The Lion King famously brought the “Circle of Life” into the lexicon, and for many, those three words could easily describe a morning doughnut and a cup of coffee. Simply put, doughnuts make people happy. Take a dozen into work and you’ll be a hero. Swing by for a brightly colored creation after school, and you can coax the kids into doing their homework. Or, break away for a little alone time at your neighborhood shop for an everyday reward that needs no occasion.
Beyond the hard-to-resist silky sweet Krispy Kreme or classic glazed from Shipley Do-Nuts, Dallas-Fort Worth has a bounty of shops worth exploring. From Insta-worthy doughnuts that taste as good as they look to unique styles you won’t find in many other places, here is a baker’s dozen of doughnut shops around DFW that are worth setting an early alarm to wake up for—or, in the case of at least one spot, make a late night stop to.
Donutly
Croughnuts are the specialty at this Denton shop. Flavors include coconut-pistachio, dulce de leche, salted caramel, passionfruit, and blood orange permeating each of the pastries’ 100 layers of buttery goodness. Traditional yeast-raised and cake doughnuts, also made with high quality premium ingredients, ensure something to please everyone. 611 Sunset St, Denton, donutly.net
A & H Donuts
Authentic and homemade are the two simple words that describe what you’ll find at this Fort Worth favorite. The bakers here focus on fun, seasonal ingredients, along with photo-worthy treats such as alphabet doughnuts or unicorn and mermaid themes. Apple fritters, cronuts, cinnamon rolls, and sausage rolls round out the offerings. 3412 West 7th St., Fort Worth, anhdonuts.com
Back Dough
Doughnuts aren’t reserved for an early morning indulgence. Starting at 10 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night, a neon sign lights up behind chef Tim Love’s Queenie’s Steakhouse near the courthouse square. That’s the indication that Back Dough is open for business until their unique creations sell out. Go in expecting the unexpected, like savory doughnuts—chili cheese burger, anyone?. 115 E Hickory St, Denton, queeniessteakhouse.com
Batter & Beans
Cake doughnuts don’t often get the respect they deserve, but at Batter & Beans, they are the stars. With 30 different flavors that start with a base of cake batter and sour cream, you’ll have tough decisions ahead. Try the chocolate espresso doughnut or a classic cinnamon and sugar paired with a latte crafted with beans from Washington’s Dillanos Coffee Roasters. 3548 South Hills Ave. Ste. 18, Fort Worth, batter-and-beans.com
Detour Doughnuts and Coffee
Slam on the brakes if you see the sign for Detour Doughnuts while driving through Frisco. Korean-born chef Jinny Cho self-describes as a rule-breaker, and it shows on her menu, especially when it comes to her signature cream-filled doughnuts. Try the creme brulee, fig and mascarpone, or tiramisu—all available in mini versions. 8161 FM 423 #250, Frisco, detourdoughnutsandcoffee.com
La Rue Doughnuts
Over the years, Trinity Groves has welcomed specialty purveyors from cake shops to a concept that served nothing but baked potatoes. Now, it’s the doughnut’s turn to shine with the opening of La Rue Doughnuts. They playfully claim “established in 1847,” but that’s actually a nod to the year American sailor Hanson Gregory gets credited for creating the first-known doughnut with a hole. French influences appear elsewhere besides the shop’s name, with brioche doughnuts being the house specialty. 3011 Gulden Ln., Dallas, laruedoughnuts.com
Mochio Mochi Donut
Mochi meets doughnut at this East Dallas favorite. The unique, chewy donuts mimic the texture of Japanese mochi, with flavors that change daily. Past creations include pumpkin spice, blueberry cheesecake, and matcha, each bursting with vibrant colors that match the flavors. Many customers enjoy dipping them into milk teas, also representing every hue of the rainbow. 5420 Ross Ave. #160, Dallas, mochiodonut.com
Rings Donuts + Coffee
The most coveted rings don’t always come from a jeweler. Sometimes they’re served by the dozen from cute little storefronts like Rings Donuts + Coffee in the Park Cities. Experience the wow factor of specialty options such as magical marshmallow and Fruity Pebble, or classics including Boston creme and strawberry iced with rainbow sprinkles. 6053 Sherry Ln., Dallas, ringsdonuts.com
The Salty Donut
Originated in Miami as a pop-up shop, the Salty Donut has begun its rapid takeover of cities across the U.S. There are two in the Dallas area—one in the Bishop Arts District and a pop-up airstream trailer at Klyde Warren Park. Staples include chocolate sheet cake, brown butter and salt, and churro and dulce de leche star-shaped doughnuts. Rotating seasonal flavors tap into trends and limited-availability ingredients, such as the Girl Scout Cookie-inspired Samoa. 414 W. Davis St., Dallas, saltydonut.com
Urban Donut
In the heart of Uptown’s State-Thomas neighborhood, Urban Donut fills a void for residents while creating a destination-worthy doughnut stop for the adventurous. Specialty options get their names from parts of Dallas, including the chocolate-caramel-pecan Turtle Creek, the citrusy Lemmon Avenue, and the fancy salted-caramel-coconut-pecan Highland Park. They also sell doggie doughnuts and the wildly popular selfie doughnut, which allows guests to create their own from more than 10 styles, eight frostings, and nearly two dozen toppings, ranging from cookie dough to bacon. 2805 Allen St., Dallas, urbandonut.com
Voodoo Doughnut
It used to be a status symbol that you lived in a major city when a Hard Rock Cafe opened. These days, Voodoo Doughnut represents hip and trendy for the masses. The Portland-based shop features irreverent marketing slogans and whimsical options like the pentagram-clad Diablos Rex, the cute-and-creepy Voodoo doll, and the marijuana joint-inspired maple blazer blunt. Limited-time doughnuts reward frequent visitors with something new and crazy. 1806 Greenville Ave. Ste. 120, Dallas, voodoodoughnut.com
Yonutz
Florida contributes another trendy doughnut shop to this list, this time with the home of the award-winning smashed donut. These eye-popping treats feature a doughnut that’s cut in half, filled with ice cream, warmed in a hot press, then rolled in toppings like cereal, cookie pieces, and bits of brownies. Ice cream for breakfast now has an official home. 14902 Preston Rd. Ste. 500, Dallas, yonutz.com
Jarams Artisan Donuts
Since 2018, Jarams Artisan Donuts has been serving long lines of devoted customers, eager to sink their teeth into everything from Average Joe Donuts to State Fair of Texas-worthy funnel cake doughnuts. Try the sandwich-style banana pudding or Nutella strawberry funnel doughnuts for the ultimate in decadence. Multiple locations, jarams.com
