17 Different Types of Donuts

From crullers to beignets and fritters, here are 17 types of donuts guaranteed to make your mouth water.

Donuts are time-honored classics people have loved for generations. Whether you’re a die-hard donut enthusiast or a curious newbie, there’s something for everyone.

From classic glazed to fancy gourmet creations, the world of donuts is as diverse as it is delightful. Every donut has a story to tell.

Here, you’ll get to know the likes of zeppoles, beignets, and many more. 

Excited yet? I am! Let’s get started.

1. Jelly Donut

Ah, the classic jelly donut! It’s a timeless favorite. Rather than having a hole in the middle, it’s pumped full of sweet fillings. 

It’s made from yeast dough. It’s deep-fried and is usually dusted with powdered sugar. It’s then pumped with fruit jelly, providing a sweet, mildly tangy flavor. 

It’s popular during Hanukkah celebrations, but it’s a delightful treat enjoyed year-round. 

2. Cruller

My heart belongs to crullers. They’re like little pieces of fried art with their intricate twisty shape. They remind me of a soft pretzel but in donut form. 

What sets them apart is their dough. It’s egg-based, and when fried, it takes on an irresistible golden brown hue. 

These twisted donuts get a sprinkle of sugar or a dip in cinnamon sugar for that extra sweet kick. 

3. Donut Holes

These small balls of dough usually get discarded when making classic ring donuts. But don’t let their size fool you. 

These bite-sized treats pack a punch of flavor, often coated in sugar or dusted with cinnamon. 

Just pop one into your mouth, and it’s instant bliss. They’re highly addictive. Once you start, it’s hard to stop!

4. Bear Claw

What’s a bear claw? It’s only one of the most decadent things known to man! 

It’s a flaky, almond-packed pastry, almost like the love child of a donut and a Danish.

The pastry is scored along one side before baking. As it rises, the cuts spread apart, forming its bear claw resemblance.

This delightful treat is traditionally filled with almond paste. It’s sometimes accompanied by raisins and cinnamon sugar. 

5. Glazed Donut

Glazed donuts are simple, but when done right, they’re utter perfection. I mean, who can argue the gloriousness of a Krispy Kreme? 

These circular delights are made from yeast-leavened dough, fried till golden, and coated with sugar glaze. 

The yeast action gives them an airy, chewy, light texture. It offers the perfect contrast to their sweet, sticky exterior.

6. Cake Donut

Rather than being fluffy and airy like yeast donuts, these guys are dense, moist, and tender. They get their cake-like texture from a special batter that uses baking powder instead of yeast.

Like cake, these donuts come in various flavors, like chocolate, strawberry, or anything else you like. 

Their robust structure is perfect for carrying a load of toppings without crumbling.

7. Cider Donut

Cider donuts are like the cozy sweaters of donuts. They’re smaller and denser than cake donuts, and they pack a flavorful punch with apple cider in their batter. 

After frying, they’re dipped in cinnamon sugar, giving them their signature sweet and spiced finish.

Sometimes filled with applesauce, these donuts scream ‘fall treat.’ 

8. Churro

Churros, a delightful Spanish twist on the donut, are fried lengths of choux dough coated in cinnamon sugar. 

They’re best enjoyed fresh and warm. They often come with a side of chocolate or dulce de leche for dipping. 

Sometimes, they’re even filled with dulce de leche for an extra sweet surprise! 

9. Long-John Donuts

Long-John donuts break the mold with their unique, rectangular shape. They’re quite similar to the French pastry, the éclair. 

Inside this elongated treat, you’ll often find a delicious filling. It could be cream, custard, or even jelly! 

On the outside, a sweet glaze, either chocolate or vanilla, covers it all up. 

10. Old-Fashioned Donuts

Old-fashioned donuts take us back to simpler times. They’re a type of cake donut but with a twist. These donuts are fried at a lower temperature, which lets them form uneven, craggy edges.

You get a crisp exterior and a soft, tender interior when you bite into one. 

The glaze clings to the crinkled surface, seeping into each nook and cranny. Every bite is a surprise, and that’s what makes old-fashioned donuts a timeless favorite.

11. Frosted Donut

Frosted donuts are often made from cake donuts due to their sturdier texture. 

Once they’re fried to perfection, they get a generous coat of frosting. This could be anything from classic vanilla or chocolate to exciting flavors like strawberry or maple. 

The frosting acts like a canvas for toppings. Sprinkles, nuts, or even cookie crumbs, anything goes! 

12. Boston Cream Donut

Boston creme donuts are yeast donuts filled with sweet vanilla custard and then topped with a rich chocolate glaze. 

Named after the Boston cream pie, they deliver the same flavors in a portable, fried dough form.

13. Beignet

Beignets are small, square, French-style doughnuts popular in New Orleans. 

When fried, they use yeasted dough, resulting in a light and puffy texture. After frying, these treats get a generous dusting of powdered sugar. 

And yes, they’re as addictive as they look.

14. Yeast Donut

Yeast donuts, or raised donuts, are made from dough leavened with yeast. 

This gives them a light, airy texture with a bit of chew.  It also makes them less crumbly compared to other types of donuts.

They’re deep-fried until golden and can be finished with a glaze, frosting, or filling. 

15. Zeppoles

Zeppoles are Italian donut holes. They’re just like American donut holes but a bit bigger. 

They can be made from either yeast or cake batter, fried until golden brown, and then dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet finish.

16. Apple Fritters

Apple fritters are tasty deep-fried fall treats. They’re made from dough filled with applesauce and cinnamon, then fried until crispy.

Once they’re done, they get a sweet drizzle of glaze to top them off.

17. Cinnamon Twist

A cinnamon twist is a donut twisted into a rope-like shape, fried until golden and crispy. It’s then dusted with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar. 

It has a light, fluffy inside and a crunchy outside, providing a delightful contrast in textures. 

It’s like having a churro and a soft donut in one delicious treat!