Home / Blog / Top 12 Best Donut Makers

Top 12 Best Donut Makers

When you buy through our links, The Breslin may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

With the availability of modern kitchen machines, more and more people have a chance to enjoy their favorite food at home, rather than eat in a restaurant or buy from a store.

For pastry lovers, a donut maker is a must-to-have tool in the kitchen. Not only are homemade donuts healthier and more cost-effective, but also is cooking these cute cakes a joyful experience for your family.

When it comes to choosing a good donut maker, you will realize that making a decision is not an easy task at all. There is a wide range of quality products for your choice, so to get the best suitable machine for your needs, there are various factors to consider.

Why Should Bake Instead of Fry Your Doughnuts?

Donuts are so prominent that they are considered as the food of every family, an attainable treat for every occasion. Traditionally, these ring-shaped cakes are coated in batter and flour, then deep-fried in hot oil and coated in sugar.

If you visit some Krispy Kreme donut shops, you can see how the dough is yeasted, shaped, fried, and finally finished with a delicious sugary glaze.

However, despite well-known and highly favored fried, glazed donuts, more and more people are into baked doughnuts. Unlike its fried version, baked donuts consist of just the dough, then are baked in the oven.

When it comes to the difference in nutrition facts resulted from two cooking methods, the number of calories from fat in a fried donut alone could be equal to the number of total calories in a baked doughnut.

In terms of flavor, baking dough instead of frying makes the cakes light, fluffy, and much less oily. What’s more? With a mini donut maker, baking donuts at home can be as convenient as buying them from a café or bakery.

Donut Fryer, Donut Pan and Electric Donut Maker

Kitchen gadgets to make donut comes in three types: Donut fryer, donut pan, and electric donut maker. There’s a huge difference if you make a comparison of three types.

The donut fryer equipment is often used by big stores for commercial purposes because it can produce a considerable amount of donuts. And of course, to fry donut, it has to use oil.

The donut pan is simply a tin to accommodate dough before baking inside an oven. It is often shallow and doughnut-shaped.

A donut maker normally includes cooking pans and is powered by electricity. So this appliance alone can cook well your dough into donuts. Being small in size and weight, an electric donut maker can be used and stored at home.

Furthermore, its compact construction provides a perfectly clean and working condition. So if you want to cook fresh donut at home, an electric donut maker is a wise choice.

What Are The Best Donut Makers?

To guide you to the best donut maker at your needs, I will label 12 most outstanding and popular products. Take a few minutes to read my short descriptions.

Best Donut Makers Comparison Chart

This chart will evaluate the key features of the top 12 best donut makers on the market. Making a comparison is the best way to figure out the most considerable things for your decision.

Best Donut MakersNumber of baking platesCapacityDimension (inches)Weight (pounds)
Babycakes Multi-Treat Donut Baker - Best Overall3 interchangeable baking plates7 donuts, 7 cupcakes, or 12 cake pops8.35 x 10.35 x 4.654
VonShef 12 Mini Donut Maker - Best Capacity112 donuts15.3 x 12.9 x 5.96.74
Babycakes DNM-30 Mini Donut Maker - Best for Budget14 donuts8.75 x 6 x 6.131.7
Betty Crocker Mini Donut Maker - Best Lightweight17 donuts10.75 x 8.58 x 5.431
Nostalgia Cake Pop & Donut Maker - Best Compact17 donuts9.75 x 4.25 x 7.752
Throwback 3-In-1 Countertop Mini Donut Maker - Best Versatility6 interchangeable baking plates12 donuts13.66 x 10.59 x 12.7914.77
Sunbeam Full Size Donut Maker - Best Design15 donuts11.3 x 5.6 x 10.407.04
CucinaPro Donut Maker & Ebelskiver Baker - Best Durable17 donuts13 x 11 x 3.53.2
Brentwood TS-250 Mini Donut Maker - Best for Party17 donuts10.9 x 9.6 x 5.73.12
Chef Buddy 82-KIT1066 Mini Donut Maker - Best for Home Cook17 donuts11 x 7.75 x 4.53.56
Bella Cucina 13466 Donut Maker - Best for Mini Donuts17 donuts11.2 x 9.9 x 4.32.85
Babycakes DN-6 Mini Donut Maker - Best for Beginner16 donuts7.95 x9.84 x 4.09 inches2.9

Top 12 Best Donut Maker Reviews

To choose the best donut maker, many things need to be taken into consideration: capacity, technology, ease of access, size, and appearance. These following reviews will evaluate the pros and cons of the top 12 best donut makers.

