Obviously you can always get donuts from Krispy Kreme or Dunkin’ Donuts. But there are plenty of local independent donut shops that offer experimental flavors and mouth-watering textures. Let’s go find some life-changing doughnuts in Northern Virginia.

Let’s Talk About Doughnuts!

Doughnuts are fried leavened dough. Glazed doughnuts are the most popular in America, but the most popular doughnut in Virginia is the sugar doughnut. Doughnuts come in all shapes but ring shapes and donuts filled with fruit preserves, cream, or custard are the most popular.

The main debate in doughnut lover circles is yeast vs. cake doughnuts. Yeast doughnuts are risen with yeast whereas cake doughnuts are leavened with other leaveners, such as baking powder and/or baking soda. Yeast donuts are lighter and moister whereas cake doughnuts are denser (perfect for dunking in coffee). Cake doughnut batter can come in all kinds of flavors, whereas yeast donuts get most of their flavor from their glazes and fillings.

Doughnuts or donuts?

Both spellings are correct. Donuts is the simplified version. But most people eat doughnuts/donuts; they don’t spell them.

Life-Changing Doughnuts in Northern Virginia 

Texas Donuts
Centreville, Lorton, Manassas

As the name suggests, Texas donuts originated in Texas. But luckily for us, Texas donuts have found their way to Northern Virginia. Try the Big Texas donut (of course it’s huge). Also killer croughnuts, maple bacon, cookies and cream, and cinnamon roll donuts. Special cake donuts  - buttermilk, devil’s food, red velvet and blueberry.

 

Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken
Falls Church and DC

Whomever came up with the idea for donuts and fried chicken gets aces in my book. Just don’t plan to do any hard concentration after getting an order. There are only four flavors but don’t forget to try the seasonal varieties.  but you have to try the crème brulee. The latest rotation of flavors is my favorite – key lime pie, rocky road, and tiramisu.

 

Duck Donuts
Alexandria, Fairfax, Arlington, Bristow, Woodbridge, Herndon

Do not come here if you’re trying to lose weight! We bought a dozen to share, but suddenly they disappeared. And our hips magically widened. These donuts are made to order so it’s also not the best place if you’re in a rush. I have to recommend eating at least one donut as soon as possible because they’re magical.

They’re endless flavors so there’s no reason not to get 12 different ones. Try all the fan favorites – including bacon in the sun, beach ball, chocolate explosion, coconut island bliss, pina colada, and the raspberry fluff.

 

Curiosity Doughnuts
Tyson’s Corner, Alexandria 

Located in food stalls in two Whole Foods Markets in the area, this stall has tons of new varieties. The “curiosity” part seems to be trying to make as many new kinds of doughnuts as possible. Try yeasted donuts, cruller and cake hybrids, potato, and sourdough doughnuts. If you like flakey donuts, the Laminated Brioche doughnut and the Meltaway Doughnut puts the cronut to shame.

 

Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe
Arlington 

Heidelberg, Germany looks like the setting of a fairy tale. Adorable architecture and bakeries brimming with beautiful sweets. Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe Chef Wolfgang Buchler, hailing from Heidelberg, brings the same wonder of his hometown to Arlington. Filled, raised, cake donuts – they’re all here at this local European gem. For fillings, try buttercream with fondant icing or apricot jam.

 

B Doughnuts
Online

B Donuts sells Hawaiian donuts and malasadas – a yeast-leavened doughnut enriched with eggs, butter and milk. After frying, they are rolled in sugar. B donuts have a grid pattern making them look like pineapples. For a unique taste, try the pandan (leaves with a grassy and floral flavor) and ube (purple yam) filled donuts. For a sweet/savory twist, try the everything bagel/doughnuts which are the traditional maladas dipped in everything bagel seasoning. Also this donut shop doesn’t forget its vegan customers – because vegans should be able to get as fat as the rest of us too. And the facility is nut-free so those with nut allergies can also partake.

B Doughnuts also offers tastings. Donut tastings!! Put on your biggest sweatpants and grab a big mug of coffee - this sounds like a great time.

Good Company Doughnuts
Arlington

Come in early or order ahead because flavors do sell out. Unique flavors include honey dip, honey dew, Bavarian cream, jelly stick, and coconut crunch. I love the mini doughnuts because they make me feel less guilty.

Mouth-Watering Doughnuts in Northern Virginia

There are no shortage of freshly made doughnuts to try and savor in Northern Virginia. So grab a coffee on a beautiful morning and try a few or a dozen. Your life will be much better for it.