One Minnesota bakery has been frying dough since 1924, and it still hands out treats through a pickup window.
That little window has outlasted rotary phones, fax machines, and many of New Year’s diets.
A different shop unlocks its doors at 5 a.m., which is serious dedication to breakfast.
Then there’s a spot where you frost and sprinkle your own baseball-sized donut holes, turning a sugar run into an art project.
Old family bakeries in river towns share the lineup with bright neighborhood counters where the glaze is barely set at opening.
Swedish glazed rings and hand-sized fritters make the cut, along with maple blueberry holes.
Minnesota has 10,000 lakes and just as many excuses for a second fritter.
1. Bloedow Bakery
A century of donuts is a long time, and this Winona bakery has been at it since 1924. The family-owned landmark still feels like an old-fashioned bakery should.
Filled donuts are a big part of the story here. You’ll also find frosted rings, rolls, breads, scones, and garlic toasts sharing shelf space.
Here’s a fun twist for busy mornings. There’s a pickup window, so you can grab your box without much fuss.
You won’t find seating inside, so plan on taking your treats to go. Honestly, a bag of donuts and a drive along the Mississippi River sounds like a great plan anyway.
The building itself is part of the charm. The historic store stays clean and bright, which makes picking your order feel like a small treat.
Timing matters if you want the best choices. Doors open at 6 AM Tuesday through Friday and 7:30 AM on Saturday.
Saturday mornings tend to be the busiest stretch. If you’d rather skip the rush, a weekday visit is your friend.
The bakery closes on Sunday and Monday, so don’t show up craving a cruller then. You’ll just be staring at a dark window and feeling sad about it.
Prices stay friendly, which makes it easy to grab extras for the office. Your coworkers will probably start asking when you’re heading to Winona next.
Free parking makes the stop simple. You’ll find both a lot and street spots nearby.
Address: 451 E Broadway St, Winona, MN 55987
2. Lindström Bakery
Swedish heritage runs deep in Lindstrom, so it makes sense that the local bakery leans Scandinavian. The glazed Scandinavian donuts are the reason many people make the trip.
The town sits in Chisago County, a short drive from Stillwater. Main street strolls here feel extra sweet with a donut in hand.
Beyond the Swedish glazed rings, the case holds plenty of classics. Look for glazed and sugar-coated old-fashioned donuts and a chocolate-iced raspberry Bismarck.
Apple crispies deserve a spot in your box too. Peanut butter cookies and molasses cookies also show up in the lineup.
The donuts are made in-house. Prices stay low enough that buying a dozen feels very reasonable.
Want to sit for a minute? Dine-in is available, and coffee is on hand to pair with your pastry.
Weekday mornings start at 6:30 AM Tuesday through Friday. Saturday opens at 7 AM, and Sunday opens at 8 AM.
Mondays are closed, so plan around that. Saturdays tend to be the busiest day from morning into afternoon.
Quieter mornings fall during the week and on Sunday. That’s a smart window if you want the full selection without a crowd.
The staff keeps things friendly and courteous. It’s the kind of small-town stop that makes a Minnesota weekend drive feel complete.
Address: 12830 Lake Blvd, Lindstrom, MN 55045
3. Hanisch Bakery And Coffee Shop
Frosted donuts come in a huge lineup at this Red Wing favorite. If choosing one flavor stresses you out, consider yourself warned.
The shop sits in historic downtown Red Wing, near the Mississippi River bluffs. It’s known for inventive donuts, which keeps the case fun to scan.
Donuts are only part of the menu. You’ll also see breads, pastries, homemade pies, sandwiches, and custom cakes.
Coffee rounds out the morning. Free Wi-Fi means you can linger with a laptop if you need to.
Doors open at 6 AM Tuesday through Friday. Saturday starts at 7 AM, which still beats most of us out of bed.
The bakery closes on Sunday and Monday. Fridays and Saturdays get the most traffic, so earlier is better on those days.
Dine-in, takeout, and delivery are all options. That flexibility helps when you’re feeding a crowd or just yourself.
The staff has a reputation for being kind and welcoming. Travelers passing through Red Wing often make this a planned stop.
