Krispy Kreme is launching a limited edition Artemis II Doughnut, available from March 31 to April 2, 2026, to celebrate NASA’s historic mission. The doughnut, which features a vibrant blue vanilla-flavored icing and is topped with Oreo crunch and white nonpareils, is part of the company’s ongoing tribute to space exploration.
Alison Holder, a representative from Krispy Kreme, remarked, “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 special treat will be included in the Artemis II Specialty Dozen, which consists of six Original Glazed doughnuts, making it a unique offering for space enthusiasts and doughnut lovers alike.
The Artemis II mission is particularly significant as it marks NASA’s first crewed flight under the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon for long-term exploration and utilization. The crew for this mission includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, with Glover and Koch set to make history as the first person of color and 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.
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The Artemis II mission is a 10-day flight that may take the astronauts further from Earth than any prior mission, with the Orion capsule having traveled 268,563 miles during the Artemis I mission. The Space Launch System rocket, which will carry the crew, stands 322 feet tall, showcasing the scale of this ambitious endeavor. This mission comes 50 years since astronauts last launched to the Moon, marking a significant milestone in human space exploration.
Krispy Kreme has a history of celebrating NASA missions, having previously released special doughnuts for both Artemis I and Apollo 11. In a similar vein, Tim Hortons in Canada has changed the name of its doughnut holes to Moonbits in honor of the Artemis II mission, illustrating the widespread excitement surrounding this event.
As the launch date approaches, observers are eager to see how the Artemis II mission unfolds and what new discoveries await. With the doughnut’s limited availability, fans are encouraged to indulge in this sweet tribute while supporting a mission that aims to pave the way for future human exploration of Mars and beyond. Details remain unconfirmed.
