Doughnut, sweet or dessert from the United States: what it is and how it is eaten

A doughnut is a sweet snack made from leavened dough, usually deep-fried or sometimes baked. It comes in many forms worldwide, most often as a ring or a filled sphere, and is topped or filled with sugar, icing, chocolate, or fruit preserves. Doughnuts are popular in bakeries, supermarkets, and specialty shops, and are commonly eaten with coffee or milk.

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Doughnuts can be fried or baked, and come in many shapes and sizes
Ring and filled doughnuts are the most common types
Toppings include glaze, icing, sugar, and sprinkles
Doughnut holes are made from the dough removed from ring centers
The word 'doughnut' dates back to early 19th-century America

What is Doughnut?

Doughnuts are sweet treats made from leavened dough, shaped most often into rings or balls. The dough is usually deep-fried, though some versions are baked. Toppings and fillings vary widely: some are glazed with sugar or chocolate, others are dusted with cinnamon or powdered sugar, and many are filled with fruit preserves, cream, or custard. The texture can be light and airy in yeast-raised types, or denser in cake-style doughnuts. Shapes include rings, spheres, twists, and bars.

Where does Doughnut come from?

Fried dough snacks have ancient roots, with early recipes found in Roman and Arabic sources. The ring-shaped doughnut is credited to American Hanson Gregory in the 19th century, who reportedly punched a hole in the center to help the dough cook evenly. Dutch settlers brought similar fried cakes called olykoek to North America in the 18th century. The word 'doughnut' first appeared in English writing in the early 1800s, and the spelling 'donut' became popular in the United States in the 20th century.

How is Doughnut made?

To make doughnuts, a leavened dough or thick batter is shaped into rings, balls, or other forms. The dough is then deep-fried until golden, or sometimes baked. After cooking, doughnuts may be glazed with icing, rolled in sugar or cinnamon, or topped with sprinkles, nuts, or coconut. Filled doughnuts are injected with sweet fillings like jam, cream, or custard. Doughnut holes are made from the dough removed from the center of ring doughnuts or shaped separately.

A plain glazed donut. This was bought at a Dunkin' Donuts in Brooklyn.. Photo: Evan-Amos, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Krispy Kreme doughnuts being made at the Krispy Kreme restaurant at Kingsford Smith Airport, Sydney, Australia.. Photo: DO'Neil at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How and when is Doughnut eaten?

Doughnuts are eaten at breakfast, as a snack, or as a dessert. In the United States, they are often enjoyed with coffee or milk. They are sold in bakeries, supermarkets, food stalls, and specialty shops, and can be homemade. Doughnuts are popular for everyday eating and are not tied to specific festivals or religious occasions. Their portability and sweet flavor make them a common treat for both children and adults.

Kinds of Doughnut

Doughnuts come in many regional and international forms. The classic ring and filled doughnuts are most common, but other shapes include twists, bars, and balls. In Cambodia, nom kong is a ring-shaped doughnut made from jasmine rice flour and topped with palm sugar toffee and sesame seeds. Other well-known types include the jelly-filled, Boston cream, and beignet. Toppings and fillings vary by country and personal taste.

What Doughnut means

Doughnuts have become a symbol of sweet snacks in many cultures, especially in North America. The spelling 'donut' is widely used in the United States, popularized by brands and advertising. Doughnut holes and mini doughnuts are sold as novelty items. In Cambodia, nom kong is a familiar childhood treat. Doughnuts are often associated with coffee shops and are a staple in many bakeries and chains.

Questions people ask about Doughnut

What is a doughnut made of?

A doughnut is made from leavened dough or batter, typically using wheat flour, sugar, eggs, milk, baking powder, and sometimes potato. The dough is fried or baked and then topped or filled with sweet ingredients.

Where did doughnuts come from?

Doughnuts have roots in early European and Arabic fried dough recipes. The ring-shaped doughnut is credited to 19th-century America, but similar treats were brought to North America by Dutch settlers.

Are all doughnuts fried?

Most doughnuts are deep-fried, but some types are baked. Cake doughnuts use a thick batter and can be baked, while yeast-raised doughnuts are usually fried.

What are the main types of doughnuts?

The two main types are ring doughnuts and filled doughnuts. There are also doughnut holes, twists, bars, and regional varieties like Cambodia's nom kong.

How are doughnuts usually eaten?

Doughnuts are eaten as a breakfast food, snack, or dessert, often with coffee or milk. They are sold in bakeries, supermarkets, and specialty shops.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Doughnut", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes, and it is not dietary or allergy advice: recipes differ from cook to cook. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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