What does cruller mean?
A cruller is a small fried pastry, closely related to the doughnut, formed by twisting or folding strips of leavened dough into a ridged, often ring-like shape before deep-frying and finishing it with a sugar glaze, cinnamon sugar, or powdered sugar. The name derives from a Dutch word meaning 'little curl,' reflecting the pastry's characteristic coiled form. Crullers are especially associated with the northeastern United States and Canada, where they are a staple of bakeries, diners, and doughnut shops; the 'honey cruller' is particularly popular on Canadian menus. A distinct variety, the French cruller, is made from airy choux pastry piped into a fluted ring rather than dense twisted dough. Though regional, the cruller remains a beloved breakfast treat wherever fried pastries are sold, prized for its crisp exterior and soft interior.
nounA small, sweet fried pastry made of twisted or ridged strips of leavened dough, typically ring-shaped or oblong and often glazed or dusted with sugar.
- A small twisted or ridged fried pastry, similar to a doughnut, usually glazed or sugared.
"She picked up a honey-dipped cruller to go with her coffee."
"Every Sunday morning the bakery sold out of its honey-glazed crullers before nine o'clock."
"He dunked the last cruller into his coffee, letting the glaze soften."
Standard plural; commonly used when ordering or describing assortments of the pastry.
"They bought a dozen mixed crullers for the office meeting."
The cruller's name literally means 'little curl' — it comes from a Dutch word for anything curled up.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cruller
The word cruller was borrowed from Dutch settlers in New Netherland, deriving from the Dutch 'kruller' (or 'krul'), meaning 'a curl' — a fitting name for the pastry's twisted shape. It became established in American English through Dutch communities in New York and New Jersey, and later spread through New England and into Canada. The same Germanic root that gives us 'krul' also underlies the English word 'curl.'
How cruller is actually used
Primarily an American word, most familiar in New England, New York State, and Canada; in other regions people may simply call it a type of doughnut. The 'French cruller', made from choux pastry piped into a ridged ring, differs from the traditional twisted-dough version.
Easily confused with cruller
A cruller is made of twisted or ridged strands of dough, whereas a doughnut is typically a solid ring of risen dough.
A churro is a long, star-piped Spanish fried pastry dusted in sugar, while a cruller is a shorter, often ring-shaped American fried pastry.