Tomorrow, four astronauts will climb aboard NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and begin the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years. And while the Artemis II launch gets underway from Kennedy Space Center, Krispy Kreme wants to make sure you have something to eat while you watch.
Starting today, March 31, and running through April 2 only, Krispy Kreme is selling a limited-edition Artemis II Doughnut at participating shops nationwide. The window is tight — three days, and it’s gone.
What’s on the Doughnut
The Artemis II Doughnut starts with Krispy Kreme’s iconic Original Glazed as the base, then gets a full mission makeover:
- Blue vanilla-flavored icing as the foundation
- OREO® crunch sprinkled across the top
- White nonpareils for a starfield effect
- Cookies-and-creme flavored buttercream dollop in the center
- A bold red chevron on top — a direct nod to the NASA logo
The result is a doughnut that looks as much like a piece of mission merchandise as it does a dessert, which is exactly the point.
“Big moments bring people together, and it doesn’t get much bigger than humans heading back into deep space,” said Alison Holder, Krispy Kreme Chief Brand and Product Officer. “We took our iconic Original Glazed® doughnut and gave it a mission-worthy makeover so fans can celebrate Artemis II in a fun, delicious way, right alongside history.”
Grab a Dozen to Watch the Launch
If you’re planning to watch the Artemis II launch tomorrow, April 1, Krispy Kreme has the perfect pairing. The Artemis II Specialty Dozen includes six Artemis II Doughnuts alongside six classic Original Glazed — enough for the whole watch party.
The launch window opens at 12:50 p.m. EDT on April 1, with pre-launch tanking coverage beginning at 7:45 a.m. EDT. You can watch live on NASA+, the NASA YouTube channel, and NASA’s official social media pages on Facebook, X, and Twitch. Note that the launch window is subject to technical readiness, including resolving any outstanding helium leak issues.
What Is Artemis II?
Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission aboard the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. Four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Hammock Koch from NASA, and Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency — will spend approximately 10 days in deep space, confirming that all spacecraft systems operate as designed with crew on board.
The mission won’t land on the Moon, but it’s the critical dress rehearsal that paves the way for future missions that will. It marks the first time humans have traveled to lunar distance since the Apollo program.
Krispy Kreme’s History With NASA
This isn’t the first time Krispy Kreme has shown up for a big NASA moment. The brand has a surprisingly long tradition of marking major space milestones with doughnuts — serving fresh Original Glazed at the Apollo 11 launch in 1969, celebrating the Perseverance Rover landing on Mars in 2021, and releasing the Artemis Moon Doughnut for the Artemis I mission in 2022. Supermoons and solar eclipses have gotten their own themed doughnuts too.
How to Get One
The Artemis II Doughnut is available at participating Krispy Kreme shops nationwide through April 2. You can also order for pickup or delivery through the Krispy Kreme app and website.
Visit KrispyKreme.com/offers/artemis-doughnut to find a participating location near you. And since this is a three-day window tied to one of the biggest space events in decades, don’t wait until April 2 to find out your local shop sold out.
The Bottom Line
Krispy Kreme’s limited-edition Artemis II Doughnut is available now through April 2 at participating locations nationwide. It’s the perfect excuse to grab a dozen, tune into the Artemis II launch coverage starting at 12:50 p.m. EDT on April 1, and be part of a historic moment — one glazed doughnut at a time.
