39 Best Gifts for Foodies
Updated: Mar. 06, 2024
Indulge their tastebuds or love of cooking with these best gifts for foodies. Dig in!
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Foodie is a phrase that I used to shy away from. I figured it was reserved for the professionally trained chefs, the snobby gastronomes and the restaurant critics of the world. But as I’ve delved further into the food space, I’ve decided a foodie can be anyone (even kids who love cooking)—so long as they have a passion for food. That’s my official decree!
So, yes, these are gifts for foodies—but all foodies, not just the upper echelon of the group. You’ll find presents for unsure yet undeterred beginners (see: a trusty cast-iron skillet), for serial bakers (macaron kit, here we come!), and even just for the eaters of the bunch (hello, Goldbelly). Many items in this collection were even hand-picked by our editors and Test Kitchen staff.
No matter the level or type of food-lover in your life, there’s something on this list for them and quite possibly you as well. Proceed with caution, though: You’ll click away from this page feeling a lot of inspiration—and a little bit hungry.
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Infused Olive Oil Collection
Seasoned foodies know the key to delectable salads, appetizers and sides are the finishing oils and salts. With The Artist Capsule collection from Brightland, they’ll take their favorite dishes to the next level thanks to chili-, garlic-, lemon- and basil-infused olive oils. The gift-worthy packaging celebrates the merging of art and food with labels designed by artists, making it one of those gorgeous and indulgent gifts for foodies—it dresses up the counter and the food that’s created on it.
Just take it from Shopping Editor, Annamarie Higley, who raves “The flavors of these finishing oils are just spectacular. I sincerely cannot believe how potent they are. I’m already dreaming of drizzling the basil oil over pasta and tossing the lemon oil with greens.”
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Little Dumpling Candle
Don’t be fooled by this realistic dumpling—it’s just a candle! Whether you’re shopping for last-minute gifts for foodies or something a little different to feed into their obsession, this little dumpling candle is sure to make them giggle.
Madi Koetting/taste of home
Aesthetic Air Fryer
We’re firm believers that every foodie needs an air fryer—but not any appliance will do. For the foodie who prides themself on maintaining an aesthetic kitchen, spring for the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore air fryer. It’s not just pretty—our Test Kitchen gives this air fryer two thumbs up for its ability to crisp food to perfection without breaking the bank. As a foodie myself, I use this air fryer at least once per day and it never fails to impress me. Plus, it’s an appliance I actually want to display on the counter—it’s that gorgeous. Speaking of, the entire Beautiful by Drew Barrymore collection makes excellent gifts for foodies.
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
If your loved one can’t travel this holiday season, gift the next best thing. This 4-in-1 set from Atlas Coffee includes mini 4-ounce bags from Jamaica, Hawaii, Indonesia and Yemen. These best-of-the-best coffees allow your giftee to set sail on a “bucket list” exploration of coffee from around the world. A pamphlet with tasting notes (plus postcards from each destination) complete the experience.
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Pizza Socks
Everyone loves keeping their feet warm on a cold day, and everyone loves pizza, so this pizza sock gift set is a guaranteed win for pretty much, well, everyone on your list! Packaged in a miniature pizza box, each individual sock is rolled up into a little “slice” for an adorable presentation. This gift for pizza lovers includes four pairs of socks, each with a different pizza topping print: pepperoni, Hawaiian, Capricciosa and veggie.
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Gourmet Hot Sauce
The best gifts for foodies are ones that indulge their taste buds. Red Clay hot sauce fits the bill with their set of gourmet offerings, including original, Carolina and peach hot sauce, as well as flavored honeys. They bring the heat to any dish your foodie of a best friend whips up.
Annamarie Higley/taste of home
Always Pan 2.0
A frying pan, saute pan, steamer, skillet and saucepan all in one, the Our Place Always Pan 2.0 is every foodie’s new best friend. This pan boasts a nontoxic, nonstick ceramic coating that makes cooking—and cleaning—a dream. We tried the Our Place Always Pan and were blown away by the results—even after a year of use. The hardest part of purchasing is choosing from more than 10 gorgeous colors.
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Kabob Grilling Baskets
Their next cookout is about to get an upgrade thanks to these genius kabob baskets. They hold ingredients together with ease and leave the perfect even sear. It makes a thoughtful grilling gift, too.
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Mexican Hot Chocolate Gift Set
We’re always craving a cozy, comforting drink during the winter months. And this Mexican hot chocolate gift set will make that next indulgence even sweeter. The perfect pick-me-up to tuck into a care package, it has everything a foodie needs for an authentic experience, including traditional hot chocolate mix, a red clay jug and a molinillo whisk.
