How many calories in a jelly donut with icing?

November 4, 2025 •

4 min read

According to nutritional data from various sources like CalorieKing and Eat This Much, a single jelly donut with icing or glaze can contain anywhere from 280 to over 390 calories, making a precise average difficult to pinpoint. The specific calorie count depends heavily on the recipe, size, and brand, with factors like the amount of jelly filling and the thickness of the icing playing a significant role. Understanding how many calories in a jelly donut with icing helps in making informed dietary choices.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for a jelly donut with icing varies widely by brand and size, typically falling between 280 and 390 calories. The primary calorie sources are simple carbohydrates from the dough, sugar-laden jelly filling, and the high-sugar icing.

Key Points

Variable Calorie Count: The number of calories in a jelly donut with icing can range from approximately 280 to over 390, depending on the recipe, brand, and size.
Icing is a Major Contributor: Adding icing significantly increases the calorie and sugar content compared to a simple, un-iced jelly donut.
Brand Matters: For example, a Dunkin' Glazed Jelly Donut is 280 calories, while a Winchell's Raspberry Jelly Filled with Glaze is 390 calories, highlighting the wide variance.
Key Ingredients Drive Calories: The calorie count is primarily determined by the fried dough, sugary jelly filling, and the amount of fat and sugar in the icing.
Mindful Consumption is Key: For health-conscious individuals, moderation or opting for simpler alternatives like a plain jelly or glazed donut can help reduce calorie intake.

Dissecting the Calorie Count of a Jelly Donut with Icing

The calorie content of a jelly donut with icing is not uniform across all bakeries and brands. This variation is a result of different recipes, portion sizes, and ingredient quality. A single donut's calorie count is a sum of its parts: the fried dough, the sugary fruit filling, and the final layer of sweet icing. While a simple jelly-filled donut might be lower, adding a layer of icing significantly increases the sugar and fat content, thereby raising the overall calorie count.

What Influences a Jelly Donut's Calories?

Several factors contribute to the final calorie count of your frosted sweet treat:

Dough Preparation: The type of dough (e.g., yeast-raised vs. cake donut) and the method of cooking (e.g., deep-fried vs. baked) impact the fat absorption. A deep-fried, yeast-raised donut will absorb more oil than a baked one, leading to a higher fat and calorie count.
Jelly Filling: The amount and type of jelly used can alter the total calories. Some fillings are pure sugar and corn syrup, while others might contain higher fruit concentrations, which can affect the sugar content. The portion size of the filling is also a major variable.
Type of Icing: A simple sugar glaze, a thick white icing, or a chocolate-flavored frosting each have a different calorie density. Thicker icings typically contain more sugar and fat, contributing more calories than a simple, thin glaze. For example, a Dunkin' Glazed Jelly Donut has 280 calories, whereas a larger, richer version from another brand could easily surpass 350 calories.
Donut Size: The most obvious factor is the donut's physical size and weight. A larger donut will, of course, have more of every ingredient—dough, jelly, and icing—and therefore more calories.

A Comparative Look: Jelly Donuts by Brand

To highlight the variability, consider the nutritional information from popular brands. This table provides a snapshot of how the same type of donut can differ significantly.


Brand	Donut Type	Calories	Total Fat (g)	Total Carbs (g)	Sugars (g)
Dunkin'	Glazed Jelly Donut	280	10	44	21
Krispy Kreme (US)	Glazed Raspberry Filled	290	15	38	19
Winchell's	Raspberry Jelly with Glaze	390	13	61	24
Kwik Trip	Jelly Filled Sno White Icing	350	14	53	17
Generic	Jelly Donut (approximate)	289	16	33	18

*Note: The Generic Jelly Donut from Nutritionix provides a good baseline for a standard, un-iced jelly donut, showing that icing adds a significant amount of calories.

The Health Implications of High-Calorie Donuts

While an occasional treat is fine, regularly consuming high-calorie, high-sugar foods like a jelly donut with icing can have health consequences. The typical jelly donut with icing is high in saturated fat and added sugars, which can contribute to weight gain if not balanced with exercise and a healthy diet. The sugar content can also lead to a rapid spike and crash in blood sugar levels. A single donut can use up a significant portion of a person's recommended daily fat and sugar allowance, with the icing adding to that load.

How to Enjoy Donuts Mindfully

For those who enjoy donuts but are mindful of their health, moderation is key. Here are some tips:

Split a donut with a friend. This is a great way to satisfy a craving without consuming all the calories yourself.
Opt for plain or simple glazes. A plain jelly donut will typically have fewer calories than one with icing. A light glaze is a step up, but still less caloric than a thick frosting.
Make your own. By baking instead of frying and controlling the amount of sugar in the jelly and icing, you can drastically reduce the calorie count. For homemade treats, consider using natural sweeteners or reduced-sugar fruit preserves.
Pair with protein. Eating a donut alongside a balanced meal with protein and fiber can help mitigate the blood sugar spike. A balanced breakfast, for example, can make a donut feel less like an empty-calorie indulgence and more like a planned treat.

Conclusion

The question of how many calories in a jelly donut with icing does not have a single answer, but rather a range based on brand and preparation. With figures often ranging between 300 and 400 calories, these sweet treats are best enjoyed in moderation. By understanding the factors that contribute to the calorie count and making mindful choices, you can still enjoy your favorite bakery item as part of a balanced diet. Ultimately, savoring a donut on occasion is part of a healthy relationship with food, but being aware of its nutritional profile is the first step toward making informed decisions.

Los Angeles Times. If You Must Have a Doughnut, Keep It Simple. August 5, 2002.

Frequently Asked Questions

The calorie count for a jelly donut with icing typically ranges from 350 to 390 calories, but can be higher or lower depending on the specific recipe, size, and bakery brand.

Yes, adding icing or a thick glaze to a jelly donut adds a significant amount of sugar and fat, which substantially increases the overall calorie count compared to a non-iced or powdered sugar version.

While it varies by brand, a jelly donut with icing often has a similar or slightly higher calorie count than a regular glazed donut due to the additional calories from the fruit filling.

Yes, the type of icing affects the calorie count. A thin sugar glaze will add fewer calories than a rich, thick frosting. Chocolate or fudge icings can also have a different calorie density.

According to nutritional data, a Dunkin' Glazed Jelly Donut contains 280 calories, which includes the jelly filling and glaze.

A jelly donut with powdered sugar will generally be lower in calories than one with a thicker icing because powdered sugar, though sweet, is less calorie-dense than a buttery or sugary frosting.

A jelly donut with icing is primarily composed of carbohydrates (from the dough, sugar, and jelly) and fat (from frying and icing). It also contains a small amount of protein.