National Donut Day – A Holey Celebration
- Sue Leonard
- May 29
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Friday, June 6 is National Donut Day, the one day a year you can justify eating a donut for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
I love donuts. I rarely eat them, though. Not because I’m health-conscious (I mean, let’s not get crazy), but because I’m too lazy to go fetch them. My idea of breakfast is ”What can I eat without changing out of my pajamas?”
Growing up, my mom had the solution: the DIY donut made from Pillsbury canned biscuits. You punch a hole in the middle, fry it up in hot oil, then shake it in a bag of cinnamon sugar Fun when you are a kid. Messy when you are an adult. But mom always had that jar of “deep fry oil” she reused for everything from French fries to corn fritters. But never chicken. Good
Southern women know that if your chicken isn’t pan-fried in oil you’re doing it wrong. (My husband still talks about her fried chicken like it was the eighth wonder of the world.)
When we got married, we entered the golden age of "labor-saving appliances." Someone gave us an electric deep fryer as a wedding gift. In theory, this was a great idea. In practice, it was like cleaning a deep-space probe. We used it exactly twice. Then it lived under the counter until we felt guilty enough to throw it away—along with the rancid oil that had developed the aroma of defeat.
Although, there was that one time the fryer saved dinner. One of hubby’s frat brothers dropped by unexpectedly around dinnertime. Our fridge was empty; unless you count onions, which we did. So we had an onion ring party. Think fondue, but more aromatic. We we dipped, we fried, we laughed... then drove to Dairy Queen for dessert. We were in our twenties. Nutrition was something from the future. But even now, my neighbor sometimes has onion rings as her entrée, so maybe we started a trend.
But I digress. Let’s talk about real donut artistry: Voodoo Doughnut in Portland, Oregon. These people take donuts seriously. We’re talking Bacon Maple Bars, Banana Cream Pie Donuts, and something called the “Pothole,” which, I assume, involves chocolate and possibly an existential crisis.
They host weddings there—over 50 a year! (2) The ceremony includes standing beneath a velvet portrait of Isaac Hayes and asking the “spirits” if you’re meant for each other. If the lights flicker, it’s a yes. I think the lights always ficker. Then the couple jumps over a broom for good luck.
No need to get hitched for a donut, though. Voodoo now has outposts in Orlando, Miami, Chicago, Nashville, Seattle, Ohio, and seemingly every zip code in Texas. Order a custom dozen for your next party.
If you’re feeling brave (or bored), try making donuts at home. If you have an air fryer, air fryer donuts promise to be healthier, and certainly less messy, than deep fried. Though our first attempt seemed a bit greasy. Also, it’s hard to make a small batch of donuts. Biscuit cans come in fives or tens, I wanted one, hubby maybe two... the rest haunted us from the kitchen counter – then our tummy.
And yeast donuts? I love them, but they require a two-hour rise time plus heaven only knows how many hours to ice so if you live in one of Voodoo donuts towns, it might be faster to visit Voodoo. Plus easier, less messy, and less frustrating (unless you are travelling the 405 in LA).
Speaking of donuts at events: we recently attended a Celebration of Life where the dearly departed was honored with a buffet of his favorite foods, including Paczkis, those glorious Polish donuts filled with raspberry, lemon, and chocolate cream. There were “to-go” boxes so guests could enjoy a donut joy for breakfast the next day It was Mardi Gras-themed, with mac and cheese, DIY chili, cornbread, and mystery meat. It was perfect. A sweet send-off, literally.
And for those who love bike riding, consider the Tour de Donut in Troy, Ohio. It's a bike race where you eat donuts at pit stops and subtract five minutes from your ride time for each donut you consume and keep down. Finally, a sport that combines cardio and pastry. And yes, there are prizes—including a jersey for the fastest adjusted “donut time.” Somewhere, a nutritionist is weeping.
So whether you celebrate by buying, baking, or biking with a Bavarian cream in hand—Happy Donut Day. May your sprinkles be plenty and your oil be fresh.
Epiloge
We decided to retry to air fryer donuts again and went to the store to by Pillsbury Biscuits. What a shock - there must have been 100 kinds of biscuits (just kidding), but they had things like sweet Hawaiian Crescents, cinnamon sticks (easy air fry donuts), Sweet Biscuits with icing (another air fryer donut possibility). A plethora of choices. Happy Dounut Day!