Camryn Rabideau for Taste of Home
Ooni Pizza Oven
They’ll be counting down the seconds to summer with this outdoor pizza maker in their repertoire. Ooni is a favorite among our editors (just read our review!), and the brand’s Koda model, in particular, is delightfully compact while still packing a ton of cooking power. Once it’s fired up, you’re 60 seconds away from an outstanding pie.
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Japanese Snacks Gift Box
They’ll experience the authentic flavors of Japan with this gift box from Sakuraco while learning about Japanese culture, too. It includes 20 assorted items from family-owned businesses throughout the country, including savory snacks, mochi, mini cakes, seasonal teas and traditional specialties, as well as a piece of authentic Japanese kitchenware or homeware. It also comes with a 24-page culture and snack guide that tells the story behind every item.
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Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat Cookbook
The award-winning cookbook by Samin Nosrat is the perfect addition to a home chef’s library. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is packed with useful cooking techniques and tools for all skill levels, and the book will be cherished by any food lover. These authentic global cookbooks make great gifts as well.
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Indoor S’mores Fire Pit
No backyard fire pit? No problem. With this indoor s’mores fire pit, giftees are in for an ultra cozy evening. This set is complete with stainless steel skewers, fire snuffer, indoor concrete fire pit and a wood tray to display it all—including s’mores ingredients.
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Sichuan Sauce Set
Dumplings, kabobs, stir fry and pretty much any dish foodies cook up simply isn’t complete without these Fly by Jing Sichuan sauces. The best-selling trio includes Sichuan chili crisp, sweet and tangy Zhong sauce and savory Chengdu Crunch. Don’t be surprised when they starting putting these sauces on everything from ice cream to eggs—it’s that good. They’re perfect for the foodie who’s always piling on the condiments and seasonings to take ordinary dishes and snacks to the next level.
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Pizza Subscription
A pizza subscription is the food gift that keeps on giving. Every month, they’ll indulge their taste buds in pizzas from around the nation, such as Chicago deep-dish pizza, St. Louis’ famous Imo’s pizza and Detroit-style ‘za, to name a few. You can’t go wrong with these food-of-the-month clubs either.
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Bee’s Wrap
Say goodbye to disposable plastic bags and containers and say hello to reusable bee’s wrap! The eco-friendly food wraps are made from beeswax and organic cotton. They safely cover and preserve everything from fruits and vegetables to cheese and leftovers. Don’t miss our review of bee’s wrap.
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The Challenger Bread Pan
Serious bakers will appreciate a pan designed with their craft in mind. This cast-iron Challenger Bread Pan will help any foodie achieve picture-perfect loaves. See more gift ideas for your bread-obsessed BFF.
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Chocolate Truffles
What’s that? A bottle of wine? Nope, a wine-shaped box of chocolate truffles! These Christmas chocolates are the cherry on top of the best gifts for foodies. Decadent rum-, tiramisu- and cappuccino-flavored chocolates await. And for more sweet tooth satisfaction, consider these Christmas cookie delivery options.
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Artisan Citrus Juicer
Whether it’s silky-smooth lemon bars or fresh-squeezed orange juice that’s their specialty, the home chef will appreciate this heavy-duty citrus juicer. It might be bigger than the one in their utensils drawer, but that’s OK because this rustic-looking helper is attractive enough to leave out.
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Stainless Steel Knife Set
Like every builder needs a toolbox, every home chef needs essential knives. The foodie who wants to create masterpieces in their kitchen can sharpen their skills with a stainless steel knife set that includes both the blades and the box.
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Everyday Air Fryer Cookbook
We’re going to take a wild guess and assume your foodie friend has an air fryer. The second volume of the Taste of Home Everyday Air Fryer cookbook is filled with yummy recipes for them to try. From chicken Parmesan to homemade churros, endless air-fryer recipe inspiration awaits. Add it to a themed gift basket.
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Carbonara Sweatshirt
Help them sport their favorite dish in pride with this fun carbonara sweatshirt. It’s a cozy staple that they’ll love showing off while running errands and lounging with friends.
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All-Inclusive Cheese Board
What’s better than a regular cheese board? A cheese board that comes with stainless steel cutlery and a storage drawer. This pick is made from 100% natural bamboo and is scratch- and stain-resistant. Pair it with these cheese board gift ideas for the ultimate gift for foodies.
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Pasta Machine
Nothing beats the taste of fresh homemade pasta. With a DIY pasta machine, foodies can prepare delicious, authentic pasta in the comfort of their own kitchen. Psst! If they’re the proud owner of a KitchenAid stand mixer, opt for this pasta-maker attachment.
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Gourmet Snack Crate
Treat your favorite foodie to some gourmet snacks! This stunning gift crate is packed to the brim with all sorts of sweet and savory goodies. Plus, it’s available in three separate sizes (and as a crate or a tote) for appetites big and small. Order the largest size for an epic hostess gift.
