Krispy Kreme doughnuts are a beloved treat for many people. With their soft, sweet dough and signature glaze, they are hard to resist. However, for those with dairy allergies or who follow a vegan diet, enjoying a Krispy Kreme doughnut may seem off limits. This article will examine whether Krispy Kreme doughnuts contain dairy and explore some dairy-free alternatives.
Do Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Contain Dairy?
The short answer is yes, most Krispy Kreme doughnuts do contain dairy ingredients. According to the company’s website, many Krispy Kreme doughnuts contain milk, whey, butter, and/or eggs in the dough and/or glaze. Even their famous original glazed doughnuts contain dairy ingredients like whey powder and butter in the dough recipe.
Here is a breakdown of some common Krispy Kreme doughnut varieties and their dairy contents:
| Doughnut Variety | Contains Dairy? |
|---|---|
| Original Glazed | Yes |
| Chocolate Iced Glazed | Yes |
| Powdered Strawberry | Yes |
| Cinnamon Apple Filled | Yes |
| Glazed Raspberry Filled | Yes |
| Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles | Yes |
As you can see, common doughnut varieties like glazed, chocolate iced, filled, and frosted options at Krispy Kreme contain some form of dairy, whether it’s in the dough recipe itself or in the topping/filling. This makes most of their doughnuts unsuitable for vegans and people with dairy allergies.
Why Do Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Contain Dairy?
There are a few reasons why dairy ingredients are so commonly used in Krispy Kreme’s doughnuts:
- Butter and milk help create a soft, rich dough. Butter adds flavor and milk proteins help bind the dough for a pillowy texture.
- Whey powder boosts moisture retention for a tender, cake-like crumb.
- Milk and butter contribute to a smooth, creamy frosting or glaze.
- Dairy ingredients like milk and cream are traditional components of doughnut recipes.
By using dairy products like milk, butter, and whey, Krispy Kreme is able to achieve the ultra soft, melt-in-your-mouth doughnut texture they’re famous for. The dairy ingredients interact with the gluten in the dough to create doughnuts that are fluffy on the inside and slightly chewy on the outside when fresh.
Are Any Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Dairy Free?
While the majority of Krispy Kreme’s doughnuts contain some amount of dairy, there are a select few varieties that are dairy free:
- Original Glazed doughnuts made with coconut oil instead of butter
- Blueberry Glazed doughnuts
- Maple Iced Glazed doughnuts
- Orange Iced Glazed doughnuts
These doughnuts follow a modified recipe without butter or whey powder. Instead, the dough relies on coconut oil for moisture and richness. The glazes are also dairy-free, using a simple mix of sugar, water, and flavorings to achieve the signature Krispy Kreme glaze consistency without relying on butter.
However, it’s important to note that these dairy-free varieties may not be available at all Krispy Kreme locations. You’ll want to call ahead to your local Krispy Kreme store to ask about availability of these specific doughnuts.
Can You Custom Order Dairy-Free Doughnuts?
In addition to the limited dairy-free varieties, you can also custom order a dozen Original Glazed doughnuts made with coconut oil instead of butter. This allows you to enjoy the classic glazed doughnuts without the dairy. You’ll need to specify that you need the coconut oil recipe when placing your order. Lead times can vary based on location and demand.
Top dairy-free alternatives
If you can’t get your hands on Krispy Kreme’s dairy-free doughnuts, there are plenty of delicious dairy-free doughnut options out there:
Baked Doughnuts
Baked doughnuts allow you to achieve a similar sweet treat without relying on dairy ingredients like butter and milk. Baked doughnuts get their lift and texture from baking powder and/or eggs instead of deep frying. You can find recipes for dairy-free baked doughnuts that use oil, applesauce, banana, or aquafaba instead of butter.
Coconut Milk Glazed Doughnuts
Full fat coconut milk makes a great substitute for dairy milk when making glazes and icings. Whip up a dairy-free doughnut glaze by whisking powdered sugar with coconut milk. After frying your favorite doughnut recipe in oil, dip them into the coconut glaze while still warm.
Cake Doughnuts
Traditional cake doughnuts are dairy-free, getting their flavor from oil and eggs instead of butter and milk. You can top them with dairy-free glazes and sprinkles for fun flavors. Cake doughnuts have a light, fluffy texture compared to dense yeast doughnuts.
Vegan Yeast Doughnuts
It is possible to make dairy-free yeast-raised doughnuts that are deliciously soft and chewy. Substitute non-dairy milk like almond or soy milk in place of cow’s milk. And use vegetable oil or vegan butter instead of dairy butter. Top them with your favorite icings and sprinkles.
