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The 20 Best Doughnut Recipes to Make at Home, Whether You’re Team Jelly or Team Glazed

Few things make us as happy as an unexpected box of doughnuts in the office break room. But it turns out you don't need to wait for your coworker to treat you to get your fix. Heck, you don't even need to go to your local coffee shop to buy them yourself, thanks to these easy, creative and delicious homemade alternatives. Whether you're team jelly or firmly planted in the glaze camp, read on for the 20 best doughnut recipes to whip up for Sunday brunch, weekday breakfasts or dessert.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1. Mini Baked Doughnuts With Chocolate Glaze

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Skip the spitting vat of hot oil and bake these cuties in the oven instead. Then, douse them in glaze and shower on the sprinkles.

Erin McDowell

2. Biscuit Doughnuts

  • Time Commitment: 45 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Aren't they festive? Your brunch guests will never guess that you started with canned biscuit dough.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3. Doughnut Muffins

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

This breakfast hybrid is one for the books. Instead of frying and molding, all you have to do once the batter is ready is pour it into a muffin tin and bake.

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

4. Apple Cider Doughnut Holes

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

No Halloween party is complete without this beloved fall staple. They taste even better when served with hot mulled cider. (Bonus points for spiking it with whiskey.)

Photo: Jon Cospito/Styling: Erin McDowell

5. Champagne Doughnuts

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 10 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

The glaze is as simple as combining powdered sugar and Champagne, but the shimmery gold sprinkles on top are just as essential, if you ask us.

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

6. Sourdough Doughnuts With Concord Grape Glaze

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Light on the inside and crisp on the outside, sourdough doughnuts don't need any help in the deliciousness department. (Although the tart, vibrant flavor of concord grape certainly doesn't hurt.)

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7. Watercolor Doughnuts

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour and 20 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, special occasion-worthy, beginner-friendly, crowd-pleaser

Sure, watercolor cakes' 15 minutes of fame are up—but we're far from over these stunners. Use a wooden skewer to swirl food coloring through the glaze for an epic marbled look.

Erin McDowell

8. New Orleans–style Beignets

  • Time Commitment: 3 hours
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Take a bite and pretend you’re in the French Quarter. (P.S.: Use your handy Dutch oven or skillet in place of a deep fryer.)

Photo: Nico Schinco/Styling: Erin McDowell

9. Carrot Cake Doughnuts With Cream Cheese Glaze

  • Time Commitment: 1 hour
  • Why We Love it: crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

They're just the kickstarter for Easter or Mother's Day brunch, since they scream spring. Finish each doughnut with a dusting of ground cinnamon.

LISA ROMEREIN/LOVE IS SERVED

10. Vegan And Gluten-free Baked Doughnuts

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why We Love It: vegan, gluten free, dairy free, crowd-pleaser

These handhelds are made with gluten-free flour, golden flax seeds and coconut milk instead of AP flour and dairy. Take your pick from coconut, chocolate and strawberry glazes (or um, try all three).

Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

11. Sweet Corn Doughnut Holes

  • Time Commitment: 55 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser

Aka your new favorite way to transform a haul of fresh summer corn. The vanilla-kissed corn cream is sure to knock your barbecue guests right out of their chairs.

Erin McDowell

12. Doughnut Chips

  • Time Commitment: 30 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly, <10 ingredients, one pan

Transform doughy, pillowy doughnuts into a crispy, decadent treat that your picky kids will adore. All you need is store-bought or homemade doughnuts and a waffle iron.

So Much Food

13. Old-fashioned Sour Cream Doughnuts With Coffee Glaze

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

Because the only thing better than a doughnut with a side of coffee is getting both morning glories in one bite. Did we mention that there's brown butter in the glaze?

Broma Bakery

14. Classic Jelly Doughnuts

  • Time Commitment: 3 hours
  • Why We Love It: <10 ingredients, kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

The recipe calls for store-bought strawberry jam, but you could easily swap in raspberry, blueberry, apricot or peach if you'd prefer.

Sally's Baking Addiction

15. Homemade Maple Bacon Doughnuts

  • Time Commitment: 2 hours and 10 minutes
  • Why We Love It: special occasion-worthy, crowd-pleaser

Behold: the ultimate sweet and salty snack. Think syrup-soaked pancakes meet shatteringly crisp bacon strips.

Oh My Veggies

16. Matcha Doughnuts With Almond Glaze

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, dairy free, special occasion-worthy

If you don't wash these verdant beauties down with a piping-hot green tea latte, you're doing it wrong.

Broma Bakery

17. Oreo Doughnuts

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, crowd-pleaser

We love Oreos, but we'll choose a generous spread of cream cheese frosting over a tiny pat of cookie cream any day.

Grandbaby Cakes

18. Blueberry Glazed Doughnuts

  • Time Commitment: 25 minutes
  • Why We Love It: <30 minutes, crowd-pleaser, special occasion-worthy

Greek yogurt in the dough guarantees that the doughnuts turn out supremely moist and tender.

Half Baked Harvest

19. Baked Chocolate Fudge Glazed Doughnuts

  • Time Commitment: 40 minutes
  • Why We Love It: crowd-pleaser, kid-friendly

Mini chocolate chips and instant coffee powder in the batter boost the doughnuts' bold flavor big time.

Sally's Baking Addiction

20. Strawberry Frosted Donuts

  • Time Commitment: 35 minutes
  • Why We Love It: kid-friendly, beginner-friendly

Confectioners' sugar, strawberries and strawberry jam are all you need to create the chug-worthy frosting. Add more confectioners' sugar for a thicker consistency.

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For even more great recipes, check out our first cookbook, Only the Good Stuff.


Taryn Pire

Food Editor

Taryn Pire is PureWow’s food editor and has been writing about all things delicious since 2016. She’s developed recipes, reviewed restaurants and investigated food trends at...
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