The Holy Donut: Donuts (Portland, ME)

Charles Lentz

6 days ago

Dessert Profile

Flavor: Variety

Ingredients: Potatoes, flour, sugar, buttermilk, eggs, baking powder, salt, vanilla extract

Price: $3-$3.50

Calories: 400-620 Calories

Three-word Review: Rich potatoey perfection

Score: 7.4

About: The Holy Donut

The Holy Donut started as a delicious dream in the home kitchen of founder Leigh Kellis, who in 2011 began obsessively testing recipes until she found the perfect way to make donuts that were moist, flavorful, and made with real, wholesome ingredients. Her secret? Maine potatoes folded into the dough, giving the donuts a unique texture that’s fluffier and more satisfying than most cake or yeast varieties — and a nod to Maine’s most iconic crop. What began with Kellis frying a few dozen potato donuts for local coffee shops turned into a full-fledged family-run business, opening its first Portland, Maine shop in 2012 with support from her parents and sister. Today The Holy Donut has grown into a cult favorite with multiple locations across Maine, rotating playful flavors (from dark chocolate sea salt to sweet potato ginger), vegan and gluten-free options, and a loyal fan base that often lines up early because these handmade delights can sell out by noon.

Chef's Note

The Holy Donut’s signature donuts are made with real Maine potatoes folded into the dough, creating a moist, rich texture you won’t find at typical donut shop

Experience

Our experience at The Holy Donut was neutral but positive. The bakery was clean, not busy and had plenty of donuts available for us to try. The employee was attentive and very helpful with our purchase. All in all, it was what you expect when you visit a bakery.

REview

Appearance

The donuts are standard size and they come in a variety of colors. A soft, sweet glaze covers the top and many of them finished with sprinkles, sea salt or a creative topping.

Touch

To the touch, they are dense and have some weight. They are more of a cake donut but still maintain a wonderfully moist texture to the dough.

Smell

Combined, these freshly made donuts smell of warm fried dough and butter with waves of sweet vanilla, maple sugar, and melted chocolate hanging in the air. You’ll also get a hint of the toasted glaze.

Taste

The Holy Donut’s taste rich and comforting without being too sweet, with a texture that’s noticeably different from standard donuts. Thanks to the potato-based dough, they’re moist, dense, and satisfying, with a soft interior and a lightly crisp exterior when fresh. The base flavor is mellow and almost buttery, which lets glazes like maple, dark chocolate sea salt, or fruit shine without overpowering the donut itself. Some describe them as more filling than a typical donut — less airy, more substantial — the kind of treat that feels thoughtfully made rather than mass-produced. We walked away pretty happy with the donuts.

Overall, we have no complaints about The Holy Donut. It’s a good donut spot that adds a unique twist to an American classic. We definitely suggest giving them a visit while you’re in Maine.