12 Vermont Maple Donut Shops Worth The Sticky Fingers

Vermont isn’t just famous for its stunning fall foliage and ski slopes; it’s also a hidden paradise for donut lovers! As someone who has spent years hunting down the perfect maple-glazed treats across the Green Mountain State, I’ve discovered some truly spectacular bakeries. Grab some napkins and prepare for a sugar rush as we explore these 12 amazing Vermont donut shops where sticky fingers are absolutely worth it.

1. North Country Donuts — Morrisville, VT

Tucked away in charming Morrisville, this family-owned gem creates maple masterpieces that’ll make you weak in the knees. Their signature maple cream-filled donut uses syrup tapped from trees just miles away.

I stumbled upon this place during a snowstorm and ended up staying for three hours, chatting with locals and devouring donuts still warm from the fryer. The maple crunch donut; topped with candied maple bits; might be the single best sweet I’ve ever tasted in Vermont.

2. Mad River Donuts — Waitsfield, VT

Nestled in ski country, Mad River Donuts serves up maple creations that perfectly complement a day on the slopes. The shop’s vintage vibe and huge picture windows overlooking the mountains make the experience even sweeter.

Their maple bacon donut changed my life; no exaggeration! The combination of smoky, crispy bacon bits atop that perfect maple glaze creates flavor magic. Owner Betty has been using the same maple donut recipe for 30 years, and regularly sells out before noon on weekends.

3. Madeleines Bakery — Milton, VT

Madeleines might be named after a French pastry, but their Vermont maple donuts are pure Green Mountain magic. The bakery’s bright yellow exterior makes it impossible to miss as you drive through Milton.

What makes their maple donuts special? They’re impossibly light and airy with a glaze that strikes the perfect balance between sweet and that distinctive maple tang. The maple cream-filled donut holes are dangerously poppable; I accidentally devoured a dozen during my first visit while chatting with the friendly baker about her secret techniques.

4. Willoughby’s Depot Eatery — Manchester, VT

Housed in a converted train station, Willoughby’s blends history with heavenly donuts. The maple old-fashioned is their crown jewel; crispy exterior with a tender, cake-like inside that melts in your mouth.

I arrived just as a fresh batch emerged from the kitchen and nearly wept with joy. The maple glaze here has a unique depth, thanks to their partnership with a local sugar maker who creates a special dark amber syrup exclusively for their donuts. Train memorabilia decorates the walls, making this spot both a treat for your taste buds and a history lesson.

5. Quality Bake Shop — Essex Junction, VT

Don’t let the unassuming name fool you; Quality Bake Shop creates maple donut magic that locals line up for at dawn. The third-generation bakery has perfected their maple cruller, a twisted delight with ridges that capture extra glaze in every bite.

My first experience here involved an elderly gentleman insisting I try the maple cruller with a cup of their Vermont-roasted coffee. The combination was so perfect I now drive 40 minutes out of my way whenever I’m in the area. Their maple donut holes; each one hand-rolled and glazed; make perfect road trip snacks.

6. Hangry The Donut Bar — St. Albans, VT

With a name that perfectly captures how I feel before my morning donut, Hangry delivers maple treats with attitude. Their maple explosion donut; filled with maple custard and topped with maple glaze and maple sugar; is a triple threat of sweetness.

The young couple who owns this hip spot taps their own trees each spring. You can taste the difference in their exceptionally fresh maple flavor. My favorite weekend ritual involves grabbing their maple cold brew (yes, maple-infused coffee!) and a maple-bacon-bourbon donut before heading to the nearby farmers market.

7. Jones’ Donuts & Bakery — Rutland, VT

A Rutland institution since 1940, Jones’ creates maple donuts the old-fashioned way; hand-cut, never rushed, and glazed with locally sourced syrup. The vintage neon sign outside has guided donut pilgrims for generations.

Their maple frosted donut looks deceptively simple but delivers complex flavor that comes from decades of perfecting their craft. I once witnessed a heated debate between locals about whether the maple cream-filled or maple glazed was superior. The solution? Order both! The 80-year-old maple recipe book behind the counter is a treasured artifact they still reference daily.

8. Middlebury Bagel & Deli — Middlebury, VT

Don’t let the “bagel” in the name fool you; this college town favorite secretly makes some of Vermont’s most addictive maple donuts. Their maple cake donut has a perfect crumb that somehow stays moist for days (though they rarely last that long).

Students from the nearby college crowd this place on weekend mornings. The maple donut bread pudding; a brilliant way to use day-old donuts; might be the most decadent breakfast in Vermont. I’ve befriended the owner who confided that their maple glaze contains a splash of local apple cider for extra tang.

9. The Farmer & The Bell — Quechee, VT

Perched near the famous Quechee Gorge, this farm-to-donut shop creates maple masterpieces with ingredients sourced within 20 miles. Their yeast-raised maple donuts are ethereally light with a glaze that captures maple’s complexity perfectly.

The shop sits on an actual working farm where you can see the maple trees that provide their syrup. My summer ritual includes grabbing their maple-glazed donut topped with fresh berries from their garden. The maple sugar they dust on their donut holes comes from their own sugar shack; talk about vertical integration!

10. Miss Weinerz — Burlington, VT

Burlington’s hippest donut destination, Miss Weinerz, serves up artisanal sourdough donuts with a maple glaze that will haunt your dreams. The slightly tangy base paired with sweet maple creates a flavor revelation that’s worth the inevitable line.

Founded by a former punk rocker turned pastry chef, this shop’s donuts sell out within hours of opening. Their maple tahini donut; an unexpected fusion of Vermont and Middle Eastern flavors; converted me from a purist to an adventurous donut eater. The shop’s funky vinyl record collection provides the perfect soundtrack while you wait for these maple treasures.

11. Poorhouse Pies — Underhill, VT

This roadside stand operates on the honor system; grab your maple donuts and leave cash in the box. Their maple cider donuts, available during fall harvest, combine two of Vermont’s most beloved flavors in one perfect ring.

The small red shed sits at the edge of an apple orchard with Green Mountain views that make the donuts taste even better. I’ve driven through snowstorms for their maple-glazed apple fritters; massive, irregular creations studded with local apples. The handwritten notes from happy customers taped to the walls speak volumes about this beloved community institution.

12. Nunyuns Bakery & Cafe — Burlington, VT

This funky Old North End cafe crafts maple donuts that perfectly balance sophistication and comfort. Their maple walnut cake donut; topped with candied walnuts and a double dip of maple glaze; offers textural contrast that keeps you coming back for more.

The eclectic interior filled with local art provides the perfect backdrop for serious donut contemplation. During sugaring season, they offer a special maple-on-maple-on-maple donut with three different maple elements that showcases the syrup’s versatility. The owners’ commitment to using organic ingredients means these treats aren’t just delicious; they’re mindfully made.