A doughnut is a fried dessert food. Doughnuts are popular in many countries as a sweet snack either homemade or purchased in special outlets.

They are usually deep fried from a flour dough and shaped in rings or flattened spheres that sometimes contain fillings. Other batters types can also be used, and different toppings and flavorings are used for different types.

The two most common types are the toroidal ring doughnut and the filled doughnut-a flattened sphere injected with sweet fillings. A small spherical piece of dough may be cooked as a doughnut hole.

Doughnut varieties are also divided into cake and risen type doughnuts. Other shapes include rings, balls, and flattened spheres, as well as ear shapes, twists and other forms.

The doughnut has made an appearance in popular culture, particularly in the United States and Australia. References extend to objects or actions that are doughnut-shaped.

In USA more often than not the policemen are seen holding a doughnut in one hand and a mug of black coffee in the other.