Donuts are one of the world’s most beloved sweet treats, celebrated for their endless variety of textures, flavors, and styles. From the simplicity of a glazed donut to the indulgence of a Boston Cream, each type of donut offers a unique sensory experience. Below is a detailed look at some of the most popular and delicious types of donuts you simply have to try.
Ube Donut
Ube donuts are made with purple yam, a root vegetable native to the Philippines. Known for their striking violet color and naturally sweet, nutty flavor, these donuts have become a trendy favorite worldwide. Ube donuts are often glazed or filled with ube halaya, creating a visually appealing and delicious treat that combines traditional Filipino flavors with modern dessert culture.
Crumb Cake Donut
A crumb cake donut features a soft, cake-style base topped with a buttery brown sugar crumble. It combines the comforting texture of a coffee cake with the convenience of a donut. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, it pairs beautifully with coffee or tea.
Blueberry Cake Donut
The blueberry cake donut blends the rich texture of a traditional cake donut with the tangy sweetness of real blueberries. These donuts are often coated with a light glaze that enhances their fruity flavor, making them a favorite among those who love balance between sweetness and tartness.
Wonuts
A hybrid of waffles and donuts, wonuts are made by pressing donut batter in a waffle iron and then frying or baking it to perfection. They offer a crisp, golden exterior and a fluffy interior, often finished with colorful glazes or toppings.
Donut Holes
Donut holes are the bite-sized centers removed from ring donuts during preparation. These mini donuts are deep-fried until golden and often coated with sugar or glaze. Their small size makes them perfect for snacking or sharing.
Vanilla Frosted Donut
Vanilla frosted donuts are classic favorites, featuring a soft yeast base topped with creamy vanilla icing. Often sprinkled with colorful decorations, they’re a staple in donut shops and a timeless choice for those who prefer a sweet, smooth flavor.
French Cruller
The French cruller stands out for its delicate, airy texture achieved through choux pastry dough. Fried to a golden crisp and glazed lightly, it’s known for its elegant ridged shape and melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Baked Donut
Unlike traditional fried donuts, baked donuts are prepared in an oven, resulting in a lighter and slightly healthier treat. They have a cake-like texture and can be customized with glazes, icing, or powdered sugar, offering a guilt-free indulgence.
Boston Cream Donut
The Boston Cream donut is a filled donut featuring a rich custard center and a glossy chocolate glaze. Inspired by the classic Boston Cream pie, it delivers a satisfying combination of creaminess and chocolate flavor.
Devil’s Food Donut
Devil’s Food donuts are made with rich chocolate cake batter, offering a deep cocoa flavor and moist texture. Often topped with chocolate glaze, they’re a decadent choice for chocolate lovers.
Spudnut
A spudnut is a unique donut made with potato flour instead of wheat flour. This gives it a soft, fluffy texture and slightly sweet flavor. Originating in the mid-20th century, spudnuts have a loyal following for their distinct, melt-in-your-mouth quality.
Glazed Donut
The glazed donut is the quintessential classic. Made from yeast dough and coated in a simple sugar glaze, it offers the perfect balance of sweetness and texture. Its glossy finish and soft interior make it a universal favorite.
Chocolate Frosted Donut
The chocolate frosted donut pairs a fluffy yeast base with a rich chocolate icing. This timeless flavor combination appeals to both adults and children, and can be enhanced with sprinkles for added texture.
Sugar Donut
A sugar donut is rolled in granulated sugar immediately after frying, creating a crisp outer layer and a soft, fluffy interior. Its simple sweetness and satisfying texture make it an enduring favorite.
Jelly Donut
Filled with fruity jam or jelly, these donuts are soft, round, and dusted with powdered sugar. Common fillings include strawberry, raspberry, or lemon. Each bite combines sweetness and tartness for a delightful experience.
Croconut Donut
A croconut donut is made with shredded coconut either baked into the dough or sprinkled over a glaze. The result is a tropical twist that combines the nutty texture of coconut with the softness of a donut.
Croissant Donut (Cronut)
The croissant donut, or “cronut,” is a modern pastry marvel that combines the flaky layers of a croissant with the deep-fried decadence of a donut. Invented in New York City, it has a buttery, layered texture that’s both crisp and tender.
Old-Fashioned Donut
Old-fashioned donuts are made with a denser dough that cracks when fried, giving them a crisp exterior and moist interior. They’re usually glazed lightly, making them perfect for pairing with coffee.
Bear Claw
The bear claw is a pastry-style donut filled with almond paste and shaped to resemble a bear’s paw. It’s often topped with sliced almonds and icing, offering a satisfying blend of sweet and nutty flavors.
Strawberry Frosted Donut
This pink-hued classic features strawberry icing over a yeast or cake donut base. Often topped with sprinkles, it delivers a balance of fruity sweetness and soft texture that appeals to all ages.
Buttermilk Donut
Buttermilk donuts have a subtle tanginess and rich crumb due to the buttermilk in the batter. These cake-style donuts are typically glazed or dusted with sugar and have a comforting homemade flavor.
Maple Bacon Bar
Combining sweet and savory, the maple bacon bar features a rectangular donut topped with maple glaze and crispy bacon pieces. It’s a bold, modern twist on traditional flavors that satisfies diverse palates.
Cinnamon Donut
Cinnamon donuts are coated with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, giving them a warm, aromatic flavor. They’re especially popular during the fall season and pair wonderfully with coffee or cider.
Glazed Twist Donut
The glazed twist is a braided yeast donut covered in a shiny glaze. Its unique shape and chewy texture make it a fun alternative to the classic ring donut.
Maple Bar
A rectangular yeast donut coated in maple glaze, the maple bar is beloved for its rich flavor and smooth icing. It’s especially popular in the Pacific Northwest, often enjoyed as a breakfast pastry.
Long John Donut
The Long John is a bar-shaped donut filled with custard, cream, or jelly and topped with icing. It’s similar to an éclair and is a satisfying, indulgent choice for dessert lovers.
Apple Fritter
The apple fritter is a hearty, rustic-style donut made by folding chopped apples and cinnamon into the dough before frying. It’s finished with a sweet glaze, offering a combination of crispy edges and soft, flavorful interior.
From traditional favorites to innovative hybrids, donuts continue to captivate dessert enthusiasts around the world. Each variety showcases a distinct balance of flavor, texture, and creativity, proving that there’s truly a donut for every craving.