Doughnut Shops with Dairy-Free Options
Many independent doughnut shops now offer vegan and dairy-free options. Check your local area for bakeries selling alternative doughnuts without dairy. You may even find shops that specialize in vegan desserts including doughnuts.
Making Dairy-Free Doughnuts at Home
Want to enjoy fresh, hot doughnuts without leaving home? With the right substitutions, you can whip up dairy-free doughnuts in your own kitchen. Here are some tips:
- Use plant-based milk like almond, soy or oat milk instead of cow’s milk
- Replace butter with coconut oil or vegan butter sticks
- Swap out traditional dairy ingredients for vegan alternatives like vegan yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, etc.
- Top with dairy-free glazes made with powdered sugar and plant milk or fruit purees
- Finish with dairy-free toppings like coconut whipped cream, caramel, fruit, or nuts
Both cake and yeasted doughnuts can be made dairy-free at home. Baked doughnuts are also an option. Playing around with different doughnut recipes and dairy substitutes will allow you to find a homemade doughnut you love.
Dairy-Free Doughnut Recipe
Here is a simple recipe for easy dairy-free doughnuts you can make at home:
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 cup dairy-free milk
- 1/4 cup aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas)
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- Neutral oil for frying (vegetable, canola or sunflower oil)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg until well combined.
- In a small bowl combine the non-dairy milk, aquafaba, coconut oil, and vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes to activate the baking powder.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a rubber spatula just until combined. Don’t overmix.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough 1/2 inch thick. Cut into doughnut rounds with a 3-inch doughnut cutter, placing them on a parchment lined baking sheet as you work. Gather scraps and re-roll to cut additional doughnuts and holes.
- In a dutch oven or heavy bottomed pot, heat 2 to 3 inches of oil to 350°F. Working in batches, fry the doughnuts for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Glaze or top while still warm, then serve and enjoy!
You can customize this easy recipe by adding cinnamon to the dough or experimenting with flavored dairy-free glazes on top like maple, chocolate, lemon, or strawberry. Enjoy your homemade dairy-free doughnuts!
Nutrition Information
Aside from being dairy-free, how do Krispy Kreme doughnuts stack up health and nutrition wise? Here’s a look at some key nutrition facts if you’re keeping an eye on calories, fat, carbs, and sugar.
Calories in Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Calorie-wise, Krispy Kreme doughnuts range from about 190 to 300 calories per doughnut depending on variety:
- Original Glazed: 190 calories
- Chocolate Iced Glazed: 230 calories
- Powdered Strawberry: 200 calories
- Glazed Raspberry Filled: 230 calories
- Chocolate Iced Kreme Filled: 300 calories
The filling and icing varieties tend to be higher in calories than plain glazed. The Original Glazed provides the lowest calorie option at 190 calories per doughnut.
Fat in Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
The majority of calories in Krispy Kreme doughnuts come from fat. Each doughnut contains between 11-16 grams of fat, mainly from vegetable oils used in frying. Saturated fat content ranges from 3-5 grams per doughnut.
Carbs and Sugar
Krispy Kremes are high in refined carbs and sugar. A single doughnut contains between 21-29 grams of carbs, with 16-18 grams from sugars. So over half the carbs come from sugar. This gives them their characteristic sweet flavor.
While delicious, the calorie, fat, and sugar content makes doughnuts more of an occasional indulgence. Those looking for healthier options may want to create modified versions at home using less oil and sugar.
Krispy Kreme Allergens Information
In addition to dairy, Krispy Kreme doughnuts contain other common food allergens.
Wheat
Wheat is present in the form of wheat flour used to make the doughnut dough and batters. People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid Krispy Kreme.
Eggs
Some doughnuts contain eggs as an ingredient in the dough. People with egg allergies should avoid egg-containing varieties.
Soy
Soy is found in Krispy Kreme glazes in the form of soy lecithin, an emulsifier. Soy is also present in powdered sugar toppings.
Peanuts
While peanuts are not used in Krispy Kreme doughnuts, some varieties may be topped with peanut sprinkles. There is a risk of cross contamination for those with peanut allergies.
Always read labels carefully and ask about preparation if you have food allergies. In general, those with dairy, egg, wheat, soy, or peanut allergies should use caution consuming Krispy Kreme doughnuts.
Conclusion
While Krispy Kreme’s signature doughnuts are hard to resist, most varieties unfortunately are not dairy-free friendly for those avoiding milk products. A few options like the Original Glazed with coconut oil can be ordered dairy-free, but availability is limited. Those seeking dairy-free indulgence will find plenty of homemade and bakery options that are just as tasty!
