:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/laura-rege-author-0421-2d19c7aad2ca41ee8098cff605940bb0.jpg)
Finding the perfect gift for Father's Day 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 he won't expect, go the DIY route by making a homemade food gift for Dad that upgrades his breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snack time.
Whether his tastes lean sweet or savory, and whether your culinary skills are basic or more Martha level, we’ve got fun and delicious ideas from easy hot fudge sauce to bacon jam to homemade bread, plus gifts that will boost his own cooking, like chile oil and flavored salts. Easy to wrap and pack, these homemade treats show Dad that you put time, thought, and love into the gift selection this year—and they are something he can truly savor.
Easy Hot Fudge Sauce
For scoops, sundaes, or even spooning out of the jar, Dad will love having this easy hot fudge sauce. All you need are three ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, unsweetened chocolate, and semi-sweet chocolate chips—and a clean glass jar. It's simply irresistible, and he'll be so happy you made it just for him.
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 focaccia is a piece of edible art.
Citrus Salt
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/citrus-salt-mbd109486_vert-ocms-2000-ac7d4cb010ee4152965a589d50bd9171.jpg)
Use Dad’s favorite citrus—lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit—to flavor a salt he can use on everything from breakfast eggs to steak, salmon, salads, and pasta. This ultimate seasoning is very easy to make using flaky sea salt and citrus zest—that’s it.
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.
Marshmallow Fudge
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/marshmallow-fudge-6443504-0917_vert-ocms-2000-b4d8469a990c4269a4ebea450e03422d.jpg)
Fudge is delicious, and when you make it with mini marshmallows like in this recipe, it’s easy. This chocolatey treat will last a week—but Dad will finish it long before that.
Bacon Jam
Bacon and bourbon make a heavenly match in this mouthwatering jam. Dad can slather this sweet-savory chunky jam on egg sandwiches, burgers, spread it over toast, or enjoy it with cheese.
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.
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.
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.
Chile Oil
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/homemade-chili-oil-gett-0221-2000-14cf8dbb3638415eaf658f0e8df13f0b.jpg)
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.
Coffee, Hazelnut, and Banana Granola
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/med106601_0411_miy_coffee_granola_vert-ocms-4768a50de2564784bd0427a1c96be360.jpg)
Gift Dad a jar of this granola and he has breakfast and his morning caffeine covered. Plus, 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.
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.
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.
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.
Mango Chutney
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/mango_chutney_hd-96f3973989d6498fa08464a7d062b4c7.jpg)
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.
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.
Easy Homemade Jam
Select his favorite fruits, whether that's 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.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tomato-and-basil-pizza-med105744-ocms-f132cac0066b486dabfe980a68032198.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/apron-model-0543-d111284_vert-63a06fb0218743ac8dce6d8c3ae4caa3-horiz-c9c09cbe5b2a40ccae0f850a4a02f545.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ground-chicken-tacos-70k02761-0219-horiz-a20566edf6d8408a9d5302b295dd2b65.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/spiced-apple-oatmeal-b60d3a6d-1020-onecms-a90c68db440b428587dbb2f6812d8220.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/vanilla-cake-ganache-frosting-0519-faed770b-8d5620f5c16049e0a25afca919fcb354-horiz-1f2b81ac382a460f837f07bb41623225.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/store-bought-ingredients-for-no-cook-meals-lead-getty-0723-4489c04a2d024aa4b72807851e7a5a5f.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pasta-salad-with-tomatoes-mozzarella-and-chickpeas-c7ab902f-0619-horiz-0922-24d05a71cb204719986a917ff9753e52.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/strawberry-napoleons-103346786-horiz-42a9daa28580408f977aa862b69b542d.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/smithey-skillet-overhead-0520--e01d4dec530c4f85bd82a6275829dc86.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/macaroonsopener101d-098-mld110756_vert-0528f39c1a1749f59155940bff23d05a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/breakfast-bruschetta-0106-d111547_horiz-2000-e063b05f0e49442290c121c3457f3d19.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/buttermilk-flapjacks-edible-blossoms-2UMW9tNTae5B8cTlYbBi95-0522-611fa5c4e82245b590c16670f5744061-horiz-9d5502f118e4477ca0defafe1044c0a6.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/gluten-free-buttermilk-pancakes-03-7001990-onecms-horiz-6d4b45307e5d446dbd90e43383ab8620.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/aged-cheddar-and-beer-dip-103018825-a042c0144be1440f8d132b6d13e12a06-crop-0523-61da75449c0a43c48a1c06508c97447c.jpg)