Why You Should Steer Clear of Buying Donuts at Supermarket Bakeries

While it’s hard to resist the allure of the bakery section during a grocery run, donuts from supermarket bakeries might not be worth the indulgence. According to expert baker Sara Klimek, these treats often fail to deliver the soft, fresh experience that makes donuts so enjoyable.

Klimek notes, “The issue with store-bought donuts is that their consistency tends to be dry, sad, and, overall, lackluster.”This is largely due to a lack of freshness. When donuts sit on shelves, the oil absorbed during frying has time to settle, turning them dense and greasy. Unlike freshly-fried donuts from a specialty shop, grocery store donuts lack the warm, pillowy texture that makes them so satisfying.

Ways to Repurpose Store-Bought Donuts

If you do give in to temptation, there are ways to elevate the lackluster donuts into something more enjoyable. Klimek suggests repurposing them into creative treats like:

• Breakfast Sandwiches: Slice the donut and add eggs, bacon, or other savory fillings.
• Fruit-Filled Desserts: Stuff them with pie filling or fresh fruit.
• Coffee Companion: Dunking a donut in coffee can mask its shortcomings.

For a more adventurous twist, consider transforming donuts into entirely new desserts:

• Bread Pudding or Trifle: Layer the donuts with custard, fruit, and whipped cream.
• Cake Pops: Break down the donuts, add moisture with icing or heavy cream, and reshape.
• Sweet Croutons: Toast crumbled donuts in the oven for sundae or yogurt toppings.

Klimek also recommends pairing supermarket donuts with canned frosting or pie filling to revive their flavor.

Why Fresh or Homemade is Better

For a truly satisfying donut experience, stopping by a donut shop or frying your own at home is the way to go. Homemade donuts allow you to control freshness and flavor, ensuring a melt-in-your-mouth treat. If you’re ready to ditch the grocery store for good, explore a few of these 15 donut recipes or visit a spot featured in the rankings for the best donuts in the U.S.

In the end, the effort to find or make fresh donuts is worth it—leaving the supermarket bakery donuts to sit right where they belong: on the shelf.