I’ve spent more mornings than I can count chasing down the perfect donut across Indiana, and I’ve learned something important along the way. The best donuts don’t come from fancy chains with drive-thru lanes and corporate recipes.
They come from family-run bakeries where someone wakes up at 3 a.m. to mix dough by hand, where the glazing technique has been passed down through generations, and where regulars know exactly which day to show up for apple fritters.
These humble shops scattered across Indiana represent everything I love about small-town food culture: authenticity, dedication, and flavors that make you want to plan your entire day around a bakery visit.
1. Long’s Bakery – 1453 N Tremont St, Indianapolis, IN 46222
Long’s Bakery has been serving Indianapolis since 1955, and walking through their doors feels like stepping into a time capsule of Hoosier baking tradition. The smell of yeast and sugar hits you the moment you enter, and the sight of trays piled high with still-warm donuts makes it impossible to order just one…