Recipe Blogs: Definition, Types, Income & 25 Examples

If you love cooking and making new recipes, you can start a recipe blog!

Recipe blogs are popular and lucrative if you create stellar content and generate enough website traffic.

Once you know how to start a blog, all you need are appetizing recipes and a website.

Consider this your comprehensive guide to recipe blogs.

Keep reading to learn what it takes to craft a recipe blog and what makes the top recipe blogs so successful!

What Is a Recipe Blog?

A recipe blog is an online platform where the author posts different recipes for their readers to try!

While not everyone loves to cook and may choose takeout whenever they have the chance, most people will need to look up a recipe at some point or another.

When someone Googles a recipe, they almost always wind up on a recipe blog, using a recipe created by a blogger!

A recipe blog is a type of food blog, but serves the specific purpose of providing recipes!

What Does a Recipe Blogger Blog About?

Recipe bloggers blog about recipes!

They may post recipes they’ve collected from other places, or fiddle around in the kitchen and create new recipes for their readers.

The notable difference between recipe blogs and other food blogs is recipe blogs post recipes with ingredients and instructions.

Not all food blogs do this, as some simply review restaurants, post pictures of food, or promote products.

But a recipe blogger will often give tips and tricks for cooking along with unique recipes.

What Is Included On a Recipe Blog?

The number one thing you’ll find on a recipe blog is recipes, but they typically follow a specific format and come with some extras, like images and stories.

Not all recipe blogs will feature the same things, but there is a general outline bloggers follow.

You can expect to find the following items on a typical recipe blog.

Recipe Context

Before you get the recipe, most bloggers will provide some context for the recipe.

This context could be a story about how they developed this recipe, what it reminds them of, or when they think it’s a wonderful time to use it.

Bloggers often get personal in these contexts to connect with readers and show their personalities.

For example, a mom may explain how her kids love this dish, and it’s so easy they even help her make it!

This context may also discuss the ingredients and process before giving you the exact recipe.

You can use tools like Jasper recipes to generate this content if you want!

Recipe Cards

Following the recipe content, you can expect the recipe card.

The recipe card is what you would expect in a recipe book.

It lists the ingredients you need and possible substitutions, followed by step-by-step instructions for executing the recipe.

The recipe card should be simple, avoiding personal interjections or stories.

This card is where you’ll find the exact measurements for ingredients, precise cooking temperature, and timing for cooking and baking.

Food Images

The best recipe blogs include beautiful images of the dishes and process photos that document the recipe steps.

These photos not only entice visitors to make the delicious recipe but can also make it easier to ensure you make everything properly.

Making things like pie dough, for example, can be tricky, and seeing each stage of the process can help you avoid a subpar final result.

Comment and Review Sections

An important and helpful part of a recipe blog is the comment and review section, usually at the bottom of each recipe.

In this section, people who tried the recipe can leave comments about how helpful the instructions are and how tasty the final result was.

Not every recipe blogger is a culinary genius, so the ratings and comments add validity to the recipe.

Suggested Products

Lastly, many recipe bloggers will suggest products for specific recipes.

They may recommend their favorite vegetable peeler, the best brand of butter, or the best cut of meat.

Some of their recommendations may be part of an affiliate program, while others are just the recipe blogger’s preferred product.

Other Things That You Can Find On a Recipe Blog

Practically every recipe blog will include the items above, but some bloggers add even more content, like videos or online classes.

• Videos: While the photos of the cooking and baking process are helpful, videos can be even better. Some bloggers will take quality videos of the entire recipe process to help readers execute the recipe to perfection.
• Cookbooks: If the blogger has a cookbook of their own or strongly recommends specific cookbooks, they’ll post about them with a link where you can buy it.
• Courses: Serious recipe bloggers may even offer cooking courses to their readers.
  These courses are usually online and the blogger will walk the students through a particular recipe.

Types of Recipe Blogs

Recipe blogs can be directed toward different demographics.

Below are some of the most common types of recipe blogs.

• Recipe Blogs for Beginners: Most people aren’t born culinary geniuses.
  Everyone has to start somewhere, and recipe blogs for beginners can be a wonderful resource for people just stepping into the kitchen.
• Recipe Blogs for Baking: Something is soothing about baking that many people love, so recipe blogs that revolve around baking can be super successful.
  While cooking can feature more improvisation, baking is a science and most people need recipes.
• Recipe Blogs for Moms: In many families, the moms do the majority of the cooking and baking. Therefore, many recipe blogs target moms by featuring recipes for kids, snacks, and easy weeknight recipes.
• Recipe Blogs for College Students: For many college students, this is the first time they’re feeding themselves, and on a tight budget.
  Recipe blogs for college students can help teach important culinary skills and how to eat well on a budget.
• Recipe Blogs for Healthy Eating: Eating healthy can be difficult, especially if you only know high-calorie recipes.
  But recipe blogs for healthy eating help people change some of their cooking habits and live healthier lives.

