28 Best Food Gifts of 2022
Updated: Dec. 06, 2022There's no shortage of holiday food gifts that are, simply put, delicious in every way. From sweet to salty to just plain indulgent, we found the best food gifts for everyone on your list.
Sponsored By: Day One
A portion of this piece was created in partnership with Day One, a next-level sparkling water using CBD and fruit juice.
When it comes to holiday gifting, you can never go wrong with food. Whether you send a sweet treat, a savory snack or something in between, there’s a delicious option for any recipient. After all, everyone needs to eat!
We’ve tasted, read reviews and sifted through hundreds of products to identify the best food gifts. These tasty eats, spices, condiments and drinks will make any foodie smile.
One word of warning? Don’t read this list on an empty stomach. Or you might just order one of everything for yourself!
For the Seltzer Fanatic: CBD Sparkling Water
Have a sparkling water-obsessed loved one? Here’s one of the best food gifts we bet they haven’t tried: Day One. It tastes just like their favorite seltzer—but with a twist. Real fruit juice delivers a refreshing taste, while CBD helps to reduce anxiety and pain. It’s the wellness upgrade to their midday sparkling water they didn’t know they needed. Who would have thought seltzers could be more than just a beverage?
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For the Holiday Movie Buff: Classic Christmas Gift Basket
Gift your favorite person everything—yes, everything—they’ll need for a very merry Christmas. This overflowing classic Christmas gift basket features Royal Riviera pears, Moose Munch popcorn, cookies and candies. It’s truly one of the best food gifts you can give during the holidays. Sweet! For more indulgences, check out the top spots to buy Christmas cookies online. Looking for more of the best food gifts? We found the best Christmas gift baskets for everyone on your holiday list. Bonus: You can order Christmas dinner right to your doorstep, too.
For the Person with Wanderlust: Italian Pasta Night Gift Crate
While dried pasta is something that most people have as a pantry staple, fresh pasta is something you probably never have. That’s why this Fresca Italian pasta night gift crate will make pasta night feel all the more special. This crate comes with the following fresh pasta shapes: butternut squash ravioli, four cheese Italian tortellini and ricotta and spinach grandi tondi. Plus, it includes porcini mushroom pasta sauce, tomato and basil pasta sauce and Pecorino Romano cheese for grating over each prepared pasta dish. Just say “when!” If this crate inspires your loved ones enough, they can learn how to make pasta from scratch. This crate also pairs well with these wine gifts.
For the Sandwich Enthusiast: Peanut Butter Sampler
Who knew peanut butter could get even better? This peanut butter sampler kit takes peanut butter to six new, loaded levels. Your peanut butter-loving friend will enjoy their favorite spread mixed with white chocolate and pretzels, with snickerdoodle popcorn, or with coconut, dark chocolate and almonds, for just a few examples. They might not be able to go back to regular peanut butter after these samplers. Don’t forget to include a peanut butter knife!
For the Social Media Star: Sparkle Maple Syrup
Edible glitter has been popping up on Instagram feeds for a while now, whether it’s in Nestle disco morsels or glittery wine bombs. With this maple sparkle syrup, edible glitter doesn’t just have to be an Instagram phenomenon. Drizzle it on top of pancakes and waffles when you want just a little extra sparkle. It’s the perfect way to start off someone’s Monday with a little razzle dazzle or make a Friday all the more exciting! Either way, this maple sparkle syrup is for your friend that’s a little extra.
For the Celebrity Chef Fan: Michael Symon’s Signature Pierogi
Get a taste directly from one of Cleveland’s most celebrated chefs—without leaving your kitchen. This signature pierogi sampler includes your choice of three must-try varieties: beef cheek, pork and sauerkraut and potato and cheese. Plus, to take your meal to the next level, add on horseradish sour cream and a blend of butter and onions. The soft, pillowy pierogi are comfort food at its finest! Discover more delicious Goldbelly food gifts.
For the New Yorker Who’s Missing Home: Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding
What’s *almost* as good as an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City? An at-home shipment of Magnolia Bakery’s banana pudding. Save your gift recipient the hassle of hailing a taxi by sending the world-famous banana goodness for her to enjoy on the couch. Now, that’s friendship! Don’t miss these food of the month clubs, either.
