Just How Many Donut Holes Equal A Full Donut?

As a child, the sight of a big square box with a handle often signaled a sweet treat was on the way — whether it was donut holes or the iconic Dunkin' donut box filled with sugary goodness. To calculate the ratio of donut hole to donut, we looked at Dunkin's glazed donuts. A glazed Munchkin (Dunkin's brand name for its donut holes) has just 60 calories, far fewer than a full glazed donut which packs a 240-calorie punch. Based on calories alone, eating four donut holes would equal one full-sized donut.

However, the size difference between donut holes and full donuts is also significant. A typical donut has a diameter of 72 to 82 millimeters with an 11 millimeter hole in the center. A donut hole, by contrast, averages under an ounce in weight, which is just about the size of the hole in the middle of a full donut. While donut holes may be smaller in size when compared to standard donuts, they add up quickly in terms of calories.

While Dunkin' is known for being the place to go for donuts when you're on the run, Krispy Kreme's donut dots are another take on the classic donut hole. At only 45 calories each for the glazed option, these dots add up to about 4.2 donut dots for a single glazed donut, which rings in at 190 calories. The original glazed donut is eight centimeters in diameter, but if you're feeling playful, you could stack these tiny dots on top of a full donut to see just how many dots it takes to complete the circle.

Pricing, however, can vary; especially at Dunkin, since many of their locations are independently owned franchises, meaning each store has the flexibility to set its own prices. McDonald's has also found a way to join the donut hole trend by offering pull-apart donuts, which is made up of seven glazed donut holes fused together into one large donut. While donut holes are fun, there's one downside — without a full donut, you can't make those delicious donut sandwiches, a sweet and savory breakfast treat that many donut lovers enjoy. Either way, if you decide to choose donut holes or a full donut, one thing is guaranteed — a delicious and nostalgic sugar rush will ensue.