Krispy Kreme Green O'riginal Glazed Doughnut Copycat Recipe (St. Patrick's Day 2026)
Krispy Kreme's iconic Original Glazed goes green for St. Patrick's Day and you can make your own batch at home with that same pillowy, melt-in-your-mouth dough and a glossy green-tinted glaze. Warm from the oven, these disappear before they even hit the cooling rack.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- bread flour 2.5 cups
- instant yeast 2.25 tsp
- whole milk 3 tbsp
- water 0.75 cup
- unsalted butter 0.25 cup
- granulated sugar 0.5 cup
- egg 2 pieces
- potato starch 1 tbsp
- vegetable shortening (for frying) 4 cups
- salt 0.5 tsp
Seasonings/Sauce
- powdered sugar 2 cups
- whole milk 0.25 cup
- corn syrup 2 tbsp
- vanilla extract 1 tsp
- green gel food coloring 1 tsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates
37 g
64%
Protein
4 g
7%
Fat
7 g
29%
Cooking steps
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1
Combine bread flour, instant yeast, granulated sugar, potato starch, and salt in a stand mixer bowl. Add whole milk, water, eggs, and softened unsalted butter. Mix for 3-4 minutes until a sticky, glossy dough forms. This high hydration and enriched mixture closely mimics Krispy Kreme’s pillowy texture.
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2
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead gently for 5-7 minutes. Place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 60 minutes. Proofing is crucial for the airy crumb and melt-in-your-mouth softness.
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3
Punch down the dough and roll it to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out doughnuts with a 3-inch cutter and a 1-inch cutter for the holes. Arrange on parchment, cover with a towel, and let rise a second time for 40 minutes until puffy and light.
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4
Heat vegetable shortening in a deep fryer or Dutch oven to 355–360°F. Fry doughnuts 90 seconds per side (flip once), until just golden. This temperature and medium ensure the classic Krispy Kreme non-greasy finish and perfect exterior for glazing.
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5
For the green glaze, whisk powdered sugar, whole milk, corn syrup, vanilla extract, and green gel food coloring until smooth and shiny. Dip warm doughnuts in the glaze and set on a rack so the green shell forms a crackly, glossy finish just like Krispy Kreme’s seasonal versions.
Personalized Q&A
Q. Does this recipe taste like the real Krispy Kreme Green O'riginal Glazed Doughnut?
Absolutely! By using bread flour, potato starch, and double proofing, the dough achieves Krispy Kreme's signature pillow-soft, airy texture. Frying in vegetable shortening at 355–360°F produces a non-greasy finish, and the glossy green glaze is made with corn syrup and gel coloring for that authentic shine and crackle.
Q. What’s the most common mistake when frying homemade Krispy Kreme doughnuts?
The biggest error is frying at the wrong temperature. If your shortening is hotter than 360°F, doughnuts will brown too fast and get greasy. Always use a thermometer and fry at 355–360°F, flipping once per side, for that clean exterior and perfect melt-in-your-mouth bite.
Q. Can I bake these doughnuts instead of frying?
While you can bake doughnuts, the results won’t match Krispy Kreme’s signature texture. Frying in vegetable shortening gives the pillowy interior and delicate crackly glaze. If you must bake, expect a denser, less airy doughnut and a different finish.
Q. How many calories and carbs are in one Green O'riginal Glazed Doughnut?
Each doughnut contains about 230 kcal, with 37g carbohydrates (64% of calories), 4g protein (7%), and 7g fat (29%). This is comparable to a real Krispy Kreme glazed doughnut with the added green glaze for festive flair.
Q. How long do homemade Krispy Kreme-style doughnuts stay fresh?
Home-fried doughnuts taste best within 12 hours of glazing. To keep them soft, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Avoid refrigeration, which can make the dough tough and glaze turn sticky.
