Malasadas are Portuguese donuts with no hole, fried until golden and rolled in sugar. Portuguese immigrants brought them to Hawaii in the late 1800s, and today they are a beloved island treat.
From family bakeries that have been around for decades to newer spots serving creative flavors, these shops keep the tradition alive. Here are eight places across Hawaii where locals happily wait in line for a warm bag of these sweet, pillowy donuts.
1. Leonard’s Bakery, Honolulu, Oahu
Ask almost anyone in Honolulu where to get malasadas and Leonard’s Bakery is the name that comes up first. Open since 1952 on Kapahulu Avenue, it is often credited with popularizing malasadas across the islands.
The classic version comes plain and rolled in granulated sugar, but the shop also fills them with flavors like custard, chocolate, and haupia, which is a coconut cream…