Golden, pillowy-soft, and dipped in a glossy maple glaze, these Maple Glazed Donuts bring a comforting bakery-style treat right to your home kitchen. The moment they hit the oil and puff up, you’ll know these are going to be good. Their warm, buttery flavor paired with the rich maple glaze gives off serious coffee shop vibes—without needing to leave your kitchen.

Whether you’re enjoying one with your morning coffee or passing around a plate for weekend brunch, these donuts turn a simple morning into something memorable. There’s something nostalgic about biting into a homemade donut. The slightly crisp exterior gives way to a soft interior that’s just sweet enough to balance the creamy, earthy maple coating.

Why You’ll Love This Maple Glazed Donuts Recipe

These donuts are everything you want from a homemade fried treat: crispy edges, fluffy insides, and a flavorful glaze that sets beautifully. The real maple syrup in the glaze makes a huge difference—it brings an unmistakable richness that elevates every bite. You can make them for brunch, birthdays, or just a cozy Sunday when you feel like treating yourself.

What Kind of Glaze Works Best with Donuts?

While there are endless ways to glaze a donut, the combination of butter, powdered sugar, and real maple syrup creates a thick, luscious glaze that clings beautifully to the warm donuts. The warmth helps the glaze set into a perfect shell that cracks just slightly with each bite. If you’re a fan of creamy frostings or sticky toppings, this maple version gives you the best of both.

Ingredients for the Maple Glazed Donuts

Before diving into the recipe, it’s good to gather everything you need. Each component plays a role in making the donuts soft, flavorful, and perfectly glazed.

All-purpose flour helps create structure while still giving the donuts a light crumb.

Granulated sugar adds sweetness and helps with browning.

Active dry yeast gives the dough its rise and that signature donut texture.

Warm milk activates the yeast and keeps the dough tender.

Eggs enrich the dough for a softer, richer bite.

Unsalted butter adds flavor and fat, making the dough soft and moist.

Salt balances out the sweetness and enhances flavor.

Vegetable oil is essential for frying—choose one with a high smoke point.

Powdered sugar is the base for a silky glaze that melts onto the donuts.

Real maple syrup gives the glaze its signature depth and warmth.

Vanilla extract adds just the right amount of aroma and richness to both the dough and the glaze.

How To Make the Maple Glazed Donuts

Step 1: Activate the Yeast

In a small bowl, combine warm milk and a teaspoon of sugar. Stir in the active dry yeast and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes foamy. This means your yeast is alive and ready to go.

Step 2: Make the Dough

In a large mixing bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add the eggs, yeast mixture, and melted butter. Mix until the dough comes together, then knead for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 3: First Rise

Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Shape the Donuts

Once risen, punch down the dough and roll it out to about ½ inch thick. Use a donut cutter or two round cutters to shape. Place the cut donuts on a parchment-lined tray, cover, and let rise again for 30 minutes.

Step 5: Fry the Donuts

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry a few donuts at a time, about 1-2 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack with paper towels underneath.

Step 6: Make the Maple Glaze

In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth. Dip the warm donuts into the glaze and let them set on a wire rack.

Serving and Storing These Maple Glazed Donuts

These donuts are best served warm, when the glaze is still slightly tacky and the inside is soft and airy. They’ll taste just like the ones from your favorite bakery. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can warm them slightly in the microwave for that just-fried feel. This batch makes about 12 donuts, making it perfect for sharing with family or friends.

What to Serve With Maple Glazed Donuts?

Hot Coffee or Espresso

The slightly bitter edge of coffee complements the sweet glaze beautifully.

Chai Tea Latte

The warm spices in chai play wonderfully with the maple sweetness.

Fresh Berries

Add some color and a juicy bite to balance the richness of the donuts.

Scrambled Eggs or Omelet

Serve a protein-rich dish alongside to round out a brunch spread.

Bacon or Breakfast Sausage

That savory-sweet combo is unbeatable and feels indulgent.

Greek Yogurt Parfait

Top with granola and fruit for a lighter contrast.

Maple-Glazed Ham Slices

If you’re going full brunch mode, lean into the maple theme.

Want More Breakfast Treat Ideas?

If these Maple Glazed Donuts made your morning sweeter, check out these other breakfast goodies:

• Try the Best Fluffy Pancake Recipe for a classic diner-style breakfast.

• The Cinnamon Donut Bread brings the cozy flavors of a donut into a loaf.

• Enjoy a slice of Pumpkin Bread With Maple Cream Cheese Filling when you’re craving a fall-flavored delight.

• These Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls are perfect for a brunch centerpiece.

• Go for the nostalgic Old Fashioned Pancakes that never go out of style.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you dunk them once or double glaze for extra sweetness? Try adding chopped pecans on top for a maple-pecan twist!

I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other bake smarter.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks on Zoe Recipes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for feeling great!

Conclusion

There’s a reason maple donuts are such a hit—they’re nostalgic, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Making them from scratch isn’t just doable; it’s deeply rewarding. With a little time and a few pantry staples, you can whip up bakery-style donuts right at home that rival anything from your favorite shop. They’re warm, sweet, and full of cozy flavor that’s hard to beat.