15 Absolutely Delicious Homemade Food Gifts for Father's Day
Show him your love with a heartfelt food gift. We've got lots of easy ideas like granola, bacon jam, and fudge as well as next-level homemade food gifts like tomato focaccia and chocolate-cinnamon swirl bread.
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Finding the perfect Father's Day gift can be a challenge, especially if the dads in your life are the type who have everything they need or tend to buy themselves whatever they want. For a gift that comes from your heart and something dad won't expect, go the DIY route by making homemade food gifts that upgrade his breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack time.
If you want to gift him something unique that he's guaranteed to love, you'll be pleased to know that we've got some father-approved spins on classic homemade treats. Wouldn't he love a sweet, chocolatey confection like the easy Marshmallow Fudge shown here? Other delicious options include a granola studded with espresso, nuts, and banana chips; jam made from caramelized onions and bacon rather than fruit; and pickles that can be made with Dad's favorite vegetables. A homemade chocolate chip cookie is something that would make most people's day, so we've included an upgraded twist on that classic—to make it even more celebratory, we threw in bacon and potato chips.
Of course, nothing says "I love you" more than homemade carbs, so we've included some incredibly delicious baked goods. Both our go-to homemade bread and a tomato studded focaccia don't require any kneading, making each a bit easier on the gift giver without sacrificing quality or texture. If you're willing to trade off a bit more work in exchange for a major payoff, make a chocolate- and cinnamon-swirled bread that's guaranteed to wow.
Lastly, we dreamed up ideas that will boost Dad's cooking. Help him upgrade any piece of meat with a dollop of mango chutney or douse any savory dish with homemade chile oil.
Easy to wrap and pack, these homemade treats show Dad that you put time, thought, and love into the gift selection this year and all are something he can truly savor.
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Bacon Jam
Bacon and bourbon make a heavenly match in this mouthwatering jam. Gift Dad the opportunity to enjoy this magic pairing in a whole new way. He can slather this sweet-savory chunky jam on egg sandwiches, burgers, spread it over toast, or enjoy it with cheese.
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Homemade Pita Bread and Hummus
Upgrade Dad's snack time with homemade pita bread and the added bonus of hummus to dip it right into. If you have ever tasted freshly baked homemade pita, you'll know that the smell alone is incredible and definitely gift worthy—it's also easier to make than you might think.
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Fast Homemade Pickles
Fancy pickle brands have nothing on our quick homemade version—they're great on sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, or straight from the jar. Don't limit the option to cucumbers, though: You'll find that this recipe works beautifully with cauliflower, radishes, green beans, or whatever pickled vegetable you think Dad would like.
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Bacon Potato-Chip Chocolate Cookie
When a sweet craving comes on, Dad will be so happy to have this the MVP of chocolate chip cookies. There's bacon, potato chips, and dark chocolate chunks inside, making these cookies salty, sweet, and totally snackable. This recipe makes 20 cookies—we won't tell him if you keep a few for yourself.
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No-Knead Tomato Focaccia
Let him savor the start of tomato season with this baked focaccia that concentrates tomato flavor into a fluffy, airy, bread. Stunning to look at and equally delicious to snack on, this homemade bread is a piece of edible art.
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Homemade Sausage Patties
Sausage is incredibly easy to make if you skip the awkward casing and go right to the patties. Prepare and freeze these so Dad has quick breakfast access on hand. These patties perfectly fit onto a breakfast sandwich—move over BEC.
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Toffee-Nut Snack Mix
Crunchy, salty, and a touch sweet, this highly addictive snack mix is the perfect game day party mix or in-between meal bite. The recipe makes plenty, so Dad won't be left wanting for more and the cook can enjoy a little, too.
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Chile Oil
If Dad appreciates spicy flavors and chile oil isn't already on his radar, this is the gift for him. A spoonful seems to perk up any savory dish and just might replace the hot sauce jar on the table. Check out our guide on how to make chile oil to put your creative spin on it or follow the recipe below.
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Coffee, Hazelnut, and Banana Granola
Gift Dad a jar of this granola and he has breakfast and morning caffeine covered. It's hard to go wrong with homemade granola: It doesn't need to be consumed immediately—though it might be—and just tastes so much better than anything you'd buy in the store.
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Chocolate Cinnamon Swirl Bread
For a bakery-worthy recipe made right at home, prepare a loaf of sweet, buttery bread complete with a chocolate cinnamon swirl. If you haven't made a braided bread before, watch the video attached to this recipe for a visual guide that ensures a baking success.
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Cerignola Olives with Hot Peppers and Rosemary Oil
Homemade food gifts don't have to be complicated to make a big impact. Enhancing the flavor of already tasty Cerignola olives with hot peppers and rosemary turns them into a power snack. This recipe works equally well with any type of olive from the olive bar.
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Mango Chutney
If your dad loves grilling, he already has his favorite BBQ sauce, so stock his refrigerator with a jar of this chutney instead. A dollop over any grilled fish, meat, or vegetables instantly upgrades the meal.
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No Knead Bread
Set Dad up for sandwich success with one of the most popular and foolproof bread baking techniques we know. Set yourself up for success by reading the recipe and factoring in time to let the bread rise, then relax while it does the work.
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Easy Homemade Jam
Select his favorite fruits, whether that's a mix of berries, peaches, plums, or a combination, and use this streamlined recipe to make him a couple of jars of jam. He'll think of you each time he spoons it on this toast.