Come hungry — and grab some crayons (more on that later) — because we’re diving headfirst into a frosting-filled donut adventure. From glazed greats to jelly-filled delights, every state has its own sweet-tooth style when it comes to donuts. So, we sprinkled a little Google Trends magic to find out: Which donut is top-searched in your state?
And because no donut debate is complete without a rivalry, we also rolled out a delicious face-off between two famous chains: Krispy Kreme vs. Dunkin’. Who’s the real king of the cruller? The results are as tasty as they are surprising. Let’s take a look!
Each State’s Favorite Donut
So, which donut takes the cake (or glaze)? We crunched the Google Trends data and counted up which donut type was the most searched in each state over the past year. Here’s how the sugary stats stacked up:
Most Searched Donut Types (By Number of States)
- Glazed – 11 states
- Powdered Sugar – 7 states
- Chocolate Frosted – 5 states
- Chocolate Glazed – 4 states
- Apple Fritter – 3 states
- Buttermilk – 3 states
- Apple Cider – 2 states
- Boston Cream – 2 states
- Jelly – 2 states
- Old-Fashioned – 2 states
- Strawberry Frosted – 2 states
Glazed donuts reign supreme, coming out on top in 11 states, including Colorado, Florida, and Ohio. Their simple, shiny sweetness seems to be a universal crowd-pleaser.
Powdered Sugar donuts came in second, claiming the top spot in seven states, including Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina — many of which have deep roots in Southern dessert traditions like powdered sugar beignets. Some traditions fade, while this one sticks… to your fingers.
Meanwhile, Apple Fritters made a strong showing in Connecticut, New Mexico, and Alaska. In Connecticut, that makes perfect sense, considering the state is known for its charming apple orchards and fall festivals.
Over in California and Nevada, Buttermilk donuts took the lead. That might be thanks to the cult status of buttermilk bars in Los Angeles, where donut shops have turned the humble cake-style treat into a viral favorite.
And of course, Boston Cream proudly won over Massachusetts (naturally!) and Vermont, delivering rich custard and chocolate-topped comfort right where you’d expect.
From Jelly in New York to Maple Bacon in Wyoming, it would seem that every state has its own sweet story to tell.
Donut Wars: Krispy Kreme vs. Dunkin’
It’s the sweet showdown of the century: Krispy Kreme vs. Dunkin’. Two legendary donut chains. One country. Who takes the crown as the most searched brand in each state?
According to Google Trends, Krispy Kreme emerged as the clear fan favorite, dominating in 36 states across the U.S. From the Pacific Northwest (like Oregon and Washington) to the South (Georgia, Texas, and Alabama) and out West (California, Arizona), the iconic “Hot Now” sign clearly still turns heads.
But don’t count out Dunkin’ just yet. The chain still held strong in 15 states, especially throughout the Northeast, where it’s practically a cultural staple. In places like Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York, Dunkin’ is more than a donut shop — it’s a way of life. And with their cult following—fueled by big merch drops and celebrity collaborations—and high store density in the region, it’s no surprise they’re winning the search race in that corner of the country.
This donut brand rivalry might not be as heated as coffee vs. tea, but based on these results, America seems to be running on glaze with a side of nostalgia and regional loyalty.
Bring the Donut Fun to Your Craft Table
Who knew data could be so delicious? We created this campaign to celebrate all things fun, nostalgic, and (of course) sweet — because who doesn’t love a donut moment? And since Yay! Coloring Pages is all about turning everyday fun into creative play, we’re topping it all off with a special treat: free printable donut coloring pages!
These one-of-a-kind, hand-drawn pages are the perfect way to extend the fun, whether you’re coloring with kids, hosting a donut-themed birthday party, or just need a cozy weekend activity.
Want even more seasonal coloring joy? Don’t miss our Fall coloring pages — packed with pumpkins, cozy critters, and autumn magic.
Methodology
To uncover America’s true donut preferences, we turned to Google Trends. Our team analyzed the search volume of 30 popular donut types across all 50 states (plus D.C.) using search data from September 2024 to September 2025. The list of donut types was compiled from expert roundups by Thrillist and Tasting Table, ensuring a mix of classic favorites and trendy treats.
Once we tallied each state’s top-searched donut, we conducted a separate head-to-head comparison of Krispy Kreme and Dunkin’, measuring their search volume over the same 12-month period to see which chain came out on top in each state.
