Red, White & Blue Swirl Donuts are the ultimate patriotic treat, perfect for celebrating the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, or any time you want to show some American pride. These baked donuts are soft, fluffy, and swirled with vibrant red, white, and blue batter, topped with a colorful glaze that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. I made these for a backyard barbecue last summer, and they were the talk of the party—kids and adults alike couldn’t get enough of the festive swirls and sprinkles! Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or just craving a fun breakfast, these Red, White & Blue Swirl Donuts are a guaranteed hit.

With a simple vanilla donut base and a quick glaze, this recipe comes together in about 30 minutes. Let’s dive into why you’ll love these donuts and how to make them shine!

Why You’ll Love These Red, White & Blue Swirl Donuts

Festive and Fun: The red, white, and blue swirls make these donuts a showstopper for patriotic celebrations.
Easy to Make: Ready in 30 minutes with no frying required—just bake and glaze!
Soft and Fluffy: The baked donut base is light, moist, and perfect for all ages.
Customizable Colors: Adjust the food coloring for vibrant or pastel shades to match your vibe.
Kid-Friendly Activity: Get the kids involved in swirling the batter or adding sprinkles.
Perfect for Sharing: Makes a batch of 12, ideal for parties or gifting.
No Fancy Equipment Needed: Just a donut pan and basic kitchen tools do the trick.

Ingredients for These Red, White & Blue Swirl Donuts

Here’s what you’ll need to create these festive donuts, with tips for the best results:

All-Purpose Flour (1 ½ cups): Provides structure for the donuts. Spoon and level the flour to avoid a dense texture.
Sugar (½ cup): Granulated sugar sweetens the batter just right. Don’t overdo it, as the glaze adds sweetness.
Baking Powder (1 ½ teaspoons): Helps the donuts rise and stay fluffy.
Salt (¼ teaspoon): Enhances the flavors. Use fine sea salt or table salt.
Nutmeg (¼ teaspoon): Adds a warm, classic donut flavor. Freshly grated is best, but ground works too.
Milk (½ cup): Whole milk gives richness, but 2% or plant-based milk like almond works fine.
Sour Cream (¼ cup): Keeps the donuts moist and tender. Greek yogurt is a good substitute.
Egg (1 large): Binds the batter and adds structure. Room temperature is best.
Butter (3 tablespoons, melted): Adds flavor and moisture. Cool slightly before mixing.
Vanilla Extract (1 teaspoon): Boosts the flavor. Use pure vanilla for the best taste.
Red and Blue Gel Food Coloring: Gel coloring gives vibrant hues without thinning the batter. Avoid liquid food coloring if possible.
Powdered Sugar (1 cup, for glaze): Creates a smooth, sweet glaze. Sift to remove lumps.
Milk (2–3 tablespoons, for glaze): Thins the glaze to the perfect consistency. Adjust as needed.
Optional: Red, White, and Blue Sprinkles: Add a festive crunch and extra patriotism.

Pro Tip: Invest in a silicone donut pan for easy release and cleanup—no sticking, and the donuts pop right out!

How to Make Red, White & Blue Swirl Donuts – Step-by-Step

These Red, White & Blue Swirl Donuts are simple to make and so much fun to decorate. Follow these steps for a batch of patriotic perfection.

Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Grease a 12-cavity donut pan (silicone or metal) with non-stick cooking spray or butter. Mini-Tip: Silicone pans are non-stick and make removal a breeze.
Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 ½ cups flour, ½ cup sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg. Set aside. Mini-Tip: Sift the dry ingredients for a smoother batter.
Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together ½ cup milk, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 egg, 3 tablespoons melted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. Mini-Tip: Ensure the butter isn’t too hot to avoid cooking the egg.
Make the Batter: Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Don’t overmix to keep the donuts light and fluffy. Mini-Tip: A few small lumps are okay—just avoid overworking the batter.
Color the Batter: Divide the batter evenly into three bowls (about ¾ cup each). Add a few drops of red gel food coloring to one bowl and blue to another, stirring until the colors are vibrant. Leave the third bowl plain for white. Mini-Tip: Use gel coloring for bold colors without thinning the batter.
Fill the Donut Pan: Spoon or pipe equal amounts of red, white, and blue batter into each donut mold, filling about ¾ full. For a swirled effect, drag a toothpick gently through the batter in each mold. Mini-Tip: Use piping bags or zip-top bags with a corner snipped off for easier filling and less mess.
Bake and Cool: Bake for 8–10 minutes, or until the donuts spring back when lightly touched. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Mini-Tip: Tap the pan gently to release donuts if using a metal pan.
Make the Glaze: In a shallow dish, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 2–3 tablespoons milk until smooth. Divide into three bowls. Tint one red and one blue with gel food coloring, leaving one white. Drizzle red and blue glaze over the white glaze in a shallow dish, making horizontal and vertical lines. Dip each donut, twisting 90 degrees as you dip for a swirl effect, then place on a wire rack. Add patriotic sprinkles while the glaze is wet. Let set for 30 minutes. Mini-Tip: Work quickly to dip while the glaze is wet to ensure sprinkles stick.

Helpful Tips for Red, White & Blue Swirl Donuts

Meal Prep: Bake the donuts a day ahead and store unglazed in an airtight container. Glaze and decorate before serving for maximum freshness.
Storage: Store glazed donuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2–3 days. Unglazed donuts can be frozen for up to a month; thaw and glaze before serving.
Serving Tip: Serve on a festive platter with extra sprinkles scattered around for a fun presentation.
Pairing Ideas: Pair with coffee, hot cocoa, or a glass of milk for breakfast, or serve with ice cream for a dessert twist.
Creative Twists: Add a splash of lemon extract to the batter for a citrusy kick, or use star-shaped sprinkles for extra patriotism. For a richer glaze, mix in a tablespoon of melted butter.
Make it Healthier: Use whole wheat flour for half the all-purpose flour or swap sour cream for Greek yogurt to lighten it up.

FAQs About Red, White & Blue Swirl Donuts

Q: Can I make Red, White & Blue Swirl Donuts without a donut pan?
A: Yes! Use a muffin tin and shape foil into rings to create a donut shape in each cavity. Bake time may increase slightly.

Q: Can I use store-bought donuts for this recipe?
A: Absolutely! Buy plain cake donuts and skip the baking steps. Just glaze and decorate for a quick version.

Q: How do I avoid purple swirls in the glaze?
A: Drizzle red and blue glaze over the white without mixing too much. Dip and twist gently to keep colors distinct.

Q: Can I make these donuts gluten-free?
A: Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. Check that your baking powder is gluten-free too.

Q: How do I get vibrant colors without changing the batter?
A: Use gel food coloring instead of liquid, as it’s more concentrated and won’t thin the batter or glaze.

I whip up these Red, White & Blue Swirl Donuts every Fourth of July, and they never fail to bring smiles to the table. My favorite trick is to let the kids help with the swirling and sprinkling—it’s a fun way to get everyone involved! Try this recipe for your next patriotic celebration, and let me know in the comments how it turns out or what creative twists you add. What’s your favorite festive treat to share?