Krispy Kreme launched the Poké Ball Doughnut in 2026 as part of a limited-time Pokémon collaboration, transforming their Original Glazed doughnut with vanilla-flavored icing, red sprinkles, and detailed chocolate piping. This is a homemade interpretation designed to get close to the original, not the brand’s proprietary recipe.
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What makes Krispy Kreme’s Poké Ball Doughnut special
The signature of Krispy Kreme’s Poké Ball Doughnut is its playful design and classic texture. The base is their Original Glazed doughnut—light, airy, and sweet—coated with a smooth vanilla icing. Red sprinkles cover half the surface, while piped chocolate icing and a white dot mimic the iconic Poké Ball look. The visual accuracy comes from precise dipping and piping, while the dough’s pillowy texture is achieved through proper rising and frying at the right temperature. This copycat recipe uses accessible techniques and ingredients to echo those defining elements.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- as needed oil for frying
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup whole milk (for glaze)
- as needed red sprinkles — Buy on Amazon
- as needed white icing — Buy on Amazon
- as needed chocolate icing — Buy on Amazon
Tools you’ll need
- Mixing bowls
- Stand mixer or hand mixer (optional, for kneading)
- Doughnut cutter or two round cutters
- Rolling pin
- Deep pot or fryer
- Kitchen thermometer (essential for frying)
- Slotted spoon
- Wire rack
- Piping bags (for chocolate and white icing details)
How to make it
- Mix the dry ingredients: Whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tbsp baking powder, and 1/4 tsp salt in a large bowl. This creates an even distribution so the dough rises uniformly.
- Incorporate wet ingredients: Add 2 eggs and 1/4 cup milk. Mix until a soft, sticky dough forms. The eggs provide structure and richness; milk adds moisture for a tender crumb.
- Let the dough rise: Cover and let the dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size and airy. This step is crucial for light, fluffy doughnuts—rushing it leads to a dense result.
- Shape the doughnuts: Lightly flour a surface and roll the dough to about 1/2-inch thickness. Cut out rounds using a doughnut cutter. Even thickness ensures uniform frying.
- Heat oil for frying: Bring oil to 350°F in a deep pot, using a thermometer to maintain the temperature. Frying at 350°F (not hotter) prevents greasy or undercooked doughnuts.
- Fry the doughnuts: Carefully lower doughnuts into oil. Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Flip once for even color; over-frying dries them out.
- Drain and cool: Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack. Let them cool slightly before icing—too hot and the glaze will melt off.
- Prepare vanilla icing: In a bowl, mix 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup whole milk until smooth. The ratio is 1 part icing to 1 part doughnut surface for full coverage.
- Glaze and decorate: Dip each cooled doughnut in vanilla icing. Immediately dip the top half in red sprinkles, pressing gently for even coverage. This half-and-half approach mirrors the Poké Ball design.
- Pipe details: Using a piping bag, add a horizontal line of chocolate icing across the center. Pipe a small dot of white icing in the center of the line to finish the Poké Ball look. Let the icing set before serving for clean, defined details.
How close is it to the original?
This version delivers a light, sweet doughnut with a smooth vanilla glaze and a spot-on Poké Ball decoration. Home bakers consistently report their copycats are airy and tender, though a touch less pillowy than Krispy Kreme’s commercial doughnuts. The main differences are the slightly denser crumb and a glaze that’s less ultra-smooth than the factory version, which uses specialized mixers and ingredients. Using specialty red sprinkles and careful piping is key for capturing the playful look. For more doughnut inspiration, see Chef Lindsey Farr’s Krispy Kreme copycat.
Troubleshooting
- Doughnuts are dense: This happens if you skip or rush the dough rise. Let it double in size before shaping for the airiest result.
- Glaze runs off: If you ice doughnuts while they’re too hot, the icing will melt. Allow them to cool on a rack until just warm before glazing.
- Greasy doughnuts: Oil temperature below 350°F causes excess absorption. Use a thermometer to keep it steady at 350°F throughout frying.
- Sprinkles won’t stick: Dip in sprinkles immediately after glazing, while the icing is still wet, for best adhesion.
Variations
- Baked version: Bake the shaped doughnuts at 375°F for 8-10 minutes instead of frying. Texture will be cakier, but this reduces fat content.
- Chocolate dough base: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the flour for a chocolate-flavored doughnut that pairs well with the vanilla glaze.
Ingredient substitutes
- Dairy-free: Substitute plant milk for regular milk in both dough and glaze. Use a dairy-free icing for decoration.
- Homemade chocolate icing: If pre-made isn’t available, mix 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp cocoa powder, and enough milk to pipe.
- No doughnut cutter: Use a wide glass and a small bottle cap to cut rings.
Storage
Store fully cooled doughnuts in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. They are best the day they’re made; icing may soften after the first day. Avoid refrigeration, which can make the crumb dense.
FAQ
- What’s the healthiest donut at Krispy Kreme? The Original Glazed doughnut is among the lowest in calories and sugar according to Krispy Kreme’s nutritional info.
- What is the lowest calorie doughnut from Krispy Kreme? The Original Glazed has 190 calories per doughnut (source: Krispy Kreme nutrition).
- How much sugar is in 1 Krispy Kreme donut? An Original Glazed doughnut contains 10 grams of sugar.
- How unhealthy is a Krispy Kreme doughnut? Each doughnut has 190 calories, 11g fat, 22g carbs, and 10g sugar. Moderation is key.
- Are the Pokémon doughnuts still available at Krispy Kreme? No, they were a limited-time seasonal item as of August 2026.
Sources
- BusinessWire: Krispy Kreme Pokémon Doughnut Launch
- Krispy Kreme Pokémon Promo
- Krispy Kreme Nutrition Facts
For more creative themed desserts, check out our other treats recipes or browse baked-dish copycats.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
as needed oil for frying
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk (for glaze)
as needed red sprinkles
as needed white icing
as needed chocolate icing
Instructions
Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
Add eggs and milk, mixing until a soft dough forms.
Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size and airy.
Roll out the dough and cut into rounds using a doughnut cutter.
Heat oil to 350°F and fry doughnuts until golden brown, about 1 minute per side.
Drain on a wire rack and let cool slightly.
Prepare vanilla icing by mixing powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth.
Dip each doughnut in vanilla icing, then immediately dip the top half in red sprinkles.
Pipe a line of chocolate icing across the center and add a white icing dot in the middle to complete the Poké Ball look.
Let the icing set before serving.
