New plant-based doughnut truck Dough Joy set to open in Ballard in May

Seattle's flourishing doughnut scene is getting a plant-based contender that is out to prove that these delicious pastries can be enjoyed at anytime of day, not just in the early morning hours.

A new food truck called Dough Joy will hit the city in May in Ballard with its 100% plant-based, yeast raised doughnuts.

The venture was created by vegan entrepreneurs and partners Sean Willis and Christopher Ballard, who also run the city's vegan magazine Outbound Herbivore. Avid explorers of the city's vegan restaurants, the two have hosted vegan mini markets and dinner parties and decided to take their love of plant-based food to the next level by launching Dough Joy.

"After COVID and seeing the impact it had on brick and mortar restaurants, we figured that for our first venture in food, a food truck made the most sense financially and it seemed like an opportunity we just couldn't pass up," Willis wrote in a news release. "We decided that delicious, creative, yeast raised vegan donuts is what we wanted to bring to Seattle and Dough Joy was born."

Dough Joy will be housed the truck once own by Cycle Dogs, the bike cart turned successful food truck which will be opening its new brick-and-mortar space this spring, and will be parked just across the street from Cycle Dog's new location, creating a new hub for vegan fare in Ballard.

Flavors include the traditional fluffy glazed doughnut, a peanut butter and jelly doughnut and salted caramel doughnut topped with a pinch of sea salt.

Other innovative flavors include a doughnut aptly named the "Faconator" which features maple syrup infused icing topped with smoky vegan bacon for a savory pairing and a milk-infused "Cereal Killer" doughnut topped with fruit hoops to satisfy sweet tooths.

The doughnuts are not gluten free, but Willis said it is something that they are considering to broaden their scope to those with dietary restrictions. The truck will also be doling out drinks for a quick caffeine fix, including caramel, mocha and lavender lattes.

"Our goal with Dough Joy is to bring something new, exciting, and delicious to the Seattle community," Willis wrote. "Whether you're plant based or not, we think you will love our tasty creations that are better for people, animals, and the planet."

The new opening forges a hopeful note for Seattle's vegetarian and vegan restaurant scene which has experienced many closures since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Fremont's outpost of Flying Apron Bakery, Ballard's No Bones Beach Club and Silence Heart Nest, one of the oldest vegetarian restaurants in the city.