Find the ultimate list of 45+ best cookbook gift ideas for every type of cook in your life! From special diets to seasonal favorites, paired with thoughtful cooking gifts for extra inspiration.
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Why You’ll Love This Cookbook Gift Guide
Finding the perfect gift for the foodie or cook in your life just got easier with this curated list of over 45 cookbooks! Whether they love easy weeknight meals, baking show-stopping desserts, or diving into diet-specific recipes, there’s something here for everyone. Each selection is packed with reliable recipes, stunning photography, and timeless appeal.
As someone who collects and reads cookbooks like novels, I know what makes a standout addition to any kitchen shelf. These aren’t just bestsellers; they’re handpicked favorites I’ve paired with thoughtful cooking gifts to create a memorable present.
Originally posted in 2020, this list is updated yearly to stay fresh and relevant. You’ll find everything from Instant Pot and Air Fryer guides to Barefoot Contessa classics and Pioneer Woman must-haves. Whether for beginner cooks or seasoned pros, this guide is your shortcut to choosing a practical and delightful gift!
My Recent Favorite Cookbooks
- This beautiful Sunday Suppers: Recipes + Gatherings. Wrap it in a seasonal flour sack towel with these fun paring knives.
- How about the Barefoot Contessa’s Modern Comfort Food paired with these silicone oven mitts?
- Good Lookin’ Cookin’: A Year of Meals (Dolly Parton and her sister) on my wish list! Pair with this funny kitchen towel and my favorite spatula.
- What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking can be paired with a time-saving mandoline slicer or this hand-held version.
- Support my friend and fellow blogger, Fresh April Flours in The Classic Cookie Companion: 5 Classic Bases and their enticing variations pair with my favorite batter bowl and spatula.
- 101 Things to Do With Bacon by my friend and blogging mentor, Eliza Cross. Pair it with a funny bacon-inspired apron.
Some of these are my favorite cookbooks; they are my go-to when deciding “what’s for dinner,” and others are on the best-seller cookbook list of all time, or just for 2024.
Gift Pairing with Cookbooks
I have provided some gift-pairing ideas on many of the 35 + best-selling cookbooks to start the thought process. For instance, if someone is receiving their first Air Fryer, then you might want to give them a cookbook on Beginner Air Fryer recipes.
Or perhaps they are into bread baking and you are giving them a Dutch Oven (50% off!) this holiday season, then be sure to pair it with a bread lame and proofing basket.
No matter your budget, there is something for everyone! Many of these cookbooks are on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday!
Cookbook Gift Ideas for Foodies
If you are looking for some great gift ideas for foodies, check out my Amazon Store, where you can “shop my kitchen” and find all of my favorite products for the kitchen and home.
I love my cookbook collection, and supporting fellow bloggers, and being able to peruse through the pages every time I’m feeling stuck in the kitchen.
This Big Book of Instant Pot Recipes is one I use often. I reviewed this for the 4 authors and fellow bloggers and it’s where I got our new family favorite Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya!
Pair this fun cookbook with an Instant Pot or with a fun accessory kit!
35 + Favorite Cookbooks
35 + of my favorite cookbooks and some top-selling cookbooks as well. Plus gift ideas to pair with your cookbook.
Natasha's Kitchen: 100+ Easy Family-Favorite Recipes You'll Make Again and Again: A Cookbook
I just love Natasha!! And you will too!
The Pioneer Woman Cooks―Dinner's Ready!: 112 Fast and Fabulous Recipes for Slightly Impatient Home Cooks (The Pioneer Woman Cooks, 8)
I'm always up for Ree inspired meals!!
The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs: 100+ Recipes that You'll Love to Cook and Eat
Inspire the budding chef in your life!
The Flavor Bible: The Essential Guide to Culinary Creativity, Based on the Wisdom of America's Most Imaginative Chefs
When you are wondering if certain flavors, spices, profiles go together. I use this cookbook all the time when I am creating recipes. Pair it with my favorite measuring spoons.
Simple Air Fryer Cookbook with Pictures: Easy Recipes for Beginners with Tips & Tricks to Fry, Grill, Roast, and Bake | Your Everyday Air Fryer Book
Know something getting an air fryer this holiday season? Get them this pictorial air fryer cookbook and pair with this oil pump.
Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes!
I adore these cookbooks, they were fabulous when my boys were small, but I still enjoy going through them now! Pair it with your favorite slow cooker or wooden spoons.
From Crook to Cook: Platinum Recipes from Tha Boss Dogg's Kitchen (Snoop Dogg Cookbook, Celebrity Cookbook with Soul Food Recipes) (Snoop Dog x Chronicle Books)
Would any cookbook list be complete without Snoop Dogg's cookbook! LOL! Try my friend Eliza's, Billionaire Bacon from his cookbook and pair this with these awesome spurtle's. There are an amazing amount of rave reviews on this cookbook!
Dinner in One: Exceptional & Easy One-Pan Meals: A Cookbook
Oh yea, one pan meals are my favorite! Like this bread and butter pot roast, one of my top recipes, pair this with a Dutch Oven.
