Introduction: A Sweet Movement at McDonald’s
When people think of McDonald’s, they first think of Big Macs, fries, and McFlurries. “What Donuts Is McDonald’s Selling?”
However, in 2025, a sweet surprise has been gaining steam—donuts.
The golden arches have moved deeper into baked goods, and it’s getting attention.
From sugary staples to cool new limited editions, McDonald’s donuts are catching people’s attention and appetites.
But What Donuts Is McDonald’s Selling?? This has piqued interest in a donut-loving world that is always looking for something new and cheap.
In this post, we share 7 amazing truths that help explain what is truly happening at the counters of the world’s favorite fast-food chain.
1. McDonald’s New Donut Game: What Changed in 2025?
McDonald’s sold pastries in some areas for years. However, in 2025, McDonald’s will no longer offer donuts as a side order but rather as their signature item.
Both of these shifts are strategic. An obvious strategic decision to compete directly with coffeehouse chains such as Dunkin’ and Starbucks, both of which have marketed their experience connected to sweet breakfast items.
This year, McDonald’s started to expand donut options and offerings from the two pilot markets.
This includes new ovens an and increased supply chain network which allows for fresh and flavorful donuts with a shorter production time without sacrificing speed which McDonald’s is known for.
But that is not all. Additionally, customer demand began to change. As the price of traditional baked goods increased due to inflation, people started searching for less expensive alternatives.
This is where McDonald’s donuts come in: portable, delicious, wholesome, and economically viable!
The reinvention of McDonald’s donuts is not just food taste—it is also able to use emerging consumer behavior to make breakfast (and dessert) fun again!
2. The Secret Recipe for McDonald’s Most-Desired Donuts
What I find very interesting about McDonald’s donuts is the unique recipe. “What Donuts Is McDonald’s Selling?”
While McDonald’s would like to keep it secret, people inside and outside the company, like flavor testers, offer insight into what makes them special.
Where many mass-produced donuts fall flat because they are heavy or dry, McDonald’s donuts achieve a one-of-a-kind texture, light, a little chewy, and full of flavor.
What is the secret? It is most likely a proprietary blend of dough that is made from enriched wheat flour, buttermilk, and a hint of natural vanilla extract infused.
I find the chocolate glaze has the right brownie-like texture, that isn’t overpowering, but smooth with cocoa notes.
The strawberry-filled donuts are made from puree, so they are not overly sweet and taste like actual fruit.
Texture is also important. McDonald’s creates the incredibly realistic, silky, golden-brown crust with a fluffy interior by using flash-frying techniques and timed-proofing.
Combined with the perfectly timed icing drizzles or creamy fillings, I have had better donuts than the specialty bakeries in town, but at half the price.
To sum up, they are designed to be more than just fast food donuts. They are thought-out donuts, engineered for real quality, consistency, and taste. That is why they are so addictive.
3. What Kind of Donuts Does McDonald’s Offer? The Complete 2025 Menu Overview
If you are wondering what kind of donuts McDonald’s offers, there are some exciting options in the 2025 menu!
Here’s an overview of the most common options available in several U.S. and worldwide outlets.
1. Glazed Ring Donut soft, shiny classic that melts in your mouth.
2. Chocolate Iced Donut rich layer of smooth chocolate icing on a fluffy base. Perfect with coffee.
3. Strawberry-Filled Donut lightly powdered donut filled with real strawberry jam.
4. Bavarian Cream The custard-filled donut is topped with a vanilla glaze and, just for good measure, a sweetener.
5. Cinnamon Twist Donut lightly spiced, hand-twist donut, sugar-coated and around a donut.
Depending on the market, McDonald’s has also launched:
1. Maple-Glazed Donuts
2. Mini Donut Bites (available in 6 pieces).
Generally, donuts are offered during breakfast hours (but often continue into the afternoon depending on the location) and usually cost under $2 but can be fun no matter your age.
4. Limited Editions You’re Going to Regret Not Trying!
Every once in and while, McDonald’s releases limited-edition donuts that go viral in the best way! Generally, these limited-time offer donuts are tied to a holiday, season, or regional flavor and disappear before you know it.
In early 2025, the Pumpkin Spice Cream Donut made a splash and was sold out in major cities almost immediately upon release.
Around Valentine’s Day, a Heart-Shaped Raspberry Glaze Donut caught fire on social media for its incredibly beautiful design and overall indulgent flavor.
There have also been murmurs of Matcha-Infused Donuts in Japan and Mango-Chili Donuts in select Latin American markets.
