The numbers
Krispy Kreme is launching a limited edition Artemis II Doughnut, available from March 31 to April 2, 2026, to commemorate NASA’s upcoming mission. This special doughnut is dipped in blue vanilla-flavored icing, topped with Oreo crunch and white nonpareils, and finished with a cookies-and-cream flavored buttercream dollop and a red chevron.
The Artemis II crew includes astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. Notably, Glover and Koch will make history as the first person of color and the first woman, respectively, to leave low Earth orbit. Hansen will also be the first astronaut from a country other than the U.S. to fly to the moon, marking a significant milestone in international space exploration.
The Artemis II mission is a 10-day flight that may take the astronauts further from Earth than any prior mission, with the crew testing systems that will enable a long-term human presence on the moon. This mission is part of NASA’s broader Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon for sustained exploration and utilization.
Krispy Kreme has a history of celebrating NASA missions with special doughnuts, having previously released themed treats for both Artemis I and Apollo 11. The Artemis II Doughnut is part of the Artemis II Specialty Dozen, which includes six Original Glazed doughnuts, allowing fans to enjoy a unique culinary experience while celebrating a monumental event in space history.
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 further emphasized the significance of the doughnut, saying, “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.”
In Canada, Tim Hortons has also joined in the celebration by changing the name of its doughnut holes to “Moonbits” in honor of the Artemis II mission. This reflects a growing trend among food brands to engage with significant cultural and scientific events through themed products.
Krispy Kreme’s connection to space exploration dates back to the Apollo 11 launch in 1969, where their doughnuts were sold at the Kennedy Space Center. This longstanding relationship highlights the brand’s commitment to celebrating milestones in space exploration.
As the Artemis II mission approaches, observers are eager to see how the public will respond to the limited edition doughnut and what further innovations NASA will unveil. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full scope of the mission’s impact on future space exploration initiatives.