Nadiya's Everyday Baking: From Weeknight Dinners to Celebration Cakes, Let Your Oven Do the Work
What a beautiful cookbook, a little something for everything! Pair it with a set of my favorite USA Baking Sheets.
Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico: A Cookbook
On my wish list, and one of the top cookbooks for 2022, yes please! Pair it with these fun Fiestaware Kitchen Towels.
The Tucci Cookbook
Aw, Stanley Tucci, this has been a best seller for years! Pair it with these beautiful Negroni glasses.
Danielle Walker's Healthy in a Hurry: Real Life. Real Food. Real Fast. [A Gluten-Free, Grain-Free & Dairy-Free Cookbook]
For those friends who are looking to eat more healthy.
How to Make Anything Gluten-Free: Over 100 recipes for everything from home comforts to fakeaways, cakes to dessert, brunch to bread!
Bought this for a few friends who got married this past year and they are gluten-free! Pair it with my favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour.
The Simply Happy Cookbook: 100-Plus Recipes to Take the Stress Out of Cooking (The Happy Cookbook Series)
One of the top selling cookbooks for 2022! Check it out!
Half Baked Harvest Every Day: Recipes for Balanced, Flexible, Feel-Good Meals: A Cookbook
Everyone loves Tieghan, try out her newest, Every Day Cookbook.
Once Upon a Chef: Weeknight/Weekend: 70 Quick-Fix Weeknight Dinners + 30 Luscious Weekend Recipes: A Cookbook
On my Christmas list! Pair this with a pretty baking dish.
On Boards: Simple & Inspiring Recipe Ideas to Share at Every Gathering
For the grazing board and charcuterie enthusiasts in your life! Pair it with this beautiful round grazing board.
Air Frying with Instant Pot: 80+ Recipes for Your Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker Duo
I have made quite a few recipes from this little book!
Faith, Family & the Feast: Recipes to Feed Your Crew from the Grill, Garden, and Iron Skillet
Similar to the Pioneer Woman, a pictorial feast and journey!
New World Sourdough: Artisan Techniques for Creative Homemade Fermented Breads; With Recipes for Birote, Bagels, Pan de Coco, Beignets, and More
Did you get on the sourdough bandwagon this year? Pair this beautiful book with a bread lame!
Snacking Cakes: Simple Treats for Anytime Cravings: A Baking Book
One I don't have, but have read so many great things about this book! A great pairing for this gift would be a USA 8x8 Pan (they are the best!)
Rachael Ray 50: Memories and Meals from a Sweet and Savory Life: A Cookbook
I really like Rachel Ray meals and this is a fun, sweet cookbook and story! Don't forget to make my Penne Alla Vodka, inspired by Rachel Ray! You might pair with this Rachel Ray Kitchen Towel/Pot Holder
The Complete Cooking for Two Cookbook, Gift Edition: 650 Recipes for Everything You'll Ever Want to Make (The Complete ATK Cookbook Series)
Now that we are empty nesters, this is a great cookbook to own! Pair with my favorite kitchen tool this Microplane
Tasty Every Day: All of the Flavor, None of the Fuss (An Official Tasty Cookbook)
We all love the videos, let's be honest! There are some fun recipes in this cookbook!
Flour Water Salt Yeast: The Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza [A Cookbook]
Another fabulous artisan bread cookbook! Pair it with a sourdough starter jar.
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier
Always one of my favorites, I read these cookbooks by Ree like a Novel! And a good and funny one at that! Pair with these beautiful serving bowls.
The Mountain Baker: 100 High-Altitude Recipes for Every Occasion
This is a beautiful cookbook from my friend and fellow baker Mimi! You may want to pair for your high altitude friends with a beautiful Nordic Ware Bundt pan.
Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook
Ina is the best, easy to follow recipes, some fancy, some every day! Pair it with a beautiful brass, flat gold ladle.
Magnolia Table: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering
Still one of my favorites! Pair this with a few of these stackable ceramic,peace, joy and merry mugs from Target.
Magnolia Table, Volume 2: A Collection of Recipes for Gathering
Even more beautiful and delicious recipes from Magnolia Table! Try my Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup inspired by this cookbook and pair it with this fun Sugar Cookie Flour sack towel.
Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery + Cafe
If you are an aspiring baker, pastry artist or bread baker, you need this fun and insightful cookbook! Her Brioche!! Amazing! Pair it with this beautiful cake server and cover.
Bacon, Beans, and Beer
So many simple recipes using all of my favorite ingredients, from my dear friend, mentor and fellow blogger, Eliza! Pair this fun cookbook with my favorite Lodge Cast Iron pan .
Have a favorite cookbook of your own? Pop down into the comments below and share your favorites!
You might also enjoy these other gift guides:
- Gifts for the Entertainer
- Stocking Stuffers for Teens, Tweens and College kids too
- Advent Books for Families
- Best Gifts for College Girls
- Great Gift Ideas for College Boys
Happy shopping, my cooking friends!
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