Phoenix's doughnut game is no joke, and whether you're an early bird or a night owl, there's a place for you to get your sugar fix. As "National Doughnut Day" rolled in this year, two local publications put in the legwork to highlight top spots for these fried treats — from classic glazes that stick to your fingers to inventive recipes that push the pastry envelope.
Time-honored flavors and doughnut shop staples can be found at BoSa Donuts, a growing Arizona chain revered for its fluffy and satisfying bites; Female Foodie praises their "original glazed, apple fritter, and the Boston cream-filled donut" as fan favorites. But if you're looking for unique spins on the doughnut formula, Phoenix New Times highlights restaurants like Welcome Chicken + Donuts for their fusion of Korean fried chicken and scratch-made doughnuts with out-of-the-box flavors like Prickly Pear Chocolate Pistachio Rose and Maple Bacon.
For a culinary dare, Chin Up Donuts + Coffee offers an "Everything Bagel doughnut" described by the Phoenix New Times as an exciting entry into savory-inspired sweets — whereas Beignet Babe elevates the French take on doughnuts with their Dulce De Leche and Lemon beignets, garnering recognition from Female Foodie for the impeccable mix of sweetness and texture.
MochiDonut presents an irresistible mochi doughnut with a chewy bounce thanks to its rice flour base, a twist on the ringed dessert that can be shared thanks to its bubble shape, the Phoenix New Times notes seasonally rotating flavors like Oreo and ube, and Outcast Doughnuts stakes a claim with their "layered doughnuts," a hybrid croissant-doughnut that's both moist and flaky and, according to the Phoenix New Times, leans into dessert territory—ccomplete with a bar setup for the ideal after-dinner indulgence.
Meanwhile, The Local Donut steals first place in Female Foodie's lineup with their creative offerings, including crème brûlée doughnuts and their limited-time pecan pie donut that was reportedly a hit during Thanksgiving. Not to be outdone, The Original Rainbow Donuts makes its name known with classic concoctions that the Phoenix New Times describes as "fluffy," "fresh," and "not too sweet," ensuring its customers know it's no ordinary franchise.
The takeaway? Phoenix isn't just serving up doughnuts, it's serving up experiences — whether you're after a midnight snack at a 24/7 shop like Hurts Donut Co. or a slice of nostalgia with Dutch Donut Factory's warm glazed rounds hailed as the "Best Doughnut in the 2023 Best of Phoenix," according to the Phoenix New Times. Whatever your preference, Phoenix's doughnut shops are on a roll, dialing up creativity and comfort in every bite.
