What to Serve with Donuts? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Donuts alone are quite the treat, yet pairing them with the right side dishes elevates the whole experience.

Imagine sipping on a perfectly brewed coffee as you bite into a soft, sugary donut.

Now, that’s a morning worth waking up for!

Or picture enjoying some fresh fruit with a donut for a sweet and somewhat guilt-free indulgence.

In this article, we’re laying out the seven best side dishes to complement your donut feast.

From drinks that hit the spot to snacks that add crunch, we’ve got you covered.

Keep reading to make your donut pairing game strong. Ready to find your perfect match?

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Donuts?

Donuts are rarely served with side dishes – or as side dishes.

They are often popped up after all courses – mostly as a dessert.

Well, get ready to be surprised because the famous donut has numerous other uses too.

When trying to decide on a side dish, it does not necessarily have to go on the side.

Instead, you can also come up with different toppings that go on the donut.

Let them soak your donut and enjoy a mix of different flavors in one simple dish – not only is it delicious, but you will also impress your audience.

At the end of the day, it is all about creativity and imagination.

What to Serve with Donuts? 7 BEST Side Dishes

Here are some interesting ideas that will turn the boring donut into an extraordinary meal.

1 – Egg, Cheese, and Bacon

This is basically a breakfast idea.

If you used to turn bagels into sandwiches, you can kiss them goodbye.

Try out the donut breakfast, and you will never need bagels again – make sure it is not sugary, though.

Basically, cut it in half and throw in some scrambled egg, a slice of cheese, and some bacon.

Obviously, anything will go – as long as you like it, there are no reasons to leave it behind.

2 – Chopped Blackberries and Raspberries

Blackberries and raspberries go hand in hand and can easily complement a dessert or perhaps a sweet breakfast.

Grab a donut – it makes no difference if it is plain or it has some topping.

Tear it in half and throw in the chopped fruits.

Of course, there are more options there – you can chop pretty much anything you find around the fridge.

It might help sticking things together – perhaps a bit of cream will do, but do not exaggerate.

You do not want a caloric bomb.

3 – Crunchy Pulled Pork

If you think donuts are all about sweet breakfasts, you are wrong.

Here is a great idea to bring the donut into your lunch or dinner plans.

First, cut the donut in half or tear it.

Second, get some pulled pork and chuck it in the middle.

A bit of sauce will also do – be it teriyaki, sweet chili, or anything else you may like.

Add a bit of green too and – very importantly – something pickled, such as cabbage.

The outcome? Chances are this is the simplest, yet tastiest lunch you have ever had.

4 – Mini Pizza Salami

Everyone loves pizza, and everyone loves donuts. The bad news is you cannot always mix them up.

Well, this is only a misconception. The truth is the right topping will turn a dull donut into a mini pizza.

So, what do you need? Think about your favorite ingredients.

Then, tear the donut, stick some mozzarella in there, a couple of tomato slices, some chopped olives, and maybe some red onions too.

The top of the donut goes with some extra mozzarella and some tiny sausage slices – or perhaps pepperoni.

Once the cheese melts, it will keep all these ingredients together.

5 – Soft Smashed Avocado

Get an avocado, peel it and turn it into a paste.

Whether you use a fork to smash it or blend it, make sure you get a thick and consistent paste.

You can also chuck in a tomato – whatever ingredients you like combined, throw them in there.

Cut the bagel in half and fill it up with this paste.

Put the donut back together and give it five minutes before having it – you want the sauce to get into its fibers and penetrate every corner.

You can also garnish with a slice of tomato or perhaps some cabbage.

6 – Fried Chicken and Honey Butter

This idea may seem a bit unusual, but it will impress your guests.

It shows how far you can go with a tiny donut.

It means nothing, but a little creativity will turn a few donuts into some fulfilling meals.

Get some chicken fingers – you can buy them as they are, or you can make them yourself.

It makes sense to start early and do everything yourself, though – it will taste much better.

Put the fingers on top of the donut and spread a bit of honey butter on top.

It may seem difficult to eat, so you can also stick all these inside the actual donut.

7 – Espresso Sauce

This is not really a meal. Instead, it makes a top-notch enhancement for your donuts.

You can turn a boring morning coffee into an actual experience.

Here is what you need to do.

Grill a few donuts first. Exactly – throw them on a grill until they warm up and get those appealing lines.

Flip them over – the whole process will barely take a few minutes.

Now, come up with a thick sauce based on espresso and cocoa – a bit of coconut water, too, and some sugar.

Glaze your donuts with this sauce, but also keep it around as a dip.

Conclusion

As a short final conclusion, there are quite some interesting options when not sure what to serve with donuts.

Indeed, they are often associated with fat and ultra-sweet desserts, but their capabilities go way further than that.

Use your imagination when trying to enhance a donut, and keep in mind that it does not necessarily have to be sweet.

Once you realize this, a new world will open up in your kitchen.