Are Donuts Vegan? Best Vegan Donut Shops + Recipes

Whether you’re craving a classic glazed donut, a rich chocolate treat, or something fun and creative, there are more vegan donut options than ever to enjoy. Many bakeries now make delicious dairy-free and egg-free donuts that are just as soft, fluffy, and satisfying as traditional ones. Whether you’re grabbing one on the go or ordering a whole box, there’s something here for every donut lover.

And even if you don’t have a donut shop near you, don’t worry—plant-based donuts are pretty easy (and quick) to make at home! For a healthy version, try these crisp apple donuts!

Are Donuts Vegan?

Usually, no. Most regular donuts are made with ingredients like milk, butter, or eggs, so they aren’t vegan. But don’t worry—it’s easier than ever to find amazing vegan donuts at bakeries and grocery stores, and they’re every bit as soft, fluffy, and delicious!

Ingredients in Donuts That Are Not Vegan

Here are the key ingredients to watch out for in conventional donuts:

• Dairy – Traditional donuts often contain milk, butter, or dairy-derived ingredients.
• Eggs – Eggs are a standard binding and leavening agent in non-vegan donuts.
• Honey – Some glazes or fillings may include honey, which is not considered vegan. Opt for alternatives like agave syrup or maple syrup.
• Gelatin – Gelatin, derived from animal collagen, may be in fruit fillings or marshmallow toppings.
• Lard or Tallow – Traditional recipes, especially old-fashioned donut recipes, may use lard or tallow in the frying process.
• Carmine (Cochineal) – This red coloring is made from crushed insects and may be used to give certain donut glazes their color. Vegan donuts use plant-based food colorings.
• Whey – Whey is a dairy byproduct and can be found in some donut recipes.
• Buttermilk – Used in certain types of donuts, such as cake-style or old-fashioned donuts.
• Lecithin – Acts as an emulsifier and is supposed to help ingredients mix more smoothly. Lecithin can be derived from a variety of sources, including soy, sunflower, and egg yolks.

How To Make A Donut Vegan

The most common ways to make donuts vegan are by:

• Substituting the eggs for a vegan egg alternative
• Swapping out the dairy for dairy-free milk and vegan butter

Vegan Donut Recipes

There are so many different recipes for plant-based donuts you could probably spend a decade trying a different one each day!

Favorite Vegan Donut Recipes:

• Vegan Sufganiyot Recipe for Pillowy Jelly Donuts
• Vegan Double Chocolate Donuts

Essential Toppings and Fillings for Vegan Donuts:

• Vegan nutella recipe
• Homemade strawberry jam
• Chopped sugared walnuts and candied pecans
• Zesty vegan lemon custard
• Vegan marshmallow
• Colorful vegan sprinkles

Best Vegan Donut Shops in the World

Dun-Well Doughnuts (NYC, New York)

If you’re looking for vegan donuts in NYC, Dun-Well Doughnuts is a creative donut shop where you can eat cruelty-free donuts with ethically-sourced ingredients. Not only you are eating a delicious guilt-free alternative, you’ll feel like you are eating a piece of art.

Vegan Treats (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)

Vegan Treats was named one of the top 10 bakeries in the world by American Express. They have plant-based donuts and much more. It’s well worth a trip across the country to try all these vegan goodies!

Vegan Treat’s delicious donuts include Boston cream, crème brûlée, and raspberry mousse rings.

Lovebirds Donuts (Maine, United States)

Lovebirds Donuts is considered one of the 10 best vegan donuts shops in the world by Happy Cow and won PETA’s Top Doughnuts Award. They specialize in slow-raised yeast donuts for extra flavor.

Our top pick from Lovebirds donuts? A brioche ring topped with cookie butter glaze, brownie, Unreal chocolate quinoa candy, potato chips, pretzels, and a chocolate ganache stripe. Peep some more options below, including their pride-full rainbow doughnuts.

Scoop ‘n Dough (Lisbon, Portugal)

Scoop ‘n Dough is number #1 on the list of 10 Best Vegan Donut Shops in the World by Happy Cow. It is founded by 2 plant-based chefs, one that specializes in doughnuts and the other in ice cream. You can ask for a donut only or ice cream only, but you should definitely try them together!

Valkyrie Doughnuts (Orlando, FL)

This innovative doughnut shop prides itself on crafting an entirely vegan menu of hand-cut, square, yeast-raised donuts with a wide range of rotating flavors. Try the classic glaze or go wild with Churro, Ube, or Strawberry Passionfruit varieties!

Dough Joy (Seattle, WA)

LGBTQ-owned and the only 100% plant-iful donut shop in the Emerald City! This charming haven for donut aficionados is known for its inventive and enticing donut creations. Think French Toast, S’mores, and Everything But the Bagel flavors!

Doe Donuts (Portland, OR)

Doe Donuts is considered a cherished local gem in the Portland food scene. We love that they focus on sustainable, fair trade ingredients! Their year round donut flavors include options like Salted Vanilla Bean, Maple Twist, and The Sundae with fudge glaze, sprinkles, and waffle cone pieces.

Vegan Options in Popular Donut Shops

Even though there are many vegan bakeries selling donuts, a lot of people are looking for vegan options in other donuts shops. Here’s how to order from two of these bakeries:

Dunkin Donuts Vegan Options

Sadly, in the US none of the donuts are vegan, as the flour used contains L-Cystenine, a derivative from birds’ feathers. Some of the donuts also contain honey. But, Belgium has dozens of different vegan options!

Check out our guide on how to order vegan at Dunkin Donuts.

Krispy Kreme Vegan Options

Krispy Kreme does not have any vegan donut options in the US or anywhere outside of the UK. If you are one of the lucky ones living in the UK, here are the vegan donut options they offer in the country.

Here’s a full guide on what to order in Krispy Kreme for vegans.