Pack your bags (and stretchy trousers), we’re going on an un-holey doughnut tour of Europe. No, really. None of those with middles missing – these are European doughnuts we’re talking about. And there are quite a few on the list, so let’s tuck in. 

Bomboloni (Italy) 

The Italians have done it again – created an addition to their cuisine the world adopted and now can’t live without. You’ve probably had a bomboloni before without realising it – these plump, round dough balls bursting with whatever filling you’re craving have started to pop up in the pastry shops across UK too. For the real deal, head to Tuscany (as if you needed another reason to go) – that’s where these Italian treats come from originally.  

Get one (or five) here: Bombolò Pisa 

Malasada (Portugal) 

Over to Portugal for malasadas – ultra-sizeable, melt-in-the-mouth doughnuts that will make you question why you’re on that diet. They might remind you of bombolonis, but these sugar-dusted sorts are less about fillings and more about that soft, pillowy texture. Best enjoyed fresh and warm (duh), they’re often eaten on Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) – but we won’t judge if you get them on a random Tuesday. Fun fact: these funky-shaped sweet dough balls are from the Portuguese islands and have since become very popular in Hawaii. Talk about a destination dupe. 

Get one (or five) here: Confeitaria Petúlia 

Krapfen (Germany/Austria) 

You might know them as krapfen, but locals call them Berliner Pfannkuchen (go on, try saying that with your mouth full). And you’ll find them all over Berlin as a result. These sweet clouds of dough are typically jam-filled and topped with a powdering of icing sugar. During Carnival season, you’ll spot them everywhere – and occasionally, pranksters fill them with various weird and wonderful condiments just for laughs. Bite carefully, friends, as there’s a fine line between mustard and apricot jam... 

Get one (or five) here: SammyS Berliner Donuts 

Rosquillas (Spain) 

While churros get a lot of love (rightly so), there’s more to the Spanish doughnut scene than meets the eye. Ring-shaped, fried or baked and sugar-coated, rosquillas steal the sweet stage in Spain. Depending on where you go, they might be called a variation of the name, for example, roscos fritos are the Andalusian interpretation. They’re fried, slightly softer and surprise you with a hint of lemon. Over in Malaga, roscos fritos de naranja, AKA orange-flavoured doughnuts, are the showstoppers.  

Get one (or five) here: Mercado Central de Atarazanas 

Paczki (Poland) 

Visiting Krakow or Gdansk? Introduce yourself to paczki (pronounced “poonch-kee”) and thank us later. These gloriously chunky, deep-fried delights are filled with everything from rose jam to plum butter, glazed and then scattered with icing sugar for good measure too. The best part? You can sink your teeth into one of these sugary brioche-like buns for less than a pound. Yep, we’ll take at least a couple. 

Get one (or five) here: Dobra Paczkarnia Kraków 

Loukoumades (Greece/Cyprus) 

Greek cuisine is up there for a reason, and honey-drizzled loukoumades may have a little something to do with it too. These golden dough balls are crispy on the outside, velvety inside and often topped with crushed nuts or even a drizzle of chocolate. But that’s not even the best part... Historians believe that they were served to Olympic winners in ancient Greece – fancy a tasty slice of history?   

Get a bucket here: Lukumades (Athens) 

Bonus recommendation: unlocked 

Donuterie (Prague) 

The Czech may have been more focused on perfecting their beers than pastries, but there’s an exception to every rule. In Prague, they call that Donuterie. This American-style doughnut café is not only famous for its hand-crafted fried goods, but also for the range of flavours on offer. We’re talking everything from lavender to cardamon and chai latte, and don’t forget the outrageously extravagant toppings. Oh, and invite your vegan friends – they have doughnuts for everyone here. 

Get one (or five) here: Donuterie