Casey’s - If you're part of Casey's Rewards loyalty program, you can grab a free donut. Plus, from Friday, June 7th to June 16th, Rewards members can buy a half dozen donuts for $4.99.
Duck Donuts - You can grab a free cinnamon sugar donut from Duck Donuts on Friday, June 7th without purchasing anything.
Dunkin’ – Receive a free classic donut of their choice with the purchase of any beverage. Depending on availability, there are a range of classic donuts to choose from: Cinnamon Sugar, Jelly Donuts, Blueberry, Creme-Filled, Vanilla Frosted, Coconut, and many more. This deal is only available on June 7, while supplies last.
Krispy Kreme - Any “favorite” doughnut for free, no purchase This offer excludes limited-time-only doughnuts such as the Dolly Parton “Southern Sweets” collection, but includes a variety of classic and cake doughnuts. Select Krispy Kreme locations will also offer an Original Glazed dozen for the discount price of $2 when you buy any dozen in-store or via drive-thru at regular price.
Shipley Do-Nuts – One free glazed Do-Nut with any purchase. Redeem in-store or online with code DONUTDAY24, while supplies last.
Tim Hortons - If you're part of Tim Hortons' Tims Rewards loyalty program, you can snag a free donut when you buy any drink.
Voodoo Doughnut – Box of 13 for $10 (normally $24 a dozen)
Recipes
Easy Air Fyer Donuts – The Kitchn, 5 stars only 12 votes. Made from canned biscuits. At least you could read the comments. One person recommended Sweet Hawaiin canned biscuits.
Yeast air fryer donuts – Preppy Kitchen. Prep time 2 hrs (includes raising yeast) 10 ingredients (standard flour, milk, egg, yeast, salt, butter, vanilla, cooking spray, And you need a stand mixer. I am tempted to do on a rainy day (Note we are in a drought, so you do the math). 4.59 out of 5. It didn’t have comments but, I suspect any lower votes had to do with the labor involved.
Movies - (X indicates I couldn't find it on any of my streaming services)
Arnie the Doughnut read on YouTube by Chris O'Dowd – a children’s story written and illustrated by Laurie Keller
Attack of the Killer Donuts - A 2016 , 3.8 of 10. American horror comedy film. Johnny, an employee in a donut shop who, with his friends, is terrorized by an army of reanimated donuts. Google it and you should get a list of media where it's available.
Coffee and Donuts –2000, rating 7.7 Two friends, Adam and Steve, struggle to get their morning radio program off of the small town air waves of Holliston and into the big time. Meanwhile, Adam struggles to get over a break up with his long-time girlfriend and back into the wonderful and horrifying world of dating. X
The Donut Dollies - The untold story of American women who volunteered to go to Vietnam on an impossible mission: Help the troops forget about the war for a little while. (Trailer) X
The Donut King – PBS. A 2020 American documentary film which tells the life story of California donut shop owner Ted Ngoy. (Trailer) X
The Donut Shop. 2012, 7.7 of 10 Award winning Short. Supreme Donuts is in trouble, which means Roy is in big trouble. With a fiancee and twin infant sons to support, he must turn his business around. Unfortunately, the bank isn't impressed with Roy's plans for organic donuts. With his back against the wall, Roy decides to risk everything on a totally new concept - wholesome wheat chocolate-glazed donuts with a definite kick. Before long, his buzz-inducing recipe is a huge hit, and Roy's troubles are just beginning. 27 minutes. X
The Donut Shop (Game) - Trailer
The Donut Shop Murders (Podcast) – Documents the McCrary family serial killers who target donut shop workers in the 1970s - Trailer
Douchbags and Donuts – 2011, 4.2 of 5 a stand-up comedy film hosted by comedian Denis Leary.
PBS.org - use the search function for donut and you'll get several results including donut cooking shows, kids shows, and Nature: 'Platypus loves Donuts',
Waitress – 2007, 7 of 10, Jenna is a pregnant, unhappily married waitress in the deep south. She meets a newcomer to her town and falls into an unlikely relationship as a last attempt at happiness. Ok, it’s about pies, but hubby loves it. (Trailer)
References
National Donut Day, Wikipedia
Voodoo Donut Wedding, YouTube from PBS Wild Travels
Marnie Shure, Where to Get Free Doughnuts on National Doughnut Day, Food & Wine, June 4, 2024
National Donut Day: Here's how you can grab freebies from Dunkin Donuts, Tim Hortons & more, The Economic Times, June 4, 2024
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