Doughnuts In Honolulu, Hawaii We Can’t Stop Craving
When the sugar craving hits in paradise, Honolulu’s doughnut scene delivers with flavors that capture the spirit of the islands.
From traditional malasadas dusted with sugar to innovative creations featuring tropical fruits and local ingredients, these sweet treats have become must-try culinary experiences.
Grab your appetite and join us as we explore the most irresistible doughnuts that keep locals and visitors coming back for more.
1. Malasadas at Leonard’s Bakery
Warm, pillowy Portuguese donuts covered in a light dusting of sugar – that’s what makes Leonard’s famous. Since 1952, this pink bakery wagon has been Honolulu’s go-to spot for fresh malasadas.
Try the custard-filled variety for an extra treat. The line might look intimidating, but these heavenly puffs are worth every minute of waiting!
2. Poi Glazed Donuts at Donut King Hawaii
Purple perfection! Donut King transforms the traditional Hawaiian poi into a sweet glaze that turns ordinary donuts into island masterpieces. The subtle taro flavor pairs surprisingly well with the fluffy dough.
Located in Chinatown, this small shop often sells out before noon. Morning birds get the best selection – don’t snooze if you want to try this uniquely Hawaiian treat!
3. Lilikoi Shine at Holey Grail Donuts
Sunshine in donut form! Made with local taro flour and fried in coconut oil, these babies get topped with tangy lilikoi (passion fruit) glaze and edible flowers. Farm-to-table philosophy meets donut artistry.
Originally from Kauai, Holey Grail’s Honolulu truck creates small batches throughout the day. The result? Impossibly fresh donuts with a crisp exterior and cloud-like inside that’ll make you weak in the knees.
4. Cereal Killer at Purvé Donut Stop
Childhood nostalgia meets grown-up indulgence! Imagine a fluffy donut smothered in sweet milk glaze, then loaded with colorful cereal pieces that add the perfect crunch. Pure breakfast rebellion!
Purvé’s psychedelic shop interior is almost as fun as their donuts. Snap-worthy creations and punny names make this Kakaako hotspot a favorite for both locals and Instagram enthusiasts looking for their next sugar rush.
5. Ube Mochi Donut at Little Vessels
Ring-shaped perfection with a chewy, bouncy bite! Little Vessels’ ube mochi donut combines Filipino purple yam flavor with Japanese mochi texture in a distinctly Hawaiian treat.
The connected bubble shape isn’t just cute – it creates perfect tear-away sections for sharing (though you probably won’t want to).
6. Ensaymada Donuts at Valerio’s Tropical Bakeshop
Filipino-Hawaiian fusion at its finest! These brioche-like donuts come topped with butter, sugar, and a snowfall of grated cheese – yes, cheese!
The sweet-savory combination might sound strange but tastes magical.
Family-owned Valerio’s brings generations of Filipino baking traditions to Oahu. Their ensaymada donuts sell out fast, especially on weekends.
7. Napples at Zippy’s/Napoleon’s Bakery
Not quite a donut, not quite a turnover – Napples are Hawaii’s beloved apple-pie-meets-donut hybrid! These deep-fried pockets of happiness come filled with cinnamon-spiced apples and drizzled with sweet glaze.
Napoleon’s Bakery inside Zippy’s restaurants means you can grab these treats almost anywhere on the island.
Late-night sugar cravings? Many locations are open 24 hours, making these portable pastries the perfect midnight snack.
8. Poi Glazed Malasadas at Kamehameha Bakery
Purple-hued perfection awaits at this historic bakery! Their poi glazed malasadas combine traditional Portuguese donuts with native Hawaiian taro for a truly local treat.
Founded in 1978, Kamehameha Bakery survived a devastating flood to continue serving these beloved purple treasures.
The slight tanginess of the poi cuts through the sweetness perfectly. Pro tip: arrive early – they regularly sell out before 9am!
9. Haupia-Filled Malasadas at Island Glazed
Coconut pudding hiding inside a warm malasada? Genius! Island Glazed stuffs traditional Portuguese donuts with haupia, Hawaii’s beloved coconut dessert, creating tropical magic in every bite.
This food truck pops up at different locations around Honolulu. Follow their social media to track them down – the hunt is totally worth it!
The contrast between the crisp, sugar-dusted exterior and cool, creamy coconut filling creates pure island bliss.
10. Coco Puffs at Liliha Bakery
Technically not donuts, but these chocolate cream-filled choux pastries deserve an honorary mention!
Topped with Liliha’s signature chantilly frosting (a buttery, coconutty dream), they’ve achieved legendary status.
Open since 1950, Liliha Bakery serves these beauties 24/7. The contrast between light pastry, rich chocolate filling, and that magical frosting creates a textural symphony that’s worth breaking donut classification rules for.
11. Matcha Mochi Donut at Mochinut
Green tea goodness meets chewy rice flour dough in this Japanese-inspired creation!
The distinctive ring of connected balls provides the perfect chewy-crisp texture contrast, while earthy matcha glaze adds sophisticated flavor.
Mochinut’s bright shop offers a rotating selection of flavors, but their matcha version stands out. The subtle bitterness balances the sweetness perfectly.
12. Lilikoi Butter Mochi Donut at Little Vessels
Tangy passion fruit meets buttery mochi in this sunshine-yellow dream!
Little Vessels infuses their chewy rice flour dough with rich butter, then adds a bright lilikoi glaze that perfectly captures Hawaii’s tropical essence.
Each small batch is made with aloha. The limited production means flavors rotate often, making this particular variety a special treat when available.
