50+ Homemade Food Gifts That Travel Well (and the Recipes to Make Them!)
If you are traveling to see family and friends and don’t want to show up empty-handed, you might be wondering what kind of food gifts are best to bring along. When it comes to both homemade and store-bought food gifts, it’s important to consider not only how delicious the treats are, but also how well they can withstand a long flight or a few hours or days on the road. After all, nobody wants to present their loved ones with a smushed cake or stale cookies.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of 15 homemade food gifts that travel well — and we’ve gathered our best recipes to help you make them. All of the food gifts on this list meet the following requirements:
- Don’t need to be refrigerated
- Have a shelf life of a few days or weeks
- Able to be easily and neatly packed
- Won’t fall apart, smush, melt, or become otherwise ruined when jostled
Whether you’re traveling by plane, train, or automobile, here are our top picks for homemade food gifts. (Many of these can also be mailed!)
Candies, Cookies, and Bark
Granola
Snack Mixes, Caramel Corn, and Popcorn
Set your hosts up for a movie night by arriving with a snack mix or flavored popcorn treat. Pack any of these snacks in reusable decorative tins or large reusable silicone snack bags, which double as a bonus gift.
Loaf Cakes and Quick Breads
Set the stage for a brunch or leisurely tea time with a gift of a sweet or savory bread or loaf cake. Tightly wrap the cake or bread in plastic wrap or reusable wrap and tuck it into a gift bag.
Infused Liquor, Vinegar & More
While bottles of infused liquor or vinegar might not be the best for carry-on travel, if you’re driving to your destination, they make great long-lasting gifts. Store the infusions in well-sealed glass jars or bottles, then pack securely and upright in a box for transportation. Tip: Ask your local wine store to save boxes with dividers for you, or make your own dividers with pieces of cardboard. Fill out any spaces in the box with crumpled-up paper or bubble wrap.