Do you know How Did Donuts Become a Breakfast Food? It may come as a surprise, but the sweet and indulgent pastry we know and love today wasn’t always associated with breakfast.
In fact, doughnuts have a long and fascinating history that spans centuries, and their journey to becoming a breakfast staple is fascinating.
From their humble beginnings as fried dough treats in Europe to their rise to popularity in America, many factors contributed to the doughnut’s status as a beloved breakfast food.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the history of doughnuts and explore how they became a go-to breakfast option for many people worldwide.
A Brief History of Donuts
While donuts have been around for centuries in various cultures, they began gaining popularity in America in the mid-1800s. These early “doughnuts” were made by hand and sometimes flavored with spices like nutmeg. Street vendors would sell them, with coffee, to morning commuters.
Key Dates
- 1847 – The first known printed donut recipe appears in Eliza Leslie’s cookbook.
- 1920s – Assembly line production makes donuts cheap and easily accessible.
- 1934 – Chicago World’s Fair popularizes donuts nationwide.
So, donuts were already associated with mornings back in the 19th century. But a few critical developments in the early 20th century helped cement their place as an iconic breakfast food.
Why Do Donuts Make Such a Good Breakfast?
So, what is it about donuts that make them ideal for breakfast? There are a few factors at play:
Taste and Texture
- Donuts tend to be quick breads, meaning they use baking powder or soda to rise rather than yeast. This makes them lighter and fluffier.
- They are sweet and fatty, which appeals to morning cravings. The sugar also provides a quick burst of energy.
- The variety of glazes, toppings, and fillings means there’s a donut for every preference.
Convenience
- Donuts are portable, easy to eat on the go, and not messy like other breakfast items. This makes them convenient for busy mornings.
- Modern donuts are inexpensive, especially from chain shops that make them in bulk. Even fancy artisanal donuts are reasonably priced compared to other pastries.
- Shops that sell coffee often sell donuts, too. The pairing of coffee and donuts is iconic.
Customization and Indulgence
- The rise of specialty donut shops in recent decades has promoted donuts less as a commodity and more as an artisanal food that’s shareable.
- Customizing one’s donut from a wide variety of toppings and fillings is part of the fun.
- Donuts bring back nostalgic memories of celebratory treats on special weekend mornings. They feel indulgent.
This winning combination of great taste, convenience, customization, and indulgence makes donuts a beloved breakfast choice for many Americans.
The Rise of the Donut Breakfast Sandwich
A more recent trend further cementing donuts into breakfast cuisine is the rise of the donut breakfast sandwich. Consisting of meat, egg, and cheese nestled between two donut halves, this carb-loaded creation took off in the 2010s.
Donut Breakfast Sandwiches Nationwide
| Year | % of Restaurants Offering It |
| 2015 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5% |
While this dish may seem gimmicky, it shows just how deeply intertwined donuts have become with our vision of a classic American breakfast. Their sweet and doughy qualities balance beautifully with salty meats and eggs.
Are Donuts Really a Healthy Breakfast?
With the donut’s popularity at breakfast time still on the rise, some nutritionists caution against making it a daily habit. A typical glazed donut packs about 200 calories and 12 grams of fat. And they have little protein, fiber, vitamins, or minerals.
However, enjoyed occasionally, donuts can be part of an overall balanced diet. Many shops now offer healthy options with fresh fruit glazes, whole-grain doughs, and alternative sweeteners. And let’s not underestimate the mood-lifting power a special treat now and then can provide to start your day off right!
So next time you grab a maple bacon donut and coffee on a sleepy Monday morning, you’ll know you’re partaking in over a century’s worth of breakfast tradition!
Why are donuts considered breakfast food?
Donuts are a carb-heavy breakfast because they’re fried and sugary. The other options for a morning meal may include eggs, potatoes, toast, cereal, or other grain foods.
Carbohydrate choices usually need to be minimized in the morning to aid weight loss efforts. On the other hand, donuts may be an excuse to eat a sweet treat in the morning hours.
However, there is nothing wrong with eating donuts for breakfast every once in a while. Donuts such as apple fritters and glazed “cake” donuts can serve as snacks and breakfast foods because they offer complex carbohydrates and other healthful ingredients.
What makes donuts a breakfast food?
Not everyone agrees that donuts are delightful morning fare, but there is no denying they can be found in bakeries at the crack of dawn.
Some restaurants even serve them for breakfast. Although there may be nothing nutritionally special about these doughy treats, they are often associated with morning meals simply because they can be purchased at bakeries in the morning hours.
They may also be purchased when people stop for their coffee or other beverage to begin the day. Donuts are high in carbohydrates and sugar, which offer quick energy when needed most in the early morning hours.
When did doughnuts become breakfast?
A doughnut, or donut as it is sometimes spelled, is a deep-fried piece of dough. They are circular with a hole in the middle to allow for even cooking and less oil absorption. This doughnut has been popular throughout history with many different uses.
Of course, they are most popular as an American breakfast food, frequently enjoyed with a cup of coffee. They are often served plain or with various toppings and glazes, but their signature sweetness makes them a popular accompaniment to breakfast items such as eggs and bacon.
The first known use of doughnuts, the food we think of today as being somewhat edible, was in 1749 in a cookbook called Art of Cookery by an English author named Hannah Glasse.
Her recipe for “little Sally Lunns” was not meant to be served as a breakfast food but rather as a type of cooked pastry for any meal.
The Evolution of Breakfast
In the early 19th century, breakfast began to evolve as we know it today. Before this time, breakfast was a light meal, often consisting of coffee or tea and some bread or leftovers from the previous night’s dinner.
