In honor of National Donut Day, I wanted to put together a fun guide with all the donut shops I’ve been able to visit with my food allergies! Nut-free donuts can be hard to find, but despite my allergies, I’ve been able to safely enjoy donuts in a variety of locations, from my home state to famous travel destinations. This guide is grouped by state, and each donut spot mentioned includes allergy information so you can determine if it’s safe for you. There are a variety of spots, from dedicated nut-free donut shops, to famous gluten-free bakeries. Keep reading for my favorite spots to get allergy-friendly donuts!
California
1. Erin McKenna’s Bakery
One of the most famous allergy-friendly bakeries in the United States, Erin McKenna’s Bakery has two locations in Southern California area. Everything in the bakery is gluten-free, soy-free, and vegan, as well as completely free of peanuts and tree nuts (not including coconut). Note: they do use Bob’s Red Mill flour which is made in a facility that processes some tree nuts but has good manufacturing practices. Make sure to refer to Erin McKenna’s allergen statement before visiting. They always have a variety of fun donut flavors. Some of my favorites are chocolate caramel, their famous homer donut, and samoa!
2. Third Culture Bakery
Third Culture Bakery is a dedicated gluten-free and nut-free matcha and donut shop in the Bay Area. With locations in Berkeley, and San Francisco, Third Culture is my go-to stop for an afternoon treat since moving to San Francisco. All of their pastries are made with rice flour and are clearly labeled as containing milk and eggs. While they have brownies, muffins, waffles, and a variety of other sweet and savory items, my favorite thing to get is their incredible mochi donuts. They have dozens of fun flavors including raspberry lychee, lemon, dark chocolate, matcha, and strawberry cream. If you have a sesame allergy, they do have a number of items with sesame seeds. Definitely stop by Third Culture when you’re in need of a fluffy gluten-free donut and a fun matcha drink!
3. Sensitive Sweets
(UPDATE: Closed as of 8/2024) Located in Fountain Valley a little outside of Huntington Beach, Sensitive Sweets is one of the original allergy-friendly bakeries in the SoCal area. Their bakery is dedicated free from peanuts, tree nuts, and gluten, and almost everything is vegan and soy-free. The owner’s children have food allergies, so the staff are extremely knowledgeable about food allergies and can help you find a safe treat if you have allergies other than nuts or gluten. They always carry a variety of baked goods and also sell pies and gingerbread house kits during the holidays. I love their vanilla and chocolate donuts with fun sprinkles!
4. Cake Girl
Cake Girl, located in the heart of Los Angeles, is one of my favorite allergy-friendly bakery finds to date! Everything is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free! They have a variety of cookies, cupcakes, donuts, and savory items, as well as cake slices and full cakes. You can pick up treats at the physical location, which is in the back of St. Louis Pharmacy, or if you’re nearby in the LA area, you can order on Postmates. They have a range of fun nut-free donuts, including a peppermint chocolate donut during the holidays. If you’re visiting, you absolutely have to try their churro chocolate drizzled donut!
5. Twice Baked Baking Co.
Another dedicated gluten-free bakery, Twice Baked Baking Co. in Long Beach is known for its fun pink aesthetic and adorable treats. Their facility is also completely peanut-free, and every item is clearly labeled for tree nut, milk, egg, and soy allergens. While most of their treats are nut-free and vegan, make sure to alert the staff if you have allergies outside of peanuts and gluten. Every Saturday, they offer freshly fried donuts and donut holes, and all of them are nut-free. If you’re taking a weekend trip to the LA area, you absolutely have to stop at Twice Baked Baking Co. to try their amazing treats!
6. Mariposa Baking Co.
With locations in Oakland and the San Francisco Ferry Building, Mariposa Baking Co. is one of the most famous Bay Area bakeries. Both their locations are 100% gluten-free and peanut-free. Everything is also labeled with an allergen sticker to alert for items that contain dairy, eggs, tree nuts, and soy. I always let the staff know that I have a nut allergy, so they change gloves, use fresh paper, and ensure my treats remain nut-free. At the SF Ferry Building location, they sell amazing nut-free donuts that are also free of dairy and soy. They usually have either chocolate and vanilla donuts, and they always have fun seasonal sprinkles depending on the time of year (check out their St. Patrick’s Day-themed donuts above!) Definitely stop by Mariposa in the Ferry Building if you’re visiting San Francisco!
7. Johnny Doughnuts
With multiple locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, Johnny Doughnuts is a dedicated nut-free donut shop with some of the best donuts I’ve found! Their doughnuts are known as handcrafted classics – they sell traditional donuts in chocolate and vanilla glaze with a variety of sprinkles, as well as old fashioned donuts, apple fritters, cinnamon rolls, and cronuts. All their doughnuts are nut-free, and they also have several that are vegan. I adore their one “Wheat-Free Doughnut.” This doughnut has texture similar to their old fashioned but is packed with fruit and topped with a vanilla glaze. Please note Johnny Doughnut’s allergen notice: “Because our facility uses wheat, this doughnut may not be ideal for treat seekers with Celiac.” Take extra caution if you have a severe gluten allergy, but I highly recommend visiting if you have nut allergies!
