Dunkin’ first introduced Munchkins doughnut holes in 1972.
Munchkins are small, round pieces of doughnut sold by Dunkin’. The name became a distinctive part of the chain’s product vocabulary and is a registered brand associated with its doughnut holes. They are commonly sold in assorted flavors and are often marketed as shareable bite-sized treats.
The product was introduced after doughnut production already used automated cutting and shaping processes. Instead of treating the centers removed from ring doughnuts as waste, the company developed a branded product around the small pieces. Munchkins therefore turned a by-product of ring-doughnut production into a separate menu item.
The name can cause confusion because “munchkin” is also a general word for a small person or child and appears in other popular culture. In Dunkin’s usage, however, Munchkins specifically identifies its branded doughnut holes.