It’s also LGBTQ+ friendly. That welcoming spirit fits a shop that feels like part of downtown life.
Parking is free in a lot and on the street. After your donut, a walk around the historic streets makes a perfect second act.
Address: 410 W 3rd St, Red Wing, MN 55066
4. Johnson’s Bakery & Coffee Shop
Maple glazed blueberry donut holes are reason enough to plan a Duluth morning. This storied West Duluth bakery likes to keep its case interesting.
Fluffy yeast donuts sit beside tender cake donuts here. The frostings get plenty of praise for being just right.
Raspberry-filled donuts with white frosting are a soft, sweet pick. Maple glazed rings are a favorite for many repeat visitors.
Apple fritters and blueberry turnovers also earn attention. Muffins, breads, and wedding cakes fill out the rest of the menu.
Now the important part. The hours are short, so timing is everything.
Johnson’s opens Thursday through Saturday only, from 7 AM to 1 PM. Sunday through Wednesday, the doors stay shut.
That limited schedule makes a visit feel like a small event. Think of it as a weekly donut appointment worth keeping.
You can grab coffee and eat inside, or take a box to go. Either way, the old-fashioned bakery feel comes along with you.
Free street parking makes it easy to pop in. Just don’t wait too long into the morning if you have a specific flavor in mind.
Duluth has Lake Superior views in many directions. A fresh donut and a drive toward the water is a very Minnesota way to start the day.
Address: 2230 W 3rd St, Duluth, MN 55806
5. Cold Spring Bakery Connection
Driving through the St. Cloud area without a donut stop feels like a missed opportunity. Waite Park’s Cold Spring Bakery Connection makes that stop easy.
The shop offers a wide selection of donuts and pastries. Raised donuts are a highlight, and flavors come in plenty of variety.
Cinnamon rolls deserve a look too. So do the coconut macaroons dipped in chocolate, which sound like dessert pretending to be breakfast.
Bread lovers get options as well. Lunch specials also make this more than just a morning stop.
The staff helps with picking colors and flavors. That comes in handy when you’re ordering treats for a party.
Hours run Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 5 PM. Saturday opens at 7 AM and wraps up at 4 PM.
Sunday is the day off. Saturday mornings bring the biggest crowds, while midweek tends to be calmer.
Monday openings are a nice bonus. Plenty of bakeries rest that day, so this one fills a gap.
Coffee is available to go with your pick. Takeout and in-store pickup keep the visit quick.
There’s a free parking lot, which helps on busy days. Grab a dozen for the road and your Central Minnesota drive just got sweeter.
Address: 103 2nd St S, Waite Park, MN 56387
6. Donut Hut
Early birds, this one’s for you. Donut Hut opens at 5 AM Tuesday through Friday, before many alarm clocks even ring.
Weekend hours start at 6 AM on Saturday and Sunday. The shop closes at 2 PM and takes Mondays off.
Apple fritters are the signature item. They’re a strong reason to get here before they disappear.
The donuts have a reputation for being light and fluffy. They’re also large and well-balanced, so one might actually be enough.
Might. No promises.
This is a counter-service shop with a casual feel. You order, grab your coffee, and go, or sit briefly if you like.
There’s no restroom, so plan ahead on longer drives. Free parking in the lot keeps things simple.
Friday and Saturday mornings are the busiest times. Thursday and Sunday afternoons tend to be quieter.
Little Canada is a small suburb just north of St. Paul. That makes this an easy detour for commuters heading downtown.
The staff keeps things friendly and the prices stay reasonable. A box from here can turn an ordinary office morning into a small celebration.
Address: 31 Little Canada Rd E, Little Canada, MN 55117
7. Funner Brothers Donut Company
Baseball-sized donut holes might sound like a joke. At Funner Brothers in Golden Valley, they’re very real and very popular.
Even better, there’s a donut hole decorating station. You pick your own frosting and sprinkles, so breakfast doubles as craft time.
Glazed donuts are made from scratch. Long johns and frosted turnovers also get plenty of love.
Filled donuts come soft with a balanced amount of filling. They lean less sugary than you might expect.
