Touch ‘em All
From a small trailer west of Hagerstown, Home Run Donuts knocks it out of the park
By April Bartel
Some places are worth the wait in line, especially among hometown bakeries and family-owned food trucks, but few local legends rise quite as high as Home Run Donuts. Parked on National Pike just shy of its junction with Route 63, this compact food trailer covers all the bases. There’s a shelter overhead, a spacious gravel lot, a cozy fire pit for colder months and, often, a line of devotees. The reason is clear from the first bite. These show-stopping donuts are enormous, wildly creative, and made entirely by hand.
Co-owners Fawn and Matt Strite launched Home Run Donuts in April 2016 with a simple philosophy: to bring joy to their community through something sweet and crafted with care.
“My beautiful Mama taught me the love of baking and cooking when I was a child,” Fawn says. “Our uncle and aunt make donuts, and we have a lot of bakers in our extended family.”
What began as a husband-and-wife team, with their oldest son, Dawson, helping in the early days, quickly grew into a local phenomenon. Wait times can stretch to an hour or more as the team hustles through each custom order. But with a sweet treat as the reward, even the line becomes part of the adventure.
Home Run Donuts isn’t the typical donut shop. That’s intentional. “We love the fun, exciting, non-traditional versatility of a donut trailer,” Fawn says. The mobile setup allowed them to start small while building momentum. Now, with business booming year-round, the Strites hope to expand into a larger space in the coming year. For local fans, that future can’t come soon enough.
Home Run Donuts is famous for its extraordinary donut size (at least twice the heft of a common donut) and the hands-on craftsmanship that goes into each batch.
“Our donuts are big,” Fawn says with pride. “They are completely handcrafted, using some of the best, premium ingredients to keep our products top-tier.”
Big Donuts, Bigger Heart
The dedication begins long before dawn. And ultimately, as Fawn says, “Thank God for our crew.” Staff members on the earliest shift arrive at 2 a.m. to start mixing dough. From rolling and cutting to frying, glazing, dipping, and decorating, everything is done the “good old-fashioned way.” This old-school approach, combined with small-batch quality, creates flavorful donuts with a texture and freshness regulars say they can’t find anywhere else.
But it’s the creative flavors that keep customers checking social media every week. The shop maintains four regular flavors plus five or six rotating specials. Each menu iteration gets posted to Facebook or Instagram a day or two in advance, prompting hundreds of comments and shares, while giving fans time to make some early-morning plans.
The Details
Home Run Donuts is open Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
16512 National Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740
No website but you can follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Flavors That Score
When asked about their all-stars, Fawn laughs. “We have so many favorites it’s hard to choose.”
Still, a few standouts consistently top the charts, like the Buckeyes. That’s their tasty homage to Ohio’s confectionary classic. These donuts get topped with fudgy peanut butter frosting and drizzled with rich chocolate. The Pineapple Upside Down Cake is another fan favorite, as is the Tiramisu. Jones-ing for that decadent combination known as Dubai Chocolate or lusciously creamy cheesecake? Just check the list. Fans call the Monkey Bread Donut Holes utterly addictive.
Their newest sensation incorporates a savory twist. “The Toasted Pizza Donut is our new favorite at the moment,” Fawn says, proving that their creativity knows no boundaries.
While the donuts alone could fuel the business, the Strites are equally known for their community connections and acts of kindness. At the end of each day, any leftover donuts are donated to their A Blessing to be a Blessing, a nonprofit run by “Mama Dee,” who serves the homeless, elderly, and those in need.
Home Run Donuts also collaborates with local businesses, including their beloved River Bottom Roasters. Thanks to the partnership, the shop carries its own custom coffee blend, Home Run Coffee, crafted just for them.
As for seasonal highlights, the shop’s winter lineup is legendary, with plenty more to get excited about.
Valentine’s donuts and our chocolate covered strawberries are always a huge hit,” Fawn says. Specials include playful takes on Little Debbie Valentine cakes and a Triple Chocolate Covered Strawberry donut crowned with brownie and chocolate mousse. After Valentine’s Day, they roll right into Girl Scout Cookie donuts. Think Tagalongs, Samoas, and Thin Mints.
As travelers detour off the interstate and families snap selfies with donuts the size of dinner plates, the Strites find satisfaction and seeing so many smiles.
“It is an honor and great privilege to serve our beautiful community,” Fawn says. “To share joy, love, and our donuts with them. We are so very grateful.”
For anyone in-the-know, Home Run Donuts offers an experience that feels both homegrown and extraordinary. It’s a place where creativity goes to bat at 2 a.m., flavors change with the seasons, and every donut really is a home run.