1. Babycakes Multi-Treat Donut Baker

(Best Overall)

Babycakes Multi-Treat Donut Baker

Babycakes Multi-Treat Donut Maker receives most votes by foodie enthusiasts for a quick and easy tool for sweet treats. The baker comes in red with a round shape, making it look great on your kitchen countertop.

The most outstanding thing about this machine is its three interchangeable non-stick baking plates with each designed for cupcake, donut, or cake pops. Thanks to this versatility, your menu will be more attractive with many types of pastries.

There are two light indicators for easy using: the red is power light and the green is ready light. If the light turns from red to green, just in 5 minutes or less, it means that your treats are ready to be served.

Key Features

  • 3 interchangeable non-stick baking plates
  • Bakes 7 donuts, 7 cupcakes or 12 cake pops at a time
  • Includes recipe booklet
  • Non-skid rubber feet, latching handle, and cord wrap

Pros

  • Very versatile for the multiple uses
  • User-friendly features with two light indicators
  • Very easy to clean with non-stick baking plates
  • Donuts can be ready in 5 minutes or less
  • Good looking
  • Available at a reasonable price

Cons

  • Some users found it puts off a foul smell
  • The latches are not very smooth

Product Specifications

BrandBabycakes
Capacity7 donuts, 7 cupcakes or 12 cake pops
Number of baking platesThree
Dimensions8.35 x 10.35 x 4.65 inches
Item weight4 pounds
ColorRed

This video shows more about this product:

Watch video: Unboxing Babycakes Multi-Treat Baker

2. VonShef 12 Mini Donut Maker

(Best Capacity)

VonShef 12 Mini Donut Maker

If there are occasional parties hold in your family, you should have a VonShef 12 Mini Donut Maker in the kitchen. Featuring a baking plate of 12 donut holes, the machine can produce enough cakes for party treating – your family, friends, and guest.

Even though fulfilling such remarkable capacity, the bakes cook superb quickly and evenly. Just lift the clamp, fill baking molds, and wait for mere minutes. The baker starts cooking right away. A ready light indicator informs you when your donuts are cooked and ready to enjoy.

The baking plate is perfectly stick-proof that you can make a batch without using any oil to grease it. Users can remove the cooked donuts and clean the machine incredibly simple and hassle-free.

Key Features

  • Non-stick baking plate of 12 donut holes
  • Power and ready light indicators
  • Automatic temperature control
  • Cool-touch handle

Pros

  • Bakes 12 donuts in a batch, suitable for party treating
  • Sturdy and durable construction
  • User-friendly with power and ready light indicators
  • Cooks superb quickly and evenly
  • Perfectly non-sticking pan

Cons

  • The machine bottomstays quite hot after each batch
  • You have to unplug and let the bottom cool after each batch

Product Specifications

BrandVonShef
Capacity12 donuts
Number of baking platesOne
Dimensions15.3 x 12.9 x 5.9 inches
Item weight6.74 pounds
ColorRed

The following is an interesting video reviewing this product:

Watch video: Reviews of Doughnut Maker - Best Doughnut Maker Can Buy

3. Babycakes DNM-30 Mini Donut Maker

(Best for Budget)

Babycakes DNM-30 Mini Donut Maker

Retailed at a very affordable price, this mini donut maker is great for every household. The unit has an adorable look with a cool logo printed on bright yellow, which will make you fall in love with at first sight.

It features a non-stick pan that can cooks four cute, healthier donuts at a time. A power light indicator and a latching handle turn out very handy for beginners to precisely control the baking.

Thanks to the tiny dimensions, you can bring the maker anywhere and treat your kid with the gift of sweet donuts anytime. It also comes with a decent recipe booklet for your reference.

