6 Favorite DIY Food Gifts to Make
For those who love to add a personal touch to their gifts, we’ve gathered six delightful DIY food gift ideas from founders and culinary aficionados. From the art of fermenting foods to the comfort of a homemade hot-chocolate mix, discover the favorite creations and recipes these experts enjoy sharing with friends and family.
- Fermented Foods as Thoughtful Gifts
- No-Bake Oat Balls
- Homemade Flavored Salts Add Gourmet Touch
- Elegant Flavor-Infused Oils
- Simple Four-Ingredient Bread to Share
- Cozy Homemade Hot-Chocolate Mix
Fermented Foods as Thoughtful Gifts
To me, the perfect DIY food gift is something fermented. It could be a bottle of kombucha or something similar. It takes time to make fermented gifts, but that’s why they’re the perfect gift. It shows the person who receives the gift that you care about them. And fermented food is also healthy and doesn’t spoil too quickly, whereas candy baskets don’t do you much good.
Anders Bryde Thornild
Founder, Kogt
No-Bake Oat Balls
Do-it-yourself food gifts seem to be an expected token of sharing in our family. Many of us have our own creative flair, and others are in response to one or more of us showing great affection for a certain food or recipe.
Recently, we have seen our young children enjoy a rather natural, healthy treat: no-bake oat balls. We have crafted several versions of these treats, often with the children’s assistance, and sometimes they limit themselves to being the “fasters.”
One recent challenge has been that our son’s school is a “peanut-free zone” for the health safety of the allergic students. We have crafted a new version that he can safely take to school for that very important snack time. The simple ingredients are oats, coconut, date paste, and raisins. The surprise added ingredient is crushed pretzels that form the outside coating and add the needed touch of salt.
Once mixed and shaped into balls, we roll them in the pretzels and freeze them for future bagging and transporting.
Ashley Kenny
Co-Founder, Heirloom Video Books
Homemade Flavored Salts Add Gourmet Touch
One of my all-time favorite creations has to be my homemade flavored salts. They’re super easy to make, customizable, and they add a gourmet touch to any dish.
Here’s my go-to recipe: I start with a base of high-quality sea salt. Then, I get creative with flavorings like dried herbs, citrus zest, spices, or even infused oils. For example, I might make a rosemary and lemon salt by mixing finely chopped rosemary and lemon zest into the salt. Or, for a spicy kick, I’ll blend in some smoked paprika and garlic powder. The possibilities are endless.
Once I’ve mixed up my flavored salts, I like to package them in small jars or decorative tins. I’ll add a cute label and maybe even a ribbon for that extra special touch. These flavored salts are perfect for seasoning meats, veggies, or even popcorn, and they always get rave reviews from friends and family.
Gabrielle Yap
Senior Editor, Carnivore Style
Elegant Flavor-Infused Oils
One of the easiest and a go-to recipe for me would be flavor-infused oils. It’s one of the great DIY food gift ideas. It’s a simple yet elegant gift that adds a personal touch to any kitchen.
First, you can start by selecting a high-quality oil, like olive or grapeseed oil. Then, add any of your favorite flavorings, such as garlic cloves, fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme, and dried spices like chili flakes or peppercorns, to a clean, airtight glass bottle or jar. Let the ingredients infuse for a week or two, creating a uniquely flavored oil.
Once ready, strain out the solid ingredients and transfer the infused oil back into the bottle. Decorate the bottle with a personalized label or tag, and you’ll have a sophisticated and flavorful gift, perfect for cooking enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates gourmet touches in their meals.
This flavor-infused oil helps you create a personal touch, and you can always alter the ingredients as per the recipient’s choice to make it more desirable.
Aseem Jha
Founder & Head of Customer Delivery, Legal Consulting Pro
Simple Four-Ingredient Bread to Share
I love making things for people and sharing food with friends. Some of my favorite recipes are soups; however, since soups are more difficult to store and transport, I’ll go with bread for something I like to make and share. I do a variety of variations on a simple four-ingredient bread recipe, which is basically 3 cups of flour, 1.5 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of salt, and 2 tablespoons of instant yeast.
Sometimes I’ll vary the recipe a bit or add a few things, but that’s my basic recipe. I love making it; it’s pretty quick and easy. I enjoy the process, and I love making something I can share with others to enjoy.
John Frigo
Ecommerce Manager, Best Price Nutrition
Cozy Homemade Hot-Chocolate Mix
As a tech CEO, my favorite DIY food gift is homemade hot-chocolate mix. It’s a delightful gift, especially during the holidays. Here’s my fuss-free creation process: Mix 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1 cup of cocoa, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, and a pinch of salt.
Also, add in mini marshmallows for that extra cozy touch. Bag it up, attach a custom label, and you have a warm, sweet gift ready to be enjoyed with just hot milk. It’s a small but meaningful way of sharing warmth in a cup.
Abid Salahi
Co-Founder & CEO, FinlyWealth
Submit Your Answer
Would you like to submit an alternate answer to the question, “If you enjoy making DIY food gifts, what’s your favorite to create? Share your go-to recipe or creation process.”