These limited-edition offerings do more than simply satiate your sweet tooth! “What Donuts Is McDonald’s Selling?”
They create emotional bonds. People don’t just buy donuts for taste; they share donuts with friends, give donuts to significant others, and take photos of the gram.
The downside? These limited-time offer donuts disappear quickly!What Time Does McDonald’s Close? 5 Smart Tips You’ll Love
So if you ever see a limited-edition donut at your local McDonald’s, “don’t sleep on it!” Due to the fact that limited-edition donuts are difficult to obtain and disappear once they are gone!
5. What Makes These Donuts More Popular than Classic Desserts
While it might seem hard to believe, McDonald’s donuts are giving traditional dessert items stiff competition.
Of the classic choices—Apple pies and soft-serve cones—those desserts are still in high demand…but donuts are engaging in exceeding that demand in many parts of the country. Why?
First, donuts are a more energizing dessert to have. Unlike the typical McFlurry or the Apple Pies, donuts vary widely in flavors and forms.
Second, donuts complement the upgrade in coffee, maybe more so than any food item at McDonald’s.
Over the years, McCafé has made a significant impact on coffee drinkers and those who commute in the morning for coffee…what better to munch while you sip on coffee than a donut?
Cost is also a big factor. Being that most items are under $2, a donut is an easy purchase without hesitation.
Coupled with the cost, donuts hover around that impulse purchase floor, as do many kids, families, and teens during a McDonald’s visit.
Lastly, the social media contribution cannot be ignored.”What Donuts Is McDonald’s Selling?”
Donuts look good in images, they’re easy to snap and post to any public or private account, and there are many reasons that they create a moment of joy!
That is an emotional sentiment that the classics (McFlurry, Pancakes, etc.) do not evoke.
These donuts are more than just snacks in a fast-moving marketplace where customer loyalty is gold; they’re a tactical strategy instead!
6. The Unbelievable Health Tangent: Are McDonald’s Donuts Better For You Now?
Donuts were never healthy food, but McDonald’s has made some discreet changes to make its donuts more enticing for customers who are health conscious.
The multilayered donut options are now free of artificial colors and high-fructose corn syrup as part of a transformation to their donut recipes in 2025.
Also, they will be fried in blends of canola oils that help reduce trans fats while preserving the desired mouth feel.
Some of their varieties (Mini Donut Bites) have been produced in bite-sized portions that keep them under 150 calories each – implying a mindful eating technique.
Some of the biscuit-donut hybrids and other varieties are baked instead of fried in specific parts of the world, which further reduces oils while maximizing flavor impact.
McDonald’s will now have the standard nutritional labeling for their products readily available – allowing customers to make informed conscious or free choices in eating.
Each glazed donut can have calories publicized in the 210 – 240 range, which compares fine with similar products from major donut chains.
So, more of the story is that you can rest assured that while you may not be able to buy “kale donuts” anytime soon from a McDonald’s, there has been a clear effort to address the mindful consumer and make indulgence a bit more responsible.
In a way, it is a sign of the times that signifies the millennial desire for balance – they want to be able to enjoy indulgences without guilt.
7. What Actual Customers Are Saying About McDonald’s Donuts
The ultimate test for any new menu item is consumer sentiment. Generally speaking, consumers have universally expressed their approval of the donuts.
Consumers are giving praise online for donut’s unexpected fresh taste, soft chewiness, and balanced flavor.
Comments like “way better than I expected” with “my new morning addiction” can be found on sites like Reddit, TikTok, and YouTube.
The customers specifically love the Chocolate Iced Donut and the Strawberry-Filled Donut, “better than Dunkin’ at half the price.”
Even food critics and influencers have been caught off guard making posts comparing McDonald’s donuts where they seem to be comparable.
Parents love the price point and teens and young adults love the “Instagrammable” aspect.
It’s no wonder, with the increasing availability at every location. They are clearly on to something sweet and smart.
The consumer backlash shows it is one thing–these are not a gimmick, they are the real thing.
Conclusion: A Yummy Chapter in the Evolution of McDonald’s
So, What Donuts Is McDonald’s Selling? It’s more delightful than you imagined.
From a classic glazed donut to creative and seasonal editions, McDonald’s product team has created a donut offering to care about in flavor, affordability, and enjoyment.
They are more than snacks, but a tangible step for McDonald’s growth, which trusts, listens, evolves, and pleases.
Whether you are a daily customer or a semi-curious donut lover, what’s clear is next time you visit McDonald’s, don’t just stop at the fries, but visit the donut counter. You may just uncover your new favorite treat.