If one donut day a year doesn't feel like enough, you're in luck. Alongside the well-known National Donut Day in June, many calendars mark November 5 as a second day to celebrate the ring-shaped treat. Glazed, jelly-filled, cake, old-fashioned or topped with sprinkles, donuts have become a fixture of American mornings and office break rooms. The November date is a cozy, autumn excuse to grab a warm dozen, try apple cider donuts, or visit the local bakery you have been meaning to support.
History of National Donut Day (November)
Fried dough is ancient and global, but the donut most Americans know arrived with Dutch settlers, who made 'olykoeks', or oily cakes, in New Amsterdam (now New York). These were round balls of fried dough, sometimes stuffed with fruit or nuts.
The hole came later. A popular American story credits Hanson Gregory, a New England ship's captain, with punching a hole in the middle of the dough in 1847 so the center would cook through. Whether or not every detail is true, ring-shaped donuts became standard by the late 1800s.
Donuts gained national significance during World War I, when volunteers from The Salvation Army fried donuts for soldiers in France. Those volunteers became known as 'Donut Lassies', and in 1938 The Salvation Army launched National Donut Day in June to honor them and raise funds. That June holiday is held on the first Friday of the month.
The November 5 observance has a less documented origin, but it gives donut lovers a second date on the calendar, landing in apple-cider season when many orchards and bakeries make their most popular autumn donuts.
Why National Donut Day (November) Matters
Donuts are a shared treat. A box on a desk or a table instantly turns an ordinary morning into a small celebration.
They are also a great way to support small businesses. Many towns have a beloved independent donut shop with its own signature flavor, and a holiday like this brings in customers during a quieter time of year.
How to Celebrate National Donut Day (November)
- Visit a local shop: buy a dozen from an independent bakery and share them with coworkers or neighbors.
- Try an autumn flavor: look for apple cider, pumpkin or maple donuts that are in season.
- Make them at home: fry yeast dough, or bake a simpler cake donut in a donut pan.
- Learn the June story: read about the WWI 'Donut Lassies' and The Salvation Army's original donut day.
- Host a tasting: line up different styles and rank them with friends.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, bring in a box from a local shop and let colleagues pick their favorite; it's one of the easiest ways to brighten a Friday or Monday meeting. In classrooms, teachers can tell the story of the WWI 'Donut Lassies' as a history lesson, or use donut-shaped counting activities with younger children. At home, try baked donuts in a donut pan with a simple glaze, or make apple cider donuts with seasonal cider from the farmers market. Families can also hold a blind taste test of plain glazed donuts from different bakeries. If you're on a budget, many shops sell day-old donuts at a discount, which are perfect for bread pudding.
Fun Facts About National Donut Day (November)
- Dutch settlers' 'olykoeks' were early American donuts.
- The Salvation Army created the June National Donut Day in 1938.
- Both 'donut' and 'doughnut' are correct spellings; 'doughnut' is older.
National Donut Day (November) FAQs
Are there two National Donut Days?
Yes. The better-known one is the first Friday in June, started by The Salvation Army in 1938. Many calendars also list November 5.
When is the November donut day?
It is observed on November 5 each year.
Why do donuts have holes?
The hole helps the dough cook evenly. A popular story credits ship captain Hanson Gregory with the idea in 1847.
What is an apple cider donut?
It's a cake donut made with reduced apple cider and warm spices, usually rolled in cinnamon sugar. It's especially popular at autumn orchards in the northern United States.