The Most Popular Doughnut in the World, Ranked

Choose the doughnut you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 16, 2024 07:02
In a small town bakery, the debate over the best doughnut sparked a friendly contest among locals. Each person believed fervently in their favorite flavor and style, prompting the bakery to keep a tally by the cash register. This simple act of voting turned into a buzzing community activity, bringing everyone together to champion their preferred choice. Realizing the power of collective opinion on such a delightful topic, the idea expanded beyond the town. Now, you have the opportunity to cast your vote and see how your favorite stacks up against others from around the world. By participating, you help create a dynamic list that reflects the global taste in doughnuts, and perhaps discover a new favorite to try.

What Is the Most Popular Doughnut in the World?

  1. 1
    72
    votes
    Glazed doughnut
    J.P.Lon · CC BY-SA 3.0
    This classic doughnut is coated in a sweet and sticky glaze that gives it a delicious flavor. It is one of the most popular doughnuts in the world and can be found in almost every doughnut shop.
    The Glazed doughnut is a classic and widely popular doughnut in the UK. It is a ring-shaped pastry made from yeast dough that is deep-fried until golden brown. The doughnut is then coated with a sweet and glossy glaze, which gives it a shiny appearance and a slightly sticky texture. The Glazed doughnut has a soft and fluffy interior with a slightly chewy crust, making it a delicious treat for doughnut lovers.
    • Shape: Ring-shaped
    • Dough Type: Yeast dough
    • Cooking Method: Deep-fried
    • Color: Golden brown
    • Coating: Sweet glaze
    Glazed doughnut in other rankings
  2. 2
    34
    votes
    Chocolate lovers can't resist this doughnut that is coated in a rich and creamy chocolate glaze. It is a popular choice for breakfast or as a dessert.
    The Chocolate doughnut is a delicious, widely popular confectionery treat in the UK. It consists of a classic yeasted doughnut base that is deep-fried until golden brown and then generously coated with a rich, smooth chocolate glaze. The doughnut is typically filled with a velvety chocolate cream or custard filling, adding an extra layer of indulgence. It is often decorated with chocolate sprinkles or shavings, enhancing both the taste and visual appeal of the treat.
    • Dough: Made from a yeasted dough mixture containing flour, sugar, yeast, eggs, butter, and milk.
    • Frying Method: Deep-fried until golden brown and crispy.
    • Chocolate Glaze: Generously coated with a rich, smooth chocolate glaze.
    • Filling: Typically filled with a velvety chocolate cream or custard.
    • Decoration: Often adorned with chocolate sprinkles or shavings.
    Chocolate doughnut in other rankings
  3. 3
    10
    votes
    This doughnut is filled with sweet and fruity jelly that gives it a burst of flavor with every bite. It is a favorite among children and adults alike.
    A jelly-filled doughnut is a sweet pastry that is filled with a fruity jelly or jam. It is usually shaped like a ring and has a soft, fluffy texture. The doughnut is fried until golden brown and then injected with jelly using a piping bag or injected with jelly during the doughnut-making process. Once filled, it is often dusted with powdered sugar or glazed with a thin coat of icing. The jelly filling provides a burst of sweet and tangy flavor that contrasts with the rich, doughy exterior.
    • Shape: Ring-shaped
    • Texture: Soft and fluffy
    • Frying Method: Deep-fried until golden brown
    • Filling Type: Fruity jelly or jam
    • Decoration: Dusted with powdered sugar or glazed with icing
  4. 4
    18
    votes
    This doughnut is filled with creamy vanilla custard and coated in a rich chocolate glaze. It is a popular choice for those who enjoy a sweet and indulgent treat.
    The Boston cream doughnut is a classic doughnut filled with a rich and creamy vanilla custard and topped with a smooth chocolate glaze. The combination of the soft and fluffy doughnut, the velvety custard filling, and the decadent chocolate glaze creates a truly indulgent treat.
    • Doughnut Type: Yeast-raised doughnut
    • Filling: Vanilla custard
    • Glaze: Chocolate
    • Shape: Round
    • Texture: Soft and fluffy doughnut with creamy filling
    Boston cream doughnut in other rankings
  5. 5
    5
    votes
    This doughnut has a crispy and crunchy texture on the outside and a soft and fluffy texture on the inside. It is a classic doughnut that has been enjoyed for generations.
    The Old-fashioned doughnut is a classic American doughnut that has a distinctive design and flavor. It is often referred to as a cake-style doughnut due to its denser and more moist texture compared to yeast-raised doughnuts. The dough is made with a combination of flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and leavening agents, resulting in a rich and slightly tangy taste. The dough is typically fried until golden brown, giving it a crispy exterior while maintaining a soft and tender interior.
    • Shape: Rounded with a small, irregular shape
    • Surface: Crunchy and slightly craggy
    • Flavor: Rich, slightly tangy, and subtly sweet
    • Texture: Dense, moist, and cake-like
    • Color: Golden brown
  6. 6
    18
    votes
    This doughnut is coated in a sweet and spicy cinnamon sugar mixture that gives it a warm and comforting flavor. It is a popular choice for breakfast or as a snack.
    The Cinnamon sugar doughnut is a classic and beloved pastry known for its sweet and aromatic flavor. It is a yeast-raised doughnut coated generously with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar, giving it a delightful crunch and a deliciously warm taste. The combination of the fragrant cinnamon and the sweetness of the sugar creates a perfect balance of flavors that appeals to doughnut enthusiasts worldwide.
    • Dough Type: Yeast-raised
    • Coating: Cinnamon and sugar mixture
    • Texture: Soft and fluffy interior, crunchy exterior
    • Flavor Profile: Sweet with a warm and aromatic cinnamon taste
    • Size: Typically around 3 to 4 inches in diameter
  7. 7
    14
    votes
    This doughnut is coated in a layer of powdered sugar that gives it a sweet and delicate flavor. It is a popular choice for those who prefer a lighter and less sweet doughnut.
    The Powdered sugar doughnut is a classic doughnut covered in a generous coating of powdered sugar. It is widely loved for its soft, fluffy texture and sweet, sugary taste.
    • Shape: Circular
    • Size: Medium-sized
    • Texture: Soft and fluffy
    • Coating: Generous powdered sugar coating
    • Flavor: Sweet and sugary
  8. 8
    8
    votes

