Donuts. The word alone triggers a Pavlovian response for many, and vegans are no exception. But makers of standard donuts rely on eggs and milk to create the fluffy fried pastry that has the power to release endorphins and trigger pleasant memories. But with the reliance on animal products to turn out these treats where can a person in the Boise area go to satisfy this unique craving?
Compared to other places in the Pacific Northwest, the Treasure Valley is surprisingly vegan friendly, but an internet search for “vegan donuts Boise” brings up only one clear option. Calling down the list of all search results for donut shops in Boise, Eagle, and Meridian to ask if they offered vegan options resulted in the same one option: Guru Donuts with two full-service locations, downtown Boise and Eagle.
At 9:46 on a breezy, blue sky Saturday morning in early October, I stepped into the Eagle, Idaho location, up to the glass case, and asked for every vegan option they had, which included two gluten-free options.
If you’ve been a vegan for more than five minutes you know that while most restaurants in the Treasure Valley do offer vegan options, options are often limited. Not at Guru Donuts. At Guru, vegans aren’t an afterthought; they’re embraced as a core patron group. In fact, from the beginning all of Guru’s raised donuts have been made with flax and coconut milk rather than eggs and cow milk, and most of their toppings are also one-hundred percent plant-based. So, it would be more accurate to say that Guru is a vegan donut shop that offers a few non-vegan topping options.
So how many vegan options does Guru offer?
Guru Donuts Seasonal, Weekday, and Weekend Selections
I hadn’t counted them in the case, but pulling the hot pink take-away box across the stainless-steel counter told me that it was a lot. It wasn’t until I unboxed them for taste testing that I realized there were eleven. Eleven.
According to Guru’s Marketing Coordinator, Keslie, the selection varies by season and availability of ingredients. In addition to their fresh, made-from-scratch-daily, plant-based raised donut dough, Guru is committed to using locally sourced ingredients. What’s in the case on any given day reflects what local producers have to offer, and special options change with the changing of the seasons.
Regardless of the time of year, weekends are special because that’s when Guru offers more labor intense options. Here’s what was on offer the day I went:
The O.G.
As with all Guru vegan options, this one looks, feels, and tastes like a “regular” donut. And this one is exactly what you think, a classic glazed ring that melts in your mouth. National chain brands have nothing on Guru.
Sea Salt Chocolate Bar
This bar is heavy. Not heavy in the hit-your-stomach-like-a-brick way but heavy in an I-can’t-believe-I-got-this-much-donut-for-the-price or I-really-should-share-this-with-someone-but-I-won’t way.
The first bite hits just right, highlighting the perfect balance of purposefully chosen ingredients in Guru’s dough and the way in which they work it prior to frying. The pastry’s lightly sweet, bready goodness is topped with a thin layer of chocolate and chunky salt sprinkled with restraint, making it a go-to for people who aren’t fans of sugar shock.
Maple Bar
A perennial favorite, this version of the classic maple bar doesn’t disappoint. Like the chocolate bar, it’s big and heavy enough to satisfy a teenaged power eater or several less hungry adults. This bar, however, is more sweet forward than the salted chocolate bar thanks to its maple syrup graced frosting.
Maple + Coffee
If you want something a bit more sophisticated than the classic maple bar, the Maple + Coffee is a must try. While a sniff test wasn’t part of my evaluation process this eye-catching delight with contrasting orange and ecru cream cheese like frosting begged to be smelled before tasted. Sweet frosting is balanced by warm flavors with deep, almost smoky undertones that pair easily with light or dark coffee roasts. Everything about this well-executed donut whispers that fall is here.
Mixed Berry Jammy Jam
This donut may not be as flashy as others in the case, but it proves that it’s what’s on the inside that matters most. Like all the raised dough options, this one passes the tear test with flying colors—okay, maybe not flying but certainly color when the creamy, pale-yellow dough pulls apart revealing a pocket of deep purple jam so intense it almost doesn’t look real. The tongue, however, confirms that it is the real deal.
Although this pillowy treat is dusted with pink sugar crystals and filled with berry jam, its sweetness is natural and well suited for those who prefer fruit over candy.
Apple Fritter
Speaking of fruit, let’s talk about Guru’s apple fritter. Taste testing, especially taste testing eleven pastries, requires restraint and concentration. This one broke the latter and almost destroyed the former. I was concerned at first because I was about to give it a failing grade on the tear test. When it did give, it revealed what it had been protecting—beautiful swirls of cinnamon-sugar paste and a thick bottom crust of caramelized apples. One bite and all was forgiven. The bottom crust of this confection has the chewy crisp and buttery caramel of a fritter-lover’s dreams, and the balance of sweet and savory is ideal. Grab a cup of coffee or hot beverage of your choice and experience this indescribable pleasure. Think you can eat just one bite or save the other half for later? I bet you can’t. I bet you won’t. Maybe it’s a good thing this one is only available on weekends.
