National Donut Day (1st Fri in June)
There’s something nostalgic about doughnuts, whether it’s grabbing one with your morning coffee or sharing a box with friends. National Donut Day is a fun excuse to enjoy this iconic treat and learn a bit about its history too.
Celebrated on the first Friday of June, it’s one of those quirky traditions that people genuinely look forward to. And as far as weird holidays in June go, this one is definitely worth marking on the calendar.
When is It?
National Doughnut Day is celebrated annually on the first Friday in June. Upcoming dates include:
- June 6, 2025
- June 5, 2026
- June 4, 2027
- June 2, 2028
- June 1, 2029
- June 7, 2030
- June 6, 2031
- June 4, 2032
- June 3, 2033
These dates provide an opportunity to indulge in and celebrate one of the most beloved sweet treats across the world.
Who Invented It?
The holiday was created by the Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the “Doughnut Lassies,” women who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I.
It was also a fundraising effort during the Great Depression to support those in need.
The History of the Holiday
The doughnut’s connection to American culture grew during WWI, when volunteers handed them out to boost soldier morale.
The idea stuck, and by 1938, the Salvation Army formalized National Doughnut Day to recognize that effort.
Since then, the day has grown into a celebration enjoyed by bakeries and doughnut-lovers across the U.S.
5 Fun Doughnut Facts
- Americans consume over 10 billion doughnuts every year. That’s enough to circle the globe if you lined them up!
- Despite the U.S. eating the most, Canada holds the record for doughnut shops per person, largely thanks to Tim Hortons.
- Captain Hanson Gregory reportedly got tired of undercooked centers, so he punched a hole in the middle to help them cook evenly. It stuck.
- A New York bakery made a gold-leafed doughnut filled with champagne jelly and topped with 24-karat gold dust. It sold for $1,200.
- The Donut Hole in La Puente, California, is a doughnut shop shaped like a giant doughnut you drive through. It’s also a historic landmark.
Activities to Celebrate
- Choose a few local spots and turn it into a mini doughnut crawl. Compare styles—yeast vs. cake, glaze vs. icing, traditional vs. gourmet.
- Buy plain doughnuts and set out bowls of icing, glazes, toppings (sprinkles, crushed cereal, fruit, chocolate chips). Kids and adults both love customizing their own.
- Turn the day into a mini-lesson with doughnut math activities (graphing favorite flavors), reading doughnut-themed books, or writing silly doughnut poetry.
- Wrap up a half-dozen in a box with a handmade tag and leave it on a neighbor’s porch. A fun way to brighten someone’s day.
- Snap a silly pic with your doughnut or dress up in themed clothes. Great for classroom bulletin boards or Instagram challenges.
10 Creative Doughnut Recipes to Try
Ube Donuts – These vibrant purple doughnuts made with Filipino ube (purple yam) are lightly sweet and totally eye-catching. Often topped with coconut or glaze.
Baked Banana Donuts with Chocolate Glaze – Moist and sweet from ripe bananas, these are oven-baked and topped with a rich, glossy chocolate glaze. Kid-friendly and freezer-friendly.
Grinch Caramel Apple Donuts Recipe – A playful green apple doughnut recipe perfect for kids, featuring a Grinch theme with gooey caramel and festive toppings.
Vegan Pistachio Cream Donuts – Airy yeast-raised dough filled with silky pistachio cream. Dairy-free and surprisingly indulgent.
Air Fryer Cinnamon Sugar Donuts – Made from biscuit dough and tossed in cinnamon sugar straight out of the air fryer. No yeast, no fuss, still delicious.
Mini Churros Donuts ( Gluten-free+Vegan) – Crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and rolled in cinnamon sugar. Made without dairy, eggs, or gluten.
Biscoff Doughnuts – Baked or fried doughnuts filled or topped with that dreamy cookie butter flavor. A must for fans of spiced cookies.
Blueberry Cake Donuts – A dense, moist doughnut packed with real blueberries and finished with a vanilla glaze. These bake beautifully and stay soft.
Sufganiyot: Traditional Hanukkah Jelly Donuts – Soft, fluffy rounds fried to golden perfection and filled with raspberry jam. A cultural classic that works year-round.
Maple Chai Donuts – A warm, cozy twist using maple syrup and chai spices like cinnamon, clove, and cardamom. Ideal for fall mornings—or anytime.
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Links to Resources
Donut Math Mat Printable – A hands-on printable mat that lets preschoolers practice counting and number recognition with a doughnut theme.
Emotional Support Donut Plush – Add a dose of humor to your celebration with this hilarious donut-shaped plush toy—fun for gifting, desk decor, or just because.
Donut Coloring Pages – A set of free printable doughnut-themed coloring sheets, great for kids of all ages.
Donut Preschool Worksheets – A full set of educational doughnut worksheets covering early math and literacy for preschoolers.
Dinos Love Donuts Book – This silly and colorful picture book is perfect for young readers who love dinosaurs and sprinkles—an ideal storytime pick for National Donut Day.
Donut Mold – Make your own doughnuts at home with this nonstick, dishwasher-safe silicone mold—perfect for baking with kids or trying new recipes.
Related Holidays
- National Gourmet Coffee Day (January 18th) – The perfect pairing, celebrate the brew that completes every good doughnut run.
- National Junk Food Day (July 21) – Whether it’s chips, candy, or doughnuts, this is a day to indulge without guilt.
- National Banana Split Day (August 25) – Sweet and over-the-top like many donuts, banana splits share the spotlight in summer dessert celebrations.
- World Chocolate Day (July 7th) – An ideal time to make (or eat) chocolate-glazed doughnuts, filled, frosted, or dipped.
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