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, maple bacon doughnuts, and more are mere moments away right in your kitchen.
Best Overall
Babycakes Multi-Treat Baker
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- Versatile
- Quick cooking time
- Easy to clean
- No messy oil for cooking
- Nonstick plates
- Cord keeper
- Included recipe book
- 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.
Dimensions: 8.35 x 10.35 x 4.65 inches | Material: Plastic | Capacity: 7 doughnuts
Best Budget
Babycakes Mini Donut Maker
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- Easy to clean
- Straightforward to use
- Easy to store
- Latching handle
- Nonstick plates
- Non-slip feet
- 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 you’ll have four mini doughnuts just a few minutes later.
The baking plate is nonstick-coated for more effective cooking and easy cleanup. and 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.
Dimensions: 6 x 8.75 x 6.13 inches | Material: Plastic | Capacity: 4 doughnuts
Best Mini
Dash Mini Donut Maker
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- Quick cooking time
- Easy to clean
- Easy to use
- Nonstick plates
- Included recipe book
- 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 help 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.
Dimensions: 8.7 x 10.6 x 3.9 inches | Material: Metal | Capacity: 7 doughnuts
Best Nostalgic
Norpro Donut Maker
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- Versatile
- Included recipe book
- Dispenses batter quickly
- 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.
Dimensions: 4 x 7 x 4 inches | Material: Stainless steel and plastic | Capacity: 2 cups of batter
Best Mochi
Manoa Donut Baking Molds
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- Easy to clean
- Easy to store
- Versatile
- 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.
Material: Silicone | Capacity: 12 doughnuts
Best for Holes
Cucina Pro Ebelskiver Maker
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- Even heating
- Versatile
- Easy to clean
- Nonstick plate
- 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 an 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.
Dimensions: 11 x 13 x 3.5 inches | Material: Aluminum | Capacity: 7 doughnut holes
Best Pan
Wilton Donut Baking Pans
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- Nonstick surface
- Easy to clean
- Makes a large batch
- Easy to store
- 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.
Dimensions: 12.5 x 8 inches | Material: Alloy Steel | Capacity: 12 doughnuts
Best Cutter
Hulisen Stainless Steel Doughnut Cutter
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- Soft-grip handle
- Dishwasher safe
- Comes with small biscuit cutter
- Durable
- Only 2 sizes available (3 and 3.5 inches)
If you want to take a more DIY approach to making doughnuts at home, you could opt for a doughnut cutter. This stainless steel version comes with a soft-grip handle so your hands stay comfortable while cutting sheets of dough. There are two sizes available (a 3-inch and a 3.5-inch), each with smaller interior inserts to cut out the central hole.
What’s more, the set includes a bonus small biscuit cutter. If you’ve got leftover dough after you cut out the doughnuts, roll up the scraps and punch out tiny doughnut holes. It cuts down on waste and makes more pastry treats—what’s not to love?
Dimensions: 3 x 4.52 inches | Materials: Stainless steel, rubber | Dishwasher Safe: Yes
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. 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 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.
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.
