The 7 Best Donut Makers

Commerce Photo Composite — The Spruce Eats / Zackary Angeline

Is there anything better than a warm doughnut in the morning? That light, flakey, sweet, gooeyness makes a delectable foil for a hot cup of coffee, but driving to the doughnut shop whenever a craving strikes can be inconvenient. Enter the doughnut maker. Fresh picarones, cinnamon-sugar doughnut muffins, and maple bacon doughnuts are mere moments away right in your kitchen.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Babycakes Multi-Treat Baker at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Babycakes Mini Donut Maker at Amazon

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Best Mini:

Dash Mini Donut Maker at Amazon

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Best Nostalgic:

Norpro Donut Maker at Amazon

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Best Mochi:

Manoa Donut Baking Molds at Walmart

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Best for Holes:

Cucina Pro Ebelskiver Maker at Amazon

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Best Pan:

Wilton Donut Baking Pans at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What To Look for in a Doughnut Maker
FAQs
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Amazon

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What We Like

Versatile
Quick cooking time
Easy to clean
No messy oil for cooking
Nonstick plates
Cord keeper
Included recipe book

What We Don't Like

Short cord

Babycakes Multi-Treat Baker is the Cadillac of doughnut makers. The candy-apple red appliance has three interchangeable nonstick plates that allow users to make cupcakes, cake pops, doughnut holes, and seven doughnuts. It comes with top and bottom plates for each application.

The versatility makes this a worthy buy, but there is more. The latching handle keeps the batter inside the maker and makes it safe when children are around. The power and ready indicator light make baking a breeze. It has non-skid rubber feet to keep the machine secure on the counter, and the cord wrap keeps storage space minimal. The included recipe booklet provides tasty suggestions for homemade treats, and the removable plates wash easily in warm soapy water.

Price at time of publish: $43

Dimensions: 8.35 x 10.35 x 4.65 inches | Material: Plastic | Capacity: 7 doughnuts

Amazon

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What We Like

Easy to clean
Straightforward to use
Easy to store
Latching handle
Nonstick plates
Non-slip feet

What We Don't Like

Only makes four doughnuts

If you’re ready to take the plunge and purchase a doughnut maker, but don’t want to commit to a bigger appliance, this is the machine for you. Just plug the Babycakes Donut Maker in, heat it up, add the batter, and a few minutes later you’ll have four mini doughnuts.

The baking plate is also nonstick-coated for more effective cooking and easy cleanup. Non-slip rubber feet keep the machine secure while baking. The latching handle keeps the batter in place and kids’ hands safe from burns. Its small footprint makes it an economical choice for cozy kitchens, and the power indicator light lets you know when the optimal baking temperature is reached.

Price at time of publish: $20

Dimensions: 6 x 8.75 x 6.13 inches | Material: Plastic | Capacity: 4 doughnuts

Amazon

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What We Like

Quick cooking time
Easy to clean
Easy to use
Nonstick plates
Included recipe book

What We Don't Like

Can’t make large doughnuts

If mini doughnuts are on the menu, the Dash Mini Donut maker has you covered. It’s simple to use—the indicator light and buzzer guide users to doughnut perfection. The time it takes for batter to form into its full pastry form is a mere three to four minutes.

This option makes seven mini doughnuts at a time and is easy enough to operate that the kids can make breakfast. It also comes with a recipe book if they want to get creative. The nonstick plates make cleaning a cinch so they can even do the dishes.

Price at time of publish: $23

Dimensions: 8.7 x 10.6 x 3.9 inches | Material: Metal | Capacity: 7 doughnuts

Amazon

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What We Like

Versatile
Included recipe book
Dispenses batter quickly

What We Don't Like

Complicated to clean

The Norpro Donut Maker helps recapture the magic of baking doughnuts at home. The aluminum tool allows users to mix fluffy batters for doughnuts, pancakes, or waffles. It also comes with detailed instructions and a recipe book covering everything from simple treats to gourmet pastries.

Batters are dispensed speedily, making this a great choice for children’s parties or baking workshops. If old-fashioned doughnuts are what you crave, this model delivers.

Price at time of publish: $25

Dimensions: 4 x 7 x 4 inches | Material: Stainless steel and plastic | Capacity: 2 cups of batter

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Walmart

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What We Like

Easy to clean
Easy to store
Versatile

What We Don't Like

Requires oven

Mochi mania is here, but you don’t have to go out to a restaurant or bakery to get them. Mano Bake Co. Mochi Donut Baking Molds make it easy to enjoy the unique blossom-shaped pastries right at home. The molds are silicone, so the doughnuts release easily and cleanup is minimal.

There’s nobody stopping you from making brownies, mini cakes, or fun pancakes with the pretty molds. Traditional mochi doughnuts are a hybrid confection that mixes cake doughnuts and Japanese rice cakes made from sticky rice. Fun flavors and technique how-tos can be found all over TikTok. When finished, they nest together for compact storage.

