Doughnut vs. Cruller — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 8, 2024
A doughnut is a broad category of fried, ring-shaped pastries, while a cruller is a specific type of doughnut, typically twisted or ridged, and made with a denser dough.
Difference Between Doughnut and Cruller
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A doughnut is a popular, round or ring-shaped fried pastry that can be yeast-raised or cake-based. On the other hand, a cruller is a particular type of doughnut that is often twisted or ridged and traditionally made with pâte à choux dough.
Doughnuts come in various styles, including glazed, frosted, or filled with jelly or cream. Meanwhile, crullers usually have a denser texture and are commonly topped with a simple glaze, although they can also be powdered or filled.
Yeast doughnuts are light and airy due to the yeast fermentation process, whereas crullers have a crisp exterior and a tender, egg-based interior, giving them a unique mouthfeel.
While doughnuts have varied shapes, like rings, holes, or filled pockets, crullers have a signature twisted shape, often resembling a rectangle or circular twist.
Doughnuts can be found globally with regional variations, whereas crullers are especially popular in French and North American cuisines, particularly in the Northeastern United States.
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Comparison Chart
Shape
Ring-shaped, holes, or filled
Twisted, ridged, or crinkly
Dough Type
Yeast-raised or cake-based
Typically pâte à choux
Texture
Light and airy or dense
Crisp exterior, tender interior
Preparation
Fried or baked
Usually fried
Toppings
Glazed, frosted, powdered, filled
Usually glazed or powdered
Compare with Definitions
Doughnut
Often filled with jam, custard, or cream.
She loves the jelly-filled doughnut with raspberry jam.
Cruller
A specific type of twisted doughnut.
The bakery makes a fresh batch of crullers every morning.
Doughnut
Can be made with yeast or cake batter.
The cake doughnut is denser than the yeast version.
Cruller
Commonly made with pâte à choux.
The French cruller is known for its delicate texture.
Doughnut
A ring-shaped, fried pastry.
The doughnut shop offers a wide range of flavors, from glazed to chocolate.
Cruller
Features a twisted or ridged shape.
Crullers are distinct because of their intricate ridges.
Doughnut
Typically topped with frosting, sugar, or other sweet toppings.
The chocolate-frosted doughnut is a bestseller.
Cruller
Usually has a crisp, golden exterior.
The cruller is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Doughnut
Found in various shapes, including rings and holes.
Doughnut holes are popular among kids.
Cruller
Often glazed with a simple sugar coating.
The cruller is delicious with its light sugar glaze.
Doughnut
A doughnut or donut (IPA: ) is a type of leavened fried dough. It is popular in many countries and is prepared in various forms as a sweet snack that can be homemade or purchased in bakeries, supermarkets, food stalls, and franchised specialty vendors.
Cruller
A cruller () is a deep-fried pastry like a doughnut popular in the US and Canada often made from a rectangle of dough with a cut made in the middle that allows it to be pulled over and through itself, producing twists in the sides of the pastry. The cruller has been described as resembling "a small, braided torpedo".
Doughnut
A small ring-shaped cake made of rich, light dough that is fried in deep fat.
Cruller
A small cake made of rich dough twisted or curled and fried in deep fat.
Doughnut
Something whose form is reminiscent of a ring-shaped cake.
Cruller
A small, usually ring-shaped or twisted cake of sweet dough fried in deep fat.
Doughnut
A fast, tight 360° turn made in a motor vehicle or motorized boat.
Cruller
(US) A donut in the form of a twisted ring.
Doughnut
A deep-fried piece of dough or batter, commonly of a toroidal (a ring doughnut) shape, often mixed with various sweeteners and flavourings; or flattened sphere (a filled doughnut) shape filled with jam, custard or cream.
Cruller
A kind of sweet cake cut in strips and curled or twisted, and fried crisp in boiling fat.
Doughnut
Anything in the shape of a torus.
Cruller
Small friedcake formed into twisted strips and fried; richer than doughnuts
Doughnut
(attributive) A circular life raft.
Doughnut
(physics) A toroidal vacuum chamber.
Doughnut
(North America) A peel-out or skid mark in the shape of a circle; a 360-degree skid.
Doughnut
A spare car tyre, usually stored in the boot, that is smaller than a full-sized tyre and is only intended for temporary use.
Doughnut
A kind of tyre for an airplane.
Doughnut
(slang) A vulva; (by extension) a woman's virginity.
Doughnut
A foolish or stupid person.
Doughnut
A small cake (usually sweetened) fried in a kettle of boiling lard.
Doughnut
A toroidal shape;
A ring of ships in the harbor
A halo of smoke
Doughnut
A small ring-shaped friedcake
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between a doughnut and a cruller?
A doughnut is a broad category of pastries, while a cruller is a specific, often twisted type.
Are crullers always twisted?
They usually have a twisted or ridged shape, distinguishing them from other doughnuts.
Can crullers be baked?
Crullers are traditionally fried, but some variations can be baked.
What type of dough is used in crullers?
Crullers traditionally use pâte à choux dough, which is egg-based.
What makes doughnuts and crullers sweet?
Both are usually sweetened with sugar in the dough and have additional sweet glazes or toppings.
Do crullers contain yeast?
They generally do not contain yeast, unlike yeast-raised doughnuts.
What toppings are common on doughnuts?
Doughnuts can have glaze, frosting, powdered sugar, or fillings like jam or custard.
Is a French cruller the same as a regular cruller?
French crullers specifically use pâte à choux, while other crullers may use different doughs.
Can crullers come in different shapes?
Yes, crullers may be rectangular or circular, depending on the region or style.
Do doughnuts and crullers have cultural significance?
Yes, doughnuts and crullers often reflect local or regional culinary traditions.
How is the texture of crullers different from regular doughnuts?
Crullers have a crisper exterior and a tender, airy interior due to the egg-based dough.
Are doughnuts and crullers found worldwide?
Doughnuts are more widely found, while crullers are popular mainly in French and North American cuisines.
Are all doughnuts filled?
No, only some doughnuts are filled, while others are left plain or frosted.
Are doughnuts and crullers always fried?
They are traditionally fried, but modern versions may be baked for a healthier option.
Can crullers and doughnuts be made at home?
Yes, many recipes exist for both, allowing home cooks to experiment with flavors and textures.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