Key Features

  • Non-stick coating baking plate of 4 donut holes
  • Power light
  • Latching handle and non-skid rubber feet
  • Cord wrap
  • Comes with a recipe booklet

Pros

  • An adorable look fits any kitchen
  • Perfect size for breakfast treats
  • The compact size takes up less space
  • Very affordable price
  • Easy and convenient to use and clean

Cons

  • Small capacity
  • Some users think the donut holes are shallow, resulting in flattened- shape donuts

Product Specifications

BrandBabycakes
Capacity4 donuts
Number of caking platesOne
Dimensions8.75 x 6 x 6.13 inches
Item weight1.7 pounds
ColorYellow

I bet you will have more reasons to buy this product after watching the following video:

Watch video: Babycakes Donut Maker Mini Unboxing and Review

4. Betty Crocker Mini Donut Maker

(Best Lightweight)

Betty Crocker Mini Donut Maker

If you ask me how to make donut in a happier way, my answer is this Betty Crocker Mini Donut Maker. Weighing only one pound, this appliance will be a big surprise for you and your family.

Though the baking plate has only 7 donut holes, it heats quickly and stays hot between batches, which make cooking 40 mini donuts in no time.

There are two light indicators for people who want to be sure about the temperature control: one shows if the power is on and informs you when the temperature is hot enough to bake cakes.

Like other donut makers, this unit comes in an attractive color to brighten up your kitchen.

Key Features

  • Non-stick baking plate of 7 donut holes
  • Cool-touch handle
  • Power-on and temperature-ready light indicators

Pros

  • Heats quickly
  • Light indicators to easy control
  • Non-stick baking tray ensures golden cakes and easy cleanup
  • Compelling price for everyone

Cons

  • Slightly uneven cooking
  • Donut holes are smaller than standard

Product Specifications

BrandBetty
Capacity7 donuts
Number of baking platesNon-stick plate
Dimensions10.75 x 8.58 x 5.43 inches
Item weight1 pound
MaterialStainless Steel

This video explains why so many users give 5-star reviews to this unit:

Watch video: Mini Donut Factory by Betty Crocker

5. Nostalgia Cake Pop & Donut Maker

(Best Compact)

Nostalgia Cake Pop & Donut Maker

Nostalgia Cake Pop & Donut Maker is a donut maker that ensures you will yield golden brown donuts like the pictures featured on culinary magazines.

In terms of performance, the machine can preheat in 3 minutes and baking time is between 4-5 minutes. It takes totally between 5-7 minutes to have a successful batch ready to serve.

After each batch, it cools down quickly and can wise clear with a wet paper towel. It has a round shape to save the space, making it fit on the counter of even small kitchens.

There are a recipe booklet and 25 bamboo cake pop sticks too, which will help donut making more fun.

Key Features

  • Non-stick baking plate of 7 donut holes
  • Includes 25 bamboo cake pop sticks
  • Two light indicators
  • Recipes included

Pros

  • Compact design to save space
  • Perfectly cooks golden brown cake pop
  • Easy cleanup
  • Comes with booklet and 25 bamboo cake pop sticks

Cons

  • It gets quite hot after each batch
  • The pop cakes are a little bit bigger than regular ones

Product Specifications

BrandNostalgia
Capacity7 donuts
Number of baking platesNon-stick coating
Dimensions9.75 x 4.25 x 7.75 inches
Item weight2 pounds
ColorCream

Take a few minutes to check how the Nostalgia donut maker works:

Watch video: Nostalgia Electric Cake Pop Bakery Kit

6. Throwback 3-In-1 Countertop Mini Donut Maker

(Best Versatility)

Throwback 3-In-1 Countertop Mini Donut Maker

I like the versatility of Throwback 3-In-1 Countertop Mini Donut Maker. With six interchangeable plates, you can easily switch one of them on and off to bake more than a favorite recipe: mini cupcakes, mini donuts, or waffle sticks.

The maker is equipped with a powerful heating system of 1400 watt which helps to get the pastries baked within minutes. The cooking tray is made of non-stick material, preventing the dough from sticking and making the cleanup easy for you.

It features a heavy-duty stainless steel construction as a promise for long use. It also comes with a decent booklet to equip foodies with some popular sweet recipes.