    Apple fritter

    Randy's Donuts
    This doughnut is filled with chunks of sweet and juicy apples and coated in a sticky glaze that gives it a delicious flavor. It is a popular choice for those who enjoy a fruity and indulgent treat.
    The Apple fritter is a delicious and popular donut at Randy's. It is a large, round pastry made with a sweet dough infused with diced apples and cinnamon swirls. The dough is deep-fried until golden and crispy, giving it a delightful crunch. The apples inside the fritter are tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. It is finished off with a generous glaze or powdered sugar coating for an extra touch of sweetness.
    • Size: Large
    • Shape: Round
    • Dough: Sweet with diced apples and cinnamon swirls
    • Texture: Crispy on the outside, tender inside
    • Flavor: Apple-infused and cinnamon-spiced
    Apple fritter in other rankings
  9. 9
    7
    votes
    This doughnut is coated in a sweet and sticky maple glaze that gives it a rich and indulgent flavor. It is a popular choice for breakfast or as a dessert.
    The Maple glazed doughnut is a classic doughnut that is coated in a sweet and sticky glaze made from maple syrup. It is a popular choice among doughnut enthusiasts, known for its rich flavor and irresistible sweetness.
    • Shape: Round with a hole in the center
    • Size: Typically around 3-4 inches in diameter
    • Texture: Soft and fluffy on the inside, slightly crisp on the outside
    • Color: Golden brown
    • Flavor: Sweet with a rich maple taste
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    This doughnut is filled with juicy blueberries and coated in a sweet glaze that gives it a fruity and delicious flavor. It is a popular choice for those who enjoy a fruity and refreshing treat.
    The Blueberry doughnut is a mouthwatering pastry that features a soft and fluffy dough filled with a sweet blueberry filling. It is typically round in shape and has a light brown crust on the outside. The doughnut is often coated with a thin glaze that adds a subtle sweetness to complement the fruity filling. It is a popular choice among doughnut enthusiasts worldwide.
    • Flavor: Sweet with a hint of tartness from blueberries
    • Texture: Soft and fluffy dough with a lightly crunchy crust
    • Shape: Round
    • Color: Light brown crust with a possible blueberry glaze
    • Filling: Sweet blueberry filling

Missing your favorite doughnut?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular doughnut

  1. Sales numbers
    Check the sales figures of different doughnut varieties across various regions and countries to assess which doughnut flavors have the highest demand and sales.
  2. Market presence
    Analyze the offerings of major doughnut chains (like Dunkin', Krispy Kreme, etc.) and local bakeries to see which doughnut varieties are consistently available and popular among customers.
  3. Online and social media engagement
    Look for trends in comments, likes, and shares on social media platforms to gauge public interest and popularity of specific doughnut types.
  4. Cultural and regional variations
    Consider the impact of regional tastes and influences that might make specific doughnut flavors or styles unique and popular in certain areas.
  5. Historical trends
    Examine how doughnut preferences have evolved over time and which types consistently remain popular.
  6. Seasonal trends
    Identify any recurring trends in doughnut popularity based on seasonal ingredients and events (such as pumpkin-flavored doughnuts during autumn or festive doughnuts during holidays).
  7. Product innovation
    Assess the success of new and innovative doughnut offerings (such as specialty flavors, creative fillings, or unique combinations) in the market.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular doughnut in the world. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or donut is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1489 views
  • 195 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each donut once every 24 hours. The rank of each donut is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular doughnut in the world

Doughnuts have been a beloved sweet treat for generations, and their popularity shows no signs of waning. These delicious fried dough confections come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and flavors, making them a favorite among people of all ages and backgrounds. But what is the most popular doughnut in the world? While there are many contenders for this title, one type of doughnut stands out above the rest: the classic glazed doughnut. This simple yet satisfying doughnut is made with a light, fluffy dough that is deep-fried until golden brown, then coated in a sweet glaze that gives it a deliciously sticky texture and a satisfying crunch. While there are endless variations on the glazed doughnut, from chocolate or maple glaze to sprinkles or other toppings, the classic version remains the most popular choice among doughnut lovers worldwide. Whether enjoyed as a breakfast treat, an afternoon snack, or a midnight indulgence, the glazed doughnut is a timeless favorite that continues to delight and satisfy doughnut fans of all ages.

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