Hipsterberry
When you’re ready to head in a funky direction, consider the Hipsterberry with a sweet and tangy glaze that pops on the tongue with the same intensity as it hits the eyes. Of all the options, this glaze is the most delicate, making it a messy box mate for large orders. Eat this one in house or ask for flat packing to preserve its beauty and keep as much as possible of the yummy and shockingly pink glaze intact during transport.
Alice in Wonderland
Tied with Hipsterberry on Guru’s bestseller list is the Alice in Wonderland with its generous helping of sweet, buttery (but no butter) crumbles pressed into a creamy frosting and topped with just enough crispy, bright sprinkles to create a delightful blend of colors and textures to please donut lovers of all ages. Like you will with the Hipsterberry, you’ll want a napkin or two around when trying this one. A knife and fork wouldn’t be a bad idea either.
Apple Pie
If you think breakfast when you think donut, flip the a.m./p.m. and think dessert when you see these monsters. Apple Pie’s raised rings are topped with a cream cheese like frosting and a generous helping of Guru’s crumble topping and crowned with a scoop of chunky apple filling flecked with cinnamon. You’ll want to grab a bib and dive into this one face first.
Better yet, grab a knife and fork. Close your eyes and inhale the sweet apple, vanilla, yeast, and spice smells before letting this masterpiece melt in your mouth. And if you want to go all in, take one home, heat it up, and top it with a scoop of your favorite vegan vanilla ice cream. Sorry Mom, there’s a new apple pie in town.
Vanilla Sprinkle Impossible (G.F.)
While Guru has non-vegan gluten-free options, their gluten-free vegan options reflect Guru’s “donuts for all” tagline. These gluten-free versions work well in the form of cake donuts. While many gluten-free products are crumbly and tough, these “impossible” donuts have good mouth feel and won’t fall apart when being eaten on the go.
A mix of spices complement creamy vanilla frosting and sprinkles in this cute classic donut that’s just the right size to grab and go when a sugar craving strikes. If you have time to sit and savor, the denser texture of these gluten-free morsels is also perfect for dunking biscotti style.
Pumpkin Impossible (G.F.)
Despite being portable (and not as sticky as some of its raised donut case mates), the Pumpkin Impossible’s spicy warmth will likely make you want to snuggle up with a blanket and a good book and savor the moment.
Just keep in mind that at the time of this writing, it’s only possible to get the Impossibles on weekends.
You might at this stage be reaching for your keys and wallet, your choice already firmly in mind. But while you may know what you’re in the mood for munchy wise, you might want to select which location you visit based on the overall experience you want.
The Vibe: Guru Donuts Eagle
If you’re looking for easy parking and a bright, airy environment in one of the Treasure Valley’s newly built retail strips, the 2826 S Eagle Rd. Unit 120 location has it all plus a staff that’s friendly and attentive. On the Saturday morning I went, this location was hopping with young families and a high volume of take-away customers.
The large west-facing windows, vaulted ceiling, neon lights, colorfully spotted walls, and live plants imbue the space with energy. This location has street level seating and an upstairs loft. On weekdays, the set-up is attractive to anyone seeking a place to work independently or meet up with a client or friend.
The Vibe: Guru Donuts Downtown Boise
Guru’s downtown location sits at the corner of 10th and Main on the bottom floor of the historic Idanha Hotel, which is now the Idanha Hotel Apartments at 928 W. Main St. Suite 100.
As you might expect from a space in a hotel built in 1900, Guru’s downtown Boise location has lived in feel, something more akin to a living room than a food joint. It’s the kind of space that encourages visitors to bring a book or a good friend, settle in on one of the soft, cloth sofas and hang for a while among the people and plants. There’s even a kids’ corner and game shelf. The downtown location also served as a Storyfort venue during Treefort.
Guru at Boise State University
In addition to the two full-service locations discussed above, Guru has recently opened a location on the first floor of the Albertson’s Library on the Boise State University campus. The on-campus donut selection is limited to their core options, but they also offer lunch options on a menu designed around student life.
It’s little wonder that no other donut shop in the Treasure Valley offers vegan options because for the past nine years Guru has gone all out to test the power of plants and make theirs the only place vegans think of when they hear the word “donuts.” And with three locations, it’s easier than ever to yield to the temptation created by that word. But as tempting as it may be to try every vegan option on Guru Donuts’ menu, you might want to rethink trying them all on the same day.
Guru Donuts web page
