Best Donuts in Des Moines

1. Donut Hut

The Donut Hut is open everyday at 5am where the owner and staff can be found baking donuts, fresh fritters, and holes that come in chocolate, vanilla, and cherry flavor by the dozen. Their menu consists of glazed and cake donuts with a variety of flavors, that include the always sought-after slivered almond cake donut and their mouthwatering chocolate coconut cake donut.

The proprietor of the store goes by Al and is from New Delhi, India. His strong work ethic and his consistency of kind customer service keeps regulars coming back for more, and also encourages an influx of newcomers. Delivery is available to all of Des Moines and the surrounding areas of Urbandale, Johnston, and Clive.

2. Mahalo's Coffee & Mini Donuts

Inspirations from Hawaii can be found in this West Des Moines eatery where the owners have built a coffee shop and bakery around an island adventure they took to Waikiki Beach in 2014. Hawaiian coffee is served daily and the establishment is open everyday of the week.

Classic donuts with cinnamon or powdered sugar are staples on the menu, while eleven other “Island Infused” donuts are also available to patrons. Some favorites include the “Apple Tiki” with a caramel cobbler glaze and the “Hula Honey” with graham cracker sprinklers and a topping of honey drizzle.

3. Hurts Donut Co.

Hurts Donut Co. just arrived in the Des Moines area in December of 2016. Before it even officially opened, there was a loud word of mouth buzz forming because area residents could not wait to try these tasty donuts. This establishment already has a successful location 110 miles east in Coralville, Iowa. Oversized donuts and a ton of variety are common mantras for Hurts Donut Company, as they often have 40-50 different types of donuts available daily for purchase.

The most popular baked items served include their “Cookie Monster” donut, which is blue and looks just like the popular Sesame Street character after he has ingested a table full of Oreos. This signature chocolate donut has bright blue icing and a scattering of Oreo crumbs below candy eyes. The peanut butter cup donut and maple bacon long john are also painfully good at Hurts Donut Co.

4. Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery

A short drive north on Interstate 35 will take locals and the Iowa State University work commuters to the highly praised Van Hemert’s Dutch Oven Bakery in Ames, Iowa. This bakery is family owned and been in operation since the early 1980’s. They are well-known for all of their fabulous baked goods, but it is their supreme line of donuts that truly makes this a traditional breakfast stop for Cyclone fans and rivals. The mocha filled Bismarks and sour cream donuts are always wonderful. Plus they have seasonal favorites, such as their pumpkin spice donut and apple crisp donut, that keep customers wanting them even more during the off-season months.

5. Casey's General Stores Inc.

The prominent red signage that can be found on these popular general stores throughout the Midwest are easily recognizable to area residents. While also being known for their hot pizza and multitude of gas pumps, it is their large case of freshly baked donuts that brings in the majority of the store’s morning traffic.

The first Casey’s was started in Des Moines, and now many more can be found across the Midwest region. Their frosted cake donuts are legendary, as well as their Bavarian pudding filled long johns and glazed premium ring donuts.