Looking for ideas for healthy edible gifts to give this holiday season? From dry soup mix to healthier chocolate truffles— I’ve rounded up 30+ delicious and healthy homemade recipes to give to family, friends, and neighbors.
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This post was first published on November 12, 2020. It was updated on August 31, 2023.
How do I stay healthy during the holidays?
During the holidays, try to find a balance between both enjoying your favorite indulgent bites and choosing healthier alternatives. Many classic holiday gifts like cookies and fudge are higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium. These are all ingredients that provide flavor to holiday goodies. However, in excess they can supply unwanted extra calories and leave your stomach feeling unsettled.
It can be helpful to choose a reasonable portion size to start. This might look like a handful of caramel popcorn or one glass of eggnog at a time.
These healthy edible holiday goodies are ones with healthier swaps or a bit lower in sugar. Some of these healthier ingredients includes swapping white flour for whole wheat flour, using spices for salt-free flavor, adding zero calorie sugar-free substitutes like monk fruit, or using fresh fruit to provide natural sweetness.
These make great homemade gifts for friends and family you know are healthy eaters. It’s also perfect for households already brimming with indulgent holiday foods in need of some healthy bites.
How do you package holiday gifts?
I love to gift these recipes in mason jars with a cute bow and a label. This makes it both heartfelt and zero-waste. Reuse mason jars for making your herbs last longer, storing pantry goods, or creating rustic decor. You can find a hefty supply of mason jars at your local thrift shop or online.(affiliate link)
Can I make these healthy gifts in advanced?
Making christmas gifts ahead of time is ideal so you can spend more time with loved ones rather than worrying about what to make for them. Most of these recipes you make in advance and either store in your pantry or freeze until you are ready to gift.
Are you ready to dive into these edible gifts?
These 30+ edible gifts are a great way to mix up your typical holiday giveaway. I’ve included some healthy highlights for each recipe too. Let’s dive in!
Lentil Brown Rice Dry Soup Mix
This vegan-friendly dry soup mix makes for a unique, affordable, and thoughtful gift that friends and family will love! It's truly the easiest meal to serve on a chilly night. Plus, it's packed with 15 grams of plant-based protein per serving.
I'm talking juicy blueberries, bright acidity, a tender inside, and a crunchy outside! This blueberry lemon bread is sure to be an instant favorite. Berries are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals too.
These Date "Snickers" are a fun spin on a classic candy. This recipe calls for just 5 ingredients–Medjool dates, creamy peanut butter, crunchy peanuts, coconut oil, and melted chocolate of your choice.
Seasonings can often be loaded with sodium. Too much sodium over a long period of time can lead to high blood pressure. Instead, make your own flavorful, salt-free seasonings. Including fajita, curry, and taco seasoning!
This is my go-to holiday treat! It calls for just 3 ingredients and requires no baking. It includes heart-healthy fats from the avocado, making it a great alternative to traditional truffles. Plus, you get to customize with any toppings you like such as shredded coconut, cocoa powder, or chopped nuts.
Crunchy roasted chickpeas make the perfect plant-based snack! They are filled with protein and fiber, keeping you fuller longer. Gift your favorite flavor combo: Vegan Parmesan & Garlic, Maple Cinnamon, Tandori Lime, or Sweet & Spicy Chili.
This 3-Ingredient Sesame Seed Crunch Candy is free of the top-8 allergies, making it perfect to gift to those with different dietary preferences. All you need is toasted sesame seeds, honey, erythritol or sugar, and 15 minutes.
These 15 minute chocolate chip cookies with oats are downright addictive, and they couldn’t be easier to make! As a bonus, they are gluten-free and have no added sugars.
This homemade granola is perfect to throw over yogurt parfaits, top over a baked apple, or simply eat on its own for a snack. Go over to the recipe post for this printable holiday label for gifting!
Homemade beef jerky is better than store bought and less expensive. This savory recipe is packed with protein too. Choose between Beer BBQ or Teriyaki.
Did you know Persimmons are in season from October through January? Put this seasonal fruit to good use in this easy Fuyu Persimmon Butter recipe – made with just four ingredients and ready in 25 minutes!