Price at time of publish: $15

Material: Silicone | Capacity: 12 doughnuts

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Cucina Pro Ebelskiver Maker - Electric Nonstick Baker

Amazon

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What We Like

Even heating
Versatile
Easy to clean
Nonstick plate

What We Don't Like

No lid

Doughnut holes are those little bite-size nuggets of goodness all kids (and most adults) love to pop in their mouths for a quick treat. The Cucina Pro model specializes in these delectable bites delivering seven doughnut holes in one bake. You can also make cake pops, mini muffins, and Ebelskiver (Danish pancakes you can fill or eat as is).

The nonstick plate and even heating technology make this easy to use and clean up. There is an on/off switch and indicator light that adds to the ease of operation. It is on the bulkier side, so be sure you have some counter or cabinet space to store it.

Price at time of publish: $37

Dimensions: 11 x 13 x 3.5 inches | Material: Aluminum | Capacity: 7 doughnut holes

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Wilton Nonstick 6-Cavity Donut Baking Pans, 2-Count

Amazon

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What We Like

Nonstick surface
Easy to clean
Makes large batch
Easy to store

What We Don't Like

Requires oven

If you are tight on space or just don't want one more small appliance to clutter your counters, opt for these Wilton pans. They come in a pack of two, so you can make 12 doughnuts at a time—enough for that brunch crowd. They are crafted from durable heat-conductive alloy steel and have an easy-to-clean nonstick coating. The best part? They nest together for flat storage in your baking sheet drawer.

Price at time of publish: $12

Dimensions: 12.5 x 8 inches | Material: Alloy Steel | Capacity: 12 doughnuts

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Final Verdict

The Babycakes Multi-Treat Maker is our top choice because of its versatility, quick heating, and ease of cleaning. If you are looking for a doughnut pan, go for the Wilton option—the sturdy nonstick-coated alloy steel construction is durable, and the nesting ability ensures compact storage.

What To Look for in a Doughnut Maker

Ease of Operation

When you’re looking for a way to make doughnuts at home, ease of use should be top on the list. Features like indicator lights, smooth hinges, latching handles, and nonstick plates all add to a baking experience that is simple and convenient. It's also really nice if the plates are removable, making cleaning up that much easier.

Versatility

There is something to be said for a small appliance that can fulfill more than one purpose. Doughnut makers with multiple plates, especially in different configurations, allow users to make pastries beyond a doughnut, like cake pops, mini muffins, pancakes, and more.

Shape and Size

When shopping for a doughnut maker, one would typically want the traditional round shape with a hole in the center. There are specialty doughnut makers that allow you to make those scrumptious doughnut holes, cake pops, and even mochi. You also want to consider the crowd you’re cooking for, too—if you regularly have a large brood, opt for ones that make more, but if it’s just for your morning breakfast, go for the smaller version and save on precious counter space. Also, be cognizant of the size of the doughnuts the maker bakes. Some are specifically for mini doughnuts while others bake more traditional-sized pastries.

Quick, Even Cooking

When you want your doughnuts, you want your doughnuts. A doughnut maker that heats quickly, cooks evenly, and bakes efficiently ensures you get them quickly. This also helps avoid burning and uneven cooking in some spots.

FAQs

How do you make doughnuts in a doughnut maker?

Depending on the model you have, it can be as easy as pouring the batter into the baking pan and lowering the lid until the indicator light comes on signaling it’s finished. For baking pan models, the idea is the same, but the oven must be preheated, and then you need to time your doughnuts. For models like the Norpro, you mix your batter in the dispenser. The best answer is to read the instructions provided with your doughnut maker for optimal results.

Can you use cake, muffin, or pancake mix in a doughnut maker?

In short, yes. This is one of the beauties of a doughnut maker; they are versatile beyond doughnuts. So, fill them up with whatever batter you want to experiment with and just be sure to follow the cooking directions on the box or bag.

How do you make doughnut batter?

You can buy the boxed mix, but if you want to make them from scratch, lots of doughnut makers come with recipe books. The basic ingredients for a cake doughnut are baking powder, salt, nutmeg, buttermilk, eggs, butter, and vanilla extract. Check out these recipes for everything from apple cider to eggnog doughnuts.

What else can you make in a doughnut maker?

So many options exist for what to bake in a doughnut maker. You can make cake pops, mini muffins, Ebelskiver, pancakes, and depending on the shape, you can even make meatballs.

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Carrie Honaker is a food writer who has enjoyed the pleasures of doughnuts at home. As a restaurateur and avid home cook, she appreciates the convenience of a tool that makes breakfast prep clean and stress-free. She especially loves making old-fashioned buttermilk doughnuts and dipping them in an apple cider glaze for a tasty morning treat. Her work has appeared in many publications, including Bon Appetit, Allrecipes, and Wine Enthusiast.

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