8. Chani’s Donuts
Chani’s Donuts is a top 10 allergen free mini donut shop in San Diego that serves amazing hot mini donuts. You can choose from a variety of fillings and toppings to customize your box of donuts. Flavors include raspberry, strawberry, apple, pie, powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, and more. The shop is themed with fun carnival decorations and art, and Chani, the owner, is so sweet and inclusive of those with food allergies. It’s a great place for any food allergies, and it was so comforting that the entire shop is nut and gluten-free! Definitely stop by for a visit if you’re in the San Diego area.
Texas
9. Awesome Bites Co.
Awesome Bites Co. is an amazing top 8 allergen free bakery located in Houston, TX. Every Wednesday, they sell donuts! Their donuts are fluffy, delicious, and come in dozens of unique and creative flavors! Of the donuts I have tried, the chocolate glazed, banana pancake, and the thin mint cookie donut are my top three favorites. However, there isn’t a donut that I haven’t enjoyed. With flavors like coffee toffee, apple cider, suntella, homer (pink with sprinkles), chocolate caramel, lemon raspberry, black and white, and their newest flavor, Neapolitan, there is something for everyone!
10. OMG Squee
OMG Squee in East Austin is the cutest allergy-friendly sweets shop (they were featured on Queer Eye!) The owner manages allergies herself, so the entire kitchen is dedicated free from gluten, peanuts, and cashews. While some items contain other tree nuts, namely almonds, everyone who works there is extremely understanding of food allergies and cross-contamination. They have delicious nut-free mochi donuts (made with rice flour) that alternate flavors every month. When I visited in July, I tried their cocoa pebble and strawberry sprinkle donuts – both were drool-worthy!
Arizona
11. Intentional Foods
Located in Mesa, AZ, a little ways outside of Phoenix, Intentional Foods is a dedicated top 9 allergen free cafe, market, and bakery. They have a full menu with savory lunch and dinner options including sandwiches and salads, as well as a small market in the front where they sell allergy-friendly snacks. They also sell amazing top 9 free treats like cupcakes, cookies, lemon bars, and you guessed it… donuts! I absolutely loved their churro donuts when I stopped by on my last trip to Arizona. They also have other fun flavors like blueberry lemon, apple cinnamon, and chocolate chocolate!
Virginia
12. The Difference Baker
The Difference Baker is a dream spot for those with food allergies! It’s a bakery and bistro that offers a variety of baked goods, as well as savory options, including pre-made meals, pizzas, and quesadillas. The entire bakery is dedicated free from nuts, gluten, soy, sesame, corn, and artificial dyes. Owned by a family that manages multiple food allergies, they are also able to accommodate other food allergies, including those outside of the top 9. The Difference Baker is located in Virginia, a little outside of Washington, D.C., but they also ship nationwide! While I wasn’t able to visit their storefront during my D.C. semester, I had their vanilla and chocolate donuts and cinnamon rolls shipped to Northern California, and they were so good! The Difference Baker is definitely one of the best spots if you’re looking for an allergy-friendly restaurant and bakery in one!
Maine
13. Holy Donut
The Holy Donut is Maine is an allergy-friendly donut shop with locations throughout Maine that serves local potato donuts. With locations in Brunswick, Portland, Scarborough, and Arundel, you can find The Holy Donut’s treats and coffee throughout Maine. All donuts are FREE of peanut and tree nuts (excluding coconut)! However, they do have a may contain warning on their website. I chatted with the staff about this, and it is because the ingredients they source for their donuts are not confirmed to come from nut-free facilities They also offer a gluten-free line of donuts (made on dedicated equipment) as well as a vegan line. See their allergen labeling on their website below.
“Our donuts may contain dairy, egg, wheat, tree nuts, peanuts, soy, sesame and positive vibes. All non-gluten free donuts are made on shared equipment and fried in the same oil. Our gluten free donuts are produced in a dedicated gluten free room with dedicated equipment within our commissary facility. Although appropriate measures are taken to prevent any cross contamination; cross contamination is still a risk at all levels of our operation.”
I have had their donuts safely many times with severe nut allergies and love the variety of gluten-free flavors that they offer. Highly recommend visiting a Holy Donut location if you’re in Maine!
14. Lovebirds Donuts
This cute donut shop, Lovebirds Donuts, is a haven for guests with food allergies. The entire shop is vegan and nut-free (excluding coconut), and they offer a selection of 4 flavors of gluten-free donuts that are celiac-safe. With fun flavors that rotate seasonally, you’re sure to find a donut you love! Note: they do have almond as an option at their espresso bar, but it is in a different area than the kitchen where the donuts are made. Find detailed allergen info on their website that includes the top 9 allergens and read their allergy note below.
“As a company, we do not use any animal products, which means our treats are free from meat, eggs, dairy, and honey. In addition, we have chosen not to use nuts in our donuts, although we do offer almond milk and nut syrups at our espresso bar. We also offer several flavors of celiac-safe gluten-free donuts per day.”
Thanks for reading my allergy-friendly donut shop guide! I hope this guide was able to give you some spots to find allergy-friendly donuts this summer or anytime of the year! If visit any of these spots, I would love if you tagged me on Instagram! And if you’re looking for more nut and gluten-free treats, be sure to check out my Allergy-Friendly Ice Cream Shop guide!