This easy Holiday Cocoa Bark is gluten free, vegan, and lower in sugar. A perfect way to satisfy chocolate cravings during the holidays. Plus, there's no actual chocolate needed–just cocoa powder, coconut oil, and a bit of sweetener.
These cookies are not too sweet, and have a wonderful mix of festive flavors from the coconut sugar, hazelnuts, coffee, and vanilla. Hazelnuts are high in important nutrients like folate, vitamin E, manganese, and copper.
These crunchy soy glazed walnuts are a delicious savory snack. They are so easy to make and call for just a few simple pantry ingredients and spices! Walnuts are rich in heart healthy omega-3 fats.
Whole wheat flour is used as a healthier swap in these classic cookies. Whole wheat flour has triple the fiber of white flour! These soft cookies are perfect to have along with tea or as an edible gift for your loved ones.
This homemade pizza seasoning fits perfectly into a cute little spice jar to gift. Spices are a great way to major flavor without extra sodium or calories!
Looking for a delicious bite to give to friends or coworkers? Delight them with pumpkin pie truffles! Plus, this recipe includes options for vegan and AIP diets.
Honey roasted almonds are perfect for gifting! They are super simple to make and always a crowd pleaser. One handful of almonds provides 6 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of fiber, and 13 grams of healthy unsaturated fats.
Make this Pepper Relish ahead of time and freeze until you are ready to gift. It's sure to be a uniquely memorable and appreciated homemade gift! Add it onto scrambled eggs, sandwiches, or a charcuterie platter.
Cranberries are rich in health-promoting phytochemicals. Add this spiced cranberry chutney to a jar and gift away. Its freezer friendly too! Serve on a charcuterie snack board or with turkey.
Matcha, finely ground green tea leaves, is rich in antioxidants. Add matcha into sugar cookies to create a beautiful marbled design, so there’s no icing or sprinkles necessary.
Make jam without pectin by using chia seeds! This Customizable Jam is a great way to use up any fresh or frozen fruit on hand. This recipe calls for just 2 ingredients and takes only a few minutes to make!
If you need a last-minute gift, cookies in a jar is made for you! The oats also add in a boost of nutrition. Oats are high in soluble fiber, which has been associated with reducing our LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and risk of heart disease.
I love using monk fruit to sweeten recipes without any added calories or sugar. Learn how to make these sugar-free monk fruit candied pecans in a slow cooker. You need just 5 ingredients and a few minutes of prep time.
Make classic peppermint bark with less sugar. It's also vegan-friendly but if you are not vegan you can use non-vegan chocolate chips. The olive oil added in with the chocolate is a great way to add some heart-healthy fat into your day.
Wow your friends with these naturally sweetened bites. With just a couple of minutes and a handful of ingredients, you'll have these melt in your mouth bites. They are as easy to share as they are to make!
Looking for a way to use up all those fresh apples? Homemade apple cider vinegar in a zero-waste bottle or jar makes a great gift for the foodie or cook in your life. Add to everything from salad dressings to pickled vegetables.
Homemade Cocoa has never been so easy! Add cocoa powder and other simple ingredients into jars and gift away. Cocoa powder naturally contains high levels of flavanols (a type of antioxidant), which have been linked to lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Chef Mix is one of my favorite savory holiday snacks! This air fryer version is ready in just 15 minutes. As a bonus, Wheat Chex is made from 100% whole-grain wheat.
During the holiday busyness, these protein-packed energy balls are the perfect energizing bite. They are naturally gluten-free, vegan, and have no added sugars! Store in your freezer until you are ready to gift or snack on.
I’m a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) and recipe developer. I create simple recipes with customizable ingredients “of your choice.” I also help busy people gain kitchen confidence through my hands-on program.
In my coaching + cooking program, I help busy people with beginner cooking knowledge become confident in the kitchen. Click here to learn more about this virtual program with a dietitian!
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Such a great collection of edibles! Honored to be included – thank you!
Thanks Erica, happy to include you! Thanks for sharing those lovely savory beef jerky ideas!