Dairy Queen Blizzard Review

Dairy Queen is famous for its Blizzards, and it’s not hard to understand why. The soft-serve ice cream texture is melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and with all the candy add-ins, you can create your dream dessert on the go. I enjoy a nice chilled Blizzard with a side of fries during a long ride or a road trip. Plus, have you ever hung out in a DQ parking lot with your friends when you were a teenager and had nothing else to do? Yep, me too. Dairy Queen Blizzards are just a part of growing up. And since they’ve been served since the 60s, it’s probably part of your adolescence as well. 

 

History and Inspiration

Dairy Queen opened for business in 1940, serving different frozen products, such as soft-serve ice cream, a recipe developed just a few years earlier. On the very first day this treat was served, over 1,600 servings were sold, beginning the long history of DQ’s success. In the 1960s, Dairy Queen served thick milkshakes called “Blizzards”- thick and creamy shakes in the traditional flavors of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. The “new” Blizzards we all love and enjoy today came along much later in 1985 as a blend of soft-serve ice cream with sweet add-ins like candies, brownies, or cookies. It’s been a permanent menu item for the chain since its introduction, and Dairy Queen has since sold over 100 million blizzards. 

Types of Dairy Queen Blizzards

Depending on the season, Dairy Queen offers special Blizzard flavors like the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard for all the pumpkin lovers and Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough to celebrate the fall. Besides special releases, Dairy Queen offers some delicious cookie- and candy- infused blizzards year-round. 

• Butterfinger
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup
• Oreo Cookies
• Choco Brownie Extreme 
• M&M’s Milk Chocolate Candies
• Heath
• Twix 
• Turtle Pecan Cluster
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
• Salted Caramel Truffle Blizzard
• Royal New York Cheesecake
• Royal Oreo Blizzard

Dairy Queen Blizzard Review

The Dairy Queen Blizzard comes in four sizes, from mini to large. The recipe is unique and the various flavors are fun to experiment with. You can even mix-and-match if you’re feeling extra creative. 

1.      Taste and Texture [5/5]

 The Blizzard is served in a cup-sometimes even upside down to show how thick the ice cream really is. The ice cream itself is both thick and soft – a challenging feat that DQ has mastered beautifully. It’s sweet and creamy, and the flavor possibilities change with the seasons. All of the candy add-ins are delicious- including Butterfinger, Reese’s, M&Ms, Heath, Twix, and truffles. Hard candies mixed with ice cream makes them hard to bite into and chew, but that’s ok- just savor those candies a little longer until they soften up enough to bite through. If you’re looking for an easier “chewing” experience, try the cookie add-ins, like Oreos, choco-brownies, or chocolate chip cookie dough. 

2. Are they healthy? [2/5]

Are Blizzards healthy? Not exactly. They have trans fat, which is the worst kind of fat, and they’re full of sugar and calories. DQ doesn’t currently offer any fat-free or sugar-free options, so Blizzards are best to consume as a special treat every once in a while. Dairy Queen offers mini sizes if you have a craving and want just a small portion option.

3. Are they Worth it? [5/5]

Blizzards are fun treats – they give you a pick-me-up when you need it along with a sugar rush. They come in a variety of flavors, including some seasonal flavors during different times of the year. They’re perfect for an after-dinner dessert or just a snack during a hot afternoon. Kids and adults alike enjoy them, and you can find a Dairy Queen all over the US. Definitely worth it.  

Final Verdict

DQ Blizzards are an American classic dessert. They’re deliciously sweet, come in multiple sizes and flavors, and they bring a sense of nostalgia that’s hard to find elsewhere. The prices are fair, and even though they aren’t super healthy, it’s one of the best fast food ice cream treats, so I’m not worried about those extra calories. There’s a flavor for every taste, and I recommend them especially during the summer.  

Dairy Queen Blizzard Nutrition Facts 

• Butterfinger Calories: 730
• Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Calories: 750
• Oreo Cookies Calories: 780
• Choco Brownie Extreme Calories: 800. 
• M&M’s Milk Chocolate Candies Calories: 800. 
• Heath Calories: 860.
• Twix Calories: 890. 
• Turtle Pecan Cluster Calories: 900.
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Calories: 1040
• Salted Caramel Truffle Blizzard Calories: 1040
• Royal New York Cheesecake Calories: 1030
• Royal Oreo Blizzard Calories: 1050

Dairy Queen Blizzard Pricing 

Dairy Queen’s Blizzards are priced between $2.89 and $4.69 depending on the size. If you add any extra candies of customization, the price will increase by a few cents. You can also visit Dairy Queen Happy Hour to receive a discounted treat. Every once in a while, DQ offers a promotion of “Buy One Get One for $0.99,” but this is a limited time offer and it comes and goes quickly. To stay on top of deals and promotions, download the DQ app. Another benefit of downloading the app and creating an account is that you will receive one free small Blizzard. 

Mini – $2.89

Small – $3.69

Medium – $4.09

Large – $4.69

 What do you think?

Have you ever been served your Dairy Queen Blizzard upside down? Was it sturdy or did it melt everywhere? We’d love to hear your fun Blizzard experiences in the comments below.