For the Griller: Waygu Hot Dogs
With a rich, umami flavor and extra-large size, these waygu beef hot dogs earned a spot on our Test Kitchen’s best hot dogs list. Gift these to the griller in your life—just don’t forget the ketchup!
For the Adventurous Palate: Exotic Truffles
Someone who can’t get enough chocolate will be ecstatic to receive this exotic truffle collection. The 16 truffles in the collection span flavors from all around the globe, like sweet Indian curry, coconut and cacao, while another combines ginger, wasabi and black sesame seeds. And those flavors are only the beginning! The chocolatier behind Vosges Haut-Chocolat, Katrina Markoff, was named one of the 10 Best Chocolatiers in the World by National Geographic, so you can count on the fact that these chocolates will be some of the best your friend has ever had. Your foodie friend will probably already know, or at least recognize, the brand! Around the holidays, pair it with a chocolate Advent calendar. Check out our list of the best Christmas chocolates, Christmas gifts for boyfriends and Christmas gifts for teens, too.
For the Massive Sweet Tooth: T-Rex Cookies
When it comes to cookies, we say the bigger, the better. The folks at T-Rex Cookie in Minneapolis couldn’t agree more. They make giant 1/2 pound cookies, with flavors ranging from sea salt caramel chocolate chip (named the best cookie in America) to dill pickle, a specialty created for the Minnesota Bloody Mary Festival. Read up on our best Christmas cookies, as well.
For the Person Who’s Always Cold: New England Clam Chowder
For a soup lover, you can’t beat this New England clam chowder straight from Boston. The recipe is full of tender Cape Cod clams, cream and herbs—plus oyster crackers to boot.
For the Classic Dessert Fan: Junior’s Original Cheesecake
Junior’s Cheesecake is one of the best places to get cheesecake in New York City. The restaurant has even had famous visitors like President Barack Obama. This original cheesecake gives your loved one the chance to try the iconic treat without the commute to NYC. After trying Junior’s Cheesecake, you and your loved one will want to make these contest-winning cheesecake recipes next!
For the Cheese Board Queen: Fig Spread
Figs have long been a type of food served when entertaining, dating back to ancient times in Mediterranean countries. In fact, they were one of the staples of the Grecian diet, along with olives and wine. Today figs are still enjoyed, especially when served as a fruity or olive-like tapenade. This fig spread features hints of orange, chili, kalamata olives and cocoa, which means it pairs well when spread on a cracker with just about any wine or liquor. It’s one of the best cheese board gift ideas! If you’re shopping for the holidays, pair it with one of these wine Advent calendars.
For the Bartender: Clase Azul Reposado Tequila
The holidays call for top shelf tequila. Clase Azul Reposado tequila is known for its beautiful, hand-painted bottle, but also the fact that the tequila is aged for eight months in oak barrels before bottling. We picked Clase Azul as one of the best tequilas for margaritas—but your bartender friends will love it on the rocks, too.
For the Condiment King: Gourmet Mustard
Mustard is the perfect companion to so many holiday appetizers including pretzels, sausage, crispy potatoes, crostini and more. That’s where this mustard variety pack can play a powerful role. It comes with four of Maille’s most classic flavors: Dijon Original, Old Style, Honey Dijon and Rich Country. Here is more gift inspiration for dads who love to cook.
For the Budding Foodie: Infused Olive Oil Gift Set
Any Italian food enthusiast knows the importance of a quality olive oil. It can make all the difference in pesto and other sauces and dishes. The infused olive oils from this gift set include blood orange, roasted garlic, basil and white truffle, and each can transform your dressings, dips, pastas, sauces and roasted veggies, giving them all the flavor in the world. If you don’t know where to start, try making each in this olive oil dip recipe to let the infused flavor really shine through.
For the Gifter Who Wants to Give Back: Cookie and Brownie Box
There’s nothing sweeter than a gift that gives back. And this box of cookies and brownies from Feed Your Soul Bakery does just that. Each order helps to provide meals (and cookies!) to those in need. Enjoy flavors like key lime, berry best, nutty peanut butter and show me the honey. It pairs well with these hot chocolate gift sets.
