How Much Sugar Is in a Donut?
A single glazed donut has about 12 g of added sugar — and it's easy to eat two.
in 1 glazed donut (60 g) · about 2.9 teaspoons
- Per serving
- 12 g
- Per 100 g
- 20 g
- Type
- Added sugar
- In teaspoons
- ≈ 2.9 tsp
Fine in a portion — worth keeping an eye on.
A standard glazed donut carries about 12 g of added sugar, mostly from the glaze rather than the dough. That's a moderate hit for one pastry — the problem is portion creep: bakery-style donuts run larger, and a coffee-shop pairing is rarely just one.
Like a chocolate chip cookie, a donut pairs refined flour with a sugar glaze, so it spikes and crashes fast with nothing to slow it down. Filled or frosted varieties — cream, chocolate, sprinkles — can add another 5–10 g on top of a plain glaze.
Lower-sugar swaps
- A plain donut hole or two instead of a full-size donut
- Fruit with plain yogurt when you want something sweet with breakfast
Frequently asked questions
- Which has more sugar, a donut or a cookie?
- They're close — a glazed donut has about 12 g, a medium chocolate chip cookie about the same. Filled or frosted donuts usually run higher.
- Are chocolate or filled donuts higher in sugar than glazed?
- Often, yes. Cream or jam filling and chocolate frosting can add 5–10 g more sugar than a simple glaze.
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Sugar values from Typical nutrition label; actual amounts vary by brand, ripeness, and recipe. Last updated 2026-08-09.