Guides
Types of Donuts Explained: Ring, Bar, Filled, Twist and More
Published · Updated · 3 min read · By The Donut Run
Quick answerDonuts come in a few basic types: ring (such as a glazed or old fashioned), bar (such as a Long John or buttermilk bar), filled with no hole (such as a Bismark), twist, Persian and cronut. They are made from either yeast dough (light and airy) or cake batter (denser, with a crisp edge).
What is the difference between a yeast donut and a cake donut?
A yeast donut is raised from yeast dough, so it is light, airy and pull-apart, while a cake donut is made from batter and is denser. Cake donuts are leavened chemically rather than with yeast, and they hold their texture through the day better.
A traditional glazed donut is the classic yeast donut. The old fashioned, buttermilk cake, blueberry cake and chocolate cake donuts are cake donuts. Our guide to glazed, cake or old fashioned helps you choose.
What are the main donut shapes and types?
The main donut types are ring, bar, filled, twist, Persian, cronut and donut hole, and the shape changes how much crust and glaze you get.
| Type | What it is | Example at The Donut Run | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ring, yeast | Light, airy, pull-apart ring | Traditional glazed | $1.50 |
| Ring, cake | Dense ring with a craggy crust that holds glaze | Old fashioned | $2.50 |
| Bar | Rectangular donut; more glazed surface than a ring | Buttermilk bar; Long John; maple bar | Buttermilk bar $2.75 |
| Filled, no hole | A donut with a filling inside | Bismark | $2.75 |
| Large cinnamon donut | Large, soft, cinnamon-laced, closer to a cinnamon roll than a ring | Persian | $2.75 |
| Croissant-dough donut | Laminated croissant dough, fried | Cronut | $3.99 |
| Bite-sized | Small round pieces sold by the cup | Donut holes | $3.75 a cup |
Prices are as published on thedonutrunutah.com on 27 October 2026. A maple bar is the Utah name for a maple long john, and a cinnamon twist is a cinnamon-sugar twist, so both belong in the bar-and-twist family. Read about the maple bar, Long John and cinnamon twist.
Is a ring or a bar better?
A ring gives you more crisp edge per donut, and a bar gives you more glazed surface. The old fashioned ring and the buttermilk bar use the same idea of a cake donut that is fried until the surface splits, so choose by whether you prefer crust or glaze.
What is a filled donut?
A filled donut has its filling inside rather than a topping on top, and the Bismark is a filled donut with no hole. Read What Is a Bismark? for how it is made and how it differs from other filled donuts.
Which type should I order first?
For a first order, pick one yeast donut and one cake donut: a glazed ($1.50) and an old fashioned ($2.50). Add a Persian ($2.75) if you like cinnamon rolls. Everything is made that morning and when a tray is gone it is gone, so phone ahead if you want a specific donut. See why donuts sell out.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of donuts?
The main types are ring (yeast or cake), bar, filled donuts with no hole, twists, large Persian donuts, croissant-dough cronuts and donut holes.
What is a Bismark donut?
A Bismark is a filled donut with no hole. At The Donut Run it is on the specialty board at $2.75 each.
What is the difference between a ring and a bar donut?
A ring gives more crisp edge per donut, while a bar gives more glazed surface. The Donut Run’s buttermilk bar is $2.75 and its old fashioned ring is $2.50.
What is a Persian donut?
A Persian is a large, soft, cinnamon-laced donut, closer to a cinnamon roll than a ring. It is $2.75 at The Donut Run.
Prices, hours and review figures are as published on thedonutrunutah.com and the shops’ Google listings, checked on 27 October 2026. Written by The Donut Run.