What’s the Healthiest Donut at Tim Hortons? (Lowest‑Calorie Pick) [November 2025]

November 2025 update

The quick answer

• Lowest-calorie whole donut (most locations):
  Old-Fashioned Plain or Honey Dip (glazed ring) — typically in the ~190–230 kcal range depending on shop size and seasonal changes.
  These are lighter because they’re ring-style (less dough than filled/fritters) and keep toppings simple.

• Healthiest by “overall impact”:
  A ring donut + black coffee or tea (or coffee with a splash of milk). You get the donut experience with minimal add-ons that push sugar or fat higher.

Exact numbers vary by country and periodic menu updates, but the pattern holds: simple ring donuts beat filled, frosted, or fritter-style donuts on calories and sugar almost every time.

Best choices (from lightest to still-reasonable)

1. Old-Fashioned Plain

   • Why it wins: No filling, no heavy icing; a small, dense ring that’s satisfying for fewer calories.

2. Honey Dip (Glazed Ring)

   • Classic yeast ring with a thin glaze; still lighter than iced/filled options.

3. Sugar Ring / Cinnamon Sugar Ring (where available)

   • Slightly higher than plain/glazed due to the sugar coating, but still generally lighter than dips and creams.

4. Chocolate Glazed / Maple Glazed (ring)

   • A bit more than Honey Dip, but far below filled donuts or fritters.

5. Sour Cream Plain

   • Heavier than the ring donuts above, yet usually under filled-donut territory. Choose plain over “glazed” or “Boston-style” versions.

Rule of thumb: Plain or light-glaze rings beat iced/dipped rings, which beat filled/cream donuts, which beat fritters for calories.

Donuts to limit (if calories and sugar are the priority)

• Boston Cream / Maple Cream / Jelly-filled

  • Filling + icing drives up sugar and calories quickly.

• Apple Fritter and similar “chunky” bakes

  • Larger, denser, often fried longer with sugary inclusions.

• Dream/Seasonal feature donuts with heavy toppings

  • Fun but designed to be indulgent (and it shows on the nutrition board).

If you want the lightest possible donut experience

• Timbits (plain or glazed):
  One or two Timbits give the taste with fewer calories than a whole donut.

  • Best choices: Old-Fashioned Plain Timbit, Glazed/Honey Dip Timbit.

  • Avoid as “dozens”—the whole point is a small treat.

• Half-donut strategy:
  Split an Old-Fashioned Plain or Honey Dip with a friend. Pair with coffee/tea for satiety.

Smart drink pairings (keep the “healthy” in your healthiest donut)

• Best: Black coffee, Americano, unsweetened tea, or plain cold brew.

• Good: Coffee with a splash of milk or cream (no syrups).

• Limit: French Vanilla, specialty lattes, Iced Capp (full-base), or syrup-heavy drinks. If you want sweetness, ask for half-sweet on blended drinks.

A sugary drink can quietly double your treat’s calories. Make the donut the star; keep the beverage simple.

“Healthiest donut” ordering scripts (fast and staff-friendly)

• “Old-Fashioned Plain and a medium coffee, just a splash of milk.”

• “Honey Dip and an Americano, no room.”

• “Two Old-Fashioned Timbits and a tea, no sugar.”

• “Old-Fashioned Plain, and can I get my Iced Capp half-base?”

What “healthy” means here (so you can pick confidently)

• Calories: Lowest generally = ring donuts (Old-Fashioned Plain, Honey Dip).

• Sugar: Add-ons (fillings, thick icing) push numbers up fastest.

• Fat: Frying method is similar chain-wide; fillings and heavy icings are the bigger fat/sugar multipliers than the donut itself.

• Satiety: Pair a donut with coffee/tea or water. If you’re truly hungry (not just craving sweet), consider omelette bites or an egg sandwich open-face and save the donut for dessert.

Quick comparisons (typical patterns)

• Old-Fashioned Plain / Honey Dip: ~190–230 kcal

• Iced ring donuts (chocolate/maple): ~220–290 kcal

• Sour Cream (plain): ~230–280 kcal

• Filled donuts (Boston Cream, jelly): ~270–340+ kcal

• Fritters / feature donuts: ~300–400+ kcal

(Ranges reflect normal variation by shop, size, and region.)

Smarter sweet-tooth moves (when cravings are loud)

• Choose one indulgence: donut or sweet drink, not both.

• Downsize, don’t deny: one Old-Fashioned Timbit + one Honey Dip Timbit scratches the itch for fewer calories than a full iced donut.

• Time it after a protein-rich meal: if you already ate eggs or chili, the donut spikes you less harshly than on an empty stomach.

FAQs

What if my store’s “old-fashioned” looks bigger than usual?
Sizes can vary slightly. If it looks hefty, Honey Dip is your next safest bet.

Is a chocolate dip ever the lowest?
Rarely. It’s usually above Old-Fashioned Plain/Honey Dip due to the icing.

Are cake donuts always heavier?
Not always, but glazed yeast rings and old-fashioned plain tend to come in lighter than filled cake or heavily iced options.

If I’m pre-diabetic/diabetic, is the Old-Fashioned Plain still best?
It’s usually the smallest hit among whole donuts, but the lowest-impact choice is 1–2 Timbits or pairing any donut with protein (e.g., omelette bites) and choosing an unsweetened drink. Follow your personal plan.

Bottom line

• Lowest-calorie whole donut: Old-Fashioned Plain or Honey Dip (glazed ring).

• Best strategy: Keep drinks simple, consider Timbits for portion control, and skip the extra-sweet beverages when you’re already having a donut.

• Use the scripts above and you’ll enjoy Tim Hortons the lightest way possible—without feeling like you missed out.