Key Features

  • Bakes 12 donuts in a batch
  • 6 interchangeable non-stick cooking plates
  • Powerful heating system of 1400 watt

Pros

  • A versatile baker for more recipes
  • Durable and sturdy construction
  • Can bake dozens of donuts at once
  • High performance with a powerful heating system

Cons

  • There is no timer, you have to time it yourself

Product Specifications

BrandThrowback
Capacity12 donuts
Number of baking plates6 interchangeable plates
Dimensions13.66 x 10.59 x 12.79 inches
Item weight14.77 pounds
ColorRed

7. Sunbeam Full Size Donut Maker

(Best Design)

Sunbeam Full Size Donut Maker

Imitating the shape of a large donut, Sunbeam donut maker looks too cool and fun to resist. It also has a cute motif of scattered blue sprinkles on yellow paint, giving it a real donut look.

Let’s us put its eye-catching appearance aside, this unit comes with high-performance features to prove its usefulness. It has two lights to inform you when the doughnut maker is on or heating. The latching hinged lid overlaps well plate to trap heat inside.

The non-stick cooking plate can accommodate five donuts and distribute even heat to cook the dough thoroughly in 3-4 minutes. So, do not worry if you want to cook many batches in a short time.

Key Features

  • Non-stick coating baking plate of 5 donut holes
  • Warm-up & ready lights
  • Donut-shaped design
  • Latching hinged lid

Pros

  • Eye-catching look
  • Good control with two light indicators
  • Easy-to-use design
  • Smooth operation

Cons

  • The cover slams a bit when you close it
  • High-end price

Product Specifications

BrandSunbeam
Capacity5 donuts
Number of baking platesOne
Dimensions11.3 x 5.6 x 10.4 inches
Item weight7.04 pounds
ColorYellow

8. CucinaPro Donut Maker & Ebelskiver Baker

(Best Durable)

CucinaPro and Donut Maker & Ebelskiver Baker

CucinaPro Donut Maker & Ebelskiver Baker is exactly how simple but effective an appliance could be. Heating up fast, evenly and being so easy to clean, this product is the choice of superior performance and durability.

The unit boasts a solid and very durable baking plate that can bake up to seven large cakes. Thanks to high-quality material, it easily slides your mini donuts right off and wipes clean in seconds.

The pan is perfect for producing fluffy ebleskivers, but there is no limitation if you want to use the maker to make other tasty pastries like pancake puffs, donuts, or cake pops.

Key Features

  • Capacity: 7 donuts
  • 01 Aluminum baking pan with PFOE non-stick coating
  • Easy-to-use on/off switch

Pros

  • Simple and compact design
  • Very easy to use and clean
  • Cook quickly and heat evenly
  • Can cook a wide range of pastries
  • Durable and high-quality material

Cons

  • The plates will get very hot when cooking
  • Costly

Product Specifications

BrandCucinaPro
Capacity7 donuts
Number of baking platesOne
Dimensions13 x 11 x 3.5 inches
Item weight3.2 pounds
ColorBlack

9. Brentwood TS-250 Mini Donut Maker

(Best for Party)

Brentwood TS-250 Mini Donut Maker

I highly recommend this donut maker to everyone who loves to make tasty treats at home, mini donuts, brownies, cakes, muffins, and more. You can make things quicker with no need to use the oven.

With a Brentwood TS-250 Mini Donut Maker, all you have to do is preparing the batter. The remaining work will be completed automatically in a few minutes by the maker.

For more user convenience, the unit features power and preheat indicator lights and cool-touch handles. The high-quality non-stick plate prevents the dough from sticking or burning. Consequently, the cleanup is just a breeze.

What’s more? The unit’s stylish look in pink color will liven up any kitchen.

