Potato donuts are made with potato starch or mashed potatoes instead of wheat flour. They have a similar calorie count to regular donuts and can be shaped, filled, and glazed. They have existed internationally for centuries and were commercially introduced in the US in the mid-20th century. The Spudnuts chain was opened in the 1940s, and potato donuts are also popular in Malaysia, India, and Indonesia. Both sweet and savory versions exist.
A potato donut is a fried dough baked product made with potato starch or mashed potatoes instead of the more typical wheat flour. This type of donut didn’t appear commercially in the United States until the mid-20th century, but desserts made with white potatoes and sweet potatoes have existed internationally for centuries.
The typical donut is made from flour, eggs, milk, butter and sugar. A pie donut is generally made with yeast, while a raised donut is typically made with yeast. Both varieties are usually fried, although baked donuts are also available. The potato donut replaces the potato starch with some or all of the wheat flour, although some versions use white or sweet potatoes, usually mashed or pureed.
Potato donuts can be shaped, filled, and glazed like any other type of donut. They are believed to have a lighter, fluffier texture than the typical wheat flour donut, but have a similar number of calories. Types of donuts include the French “beignet”, the German “bismarck” and the Dutch “cruller”. Polish “paczki”, Canadian “Persian” and Mexican “churro” and “sopaipilla” are often classified as donuts. In these donut varieties, you can replace the wheat flour with starch or pulp.
A chain of donut shops called “Spudnuts” was opened in the 1940s by the Utah brothers and Bob Pelton. To name their unknown potato donut creation, they combined the term “spud,” a colloquialism referring to potatoes, and “nut” to remind people of its donut properties. At one time, the Spudnuts chain spread across the United States from coast to coast. These stores are still present in a dozen states, and Spudnuts donut mix is available online.
Potato buns made from sweet potatoes are a culinary delight in Malaysia. India and Indonesia also include potato donut in their cuisine. Malaysian ‘kuih keria’ and Indonesian ‘donat kentang’ are sweet donuts, while Indian ‘vada’ is typically a more savory fried dough served with various flavors of sweet and sour chutneys.
The number of calories or kilojoules in a potato donut generally depends on the weight, filling, and topping just as it does in a wheat flour donut. A plain glazed donut is typically around 150 calories (628.02 kJ), while a filled and glazed donut is usually 240 (1004.83 kJ) or more. Substituting the potato for flour doesn’t increase the donut’s nutritional value, as both versions are mostly starch and fat.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