For the Animal Lover: Vegan Chocolate Bars
This cult-favorite vegan and paleo chocolate is loved by celebs including Ryan Reynolds, Hilary Duff, Reese Witherspoon, Gabrielle Union and Mario Lopez for a reason. Each bar contains zero dairy, emulsifiers, soy lecithin, gluten, refined sugar, cane sugar and sugar alcohols, which means you don’t feel crappy after indulging. Try these other guilt-free holiday foods.
For the Person Who Really Loves Corn: Popcorn on the Cob
Popcorn doesn’t get fresher than when it’s popped right off the cob, am I right? With popcorn on the cob, your gift recipient can make a fresh batch of popcorn at home. Just place a single cob in the provided popcorn bag, microwave and nestle in for a movie night. Want to delight them with a treat every day of December? These food Advent calendars make one of the best food gifts.
For the Midwesterner: Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Pizza
Everyone knows that Chicago is known for Lou Malnati’s deep dish pizza and some of the best food gifts. While it’s worth it to make a trip to the Windy City to experience it yourself, you can order it via Goldbelly in the meantime. After you taste Chicago’s pizza first-hand, check out our guide to regional pizza styles to learn more. There are a lot more kinds than you’d think! Then, order up these famous frozen pizza brands.
For the Coffee Lover: Bourbon-Infused Coffee
For someone who loves both bourbon and coffee, this bourbon-infused coffee gives them the best flavors from both worlds—with only the buzz of caffeine. Here are more bourbon-spiked recipes for them to try, from bourbon meatballs to chocolate bourbon pecan pie. Discover more delightful gifts for coffee lovers. If you’re looking for some coffee-themed gifts for the holidays, these coffee Advent calendars will make December mornings extra special.
For the DIYer: Brown Sugar Bubble Tea Kit
Does your friend prefer bubble tea to coffee? While you can expect a coffee shop on almost every corner, there likely aren’t as many bubble tea shops. So, giving them a DIY bubble tea set is the perfect way to strike the difference! They’ll just need milk and water for each of the eight servings. If you’re feeling ambitious this holiday season, you can try making them homemade tapioca pearls!
For the Person Who’s Sweet and Spicy: Spicy Honey
Spicy honey has been all the rage recently—especially on hot pizza with crispy pepperoni cups, or in dips like spicy honey sriracha game day dip. Talk about a game winning dish! Football fans will appreciate these gifts for beer lovers, too.
For the Baker: Vanilla Bean Sugar
This vanilla bean sugar feels like the perfect Christmas morning indulgence, sprinkled on toast or oatmeal. It’s one of the best food gifts for cookie bakers!
For the Bruncher: Bloody Mary Kit
What’s brunch without some delicious and savory Bloody Marys—with all the accouterments, of course. This Bloody Mary box comes with it all—the drink mix, dill pickle hot sauce, garlic dill cornichons, pitted grilled green olives and even chili lime salt for the rim. Just add your own vodka. Looking for something to drink in the afternoon? Find more festive holiday drink ideas.
For the Person Who Likes to Play with Their Food: Broth Bomb Set
Hot chocolate, tea, cocktails, coffee—you name it, there’s a bomb for it! These broth bombs will provide everything needed to make four different kinds of soups with minimal effort and tons of fun. Just bring water to a boil, drop in the broth bomb, and in 20 to 50 minutes you’ll have a soup perfect for dunking and serving with your favorite grilled cheese. Talk about an easy post-holiday meal!
For the Intuitive Palate: Cinnamon Variety Set
Did you know that there are different types of cinnamon? If your friend has made every one of these cinnamon recipes using Ceylon cinnamon, they’ll have fun making them all with Cassia cinnamon instead, and tasting the difference. This cinnamon variety set is the perfect way to ease them into a variety of spices.
For the Romantic: Dark Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
If you’re fresh out of ideas for the best food gifts, you can’t go wrong with dark chocolate-covered strawberries! This classic dessert is a treat that sometimes is easiest ordered from professionals. Plus, Shari’s Berries offers plenty of variations if your loved one prefers a different kind of chocolate. After your strawberries have arrived—and before you give them to your loved one—take the time to try out one of our creative wrapping ideas for food gifts—they’ll appreciate the extra effort you put in.
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