Donuts along the Outer Banks come from a long history of donut-greatness! It’s not surprising that people love their donuts here.
Arguably, nowhere on Earth is the warm, sugary, just-baked scent of donuts more delectable than in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. After residents enjoy a day at the pristine beaches, frolic at a state park or take the family to fish and boat, there’s just one thing left to do to make the day absolutely perfect, and that’s to fetch the best donuts in OBX. With a history of great donut-makers here, there are many places to choose from.
Why Donuts Are Better in North Carolina
Everyone is familiar with Krispy Kreme donuts, those delicious, yeasty, glazed donuts that melt in your mouth, but few people know that they originated from a receipt provided by a chef from New Orleans named Joe LeBeau. Joe’s uncle, Vernon Rudolph, started by selling donuts door-to-door and eventually hired family members to expand into Nashville, Tennessee, Charleston, South Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia.
Krispy Kreme expanded into Winston-Salem, and Rudolph’s family sold them out of a 1936 Pontiac with a delivery rack in the back seat. Eventually, Krispy Kreme stores opened throughout the Southeast, including in parts of North Carolina. Today, the company sells more than 2.7 billion donuts annually at 400 locations.
Krispy Kreme has a location today at 5000 South Croatan Highway in the OBX mall in Nags Head.
Considering the ties between Krispy Kreme and North Carolina, and the company’s impressive reach, it is no wonder there are so many great donut shops to choose from in Outer Banks and NC to get your fix.
Best Donuts OBX
It might be because OBX doesn’t have high-rise hotels or flashy theme parks. There are no gimmicks to lure visitors to the Outer Banks because life is simple and pure here. This includes indulgence in one of the best sweet treats available. Here you’ll find the best donuts in Nags Hill, Kill Devil, Kitty Hawk, and OBX in general, so you can choose between cake donuts, glazed donuts, or cream-filled delights the city has to offer.
Duck Donuts OBX: 5 Locations
The donuts baked daily at Duck Donuts are an Outer Banks staple, and while some complain about paying $12 to $15 for a dozen donuts, die-hard donut fans know that every bite is worth it. Duck Donuts started in Duck, North Carolina in 2007. They now have five locations spread across Outer Banks:
- Duck Donuts in Duck, NC on 1190 Duck Road
- Duck Donuts Kitty Hawk on 5230 North Virginia Dare Trail
- Duck Donuts Devil Hills on 710 South Croatan Highway
- Duck Donuts Nags Head on 5000 South Croatan Highway
- Duck Donuts Corolla on 603D Currituck Clubhouse Drive
You can also order ahead with their online menu.
The most popular donut flavors are:
- Bacon in the Sun
- Beach Ball
- Blueberry Lemonade
- Blueberry Pancake
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry
- Cinnamon Bun
- Chocolate Explosion
- Chocolate Caramel Crunch
Best Donuts, Duck, North Carolina
Donuts on a Stick l located at 1216 Duck Road, is a pure sugar high waiting to happen. The company has been open since 2015, started by proprietors David and Ste[ahie Williams. They sell donuts and ice cream. The most popular donut flavors are:
- Cinnamon Roll
- Chocolate Rainbow
- Tuxedo
- Milk n’ Cookies
- Funnel Cake
- Maple glazed
- Coconut Vanilla
- Plain glazed
- Chocolate
- Glazed Rainbow
- Fruity Tootie
- Strawberry Short Cake
- Pancake
- Smores
- Glazed Chocolate Sprinkles
- Maple Bacon
Best Donuts OBX: Nags Hill
In addition to 2 Ducks Donuts locations, you can also get fresh donuts at Dunkin’ Donuts located at 2424 South Croatan Highway in OBX at Nags Hill. Crowd favorites at Dunkin’ Donuts are:
- Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Frosting with Sprinkles
- Jelly
- Boston Kreme
- French Cruller
- Blueberry Cake
- Glazed
- Chocolate Glazed
- Cake
Best Donuts OBX: Kill Devil Hills
When you’re in Kill Devil Hills, visit the Duck Donuts located at 710 South Croatan Highway, the Duncan Donuts at 3210 North Croatan Highway or there’s a Donuts4You a little further away in Kitty Hawk.
Best Donuts OBX: Kitty Hawk
Donuts4You is one of the best donut shops in Kitty Hawk, located at 3701 North Croatan Highway, NC. They don’t take call-in orders, but you can order ahead online. Their donuts are a bit pricey, like Duck Donuts, but locals rave about them. A single strawberry rainbow donut will cost you $1.75 and you can choose from these additional, popular donut types:
- Chocolate Peanut
- Maple Apple
- Glazed
- Vanilla Graham
- Maple Bacon
- Maple Coconut
- Donut Hurricanos
- Strawberry Glazed
Summary: Best Donuts OBX
The time-honored tradition of dining on donuts has been in North Carolina and the Outer Banks since the 1920s. Enjoy your own best donut decadence the next time you are in NC and OBX at one of the many donut shops spread throughout the city.
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Sources:
https://www.thecommontraveler.net/best-donut-shops-in-north-carolina/
https://www.yelp.com/biz/7-eleven-kitty-hawk-2
https://www.ncpedia.org/krispy-kreme
https://www.thecommontraveler.net/best-donut-shops-in-north-carolina/
https://www.duckdonuts.com/about-us/duck-donuts-story/
https://order.duckdonuts.com/locations/NC
https://www.dunkindonuts.com/en/menu/donuts/product-donuts-1001201
https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/10-best-donuts-dunkin-donuts