If you’re looking for a treat that perfectly balances sweet and savory, you can’t go wrong with Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze. This recipe brings together fluffy, tender donuts infused with the rich flavor of maple syrup, topped with a sticky, smoky bacon glaze that will have your taste buds dancing. Whether you’re hosting brunch, a cozy weekend breakfast, or just want to indulge in a gourmet snack, these donuts bring comfort and excitement in every bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Flavor Combination: The sweet maple glaze combined with smoky bacon creates an irresistible mix of tastes.
Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this a beginner-friendly recipe.
Versatile Treat: Great for breakfast, dessert, or a snack anytime you crave something special.
Impresses Everyone: These donuts are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for parties or family gatherings.
Homemade Freshness: Enjoy the satisfaction of baking fresh donuts with a gourmet twist right at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of making Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze lies in using simple yet essential ingredients that each play a crucial role in flavor, texture, and color. Each component is easy to find and helps create a perfectly balanced donut that’s light, fluffy, and topped with a glaze that delivers delightful sweetness and a hint of smoky bacon.

All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and a soft crumb to the donuts.
Baking Powder: Gives the donuts a light and airy texture.
Ground Cinnamon: Adds warmth and subtle spice to enhance the maple flavor.
Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the dough just right without overpowering the maple taste.
Milk: Keeps the donuts moist and tender inside.
Eggs: Bind all ingredients and help achieve the perfect donut rise.
Maple Syrup: The star ingredient, infusing every bite with rich, natural sweetness.
Bacon: Crispy, smoky chunks mix beautifully into the glaze for that unbeatable savory kick.
Butter: Adds depth and richness to both the donut dough and glaze.
Powdered Sugar: Used in the glaze for a smooth and sweet finish.

Variations for Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze

Feel free to get creative with the Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze by tweaking ingredients or adding your own favorite flavors. This recipe adapts beautifully whether you’re avoiding certain foods or want to experiment with taste combinations.

Vegan Option: Substitute eggs with flax eggs and use plant-based milk and butter for a delicious vegan version.
Spiced Maple: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the dough for a cozy twist.
Sweet and Spicy: Mix a little cayenne pepper into the bacon glaze to bring a surprising heat balance.
Gluten-Free: Swap all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour blend to suit gluten sensitivities.
Maple Pecan Crunch: Add chopped toasted pecans on top of the glaze for extra texture and nutty flavor.

Irresistible Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze Recipe

How to Make Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze

Step 1: Prepare the Donut Dough

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, melted butter, and maple syrup until smooth. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined, being careful not to overmix for fluffy donuts.

Step 2: Shape and Fry the Donuts

Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough to about ½ inch thick, then cut into donut shapes using a donut cutter or two differently sized round cutters. Fry the donuts in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 1-2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 3: Cook the Bacon

While the donuts fry, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove, let cool, then crumble into small pieces. The bacon will add a smoky contrast to the sweet glaze.

Step 4: Make the Maple Bacon Glaze

Mix powdered sugar with maple syrup and softened butter until smooth. Stir in the crumbled bacon pieces gently to incorporate the savory note. The glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Step 5: Glaze the Donuts

Dip the warm donuts into the bacon maple glaze, allowing the excess to drip off. Place on a wire rack to set. The glaze hardens slightly, creating a shiny, irresistible coating.

Pro Tips for Making Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze

Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature eggs and milk ensures better dough consistency.
Don’t Overmix: Mixing the batter just until combined keeps your donuts tender and light.
Oil Temperature Check: Use a thermometer to keep the frying oil steady at 350°F for perfectly cooked donuts.
Drain Donuts Well: Place fried donuts on paper towels to remove excess oil and avoid sogginess.
Glaze While Warm: For best glaze adherence, dip donuts when they’re slightly warm but not hot.
Use Thick-Cut Bacon: Thick bacon crisps nicely without becoming too hard when added to the glaze.

