.49) or 24 ($6.49 to $6.99). For comparison, Dunkin’s pack of 25 Munchkins is $11.86.

6. Specialty doughnut

We compared the prices of special edition doughnuts by looking at the current offerings at both shops. Dunkin’ is currently selling a delicious-looking specialty S’mores donut for $2.23.

Krispy Kreme is selling Crème Brûlée doughnuts for a limited time at $2.69.

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7. Brew Box/Box O’ Joe

Dunkin’s famous “Box O’ Joe” comes in three variations — original, decaf, and midnight blend — and all are $32.48. One box equals 10 cups of coffee.

Krispy Kreme’s equivalent, the Coffee Brew Box, is much cheaper at $18.99, and it serves 10 as well.

8. Classic coffee

Although it may not be as well-known for its brews, Krispy Kreme is also significantly cheaper if you’re just looking for a standard cup of hot coffee.

The shop’s original coffees cost $2.49 for a small and $2.99 for a large. At Dunkin, prices range from $3.36 for a small to $4.36 for an extra-large.

9. Espresso

Dunkin' is the cheaper option if you’re just looking for a single shot of espresso.

Dunkin’s is $2.48 if you get a single shot (though you can upgrade to a double and even a triple), while Krispy Kreme’s comes in one small size and is $2.99.

10. Cappuccino

Krispy Kreme doesn’t have quite as many coffee options as Dunkin’, but both offer classic cappuccinos.

A medium cappuccino at Dunkin’ is $5.36, while Krispy Kreme’s is just $3.99. (You can get small, medium, or large at both.)

11. Iced coffee

A classic iced coffee at Krispy Kreme is also significantly cheaper.

Prices range from $2.69 for a small to $3.09 for a large. At Dunkin’, an original blend iced coffee ranges in price from $4.23 for a small to $4.98 for a large.

12. Iced latte

If you’re looking for a creamier iced drink, Krispy Kreme is still the significantly cheaper option.

A medium iced latte at Krispy Kreme costs $3.99, while the same at Dunkin’ is $6.11. However, Dunkin’ offers significantly more added flavor options for its lattes.

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13. Frozen Coffee with Vanilla/Frozen Vanilla Specialty Latte

The frozen drinks at the two donut shops vary a bit, so these aren’t direct comparisons. Still, Dunkin’s Frozen Coffee with a dash of vanilla flavoring and Krispy Kreme’s Frozen Vanilla Specialty Latte are close enough — and Krispy Kreme is, yet again, the cheaper option.

Krispy Kreme’s vanilla specialty latte, topped with whipped cream, is $4.49 for a medium, while Dunkin’s Frozen Coffee is $5.67 for a medium.

14. Strawberry Coolatta/Frozen Strawberry Chiller

Both sweet shops also offer their own frozen strawberry drink to satisfy your summer sweet tooth.

Dunkin’s Strawberry Coolatta starts at $4.36 for a small, while Krispy Kreme’s Frozen Strawberry Chiller starts at $3.49.

15. A bottle of OJ

And if you want to grab a bottle of juice with your breakfast, that’ll be cheaper at Krispy Kreme, too (albeit by just a tiny bit).

Krispy Kreme sells a bottle of OJ for $2.29, while Dunkin’ sells one for $2.61.

Bottom line

Dunkin’ has Krispy Kreme beat when it comes to a few top items, like a single donut or a half dozen, but Krispy Kreme is the clear winner if you want to save money eating out .

Dunkin’ does have more breakfast variety (Krispy Kreme doesn’t have items like bagels, breakfast sandwiches, or muffins, while Dunkin’ does). Still, if you’re just in the market for donuts and coffee, Krispy Kreme is the sweeter financial move.

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