On this National Donut Day, we focus attention on the apple cider donut—that quintessential fall treat—one that the plurality of Americans (43%) have yet to try. And yet, as many as 35% of U.S. adults 18 and older say they either like or love them, outpacing the 18% who dislike or hate them outright.
This autumn delicacy has clear regional and generational champions. Among those who have tried them, young adults aged 18-29 lead the enthusiasm, with 83% liking or loving them, slightly edging out other age groups. The Northeast shows the strongest regional support at 87%, with the Midwest close behind at 83%. The South shows more skepticism at 71%, while the West splits at 77%. There is no preference difference among genders—both men and women who’ve tried them show an 79% enjoyment rate for each.
Beyond demographics, lifestyle patterns reveal who embraces this seasonal treat:
- Nature Connection: Apple cider donut lovers are significantly more likely to use nature for self-care—44% do versus just 33% of those who dislike them, suggesting a connection between seasonal treats and outdoor autumn activities.
- Entertainment Preferences: Fans show a slight preference for comedy movies (30% vs 24%) and action/thrillers (36% vs 33%), while those who dislike them lean more toward horror films (21% vs 13%).
- Sleep Patterns: Donut lovers are earlier to bed—22% hit the hay between 8-10 pm compared to just 14% of detractors. Those who dislike them are more likely to stay up past 11 pm (56% vs. 47%).
- Dining Frequency: Those who dislike apple cider donuts dine out far more frequently—40% eat out 3+ times weekly versus 25% of fans. Donut lovers prefer once-weekly dining (30% vs 18%).
- Screen Habits: While watching TV, donut detractors are nearly twice as likely to put devices away completely (24% vs 13%), while fans are more engaged with mobile content and social media during viewing (54% vs 45%).
Apple cider donut enthusiasts emerge as nature-loving, early-to-bed homebodies who multitask while watching TV and prefer comedies. Those who dislike them are night owls who dine out frequently, prefer horror films, and focus solely on their screens. The divide suggests apple cider donuts appeal most to those who embrace seasonal traditions and cozy autumn rituals, while frequent restaurant-goers may find them too sweet or rustic compared to their usual fare. With 43% never having tried them, there’s significant room for growth in America’s apple cider donut experience.
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