Do Doughnuts Have Eggs or Milk? Unpacking the Ingredients

November 9, 2025 •

4 min read

Doughnut recipes, from classic yeast-risen to dense cake styles, often include eggs and milk for structure, flavor, and texture. However, it is not a universal rule for all doughnuts, as many commercial brands and specialized bakeries offer varieties that are free of these ingredients.

Quick Summary

The presence of eggs and milk in doughnuts depends on the specific recipe and type, with traditional and cake versions typically including them while vegan and some specialized options do not. The function of these ingredients varies from providing tenderness and richness to aiding in the leavening process.

Key Points

Not all doughnuts contain eggs and milk: The inclusion of these ingredients depends heavily on the recipe, with traditional and cake doughnuts typically including them and vegan varieties explicitly leaving them out.
Eggs and milk serve specific functions: Eggs add structure and binding, while milk provides richness and moisture in traditional doughnuts.
Commercial vs. homemade options: While most large chain bakeries use eggs and milk, many now offer vegan alternatives. The safest bet for dietary needs is to seek out specialty labeled products or bake your own.
Plant-based substitutes are widely used: In vegan doughnuts, non-dairy milks, applesauce, and vegan butter effectively replace animal products without sacrificing flavor or texture.
Check ingredients carefully for dietary needs: Due to the wide variety of recipes, always check the ingredient list if you have allergies or specific dietary preferences, especially for unlabelled doughnuts.
Recipe type dictates ingredients: Yeast-risen doughnuts often use eggs and milk for a fluffy texture, whereas cake doughnuts use them for a dense crumb. Vegan doughnuts offer a delicious, animal-product-free version.

Traditional vs. Modern Doughnuts: Recipe Variations

To understand whether doughnuts contain eggs or milk, it is important to distinguish between different types and recipes. A traditional yeast-risen doughnut typically relies on a combination of flour, sugar, yeast, and water, with milk, eggs, and butter often added to enrich the dough. These ingredients contribute to the final product's light, fluffy texture and rich flavor. On the other hand, many modern commercial and specialty doughnuts, including vegan options, are made without any animal products.

The Role of Eggs and Milk in Doughnuts

Eggs and milk play specific roles in traditional baking that are vital to the doughnut's quality:

Eggs: Act as a binding agent, helping to hold the dough together and providing structure. The fat in egg yolks also contributes to the richness and flavor profile. In cake doughnuts, eggs, along with leavening agents like baking powder, help create the characteristic cakey texture.
Milk: Serves as the liquid component to activate the yeast and bind the dry ingredients. Whole milk, in particular, adds richness and helps create a tender, moist crumb. The lactose in milk also provides a food source for the yeast and sweetens the dough.

Vegan and Allergen-Friendly Doughnuts

For those with dietary restrictions, such as allergies or a vegan lifestyle, many brands and recipes offer alternatives to eggs and milk. These versions replace animal-derived products with plant-based substitutes that mimic their functions in baking. Vegan recipes often use ingredients like non-dairy milk (e.g., almond, soy, oat), melted vegan butter, applesauce, or a flax egg (ground flaxseed mixed with water).

Comparison Table: Ingredients by Doughnut Type


Ingredient	Traditional Yeast Doughnut	Cake Doughnut	Vegan Doughnut
Milk	Often contains cow's milk for richness and moisture.	Can use cow's milk or buttermilk for flavor and tenderness.	Uses plant-based milk alternatives, such as almond, soy, or oat milk.
Eggs	Typically includes eggs for structure and binding.	Uses whole eggs for a dense, cake-like texture.	Replaces with substitutes like applesauce or flax eggs.
Butter	Often includes melted butter for flavor.	Uses softened butter for a tender crumb.	Replaces with melted vegan margarine or coconut oil.
Leavening	Primarily uses yeast for a light, airy rise.	Uses baking powder and/or baking soda for a quicker rise.	Can use either yeast or baking powder, depending on the recipe.
Fat for Frying	Vegetable or canola oil is common for frying.	Vegetable or canola oil is common.	Uses vegetable or canola oil.

Homemade vs. Commercial Doughnuts: Ingredient Transparency

When purchasing doughnuts, knowing the ingredients can be difficult unless the product is specifically labeled. Commercial bakeries, including major chains, often use eggs and dairy products in their standard doughnut recipes. However, increased consumer demand has led many to offer dedicated vegan or allergen-friendly selections.

If you have a milk or egg allergy, or simply want to avoid these ingredients, your safest bet is to either look for clearly labeled products or make them yourself. Homemade recipes give you complete control over the ingredients, allowing for easy substitutions that still produce delicious results.

Baking for Different Dietary Needs

For those avoiding eggs and milk, there are many simple ways to adapt recipes:

Egg Replacements: Applesauce, mashed bananas, or a flax egg can be used to add moisture and binding power.
Milk Replacements: A variety of non-dairy milks, such as oat, almond, or soy, can substitute for cow's milk with minimal changes to the final product.
Butter Replacements: Vegan butter or margarine can be used in place of traditional butter to provide richness.

Conclusion: A Matter of Choice

Ultimately, whether a doughnut contains eggs or milk depends entirely on the recipe and its source. Traditional and classic doughnuts most often include these ingredients for their unique textural and flavor contributions. Yet, the growing market for vegan and allergen-friendly baked goods means that delicious alternatives are widely available for those who need or prefer to avoid them. By understanding the different types of doughnuts and checking labels or recipes carefully, you can confidently choose a sweet treat that fits your dietary requirements.

The Anatomy of a Doughnut: Beyond Eggs and Milk

To truly appreciate the variety, it's worth considering the other key ingredients that can differ between recipes. For instance, the type of leavening agent used, whether yeast or baking powder, significantly impacts the final texture. Similarly, the choice of oil, type of flour, and any added flavorings like nutmeg or vanilla all play a part in shaping the unique character of each doughnut. Therefore, the simple question of whether doughnuts have eggs or milk reveals a much deeper world of baking science and delicious customization. For more detailed baking guidance, including ingredient substitutions for various diets, check out resources from cooking school websites like Escoffier Online.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, most conventional store-bought doughnuts, especially from large chains, contain eggs and milk unless they are specifically labeled as vegan or allergen-free. Always check the packaging or ask for ingredient information.

Yes, many recipes exist for eggless doughnuts. Vegan and allergen-friendly versions often use substitutes like applesauce, mashed banana, or a flax egg to achieve the necessary binding and moisture.

Vegan doughnuts use a variety of non-dairy milk alternatives, including almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk, to provide the necessary liquid and moisture for the dough.

Yes, cake doughnuts typically contain eggs and milk or buttermilk. These ingredients are essential for creating the signature dense, tender, and cake-like texture.

In doughnut recipes, eggs act as a crucial binding agent, helping the dough hold its shape. They also add richness and contribute to the overall flavor and structure.

If a doughnut is not explicitly labeled as dairy-free or vegan, it likely contains milk or other dairy products like butter or whey. Checking the ingredient list is the most reliable method.

No, in the United States, traditional Krispy Kreme doughnuts contain eggs and dairy. However, the company has released vegan options in other countries, so it is important to check local availability and labeling.