Do Recipe Blogs Make Money?

Recipe bloggers can make good money if they post quality content and take advantage of affiliate marketing and other strategies to generate income.

Recipe blogging may be a hobby for some people, but the best recipe blogs can be a significant source of income for their creators.

How Do Recipe Blogs Make Money?

Recipe blogs make money through several avenues.

Bloggers can take advantage of affiliate programs, where a company pays them for discussing products or directing them to a business page.

You can even get paid just for people visiting your site!

Other ways to make money with recipe blogs include product promotions, online courses, and advertising.

People can use programs like Google AdSense so they can create pop-ups and banners that they get paid for when they appear on the blog.

How Much Do Recipe Blogs Make?

A recipe blog can be a way to make some extra cash on top of your standard income, but successful blogs can become someone’s main job.

New recipe blogs may only make a few hundred dollars a month.

But the more visitors and affiliate programs a blog has, the more money it can make.

The best recipe blogs can generate over $10,000 in a single month.

Many popular recipe blogs make a six-figure salary from the content they post on their blogs.  

Products to Promote and Sell on a Recipe Blog

Recipe blogs can promote anything from the best hand mixers to cutting boards to grocery stores to food brands.

The possibilities are practically endless.

A blogger can also promote and sell cookbooks, meal plans, ebooks, or online courses.

These products can be the blogger’s, or they can promote products from other people and companies and receive a portion of the profits.

Whatever products may appeal to the people visiting and reading the site can be promoted and sold.

Best Recipe Blogs: 25 Examples

Not every recipe blog is successful.

To help you understand what makes a recipe blog successful, check out these 25 examples of the best recipe blogs.

Recipe Blogs for Beginners

People who don’t know what they’re doing in the kitchen frequently turn to the internet for help.

Recipe clogs for beginners are a popular category because people who never thought they could cook can do so with a little help from an online stranger.

Love & Olive Oil

The Love & Olive Oil blog features tons of comforting recipes that are easy to make.

Whether you’re just getting into cooking or baking, this blog can help you master a few simple but delightful recipes so you can build your skills.

With banners and placed advertisements, the blog is clean and not overwhelmed with product promotions.

The Cookie Rookie

As the blog’s name implies these recipes are for rookies in the kitchen.

It mostly features lunch and dinner ideas, so you can try their 30-minute meals daily.

But for newbies tasked with a holiday dinner, this blog can gently guide you through complex dishes like a whole turkey or holiday dessert.

Everyday Maven

The Everyday Maven blog is for everyday folks who need a little help in the kitchen.

This blog is devoted to people who don’t want to cook but have to.

We all have to feed ourselves, and recipes from the Everyday Maven blog can make it easy and even enjoyable!

Cooking and Beer

These recipes are so easy that you can do them after a few beers!

The simple recipes pair with different craft beers, so it’s an ideal recipe blog for beer lovers.

If you’re new to cooking but love beer and savory flavors, check out Cooking and Beer.

Pinch of Yum

Pinch of Yum is one of the most popular and successful recipe blogs for beginners.

While the recipes are simple, they look complex.

People who follow this blog and try the recipes can quickly grow their confidence in the kitchen and be flambeing and sauteeing in no time.

Recipe Blogs for Baking

Cooking isn’t everyone’s thing.

If you’re more of a dessert person and want to find some sweet recipes like cupcakes, pies, turnovers, or donuts, these baking blogs are a delight.

My Baking Addiction

My Baking Addiction supplies an endless list of glorious baking recipes.

This blog can teach you simple things, like how to make powdered sugar correctly, or walk you through complex baked goods, like zucchini cakes.

In addition to the sweet baked recipes, you can also find savory baking recipes like meatballs or tortilla chips.

Brown-Eyed Baker

The Brown-Eyed Baker takes extra care to perfect every recipe on the blog.

Everyone claims to have the best chocolate chip cookie recipe, but the Brown-Eyed Baker blog will test out several recipes and give you the best one.

The blog can also help you perfect kitchen staples like pancakes or banana bread.

Joy the Baker

When building a recipe blog, the Joy the Baker blog can be a superb source of inspiration.

Along with innovative baking recipes that will blow you away, the blog’s theme and design are modern and endearing, showing the blogger’s personality and flair.

Hummingbird High

The Hummingbird High blog is excellent for more experienced bakers looking for a few tasty challenges.

This blog also goes beyond the baking part, giving you tips and tutorials for decorating cakes and cookies, so they’re as glorious in appearance as in flavor.

Bakerella

If you’re not an experienced baker, check out the Bakerella blog.

This blog features fun and simple recipes that anyone can do, and some take less than 30 minutes to make.

These sweet treats are funky, cute, and ideal for baking time with young kids.

Recipe Blogs for Moms

Moms have to cook and feed so many people other than themselves.

It can become exhausting trying to conjure up new recipes and dishes every night, so many smart moms turn to recipe blogs for some inspiration!

Below are five of the best recipe blogs for moms.

The Seasoned Mom

The Seasoned Mom is a beautifully designed blog with a plethora of recipes for moms that make weeknights less stressful and hectic.

You can find everything from delectable recipes to fast dump-and-bakes.

When you visit The Seasoned Mom, you’re prompted to subscribe to receive emails about recipes, exemplifying smart marketing strategies.

Mom’s Dinner

The Mom’s Dinner blog is helpful for moms with little time and a small budget.

The recipes on this blog won’t send you on a wild goose chase for rare ingredients, as it keeps things as simple as possible for busy moms.

Mom On Timeout

The Mom On Timeout blog has recipes that seem intense but are amazingly simple.

The author also tries to keep each ingredient list as short as possible, so you can toss together an impressive meal with very few items.

Mom’s Recipe Collection

Another beautiful example of blog design and style is Mom’s Recipe Collection.

The top of the blog has a lovely logo, so consider making a logo to identify your blog and brand.

The distinct recipes on this blog are delicious and memorable, as is the blog’s layout.

The Mom 100

The last mom blog on our list does well assigning themes to its recipe collections, making them stand out from competing recipe blogs.

You can find cozy fall recipe collections, quick weeknight recipe collections, or the tastiest vegetarian recipes.

Recipe Blogs for College Students

College students are a demographic that often needs significant help navigating the kitchen.

If you remember learning to cook in college, you may have some easy recipes and wisdom to share.

Check out these top recipe blogs for college students for inspiration.

Budget Bytes

Budget bytes is all about saving their readers money.

They break down every recipe by cost, excluding some pantry staples, and often post recipes where each serving is less than $1.

The price breakdown makes this blog unique and appealing to college students or anyone on a tight budget.

Spend with Pennies

This blog also focuses on keeping the recipes affordable.

You won’t find recipes with pricey ingredients, and each recipe tries to help you find the cheapest way to make your favorite meals, like lasagna or sloppy joes.

The recipes range from healthy to hardy, so you can find every kind of meal on this site.

The Frugal Chef

The Frugal Chef is a great recipe blog for people who don’t want to waste food and maximize their grocery shopping.

This blog helps you use that last potato or your leftover chicken, so you can create another meal and use every ounce of food available.

The recipes are easy and cozy, appealing to many home cooks.

The College Food Blog

The College Food Blog is different because many people can post their recipes to be reviewed and rated.

While this idea may not be ideal for people who want to post their own recipes, some recipe blogs can be a communal space to share affordable and delicious recipes.

Full-Thyme Student

The Full-Thyme Student blog posts easy but clever recipes that will let broke college students feel like they’re culinary geniuses.

Even on a budget, this blog can help you make shrimp and avocado tartare, beet hummus, strawberry crepes, and even espresso truffles.

The author of this blog exemplifies culinary creativity and flair.

Recipe Blogs for Healthy Eating

Trying to eat healthier can be an uphill battle.

Many people who know how to cook struggle to develop healthy meals, but recipe blogs can help!

Below are five of the best recipe blogs for healthy eating.

Two Peas and Their Pod

This blog has plenty of delicious and filling meals that don’t use fattening ingredients like oil.

Two Peas and Their Pod is a marvelous blog for people who want to make healthy meals for their families.

Along with appetizing salads, there are also healthy dessert recipes and tips for making your favorite dishes more nutritious.

The Defined Dish

Another beautiful recipe blog is The Defined dish, which has a sleek design and subtle advertisements that don’t distract from the content.

The blog features Whole 30 recipes, 5-ingredient recipes, and other healthy recipes that can help you eat well without spending too much time in the kitchen.

Ambitious Kitchen

One of the most popular recipe blogs is Ambitious Kitchen, which focuses on turning your favorite fattening dishes into healthy meals.

Even though you’re on a diet, that doesn’t mean you should deny yourself the foods you love, and the Ambitious Kitchen can help you make your favorite flavors a little healthier.

Skinnytaste

Skinnytaste is all about making your favorite flavors lower in calories.

You can find classic recipes for pumpkin bread, meatballs, and mac and cheese that swap out the highest-calorie ingredients for lighter options.

Fed and Fit

If you’re on a health journey to improve your diet and fitness, the Fed and Fit blog can be your companion!

This blog posts healthy recipes that focus on nutrition, and infrequently posts about fitness and other related topics to health.

How to Become a Recipe Blogger

Does recipe blogging sound like your calling?

You can become a recipe blogger by creating your blog, posting top-notch content, and promoting your platform to generate traffic.

Determine the Direction of the Blog

You need to know the direction of your blog before you begin building it.

Do keyword research to uncover opportunities in the world of food blogs.

Keyword research can help you determine what kind of recipe blogs people want and what corners of the market need content.

A blog’s direction helps determine the marketing strategies that make you the most money.

Select a Niche

As you can see, there are many niches in the recipe blog world.

Knowing how to choose the right niche is an essential tool for building a successful recipe blog.

The niches discussed above, like blogs for college students, moms, and beginners, help the blog cater to specific demographic.

find a niche you feel comfortable with and will set you apart from other recipe blogs.

Select a Name

Coming up with a blog name can be a fun challenge!

You can try to think of a name that is a play on words, like Two Peas and Their Pod and Full-Thyme Student.

But you can also keep things simple and clear, like The College Student Food Blog and Mom’s Recipe Collection.

Select a blog name that isn’t taken and gives people an idea of what your blog is about.

Select a Blogging Platform

There are many different blogging platforms available.

To choose the best one for your blog, browse the features and capabilities of each one.

To narrow your search, start with the five popular blogging platforms below.

• WordPress
• Squarespace
• Medium
• Blogger
• Dropplets

Register a Domain

Once you have a name for your blog, you should find the best domain registrar and grab the name as soon as possible.

Domains can go quickly, as people make new blogs and websites every day.

If you’re sure about your blog name, don’t wait to get the domain for it.

Get Web Hosting

For web hosting, we suggest managed WordPress hosting.

There are a few options, such as WP Engine, Kinsta, and Pressable.

These hosting solutions all offer something different to users, so explore the features and limitations of each to get the best one for your new recipe blog.

Build the Blog

Now, it’s time to build your recipe blog!

You want to curate a website that is intuitive for users so they won’t struggle to navigate through the pages, but still stylish, so it leaves an impression.

To build your blog, you’ll need to install a theme, incorporate plugins, and add the essential pages every blog should have!

Themes

You need to install a WordPress theme that captures the style you want your blog to have.

Explore the available themes and envision how you want your blog to look.

Themes can be dark and moody or bright and tidy.

Many recipe blogs opt for simpler aesthetics so the food can be the focus, but intricate themes can be a lovely divergence from the norm.

It’s up to you!

Plugins

WordPress plugins enhance your blog to make it more user-friendly and easy to manage.

Different types of blogs require varying features, but below are our top WordPress plugin recommendations.

These plugins can help optimize your content and make your blog more visible to new people.

• Yoast SEO
• Gravity Forms
• Jetpack
• WP Smush

Essential Pages

We have recommended a few essential pages for your blog below.

Every blog needs an about page and contact page, and subscription pages can help you collect emails for marketing purposes.

• About page
• Contact page
• Subscribe page
• Archives page
• Disclaimer page

Produce Content for the Blog

Creating content for your blog before you launch it is important.

When you launch your blog and start promoting it, you want engaging and unique content for visitors to check out.

If you launch and promote an empty blog, it looks unprofessional and messy.

Produce two or three pieces of content, in this case, a few recipes, and post them before moving to the next steps.

Launch the Blog Publicly

Follow our checklist for launching a new blog to ensure you don’t miss anything!

Once you’ve uploaded some content, you can make your blog accessible to the public and become a recipe guru.

Simply publish the blog on your chosen platform and preview it to check for any errors in design or writing.

Promote the Blog

After you make the blog public, it’s time to promote it.

There are several ways to promote a blog, but the easiest way to start is on social media and sending the link to friends, family, and acquaintances.

You can also reach out to influencers and ask them to check out your blog and recommend it to their followers.

Similar Blogging Types to Check Out

Creating recipes can be challenging.

If your motivations for starting a blog revolve around food, but you don’t have too many recipes to share, consider a different type of blog that is similar.

Below are a few different types of blogs that make money!

Food Blogs

Food blogs are blogs where the author talks about food, posts pictures of food, or makes videos about food! You don’t even need to cook anything; you can review restaurants or food brands.

Anything related to food can be your focus.

Cooking Blogs

Cooking blogs usually discuss techniques and equipment.

If you want to teach people more about cooking and discuss how to execute common recipes, you can write content and make videos to help people improve their culinary skills!

Vegan Blogs

Veganism is becoming more popular, especially in the US and UK.

Vegan blogs are a hot niche right now that you can join if you’re a vegan or have loads of yummy vegan recipes.

Vegan blogs can also be discussion and informational blogs about the vegan lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re considering becoming a food blogger but have a few more inquiries, refer to the commonly asked questions below.

Wrapping Up

Whether you want to help college kids make a delicious dinner or show people intricate and unique recipes, your blog can be successful and become a source of income.

Don’t wait to start your recipe blog so people can start cooking your food!