Best doughnut maker
Which doughnut makers are best?
Just about everyone on the planet likes a good sweet treat, and doughnuts are one of the yummiest. The downside to getting really fresh doughnuts is that you have to wake up early to visit the bakery or doughnut shop. With a doughnut maker, you can avoid the early mornings and the drive by making fresh doughnuts whenever you’d like.
The best doughnut maker is the DASH Mini Donut Maker. This doughnut maker bakes up to seven doughnuts at a time and even includes a recipe guide with over 50 recipes to get you started on your doughnut-baking path.
What to know before you buy a doughnut maker
Capacity and size
Doughnut makers come in a few capacity options, typically between four and seven. They can also feature different sizes of doughnuts, with most making mini doughnuts as opposed to standard-sized doughnuts.
The body of the doughnut maker is also typically small, usually measuring around 10 by 8 by 5 inches, allowing for easier storage when not in use.
Plates
The plates used in doughnut makers can be replaced or swapped out and may come in nonstick or not.
- Swappable: Most doughnut makers only have one plate that isn’t removable, built to bake doughnuts and nothing else. Some of the higher-cost doughnut makers come with removable/swappable plates, allowing the device’s cooking method to be used for baking items such as waffles, doughnut holes or cake pops. If there aren’t any alternate plates, but the plate is still removable, that makes it much easier to clean.
- Nonstick: Most doughnut makers have plates with nonstick surfaces, so you don’t need to add any additional oils or fats. Not all of these nonstick doughnut makers are created equally, however, with some still requiring a touch of oils to assist in preventing sticking. Others still have nonstick coatings that deteriorate in time. Check the user reviews carefully to see what quality of nonstick coating your prospective doughnut maker has.
What to look for in a quality doughnut maker
Quick heating
Depending on the size and quality of the doughnut maker, it can take up to 10 minutes to heat up properly for baking. Some models proudly boast of a rapid eating ability with “quick-heating” labels. Quick heating models can preheat in as fast as 4 minutes.
Temperature
Most doughnut makers have only one temperature setting, which is calibrated to bake doughnut batter types effectively. More expensive doughnut makers can occasionally include multiple temperature settings to allow for a better baking experience, which is required for different kinds of batters. Most doughnut makers with adjustable temperatures typically have no more than four settings.
How much you can expect to spend on a doughnut maker
Doughnut makers come in a wide range of prices, affected by variables like the number of doughnuts they can make or extra accessories and cooking features. Most doughnut makers do tend to hover in the $30-$40 range, with mini doughnut makers running as low as $15 and serious doughnut makers hitting up to $60.
doughnut maker FAQ
What kind of foods can I make with a doughnut maker besides doughnuts?
A. You can make just about anything you can think of in a doughnut maker as long as it uses some kind of batter. Batters for cakes, brownies and cookies are very popular for use in a doughnut maker. Some doughnut makers even include recipe guides to give you a range of options. Just remember to bake one or two new batters at a time to get a feel for any changes to cooking time or temperature you need to make.
How do I clean a doughnut maker?
A. Cleaning a doughnut maker is generally easy. Simply soak a cloth in a solution of warm water and mild dish soap and scrub it clean. Just remember to wring out any excess solution first, as you don’t want any water worming its way inside the doughnut maker. If the mess is really baked in, you can also use a soft sponge to scrub at it; make sure it’s a sponge that’s designed not to scrape away at the doughnut maker’s nonstick coating. Most doughnut makers will also have cleaning instructions included in their operator’s manual.
What are the best doughnut makers to buy?
Top doughnut maker
What you need to know: This is an excellent doughnut maker that’s perfectly safe for all ages to use with a cute, doughnut-covered print.
What you’ll love: If you don’t like the doughnut print, it also comes in light blue. This doughnut maker can make seven doughnuts at a time and it includes a recipe booklet with more than 50 recipes. The nonstick coating is PFOA-free.
What you should consider: The doughnuts it makes aren’t full-sized. Some consumers reported an uneven bake and a longer cooking time than advertised.
Top doughnut maker for the money
What you need to know: This low-cost and low-capacity mini doughnut maker not only saves you money, it also saves you calories.
What you’ll love: This mini doughnut maker avoids potential spills and slides with rubber feet to keep it steady. The power light switches off once the mini doughnuts have finished cooking. The baking plate is nonstick for easy removal of the finished product.
What you should consider: If you want “real” doughnut, then you won’t like the small size of these. Some consumers reported difficulty in filling the doughnut maker properly.
Worth checking out
Health and Home Electric Japanese Takoyaki Octopus Pan
What you need to know: This takoyaki pan is built to make all kinds of round foods like doughnut holes, cake pops and, yes, takoyaki.
What you’ll love: The heat generated by this doughnut maker is very even for a well-rounded cook, plus it’s simple to operate thanks to its large on/off switch. It includes two tools for testing, turning and removing your finished products.
What you should consider: The nonstick coating of this doughnut maker isn’t the best, as it occasionally has a hard time releasing your baked goods smoothly.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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