Getting donut holes hot off the tray is a special treat. Ask nicely and luck might be on your side.
Seasonal goodies pop up too. Sufganiyot and holiday cookie kits have appeared on the menu.
The hours are short, so set that alarm. Tuesday through Friday runs 6 to 11 AM, Saturday 6 AM to noon, and Sunday 7 AM to noon.
Monday is closed. The shop sits in a strip mall in the west metro, with a free parking lot out front.
Coffee is part of the lineup. The space is casual, family-friendly, and LGBTQ+ friendly.
There’s no restroom, so keep that in mind with little ones. Then let the kids go wild with sprinkles and enjoy the old-school feel.
Address: 2570 Hillsboro Ave N, Golden Valley, MN 55427
8. Denny’s 5th Avenue Bakery
Fridays bring a line at this Bloomington bakery, and that tells you something. Donut day is serious business in the south metro.
Denny’s 5th Avenue Bakery is a time-tested staple. The bright, cheery space feels like a happy place to start the morning.
Here’s a nice surprise for your wallet. Fritters, cinnamon rolls, and the bigger donuts are priced the same as regular ones.
Cheese crowns are another standout. Rolls, breads, pastries, and specialty cakes round out the menu.
The selection runs wide. That makes it a solid pick for office treats or a family breakfast spread.
Doors open at 6 AM Tuesday through Saturday. Closing time is 1 PM, so mornings are the sweet spot.
Sunday and Monday are closed. Plan your cravings accordingly, which is easier said than done.
Coffee is available, and you can eat inside. Free Wi-Fi also makes it easy to answer a few emails between bites.
The staff keeps things friendly. The shop is LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safe space as well.
Free parking in the lot helps on busy Friday mornings. Get there early and you’ll still find a strong lineup of choices.
Address: 7840 5th Ave S, Bloomington, MN 55420
9. Bogart’s Doughnut Co.
Brown butter glaze is the signature move at Bogart’s. Once you try it, plain glaze might feel a little shy.
The shop sits on West 36th Street in South Minneapolis. Lake Bde Maka Ska is nearby, which makes a post-doughnut walk tempting.
Filled options get plenty of attention too. Nutella-filled and vanilla cream-filled doughnuts are popular picks.
Doughnut holes are on the menu as well. They’re perfect when you want a bit of everything.
Soft-serve ice cream is also available. Doughnuts and soft serve together sounds like a summer plan to me.
Fair warning: the doughnuts sell out daily. Early arrival is the smartest strategy here.
Weekday doors open at 7 AM. Weekend hours start around 7:30 AM, but closing times may vary, so check the bakery’s current schedule before visiting.
Weekend mornings bring the biggest crowds. The line tends to move quickly, though.
It’s a counter-service spot with no table service. There’s also no restroom, so plan your stop with that in mind.
Coffee here earns praise too. Grab a cup, pick your doughnuts, and head toward the lake for a classic Minneapolis morning.
Address: 904 W 36th St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
10. Mel-O-Glaze Bakery
Big donuts are the calling card at Mel-O-Glaze. The glazed ones here are sizable, so bring two hands or a good appetite.
This colorful neighborhood bakeshop sits on South 28th Avenue in Minneapolis. It’s a small operation with a big reputation for soft donuts.
Fresh glazed donuts and fritters get the loudest praise. Some fans call the fritter the best they’ve had.
The menu goes further than glaze. Lemon twists and sprinkled chocolate donuts show up as tasty choices.
The texture is pillowy and chewy. That combo makes stopping at one donut a real challenge.
Here’s a huge perk for planners. Mel-O-Glaze opens seven days a week from 7:30 AM to 6 PM.
That means weekend cravings and Monday blues are both covered. Few spots on this list can say that.
Saturdays and Sunday afternoons get the busiest. Weekday mornings tend to be calmer for browsing.
Coffee is available, and service has a friendly reputation. Pickup and takeout keep the visit quick.
Free street parking is nearby. Grab a box, take a bite, and end your Minnesota donut tour on a seriously sweet note.
Address: 4800 S 28th Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417