Doughnut, yeast type
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A yeast-leavened doughnut is a pillowy, airy ring or filled shape, deep-fried to a golden crisp with a tender, slightly chewy interior. Its flavor is a balanced sweet, buttery dough, often coated in a simple sugar glaze or dusting. Nutritionally, it's a high-energy food, providing a quick source of carbohydrates and fats, with a modest amount of protein.
💚 Why it's loved
People love yeast doughnuts for their irresistible combination of a crisp, sugary exterior and a soft, cloud-like interior that melts in the mouth. They are a beloved comfort food and a staple of bakeries, coffee shops, and cultural traditions worldwide.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar and refined carbohydrate content can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes and subsequent energy crashes. To mitigate this, enjoy a doughnut alongside a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts or Greek yogurt) to slow sugar absorption, and practice portion control by sharing one. Those with gluten or egg allergies should avoid them entirely.
Key benefits
- Quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Contains some protein from wheat flour and eggs
- Can be a comforting, mood-boosting treat
- Versatile base for sweet or savory toppings
- Culturally significant in many celebrations
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The doughnut's hole is popularly, though debatedly, attributed to a 19th-century American sailor, Hanson Gregory, who claimed to have punched out the center to ensure even cooking and eliminate the doughy, undercooked core.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 22.0 g |
| Energy | 421 kcal |
| Protein | 6.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 22.7 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 47.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 2.1 g |
| Total Sugars | 22.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 101 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.4 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 17.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 117 mg |
| Potassium, K | 102 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 316 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.61 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.09 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 15.7 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.2 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.31 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.18 mg |
| Niacin | 2.6 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 108 ug |
| Folic acid | 68.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 40.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 155 ug |
| Choline, total | 29.1 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.11 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 5.0 ug |
| Retinol | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 3.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 1.0 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 1.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 36.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.4 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 11.5 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 9.5 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.12 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.20 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 7.3 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.6 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 7.2 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 7.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.6 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 3.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.21 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 30.0 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
What's the difference between a cake doughnut and a yeast doughnut?
A yeast doughnut uses yeast as a leavening agent, creating a light, airy, and chewy texture. A cake doughnut uses baking powder or baking soda, resulting in a denser, more crumbly, cake-like texture.
Why are yeast doughnuts fried instead of baked?
Deep-frying rapidly sets the exterior, creating a crisp crust while the interior steams and puffs up, achieving the signature contrast in texture. Baking cannot replicate this specific crisp-tender result.
Can doughnuts be part of a balanced diet?
Yes, as an occasional treat. The key is mindful portion control and pairing it with nutrient-dense foods. For example, have half a doughnut with a side of fruit and a handful of nuts to create a more balanced snack.