This homemade Krispy Kreme Donut recipe is a game-changer for donut lovers! These light, fluffy treats with their signature sweet glaze deliver that iconic donut shop experience right in your kitchen. With just 15 minutes of prep and cooking time, you’ll have warm, freshly glazed donuts that rival the famous chain but with the satisfaction of making them yourself.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Simple: From start to finish, you can have fresh donuts in under 30 minutes—perfect for weekend breakfast treats or last-minute desserts.
Versatile Cooking Methods: Choose between traditional frying for that authentic donut shop taste or baking for a lighter, less messy option.
Budget-Friendly: Skip the donut shop prices and make a dozen delicious donuts at home for a fraction of the cost.
Customizable: Once you master the basic recipe, you can experiment with different glazes, toppings, and fillings to create your own signature donuts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Milk: Provides moisture and richness to the dough, making the donuts tender.
Egg: Acts as a binding agent and gives structure to the donuts.
Olive Oil or Coconut Oil: Adds moisture and helps create that soft texture we all love. Coconut oil will give a subtle tropical flavor.
Sugar: Just a tablespoon for slight sweetness in the dough since most of the sweetness comes from the glaze.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Baking Powder: The leavening agent that makes these donuts rise and become fluffy without needing yeast or proofing time.
All-Purpose Flour: Creates the structure of the donuts. The recipe is forgiving, so you don’t need specialty flour.
Confectioners Sugar: Forms the base of that classic shiny glaze that makes Krispy Kreme donuts so irresistible.

Variations

Different Glazes

Chocolate Glaze: Mix 2 tablespoons cocoa powder with the confectioners sugar before adding milk.
Maple Glaze: Replace the milk in the glaze with maple syrup and add a drop of maple extract.
Lemon Glaze: Add lemon zest and replace half the milk with fresh lemon juice.

Flavor Additions

Cinnamon Sugar: Skip the glaze and toss warm donuts in a mixture of cinnamon and sugar.
Vanilla Bean: Add vanilla bean paste to the dough and glaze for a deeper flavor.
Sprinkled Joy: Top glazed donuts with colorful sprinkles, chopped nuts, or toasted coconut.

Filling Ideas

Cut a small slit in the side of the donut and pipe in jam, pastry cream, or chocolate hazelnut spread.

How to Make Krispy Kreme Donuts

Step 1: Make the Dough

Whisk the egg, oil, milk, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl until well combined and smooth. Add the first cup of flour and whisk until incorporated. Then add the remaining flour and whisk until a smooth dough forms. Gently knead the dough in the bowl to bring it together.

Step 2: Shape the Donuts

Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead a few more times until smooth. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough to about an inch thickness. With a donut cutter or two different-sized round cutters, cut out your donut shapes. Don’t waste the donut holes—they make delicious little bites!

Step 3: Cook the Donuts

For Frying: Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep pot over medium heat until it reaches 375°F. Carefully add a few donuts to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd. Fry for about 2 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.

For Baking: Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray a donut pan with cooking spray. Fill each cavity about 3/4 full with the dough. Bake for 12-15 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 4: Glaze the Donuts

Whisk together the confectioners sugar and milk until smooth. If the glaze seems too thick, add a tiny bit more milk until it reaches a pourable but thick consistency. While the donuts are still warm (but not hot), dip the tops into the glaze and place on a wire rack to set.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Oil Temperature: If frying, use a thermometer to maintain the oil at 375°F. Too cold, and your donuts absorb excess oil; too hot, and they’ll burn outside while remaining raw inside.
Don’t Overmix: Handle the dough gently for tender donuts. Overmixing can develop too much gluten, resulting in tough donuts.
Timing is Everything: Glaze the donuts while they’re still slightly warm but not hot. This creates that perfect shiny finish as the glaze sets.
Donut Hole Trick: For the centers, roll them into balls and cook them for less time—about 1 minute if frying, or 8-10 minutes if baking.

How to Serve

These homemade Krispy Kreme donuts shine brightest when served fresh, preferably still slightly warm, when the contrast between the crisp exterior and soft interior is at its peak.

Perfect Pairings:

A cold glass of milk makes these donuts an ideal after-school treat
Serve with hot coffee or tea for a delightful breakfast or coffee break
Create a donut bar for brunch with different glazes and toppings
Stack on a cake stand for an impressive yet simple dessert option at gatherings

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store completely cooled donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. Line the container with paper towels to absorb any excess moisture and keep them from getting soggy.

Freezing

These donuts freeze beautifully! Place unglazed or glazed donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag, separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll keep for up to 6 months.

Reheating

For the freshest taste after storage, warm refrigerated or thawed donuts in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes. If they’re unglazed, you can add fresh glaze after reheating.

FAQs

Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it overnight. Bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before rolling and cutting. This can actually improve the flavor as the ingredients have time to meld together.

Why are my donuts absorbing too much oil when frying?
This usually happens when the oil temperature is too low. Use a thermometer to maintain 375°F, and don’t overcrowd the pot, which can drop the temperature. Also, make sure your dough isn’t too wet—it should be soft but not sticky.

Can I use alternative flours for this recipe?
While all-purpose flour gives the best texture, you can experiment with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend if needed. The texture may be slightly different, but still delicious. Whole wheat flour will work in a 50/50 blend with all-purpose, but using 100% whole wheat will make the donuts denser.

My glaze is too runny/thick. How do I fix it?
For runny glaze, add more confectioners sugar, a tablespoon at a time. For thick glaze, add more milk, just a few drops at a time. The perfect glaze should coat the back of a spoon but still run off slowly.

Final Thoughts

These homemade Krispy Kreme donuts bring the magic of a donut shop right to your kitchen with minimal effort. Whether you choose to fry for that authentic taste or bake for a lighter option, you’ll be rewarded with pillowy soft donuts that disappear fast! The best part is customizing them exactly to your taste. Trust me, once you’ve made these, store-bought donuts just won’t compare to the fresh, warm satisfaction of your homemade creations.

Krispy Kreme Donut Recipe