How to Serve Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze

Garnishes

Add a sprinkle of chopped pecans, crispy bacon bits, or a dusting of cinnamon sugar on top to add texture and enhance the presentation.

Side Dishes

Serve these donuts alongside a warm cup of coffee, fresh fruit salad, or creamy scrambled eggs for a complete brunch experience.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack the donuts on a tiered plate for a stunning display, or place each donut in a mini paper loaf holder for easy serving at parties or events.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days to maintain freshness and softness.

Freezing

Freeze cooled, unglazed donuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Freeze the glaze separately in a container. Reheat and dip when ready to serve.

Reheating

Warm leftover donuts in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. Add fresh glaze afterward for the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I bake these donuts instead of frying?

Absolutely! Baking is a healthier option. Bake at 375°F for about 10-12 minutes or until golden brown, then apply the glaze once cooled.

What type of bacon works best for the glaze?

Thick-cut bacon works best because it crisps well and holds its texture when mixed into the glaze.

How long will the donuts stay fresh?

Fresh donuts are best eaten within 1-2 days for optimal texture and flavor, but storing them properly extends freshness slightly.

Can I use artificial maple flavoring?

While possible, natural pure maple syrup gives a richer, more authentic flavor that pairs beautifully with the bacon glaze.

Is this recipe suitable for special diets?

Yes! With ingredient substitutions, this recipe can be tailored for vegan, gluten-free, and lower-sugar diets as needed.

Final Thoughts

Making Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze at home is a wonderfully rewarding experience. The combination of sweet, smoky, crispy, and soft flavors creates a unique treat that’s perfect for sharing or indulging on your own. If you love the balance of sweet and savory with a bit of gourmet flair, this recipe is absolutely worth a try. Get ready to impress your friends and family with these unforgettable donuts that bring pure joy in every bite!

Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze

Print Recipe

Maple Donuts with Bacon Glaze is a delightful sweet and savory treat featuring fluffy, tender donuts infused with rich maple syrup and topped with a sticky, smoky bacon glaze. Perfect for brunch, breakfast, or a gourmet snack, these donuts combine the irresistible flavor of maple with the savory crunch of bacon for a unique and satisfying experience.

Author: Judy
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 donuts 1x
Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American
Diet: Can be adapted to gluten-free and vegan

Ingredients

Scale

Donut Dough

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup milk (room temperature)
2 large eggs (room temperature)
3 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Bacon Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons softened butter
4 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled

Instructions

Prepare the Donut Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and granulated sugar. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, melted butter, and maple syrup until smooth. Gradually mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined, taking care not to overmix to keep donuts light and fluffy.
Shape and Fry the Donuts: Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough to about ½ inch thickness, then cut into donut shapes using a donut cutter or two differently sized round cutters. Fry the donuts in batches until golden brown on both sides, about 1-2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Cook the Bacon: While frying the donuts, cook the bacon strips in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and let cool, then crumble into small pieces. The bacon adds a smoky contrast to the sweet glaze.
Make the Maple Bacon Glaze: In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, maple syrup, and softened butter until smooth. Gently stir in the crumbled bacon pieces to incorporate the savory flavor. The glaze should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Glaze the Donuts: Dip the warm donuts into the bacon maple glaze, allowing any excess to drip off. Place glazed donuts on a wire rack to set. The glaze will harden slightly, creating a shiny, irresistible coating.

Notes

Use room temperature eggs and milk for better dough consistency.
Mix the batter just until combined to keep donuts tender and light.
Maintain oil temperature steady at 350°F using a thermometer for perfectly cooked donuts.
Drain donuts thoroughly on paper towels to avoid sogginess.
Dip donuts in glaze while slightly warm (not hot) for the best adherence.
Use thick-cut bacon for optimal crispness without becoming too hard in the glaze.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 donut
Calories: 300 kcal
Sugar: 15 g
Sodium: 250 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 6 g
Cholesterol: 55 mg

Keywords: maple donuts, bacon glaze, sweet and savory, breakfast donuts, fried donuts, maple syrup, bacon, brunch recipe