There's nothing quite like biting into a warm, freshly glazed donut that practically melts in your mouth. The sweet, buttery aroma fills the kitchen, making it impossible to resist sneaking a bite before they've even had time to cool.

I remember my first attempt at recreating Krispy Kreme donuts at home. After some trial and error, I finally found the perfect combination of ingredients and techniques to achieve that signature light and airy texture. Now, it's a family tradition to whip up a batch whenever we're craving something extra special.
Why You'll Love This Homemade Krispy Kreme Recipe
Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite homemade treat. These donuts aren't just delicious—they're a true indulgence that will have everyone asking for more.
First off, they're incredibly soft and fluffy. Thanks to a well-balanced dough and proper proofing, these donuts have a light-as-air interior and a perfectly golden exterior.
They're also amazingly fresh. Unlike store-bought donuts that sit on shelves for hours, these come straight from your kitchen, still warm and irresistibly soft.
Making these at home is surprisingly easy. While they do require some patience for proofing, the steps are simple, and the payoff is more than worth it.
Finally, the glaze is pure perfection. That thin, sweet coating hardens just enough to create the classic Krispy Kreme finish—slightly crisp on the outside while still melting in your mouth.
Ingredients Notes

The magic of these homemade Krispy Kreme-style donuts comes from a few key ingredients. Each one plays an essential role in achieving the perfect taste and texture.
All-purpose flour is the foundation of the dough, providing the right amount of structure while keeping it soft. For the fluffiest results, I recommend using a kitchen scale to measure the flour precisely.
Yeast is what gives these donuts their airy, pillowy texture. Instant yeast works best since it activates quickly, but active dry yeast can also be used if proofed beforehand.
Whole milk and butter contribute to the donuts' rich flavor and tender texture. The milk adds moisture, while the butter ensures a soft, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Granulated sugar and eggs provide sweetness and structure. The sugar helps feed the yeast, while the eggs give the dough a slight richness that enhances the overall flavor.
For the signature glaze, a mix of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract creates that perfectly thin yet indulgent coating that Krispy Kreme donuts are known for.
How To Make These Homemade Krispy Kremes

Creating these heavenly donuts at home is easier than you might think. Let's walk through the process step by step.
Start by activating the yeast. If using active dry yeast, dissolve it in warm milk with a pinch of sugar and let it sit for about 5 minutes until foamy. If using instant yeast, you can mix it directly with the dry ingredients.
Next, make the dough by combining the flour, sugar, salt, eggs, and activated yeast mixture. Knead everything together until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough. Add softened butter gradually, continuing to knead until it's fully incorporated and the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size. This is where the magic happens—the yeast works to create that light, airy texture.
Once risen, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about ½ inch thickness. Use a donut cutter (or a round cutter and a smaller one for the center) to shape the donuts. Transfer them to a parchment-lined tray and let them proof again for about 30-45 minutes until puffed up.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Carefully lower the donuts into the hot oil, frying for about 1 minute per side until golden brown. Drain on a wire rack lined with paper towels.
While still warm, dip each donut in the glaze. Let the excess drip off before placing them back on the rack. Within minutes, you'll have a glossy, sweet coating that hardens beautifully.
Storage Options
These donuts are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, here’s how to keep them delicious.
Store them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 24 hours. For the best experience, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds before eating.
If you want to keep them longer, freeze them without glaze in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw and warm them slightly before glazing.
To reheat, a few seconds in the microwave will restore their softness, making them almost as good as fresh.
Variations and Substitutions
One of the best things about this recipe is its versatility. Here are a few fun ways to switch things up.
For a chocolate glaze, replace the milk in the glaze with heavy cream and whisk in some melted chocolate for a rich, decadent coating.
If you love filled donuts, skip the hole in the center and pipe in some vanilla custard, jelly, or Nutella after frying.
Make them a little healthier by baking instead of frying. They won’t have quite the same crispiness, but they’ll still be soft and delicious.
For a festive twist, add pumpkin spice, cinnamon, or nutmeg to the dough for a seasonal variation.
The possibilities are endless! No matter how you customize them, these homemade Krispy Kremes will always be a crowd-pleaser.
PrintHomemade Krispy Kremes Recipe
This homemade Krispy Kreme donut recipe delivers the same light, airy texture and sweet glaze as the original. Made with simple ingredients, these classic yeast-raised donuts are deep-fried to golden perfection and coated in a signature vanilla glaze. Enjoy them warm for the ultimate treat!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours (including rising time)
- Yield: 12 donuts 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ½ cup warm water (110°F)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup whole milk, warmed
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the glaze:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup whole milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, mix sugar, warm milk, melted butter, egg, and salt. Add yeast mixture and combine.
- Gradually add flour, mixing until a soft dough forms. Knead for 5-7 minutes until smooth.
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Roll out dough to ½-inch thickness and cut into donut shapes. Let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry donuts for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
- For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- Dip warm donuts into the glaze and let excess drip off. Place on a wire rack to set.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra fluffy donuts, let the dough rise in a warm place.
- Double-dip in glaze for a thicker coating.
- Best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 donut
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
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