20 Seasonal Fast-Food Items We Look Forward To Every Fall
Who Knew Fall Could Taste So Sweet?
Fall is in the air, and so is the aroma of pumpkin spice. Autumn is a fleeting season where, in the blink of an eye, the weather becomes brisk and leaves change color. Just as fall is here for a limited time, so are plenty of fast-food offerings, including the classic pumpkin spice latte. Here are 20 seasonal fast-food items you can only get in the fall.
1. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte
Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte is the original fall treat. It's the icon that started the pumpkin spice craze. Thanks to Starbucks, our brains are wired to associate the aroma of pumpkin pie spice mixed with coffee with fallen leaves and crisp autumn air.
2. McDonald’s Pumpkin & Creme Pie
McDonald’s Pumpkin & Creme Pie is a handheld version of classic pumpkin pie with a golden-brown crust filled with smooth pumpkin filling and cream, topped with cinnamon sugar. It's sweet and comforting, just like a fall treat should be.
3. Panera Autumn Squash Soup
No vegetable is more closely associated with fall than squash. Panera's seasonal soup, made with butternut squash, sweet potato, apple, and cozy baking spices like nutmeg, is the quintessential fall comfort food without the guilt.
4. Dunkin' Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte
Dunkin' Donuts' version of the pumpkin spice latte is even more extra than Starbucks'. It comes complete with a swirl of whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and cinnamon sugar topping.
5. Dairy Queen Pumpkin Pie Blizzard
Dairy Queen's Pumpkin Pie Blizzard is the ultimate treat for pumpkin pie lovers. It's made with Dairy Queen signature soft serve, topped with real pumpkin pie pieces, whipped cream, and nutmeg.
6. Starbucks Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin
Starbucks' Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin is literally fall in a muffin. Made with a sweet cream cheese filling, pumpkin pie spice, and spiced pepitas, it's the perfect pairing with a classic PSL.
7. Dairy Queen Pecan Pie Blizzard
Dairy Queen's Pecan Pie Blizzard blends its classic soft serve with brown sugar, pecans, and caramel. It's designed to taste like pecan pie and vanilla ice cream in a cup.
8. IHOP Pumpkin Pancakes
IHOP's Pumpkin Pancakes are all the goodness of their classic flapjacks, but with the inclusion of real pumpkin puree and seasonal spices. Topped with whipped cream, they're like a slice of pumpkin pie in breakfast format.
9. Starbucks Caramel Apple Spice
Starbucks' Caramel Apple Spice is a warm hug in a cup. It's hot spiced apple cider with sweet cinnamon syrup, whipped cream, and caramel sauce.
10. Krispy Kreme Apple Cider Glazed Doughnut
Krispy Kreme's Apple Cider Glazed Doughnut was released as a seasonal treat in 2021 and quickly became a returning fall favorite. The glaze is made with real apple cider, and it comes in cake format or filled with brown sugar cream for an even more decadent indulgence.
11. Starbucks Baked Apple Croissant
Starbucks isn't necessarily associated with its bakery items, but the Baked Apple Croissant suggests it should be. The genius pastry combines flaky croissant dough with sweet apple chunks.
12. Paris Baguette Maple Pecan Layer Cake
Something a little different, Paris Baguette's classy Maple Pecan Layer Cake is a vanilla sponge cake filled with maple pecan cream and topped with caramel sauce. When it shows up in the pastry case, it's a sure sign that fall is here.
13. Shake Shack French Onion Burger
Shake Shack's French Onion Burger is easily one of our favorite savory seasonal items at any fast food restaurant. Topped with Gruyère cheese, garlic aioli, and caramelized onions, it's all the flavors of the iconic cozy soup in a satisfying burger format.
14. Jack in the Box Pumpkin Spice Churros
Another creative take on the classic fall flavor combination is Jack in the Box's pumpkin spice churro bites. Mini churros tossed in pumpkin spice and sugar? Yes, please.
15. White Castle Pumpkin Latte Cheesecake
More than just sliders, White Castle's seasonal offering is the classic pumpkin latte in cheesecake format, impaled on a stick for easy, one-handed eating. It's a genius dessert that makes the perfect ending to your slider feast.
16. Chick-fil-A Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich
Chick-fil-A has always danced to the beat of its own drum, exemplified by the Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, a fall offering that doesn't involve pumpkin or apple. It was released for a limited time last autumn, and we can only hope it will return to the menu this fall season, too.
17. Playa Bowls Jack-O-Lantern Acai Bowl
For a healthier fall option, Playa Bowls' Jack-O-Lantern Acai Bowl combines its classic acai base with pumpkin granola, pumpkin butter, and pumpkin spice. Not only will it give you your pumpkin spice fix, but it's also full of antioxidants that will boost your immune system and get you through cold and flu season.
18. Krispy Kreme Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut
If you're a fan of pumpkin spice and cake donuts, Krispy Kreme's Pumpkin Spice Cake Doughnut is the perfect treat for you. It's a denser, soft, and moist spiced donut topped with a pumpkin spice glaze.
19. White Castle BBQ Pulled Pork Slider
White Castle's BBQ Pulled Pork Slider doesn't scream fall like the rest of the treats on this list, but it's a seasonal favorite nonetheless, released for a limited time on the fall menu this year. Slow-roasted pulled pork is paired with sweet barbecue sauce and served on a fluffy slider bun for a perfectly balanced sweet-savory meal.
20. Dunkin' Pumpkin Donut and Munchkins
Not only does this treat perfectly encapsulate fall, but it rhymes, too. The pumpkin donuts are served alongside pumpkin munchkins: bite-sized donut holes for maximum eating fun that go perfectly alongside a pumpkin spice latte.
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