Why Donuts Are Never Square?

Alright, listen up, you curious minds. Ever sat there, munching on a donut, and thought, “Why is donuts always round? Why aren’t they square?” No? Well, now you’re thinking about it. And trust me, once you dive into this, you won’t look at these sweet, deep-fried rings the same way again.

See, it’s not just some random decision by bakers. There’s actual logic, science, and a bit of history behind it. And yeah, I know—who cares what shape it is as long as it’s delicious? But stick with me. This is gonna be fun.

The Science of Donut Shapes

Round Things Fry Better

Ever tried deep-frying something square? No? Good. Because if you did, you’d notice something weird—the corners cook faster than the middle. That’s because when you drop something into hot oil, the parts that stick out get more heat than the parts that don’t.

A round donut cooks evenly, so it’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. A square donut? That’s an uneven mess—crispy corners, undercooked middle. Nobody wants that.

The Hole Makes It Perfect

Now, what about that hole in the middle? That’s not just for style. It’s there because it helps the donut cook evenly from all sides. Without the hole, the middle part would take longer to cook, making the outside overdone while the center stays raw.

Ever seen a cake with a hole in the middle? Same logic. Heat gets around better, cooks it faster, and makes sure every bite is just right.

The History of Round Donuts

Blame It on a 19th-Century Sailor

Legend has it, back in the 1800s, a sailor named Hanson Gregory wasn’t happy with how his fried dough was turning out—either it was raw in the middle or burnt outside. So, one day, he punched a hole in it with a tin pepper box. Boom! Problem solved.

Whether that story is 100% true or just a fun tale, it makes sense. People back then weren’t thinking about food science, but they knew when something tasted better. And thus, the round donut with a hole became the king.

Bakeries Chose Efficiency

Think about it—bakeries don’t want complicated shapes. They need something easy to make in large batches. Rolling out round dough, cutting circles, and frying them up is fast and efficient. If they made square donuts, they’d have to change everything—machines, fryers, and even the way they box them.

Would you pay extra just for a square donut? Probably not.

Would a Square Donut Even Work?

It Would Be Tougher to Eat

Let’s be real—biting into a round donut is smooth. Now, imagine trying to eat a square one. The edges would feel weird in your mouth. You’d probably have to take awkward bites, and honestly, it just wouldn’t be as satisfying.

Less Fun to Dunk

Ever dipped a donut in coffee? Try doing that with a square one. The corners wouldn’t fit right, and you’d end up with coffee splashing everywhere. A round donut? Perfect dunk, every time.

Packaging Nightmares

A dozen round donuts fit neatly into a box. Now, if you had square ones, they wouldn’t stack the same way. Either bakeries would have to design new boxes, or you’d get fewer donuts in the same space. Either way, bad news for donut lovers.

What If Someone Did Make Square Donuts?

Well, Some People Have Tried

A few places have experimented with square-shaped ones. Some even make rectangular ones. But guess what? They don’t really catch on. People expect donuts to be round, and when you mess with expectations, things get weird.

Would You Even Want One?

Be honest—if you walked into a shop and saw round and square ones side by side, which one would you pick? You’d probably go for the round one. Because deep down, we like what feels familiar.

Conclusion: Some Things Just Shouldn’t Change

Donuts are round because that’s what works best—for frying, eating, dunking, and just being plain delicious. Could someone make a square one? Sure. Would it be as good? Probably not.

Sometimes, things are the way they are for a reason. And in the case of donuts, the round shape is pure genius. So next time you grab one, appreciate that perfect circle. It’s not just food—it’s engineering, history, and tradition all in one bite.

Now, who’s craving donuts?

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