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Cookie Press
Here’s one of the best gifts for bakers and gifts for foodies alike. This fun-to-use cookie press lets your sweets-obsessed pals create perfectly shaped treats in a flash. It includes 12 festive disk shapes for all holidays and occasions.
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Maple Syrup Gift Box
Take breakfast (or cocktail hour!) to the next level with this luxurious maple syrup set. Choose from a variety of gift boxes—each loaded with four assorted mini bottles. For an added touch, include your favorite waffle recipe with the gift.
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Barbecue Box
They’ll be eatin’ good with this Goldbelly box of barbecue. Touted as containing the “holy trinity” of barbecue, each shipment features brisket, spare ribs and sausage from Lewis Barbecue, based in Charleston, South Carolina. This behemoth of a box feeds 10-12 people, so, yes, it could even double as your food friend’s holiday dinner.
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Wine Sulfite Purifier
Keep wine fresh, fragrant and flavorful with this sulfite and histamines remover. Sulfites, which are used as a preservative, can affect the taste of wine and lead to a hangover. But using this wand brings that Cabernet Sauvignon back to its purest form. Here are more wine gifts that aren’t just a bottle of vino.
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Hot Sauce Making Kit
Bring the heat! Gifts for foodies like this at-home hot sauce kit let them create their own spicy concoctions. It comes with all of the ingredients they’ll need to experience bold new flavors.
Annamarie Higley/Taste of Home
Boarderie Cheese Board
If your favorite foodie often doubles as an entertainer, then consider this high-end cheese and meat board curated by experts and mongers. Your friend’s holiday happy hour or Christmas movie night will be one to remember with a slab of espresso-dusted cheese and a handful of prosecco cordials on the table. Our Shopping Editor, Annamarie Higley, is obsessed with Boarderie!
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Kombucha Brewing Kit
Fermenting has been all the rage for the past few years, and this handy kombucha brewing kit makes it easy for foodies to make their own bottles of the bev. It comes with kombucha culture so they can start brewing right away! Shopping for other passionate sippers? Don’t sleep on these coffee gifts.
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Ramen Bowl Keychain
You can’t gift someone a piping hot bowl of ramen, but you can gift them this adorable ramen bowl keychain to remind them that they should definitely go get a bowl of ramen with you. They might also love these ramen noodle recipes as well.
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French Macaron Kit
No nosh is quite as posh as the French macaron, and most foodies would agree. This complete kit lets them take the delicacy up one more notch. In it, they’ll find the makings for the cookies, as well as piping bags, sprinkles, recipe cards, food coloring and edible metallic paint. With all the decorating, it’s a gift that crafters would enjoy as well. Bon appétit!
Katie Bandurski/Taste of Home
HexClad Dutch Oven
Foodies shouldn’t have to wait for a wedding registry to get some solid cookware! This sleek HexClad Dutch oven, lauded by our Senior Shopping Editor, will not only last years, but it’s also an absolute knockout in the kitchen. Did we mention it’s one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite Dutch ovens too?
Daria Smith/taste of home
Smithey Cast-Iron Skillet
People often rave about how their cast-iron skillet changed their life—and they’re right. This pick from Smithey is the perfect present for a beginner or budding foodie. “Not all of us are lucky enough to inherit an heirloom cast-iron skillet with decades of seasoning,” says Senior Shopping Editor, Daria Smith. “Smithey solves that problem, intentionally crafting heirloom cast iron with time-tested methods. This skillet replaces almost every other pan in my arsenal—it’s the only pan I reach for when baking salmon, searing steaks and making biscuits.” Bonus: the pan is customizable with the engraving of your choice for an all-star gift for the foodie or home cook.
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Breville Smart Oven
It’s an air fryer! It’s a toaster! Wait, it’s both—plus a whole lot more. This compact combination oven is a great way to save space because it has 12 functions that allow you to expand your cooking horizons and keep your countertops less cluttered. This Breville model ranks among our Test Kitchen’s favorite convection ovens, and our editors deemed it a 2023 holiday essential.
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Denim Apron
Gifts for foodies aren’t complete without a dreamy denim apron from Hedley & Bennet. It boasts adjustable straps for achieving the perfect fit and stands up to anything foodies throw at it, and it has pockets. Here’s why one editor swears by her Hedley & Bennet apron.
Katie Bandurski/Taste Of Home
Levain Cookies
At this point, Levain very well could rival Magnolia as New York’s most famous bakery. And we understand the buzz! A box of Levain cookies is literally one of the sweetest gifts for foodies. Choose from classics, such as chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin, or more out-there creations, including Rocky Road and Caramel Coconut Chocolate Chip. We promise each one will be as delicious as the next.
Originally Published: November 10, 2021