Key Features

  • Non-stick plates of 7 mini donut holes
  • Automatic temperature control
  • Power and preheat indicator lights
  • Cool-touch handles
  • Comes with a recipe booklet

Pros

  • Attractive look
  • Comes with very user-friendly features for easy use
  • Sturdy and durable construction
  • Cooks quickly and evenly
  • Reasonable price

Cons

  • The clamp is a little loose
  • Donut holes are rather small

Product Specifications

BrandBrentwood
Capacity7 donuts
Number of baking platesOne
Dimensions10.9 x 9.6 x 5.7 inches
Item weight3.12 pounds
ColorRetro-pink

10. Chef Buddy 82-KIT1066 Mini Donut Maker

(Best for Home Cook)

Chef Buddy 82-KIT1066 Mini Donut Maker

You want to bake your own gluten-free recipes and even vegan-friendly treats instead of oily deep-frying in café or candy store? With a Chef Buddy 82-KIT1066 Mini Donut Maker, making donuts at home couldn’t be easier.

You can cook seven donuts at a time with this compact donut maker. The unit comes with a non-stick surface to ensure the donuts gain a golden crust without blackening.

If it is the first time you use an electric baker to make donuts, it is not a problem. You can put your trust in easy-to-use features of this product: A cool-touch handle to ensure safety and the red and green indicators to control cooking precisely.

Key Features

  • Non-stick surface of 7 mini donut holes
  • Power-on and preheat light indicators
  • Cool-touch handle
  • Comes with a recipe booklet

Pros

  • Very easy and convenient to use
  • High performance
  • Non-stick surface ensures great donuts
  • Lightweight and compact

Cons

  • The clamp doesn’t overlap very well

Product Specifications

BrandChef Buddy
Capacity7 mini donuts
Number of baking platesOne
Dimensions11 x 7.75 x 4.5 inches
Item weight3.56 pounds
ColorWhite

11. Bella Cucina 13466 Donut Maker

(Best for Mini Donuts)

Bella Cucina 13466 Donut Maker

If you prefer baking donut without having to turn on the oven, let start with a Bella Cucina 13466 Donut Maker.

With its innovative features, this donut maker allows you, with only basic batter recipes and baking skills, to cook beautiful, delicious pastries for your family and friends.

May users reviewed that the maker cooks so fast that they have to hurry up with pouring the batter into the molds. In other words, if you can control your speed, you can use get dozens of donuts in a short time.

Key Features

  • Non-stick baking tray of 7 donut holes
  • Cool-touch handle
  • Power and ready light indicators

Pros

  • Cook very quickly
  • Comes with user-friendly features
  • Easy to clean up
  • Very convenient to use

Cons

  • It cooks unevenly, so some get brown while some are still pale
  • The donuts are much smaller than standard

Product Specifications

BrandBella Cucina
Capacity7 donuts
Number of baking platesOne
Dimensions11.2 x 9.9 x 4.3 inches
Item weight2.85 pounds
ColorRed

12. Babycakes DN-6 Mini Donut Maker

(Best for Beginner)

Babycakes DN-6 Mini Donut Maker

Again I recommend another lovely mini donut maker from Select Brands Inc., a very well-known manufacturer of small kitchen appliances.

If you love the design of Babycakes brand but are not fully satisfied with the 4-donut capacity of the Babycakes DNM-30 Mini Donut Maker reviewed above, this machine is a great alternative choice.

It can bake 6 mini doughnuts in about 4 minutes and supports users with easy-to-use light indicators. The result is flawlessly shaped donut with mouth-watering golden brown.

It seems that because bright colors are ideal to create the inspiration for cooking, the manufacturer designs the baker in bright yellow again. And this time, its success to lure gourmets.

Key Features

  • Non-stick baking plates of 6 donut holes
  • Power and ready lights
  • Convenient cord wrap
  • Includes fork tool, wire rack, and recipes
  • Latching handle

Pros

  • Attractive look
  • Cooks donuts quickly and evenly
  • Comes with very user-friendly features
  • Lightweight and compact

Cons

  • The bottom heats up more than the top, turning the donuts is needed
  • Some users think the donut holes are rather shallow

Product Specifications

BrandBabycakes
Capacity7 donuts per turn
Number of baking platesOne
Product Dimensions7.95 x 9.84 x 4.09 inches
Item Weight2.9 pounds
ColorYellow

Buying Guide for Best Donut Makers

There are some questions that you should ask yourself if you want to pick the best donut maker: do you want to make multiple donuts at one time? Which size fits best in your kitchen? Do you care about its design? Here let’s discuss these questions.

