How many calories does a stuffed donut have? Your complete guide to a popular treat

November 4, 2025 •

3 min read

According to nutritional data, a single cream-filled donut can contain anywhere from 230 to over 450 calories, depending on its size, brand, and toppings. This wide variation is why understanding how many calories does a stuffed donut have requires looking beyond a single number to the specific ingredients involved.

Quick Summary

The calorie content of a stuffed donut varies significantly based on its filling and size, typically ranging from 250 to over 400 calories. Key factors include the type of filling (cream, custard, or jelly) and any additional toppings. Understanding these differences can inform healthier dessert choices.

Key Points

Calorie Range is Wide: The calorie count for a stuffed donut typically ranges from 250 to over 400 kcal, heavily dependent on the filling and toppings.
Filling Matters Most: Cream and custard-filled donuts tend to have a higher calorie count due to their fat content, while jelly-filled versions can sometimes be slightly lower, though still high in sugar.
Toppings Add Up: Glazes, icings, and other toppings significantly increase the total calorie count and sugar content of a stuffed donut.
Ultra-Processed Food: Stuffed donuts are classified as ultra-processed foods, offering high levels of sugar and refined carbs with minimal nutritional value.
Consider Healthier Alternatives: For managing sweet cravings, healthier alternatives like fruit, homemade baked goods with whole-grain flour, or mini donuts can be a better choice.
Moderation is Key: Viewing stuffed donuts as an occasional treat rather than a regular snack is crucial for a balanced diet.

The delightful experience of biting into a soft, doughy donut is often accompanied by a question of its nutritional cost. For a treat as popular and varied as the stuffed donut, the answer to "how many calories does a stuffed donut have?" is complex. It depends on several variables, including the specific filling, the size of the donut, and any extra toppings or glazes applied.

The Anatomy of a Stuffed Donut's Calories

At its core, a stuffed donut is a combination of fried dough, a sugary filling, and often, an additional glaze or powdered sugar coating. Each of these components contributes to the final calorie count, with the filling and frying process being the most significant factors. A deeper look reveals how different fillings and preparation methods impact the total.

Cream and Custard-Filled Donut Calories

Cream and custard fillings are often richer and denser than their jelly counterparts, which translates to a higher fat and calorie content. For instance:

A cream-filled donut can contain approximately 343 calories, with a significant amount coming from fat.
A custard-filled donut can range from 290 to 343 calories, depending on the serving size and specific ingredients.
Variations with chocolate icing or extra glazes, like a Boston Kreme donut from Dunkin', can add more calories, reaching around 300 calories per donut. Specialty, heavily-topped versions from other brands can easily exceed 400 calories.

Jelly-Filled Donut Calories

Jelly-filled donuts, while still high in sugar, often contain a slightly lower calorie count than their creamier counterparts, though this isn't always the case. The fruit-based filling can sometimes be lighter, but the added sugar and the fried dough remain consistent calorie contributors. A typical jelly-filled donut contains approximately 250 to 320 calories. Powdered sugar or glaze adds to the total, with a Dunkin' Glazed Jelly Donut weighing in at 280 calories.

Specialty and Premium Stuffed Donut Calories

Premium and specialty donuts often feature gourmet fillings and toppings, which can dramatically increase the calorie total. These might include caramel drizzles, cookie pieces, or richer chocolate fillings. For example:

A Kwik Trip Filled Long John with Cinnamon Roll Frosting and Caramel Drizzle can reach a whopping 710 calories.
Heavily-topped, cream-filled versions from boutique bakeries are difficult to generalize but almost always sit on the higher end of the calorie spectrum, often surpassing 500 calories per serving.

Calorie Comparison: Stuffed vs. Unstuffed

It's useful to compare the caloric load of a stuffed donut against a simpler, unstuffed variety. A standard glazed donut contains around 269 calories, which is notably lower than most stuffed versions. The addition of filling and extra toppings is what pushes the calorie count higher, indicating that the filling is a primary contributor to the difference.

Navigating Your Sweet Craving with Moderation

For those watching their diet, a stuffed donut should be viewed as an occasional treat rather than a daily staple. The high levels of refined sugar, unhealthy fats, and ultra-processed ingredients mean that, while delicious, they offer very little in the way of beneficial nutrients.

To enjoy a treat without derailing your diet, consider:

Miniature Versions: Opt for a donut hole or a miniature filled donut, which can satisfy a craving with fewer calories.
Sharing: Split a full-sized donut with a friend to halve the calorie intake.
Healthy Alternatives: Explore healthier dessert options that can fulfill a sweet craving without the heavy caloric load of a fried, filled donut. These include fruit salads, homemade baked goods, or yogurt parfaits.

Comparison of Typical Stuffed Donut Calories


Donut Type	Approximate Calories (kcal)	Key Differentiator
Jelly-Filled (Dunkin')	250-280	Contains fruit filling, often lower fat than cream.
Custard-Filled	290-343	Rich, dense egg and cream-based filling.
Cream-Filled	340-450	Creamy, high-fat filling. Often a richer, heavier option.
Specialty Filled	400+	Includes additional toppings and premium fillings.

Conclusion: Making Informed Choices

While knowing exactly how many calories does a stuffed donut have can be challenging without specific brand information, a general range of 250 to over 400 calories is a helpful estimate. The primary determinants are the type of filling and the presence of any additional toppings. For those on a diet, moderation is key, and substituting with healthier options is a viable way to manage sweet cravings. Ultimately, being aware of the nutritional density of such treats empowers you to make more informed decisions and enjoy your favorite indulgences responsibly.

For those interested in exploring healthier dessert options, a wealth of resources is available. For example, the website Great British Chefs offers recipes for healthier baked donuts stuffed with sweet sesame tofu and raspberry, which could be a delightful alternative.

Frequently Asked Questions

A standard cream-filled donut typically contains between 340 and 450 calories, though this can vary significantly by brand and size.

Jelly-filled donuts are often slightly lower in calories than their creamier counterparts, but they still contain a substantial amount of sugar and refined carbohydrates. For example, a Dunkin' Glazed Jelly Donut has around 280 calories.

The type and amount of filling and any additional toppings like glaze or icing are the primary factors that increase the calorie count. The deep-frying process also adds a significant amount of fat.

No, a stuffed donut is generally not considered a healthy snack. It is high in sugar, fat, and refined carbohydrates, and it falls into the category of ultra-processed foods with limited nutritional benefits.

For a healthier option, you can try homemade baked donuts using whole-grain flour, a fruit salad with a light yogurt dressing, or even a smaller portion like a single donut hole.

Premium and specialty stuffed donuts, which often include extra toppings like caramel drizzles, cookie crumbles, or richer frostings, are typically on the higher end of the calorie spectrum, often exceeding 400 or even 500 calories per serving.

While the type of sugar can affect other nutritional aspects, the primary caloric impact comes from the overall sugar and fat content of the filling, not the specific type of sugar used.