But with the rise of industrialization and the shift towards urban living, people began to have more leisure time in the morning, leading to the development of heartier breakfasts.
The Rise of Donuts in America
In the United States, doughnuts first gained popularity in the mid-19th century. At this time, doughnut shops began appearing in major cities like New York and Boston, quickly becoming a favourite snack food.
However, it wasn’t until World War I that doughnuts took off in America. During the war, the Salvation Army provided doughnuts to American soldiers as a morale booster, and this helped to make them even more popular.
The Donut’s Place in American Culture
Over time, donuts became more than just food – they symbolized American culture. Doughnut shops became gathering places where people could socialize and enjoy a cup of coffee along with their donut.
Doughnuts also began to appear in popular media, such as in movies and TV shows, further solidifying their place in American culture.
The Health Implications of Donuts
While donuts are undoubtedly delicious, they are not the healthiest breakfast option. Donuts are high in sugar and fat and provide little nutritional value. As a result, experts recommend that people consume them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Top 10 Secrets Things You Need To Know About Donuts:
- The donut is not the first food of its kind to be fried. There are records of small cakes, called oliekoeks (oil cakes), deep-fried in the Netherlands by the 1600s. They were often served at weddings and other celebrations.
- The first printed mention of “doughnuts” was spelled “doughnuts,” referring to the nuts in the center of the fried cakes.
- The word “donut” is believed to have been adapted from a variation of the Dutch word “dough noot,” which means “little doughnut.”
- Many stories attempt to explain how donuts got their name. These tales include a young boy named Pete who saved his money to buy a treat, a chef named Hanson Gregory who served the cakes at his shop in Rhode Island, and an American ship captain called Captain John.
- In 1829, August Zang, a former Austrian artillery officer, opened the first documented doughnut shop in the United States in New York City. In 1837, he moved his operation to a brick building at 11th and Washington Avenue corner.
- The first doughnuts were shaped as twists, knots, or rings because their dough was not raised with yeast or baking powder, so that a hole would have been a more difficult task.
- Doughnuts grew more and more popular throughout the 19th century, but it wasn’t until 1920 that revolutionary refrigeration techniques were developed that allowed for year-round production.
- In 1938, jelly-filled donuts were invented by a man named Adolph Levitt. They became an instant hit at his New York shop and were soon offered in most doughnut shops.
- During World War II, an enterprising merchant introduced the “Dutchess County Fair” donut, also known as a “glazed twist.” The treat became popular across the country and spread like wildfire after the invention of mass-production machines.
- Today, donuts are the most popular baked good in America.
Why are donuts not good for breakfast?
Donuts typically contain high amounts of sugar and fat. These ingredients can take a toll on your body throughout the day, especially when eaten in the morning hours. A typical donut contains between 200-400 calories.
Who wants to eat healthily during breakfast. Donuts are also very acidic, meaning they create an acidic environment in your body. This can affect how you absorb nutrients and may cause acidosis or erosion of the teeth’ enamel over time.
Can you eat donuts in the morning?
Donuts are perhaps best left for another time of day. You can choose to eat sugary breakfasts once in a while, but eating super acidic foods at the beginning of your day is not ideal.
Consider making healthier breakfast choices that are more alkaline-forming instead. Good breakfast foods include fruits, veggies, whole grains, and healthy proteins.
Donut Facts:
- The donut is not the first food of its kind to be fried. There are records of small cakes called olijkoecks (oil cakes), deep-fried in the Netherlands by the 1600s. They were often served at weddings and other celebrations.
- The first printed mention of “doughnuts” was spelled “doughnuts,” referring to the nuts in the center of the fried cakes.
- The word “donut” is believed to have been adapted from variations of the Dutch word “dough noot,” which means “little doughnut.”
- Many stories attempt to explain how donuts got their name. These tales include a young boy named Pete who saved his money to buy a treat, a chef named Hanson Gregory who served the cakes at his shop in Rhode Island, and an American ship captain called Captain John.
- In 1829, August Zang, a former Austrian artillery officer, opened the first documented doughnut shop in the United States in New York City. In 1837, he moved his operation to a brick building at 11th and Washington Avenue corner.
How many donuts should you eat a day?
It’s recommended that a person eat no more than three donuts a week or seven a month. It’s best to enjoy them as a treat once in a while if you plan on indulging. The reason for this is that they contain high amounts of sugar and fat.
If you choose to eat donuts on a more regular basis, make sure you monitor your portion size and treat them as part of a healthy diet.
The Bottom Line
This is a question that I had never thought about before. As someone who loves donuts, it’s an interesting topic to learn more about!
After reading this article, I learned how the first mention of donuts as breakfast food was in 1806 when they were advertised as “a wholesome and nutritious form of bread.” It seems like now we can’t imagine starting our day without them!
If you have any questions or want me to explore another fun fact from history, please leave a comment below.
FAQ:
Are donuts really that unhealthy for breakfast?
While donuts are a tasty breakfast treat, they are high in sugar and fat and provide little nutritional value. Experts recommend consuming them in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Where did the name “donut” come from?
The exact origins of “donut” are unclear, but it is believed to be a shortened version of the phrase “doughnut.”
What is the most popular donut flavour?
The most popular donut flavor in the United States is glazed.
Are there any healthy alternatives to traditional donuts?
Yes, healthier alternatives to traditional donuts can be enjoyed for breakfast, such as baked donuts made with whole wheat flour and topped with fruit instead of sugary glaze.
