Donuts just make everything better. They’re delicious, hand-held confections that are endlessly customizable, especially when you make them yourselves. But we get it — the idea of making donuts at home sounds like a daunting baking task. Will your house smell like fried food for days? Do you need special cutters to shape them properly? The answer is simple: invest in a mini donut maker.
We chose the very best mini-donut makers that will even have baking newbies crank out fresh donuts like a pro. Plus, these mini donut makers bake the donuts as opposed to frying them, making them a (slightly) healthier option than many of their store-bought cohorts.
Donut makers make an excellent addition to your kitchen. They vary considerably in terms of capabilities, though, so in order to pick the best one for your family, keep the following considerations in mind before making your final selection.
If you’re making donuts for one, you may want to opt for a mini-maker (four donuts), but if you’re going to be making donuts for parties and gatherings, consider upgrading to a large-batch machine (24 donuts). Ask yourself how many donuts you’ll realistically be making on a regular basis and choose the best size from there.
Some donut makers are multi-purpose baking tools. If you want to get more than one type of baked confection from your baker, seek out one of our picks that does double or triple duty, producing cupcakes, mini pops, and more.
For occasional donut-bakers, our less expensive donut makers are a perfect fit. But if you plan on making large batches of donuts on a regular basis, or you’d like to serve them at big events and parties, consider upgrading to one of our professional-grade makers.
How We Evaluated
We reviewed hundreds of donut makers, sifted through professional assessments, and read consumer reviews. We only included donut makers that make the grade according to pros and casual bakers. You’ll also only find donut makers from reputable companies with excellent reputations for customer service.
This mini donut maker bakes up to four donuts. It features a latching handle, nonskid rubber feet, and easy-to-clean nonstick baking plates.
One reviewer says, “this donut maker worked great! In three minutes, I had the best little gluten-free donuts ever. I was able to make 36 donuts in no time at all.”
The package comes with a recipe booklet as well. Some reviewers do note that they wish the maker came with a piping bag.
This three-in-one donut maker features detachable plates for six donuts, waffles, and eggettes. The nonstick coating ensures that the donuts come out easily, and it’s a snap to clean. The machine includes an indicator light for power and another for pre-heating, so you’ll know when it’s time to add the batter.
The Health and Home donut maker includes a hassle-free warranty. It comes with a booklet of instructions.
This donut maker produces seven donuts in minutes, and if you don’t want to hover over it, you can turn on the auto-shut-off function, which alerts you with a buzzer when it’s done. The nonstick surfaces make it easy to clean. The donut maker comes with a recipe book and a one-year manufacturer warranty.
This fascinating and fun six-donut maker includes interchangeable plates that allow you to make six pies or quiches and two Japanese-style fish-shaped waffles called taiyaki. The non-stick coating makes the creations easy to release and the plates easy to clean without scrubbing.
The maker has non-slip feet, a cool-touch design, and a red and green indicator to let you know when it’s on and pre-heated. Reviewers say this machine allows them to unleash their “inner pastry chef.”
This Betty Crocker donut maker prepares seven fresh donuts in minutes. The maker includes a cool-touch handle, a power-on-light, and a temperature-ready indicator line. The nonstick surface ensures golden results, an easy release, and simple clean-up.
The maker also comes with a Betty Crocker Original Recipe booklet, a piping bag, nozzles, and a spatula.
This professional-grade donut maker is made with a stainless-steel outer shell and cast aluminum heating plates. It makes five flower-shaped donuts, and the non-stick coating makes for fast cooking and easy cleaning.
The donut maker comes with a timer and temperature adjusting knobs with LED lights that indicate heating status. There is also a detachable drip pan, air vents on both sides, and anti-scald steel handles. The set-up also comes with brushes, an egg beater, and sponges.
This donut maker produces beautiful donut holes that are perfect for making cake pops. It makes nine donut holes, and the nonstick coating makes for stress-free cooking and clean-up. Note sticks are not included with this mini donut maker, so you'll have to purchase those separately.
This three-in-one unit can make 24 donut holes, or it can cook up all manner of sweet and savory dishes, from cake pops to eggs or meatballs. There are also interchangeable plates, allowing you to switch out the donut maker for a plane grill or a six-pan egg fryer.
We like that the three interchangeable plates can be stored in the unit at the same time, and the non-stick surface makes for easy cleanup.
This bright red Babycakes mini donut maker has it all. It doesn’t take up too much real estate, it cooks donuts to a perfect golden hue with a cake interior, and it makes not just seven donuts, but thanks to interchanging plates, it also makes seven cupcakes and 12 cake pops.
The non-stick coating makes clean-up a cinch, and the package includes a recipe booklet. Reviewers say it’s a great option for baking enthusiasts who want to make an array of “pops, donuts, and cupcakes.”
This professional-grade donut maker allows bakers maximum control of the cooking process with time and temperature control. The nonstick pan also makes for easy cooking and cleaning. It's especially useful for donut enthusiasts who are considering going pro. While it offers everything other professional donut machines do, it comes in at about 25% of the typical price.
Kathleen WillcoxKathleen Willcox is a journalist who writes about parenting, technology, shopping, food and wine.
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