Krispy Kreme is launching a limited edition Artemis II Doughnut to celebrate NASA’s upcoming mission, which is set to take flight on March 31, 2026. This special treat will be available for just three days, from March 31 to April 2, 2026, and is designed to commemorate a significant milestone in space exploration.
The Artemis II Doughnut features a striking blue vanilla-flavored icing, topped with Oreo crunch and white nonpareils, creating a visual and flavorful tribute to the mission. To enhance its appeal, the doughnut is finished with a cookies-and-cream flavored buttercream dollop and a red chevron, symbolizing the mission’s connection to NASA’s Artemis program.
The Artemis II mission, which will include a crew of four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—marks a historic moment for space exploration. Glover and Koch will be the first person of color and first woman, respectively, to leave low Earth orbit, while Hansen will become the first astronaut from a country other than the U.S. to fly to the moon. This mission is a 10-day flight that may take the astronauts further from Earth than any prior mission, making it a pivotal step in NASA’s goal to return humans to the Moon.
Alison Holder, a representative from Krispy Kreme, stated, “Big moments bring people together, and it doesn’t get much bigger than humans heading back into deep space.” She added, “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.” This sentiment captures the excitement surrounding both the mission and the doughnut’s launch.
Krispy Kreme has a history of celebrating NASA missions with special doughnuts, having previously released themed treats for the Artemis I and Apollo 11 missions. The Artemis II Doughnut is part of the Artemis II Specialty Dozen, which includes six Original Glazed doughnuts, further enhancing the experience for customers who wish to partake in this unique offering.
In a similar vein, Tim Hortons in Canada has also joined the celebration by changing the name of its doughnut holes to “Moonbits” in honor of the Artemis II mission. This trend of incorporating space-themed elements into food products reflects a growing public interest in space exploration and the excitement surrounding NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization.
Historically, Krispy Kreme’s doughnuts have been a part of significant space events, with their products sold at the Kennedy Space Center during the Apollo 11 launch in 1969. This connection to space history adds a layer of nostalgia to the current celebration of the Artemis II mission.
As the launch date approaches, observers are eager to see how the public will respond to the Artemis II Doughnut and whether it will become a sought-after item among space enthusiasts and doughnut lovers alike. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the potential for further collaborations between Krispy Kreme and NASA in the future, but the excitement surrounding this limited edition offering is palpable.
