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10 Donut Flavors You've Probably Never Heard Of

We live in a golden age of donuts.

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Ah, donuts. Who doesn't love these tasty rings of dough? From jelly-filled treats to the old-fashioned glazed, donuts have been dipped, filled, and topped with just about anything sweet and savory under the sun. With social media upping the pressure for creative confections to go viral and Michelin-Star chefs getting into the donut game, new donut flavors are popping up all over the world bringing unique, bold, and elevated combinations to the once-simple treat. Next time you’re at your local donut shop, skip the traditional chocolate or vanilla, and look out for these unique options that are sure to wow your palate.

1

The Chuckles

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First up, it's chocolate in three forms: frosting, powder, and drizzle combined with caramel and peanuts in this delight known as The Chuckles. If a candy bar and a donut were to merge, this would be the result.

2

Ring of Fire

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The Ring of Fire pairs heat with sweetness via cinnamon sugar and cayenne pepper topped with a dried red chili pepper garnish. It's a staple at Voodoo Doughnuts, which has locations in multiple states primarily on the West Coast.

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3

Memphis Mafia

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The masterminds at Voodoo Doughnuts keep things going with the Memphis Mafia which brings the best of dessert flavors into one decadent donut. Banana chunks, chocolate, and peanut butter drizzle are mixed with cinnamon, chocolate chips, and peanuts to create a donut that fans say is reminiscent of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey.

4

Sausage Donut

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Using an otherwise traditional donut (without the hole) as a bun, the sausage donut features a cocktail sausage with sliced onion and redcurrant jam sauce on the inside. This one-of-a-kind donut sandwich from master confectioner Florian Perkmann—who's known for pushing the boundaries of experimentation—debuted in early 2023.

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5

Raspberry/Bailey’s Liqueur Berliners

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Kreyenbuhl bakery in Switzerland celebrated the worldwide release of the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021 in style with jelly-filled German donuts with syringes sticking out of them. The hollow donut and visually striking presentation turns the donut classic on its head by allowing customer to “inject” raspberry or Bailey’s filled syringes into the dessert before eating them.

6

Pumpkin with Candied Pumpkin Seeds

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Nothing says fall like pumpkin and an elevated take on the classic flavor is a pumpkin donut topped with candied pumpkin seeds for a lovely crunch. This seasonal creation can be found at Peaceful Provisions, a vegan donut shop located in Beacon, New York.

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7

Hibiscus

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Bakers at Dough Doughnuts in New York City have created the perfect artisanal donut by turning the cranberry-like flavor of hibiscus—which is more commonly found in tea—into a sweet and tangy glaze and finishing it off with a candied hibiscus flower.

8

Donut Xo

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Meet the Donut Xo, from the mind of Three-Michelin-Star Chef Dabiz Muñoz. The vanilla donut with toasted buttercream filling, a hint of spiciness, and a striped dark chocolate topping hit the shelves at Carrefour in Spain. To make it more enticing, the price for such an elegant donut is only $1.69.

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9

Pizza Donut

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Massachusetts-based Donut Villa is known for its modern interpretation of the classic American diner and has been putting a modern twist on the classic donut by topping it with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Donut purists may call this a bridge too far, however, this is a not-to-miss treat if you’re in the Cambridge area for breakfast or dinner, depending on how you look at it.

10

Cereal Donut

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According to a 2023 Civic Science poll, nearly 70% of American households eat cereal, making it one of the most popular breakfast foods. That said, it was only a matter of time before cereal and donuts collided. A cereal donut typically consists of a donut dipped in either vanilla or chocolate frosting, topped with just about any cereal like Fruity Pebbles, Captain Crunch, or Lucky Charms. The cereal sprinkles offer a yummy and crunchy counterpart to the soft dough.

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