Capacity

Firstly, estimate the demand of pastries by your family members to decide the capacity. It means how many donuts you want the maker to make per turn to ensure a sufficient breakfast, snack, or feast. Most electric donut makers can bake 4-7 donuts at once; some can even produce up to twelve.

If you have a big family and each consumes more than a donut, consider a product with a medium capacity of 6-7 donuts. For parties and gatherings, it will save you much time and labor by employing a large capacity of twelve or more.

Versatility

When it comes to sweet treats, there are many different recipes you can make at home like donuts, waffle sticks, cake pops, or cupcakes. Besides donut makers that are designed simply for donuts, manufacturers also retail versatile versions that can bake more than a recipe.

With interchangeable mold, you can have a wide range of delicious treats for the kids. So, do not miss the chance to improve your menu and have more fun.

Size

Donut maker should be compact and easy to store. Normally, the size of your donut maker relates to its capacity. The more donuts it bakes in one batch, the bigger it is.

So you have to sacrifice either the size or capacity to gain the remaining. If your countertop does not have enough space for a large maker, pick a small-size product with powerful heating to speed the cooking time.

Easy to Use

To have a batch of golden donuts, you have to bake it at the right temperature in an exact period of time. And a donut baker equipped with an automatic temperature control along with readable indicator light can remove a lot of the guesswork.

Design

People who love cooking also love having a good-looking kitchen. This is the reason why kitchen appliances having similar operation features with each other gain their edges by design.

Given donut makers are very simple in operation, design is a more decisive factor. Take a machine with the color and shape that will contribute to the overall aesthetics of your kitchen.

FAQs

Even with the best donut maker, human work cannot be completely replaced. Therefore, equip you with tips to prepare your dough as well as control the machine properly.

How to clean a donut maker?

Most donut makers come with a nonstick coating baking tray, so the cleaning is effortless. Remove any batter residues by using a damp cloth soak in cooking oil. Gently wipe off the soft stains first. For the stubborn baked-on batter, a plastic mesh will work well.

Keep in mind, never immerse it in water or other liquids.

Do I need to condition the donut cooking plates before baking?

To prevent your batter from sticking and burning, clean and condition the cooking plates before heating.

First, brush cooking plates with a soft pastry brush or cloth to remove any dirt. Then to condition plates, lightly coat the cooking surfaces with vegetable oil.

During cooking, if the plates have signs of sticking, recondition as needed.

How do I make donut without yeast?

Yeast is a common ingredient in baking donuts to raise the dough for a pillow-like soft texture. If you do not want to use yeast in donuts, use baking soda as a substitute.

To ensure the donuts have the softness near to that of yeasted batter, you need to add an amount of baking soda and acid equal to the amount of yeast in the recipe.  The acid can be lemon juice or vinegar.

How can my donuts get good shape?

The key to having a beautiful batch of donuts is to use the right amount of batter on every donut hole. Too little and your donuts will not cook right and get a good shape. Too much and you will overload the hole and makes a mess.

I recommend using a pastry bag instead of a spoon to dispense the batter. Pour the batter into the bag and squeeze to distribute it around the mold. Remember, fill each well ¾ full.

Watch this video to know how to make donuts with a Babycakes DNM-30 Mini Donut Maker:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac8pMmO6heI

Are fried or baked donuts healthier?

Baking the donuts instead of frying, you can control the calories. Deep frying in oil makes donuts absorb more fat. As a result, most calories in fried donuts come from fat.

According to a study, one homemade baked donut contains approximately 160 calories, while a store-bought fried donut has 190 calories, of which 100 comes from fats.

My Top Pick

Each product on my list offers its own advantages to allow making donuts easier and safer. In all aspects, the Babycakes Multi-Treat Donut Baker is the one that meets all my wishes for a donut maker.

This product works well, looks great, and has a perfect size to fit on my kitchen countertop. Whether you are a beginner or professional baker, this masterpiece will help you yield the better result.

Do you make up your mind? If there is anything else needed for you to make a purchase decision, leave a comment to discuss. If this article already helps you make the right choice, why not spread it to other people by sharing?

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating / 5. Vote count:

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *