18 Ways to Make Money From Your Food Blog

Discover 18 proven ways to monetize your food blog, from display ads to affiliate marketing, and turn your passion into a full-time income.

Turning a food blog into a sustainable, full-time income is a dream for many passionate home cooks, bakers, and culinary creators. While it requires dedication, strategic planning, and a bit of entrepreneurial spirit, the potential to earn a living doing what you love is within reach. The key to success lies in diversification—spreading your revenue streams across multiple sources to create a stable financial foundation. Think of it as filling an egg carton: one egg (or income source) might not be enough, but a full carton makes the goal much more achievable.

To illustrate, let’s use the median U.S. household income of $70,784 as a benchmark for a full-time food blogger’s income. This translates to approximately $5,898 per month (before taxes). If you rely on a single income stream, you’d need to generate the entire $5,898 from that source. However, by diversifying across multiple streams—say, 18 different ones—each would only need to contribute about $328 per month. This approach makes the target feel far more attainable.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore 18 proven ways to monetize your food blog, breaking down each method with practical insights, realistic estimates, and actionable strategies. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned blogger, this guide will help you fill your “egg carton” and build a thriving food blog business.

1. Display Advertising

Display advertising is often the first monetization method that comes to mind for food bloggers. These are the banner ads, sidebar ads, or in-content ads you see on websites. They’re typically managed through ad networks like Google AdSense, Mediavine, or AdThrive, which pay based on CPM (cost per thousand impressions) or CPC (cost per click).

• How it works: You sign up with an ad network, add their code to your site, and ads appear automatically. You earn money when visitors view (CPM) or click (CPC) the ads.
• Earnings potential: For food blogs, CPM rates typically range from $1 to $3, while CPC rates range from $0.25 to $1.00. To earn $328 per month, you’d need approximately 50,000–75,000 monthly visitors, depending on your niche and ad network.
• Tips for success:
  • Optimize ad placement without overwhelming readers. Too many ads can harm user experience and slow down your site.
  • Use high-quality ad networks like Mediavine, which often require at least 50,000 monthly sessions but offer higher payouts.
  • Drive traffic through SEO, social media (especially Pinterest), and engaging content to maximize ad impressions.

Example: Popular food blog Half-Baked Harvest uses display ads strategically, placing them in sidebars and recipe cards to generate significant revenue without disrupting the reader experience.

2. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing allows you to earn commissions by promoting products or services through unique links. For food bloggers, this could mean linking to kitchen tools, ingredients, or cookbooks you recommend.

• How it works: Join affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or specific brand programs (e.g., Blendtec). Include affiliate links in blog posts, recipes, or social media. You earn a commission (typically 3–10%) when someone purchases through your link.
• Earnings potential: Using Blendtec’s 8% commission as an example, you’d need to sell $4,100 worth of products (e.g., 11 blenders at $400 each) to reach $328 per month. With multiple affiliate programs, this becomes more achievable.
• Tips for success:
  • Promote products you genuinely use and trust to maintain authenticity.
  • Use tools like Tasty Links to automate link insertion in recipes and posts.
  • Disclose affiliate links clearly to comply with FTC guidelines.
  • Leverage platforms like Pinterest and Instagram to drive traffic to affiliate-linked content.

Example: Just One Cookbook curates Amazon lists of Japanese cooking tools, earning commissions when readers purchase items like rice cookers or miso paste.

3. Freelance Writing

Freelance writing is an excellent way to supplement your income while transitioning to full-time blogging. Food bloggers can write for magazines, websites, or other blogs, leveraging their culinary expertise.

• How it works: Pitch articles to food-related publications or websites. Topics could include recipes, cooking tips, or food trends.
• Earnings potential: At $125 per article, you’d need to write three articles per month to earn $328. Rates can vary from $50 to $500 depending on the publication and your experience.
• Tips for success:
  • Prioritize your blog’s content over freelance work to maintain growth.
  • Build a portfolio of your best blog posts to showcase your writing skills.
  • Network with editors through social media or platforms like Contently.

Caution: Freelancing can be time-intensive, so balance it carefully to avoid neglecting your blog.

4. Recipe Development

Food companies often hire bloggers to create recipes that showcase their products, such as sauces, appliances, or ingredients.

• How it works: Companies contract you to develop original recipes tailored to their brand. You deliver the recipe, photos, and sometimes a blog post.
• Earnings potential: At $150 per recipe, developing three recipes per month exceeds $328. Avoid jobs paying less than $100, as your time is better spent on your blog.
• Tips for success:
  • Showcase your recipe portfolio on your blog to attract clients.
  • Negotiate clear deliverables (e.g., recipe, photos, or social media promotion).
  • Target brands that align with your niche, such as organic or vegan products.

Example: A blogger specializing in plant-based recipes might develop dishes for a vegan cheese brand, earning both income and exposure.

5. Recipe Licensing

Unlike recipe development, recipe licensing involves selling the rights to recipes you’ve already created.

• How it works: Companies pay to use your existing recipes in their marketing, packaging, or publications.
• Earnings potential: Licensing a recipe for $85 requires licensing four recipes per month to reach $328.
• Tips for success:
  • Organize your recipes into a professional portfolio for easy pitching.
  • Reach out to food brands, magazines, or meal kit companies.
  • Ensure contracts specify usage rights to avoid legal issues.

Example: A blogger might license a popular cookie recipe to a baking mix company for use in their promotional materials.

6. Food Photography

High-quality food photography is in demand by brands, restaurants, and publications. As a food blogger, you already have the skills to capitalize on this market.

• How it works: Take on freelance photography projects, shooting recipes or products for clients. Deliver edited photos per their specifications.
• Earnings potential: Rates range from $100 per photo (low end) to $1,000+ for a full-day shoot. A single project could easily exceed $328.
• Tips for success:
  • Account for time, equipment, and reshoot requests when setting rates.
  • Build a photography portfolio on your blog to showcase your style.
  • Learn to handle client feedback and specific guidelines.

Example: Pinch of Yum’s Content Director learned that $100 per photo was insufficient for a 10-recipe shoot due to extensive client revisions, highlighting the need for fair pricing.

7. Sponsored Posts

Sponsored posts involve partnering with brands to create content featuring their products, either on your blog or social media.

• How it works: Write a blog post, create a Reel, or share a Story showcasing a brand’s product. Payment depends on your audience size and engagement.
• Earnings potential: Rates range from $50 to $10,000+ per post. A single mid-tier sponsored post could cover $328.
• Tips for success:
  • Only promote products you believe in to maintain trust with your audience.
  • Disclose sponsorships per FTC guidelines.
  • Pitch brands directly or respond to inquiries as your blog grows.

Example: A blogger might write a post about baking with a specific flour brand, incorporating their product into a recipe.

8. Paid Newsletters

Paid newsletters offer exclusive content to subscribers, such as recipes, meal plans, or cooking tips, through platforms like Substack or Beehiiv.

• How it works: Charge a monthly fee (e.g., $5–$10) for premium content. Platforms take a cut (e.g., Substack’s 10%), so factor this into pricing.
• Earnings potential: At $5 per subscriber, you’d need 75 subscribers to net $328 after fees.
• Tips for success:
  • Offer unique value, like exclusive recipes or video tutorials.
  • Promote your newsletter through your blog and social media.
  • Consider selling ad space in free newsletters as an alternative.

Example: Sally’s Baking Recipes offers email tutorials on baking, driving engagement and potential paid subscriptions.

9. Video Ads

Video content is increasingly popular, and platforms like YouTube offer monetization through ads.

• How it works: Join the YouTube Partner Program to earn from pre-roll or hover-over ads. Earnings are based on CPM (e.g., $3 per 1,000 views).
• Earnings potential: You’d need ~110,000 views per month to earn $328 at a $3 CPM.
• Tips for success:
  • Create engaging recipe videos to attract views.
  • Optimize video titles, descriptions, and tags for SEO.
  • Share videos on social media to boost viewership.

Example: A viral recipe video on YouTube could generate significant ad revenue with consistent views over time.

10. Video Product Placement

Product placement in videos involves featuring brands in your content, either through sponsorships or affiliate links.

• How it works: Highlight a product in a recipe video and include an affiliate link or mention a sponsor. You earn commissions or a flat fee.
• Earnings potential: A single sponsored video or consistent affiliate clicks could easily reach $328.
• Tips for success:
  • Use products naturally in videos to maintain authenticity.
  • Include affiliate links in video descriptions.
  • Partner with brands for sponsored placements.

Example: Featuring a specific olive oil in a cooking video with an affiliate link can drive sales and commissions.

11. Digital Products

Digital products like eCookbooks, meal plans, or courses are scalable ways to monetize your expertise.

• How it works: Create and sell PDFs or online courses through your blog or platforms like Amazon. Price points typically range from $10 to $40.
• Earnings potential: Selling 9–33 units at $10–$40 each meets the $328 goal.
• Tips for success:
  • Repurpose existing recipes into meal plans or eCookbooks.
  • Use platforms like Shopify or Gumroad for easy sales.
  • Offer a free sample (e.g., a one-week meal plan) to attract buyers.

Example: Lauren Fit Foodie sells monthly meal guides and eCookbooks, bundling digital and physical versions for flexibility.

12. Hard Copy Cookbooks

Publishing a physical cookbook is a significant milestone for established bloggers, offering both prestige and income.

• How it works: Work with a publisher for an advance and royalties, or self-publish through print-on-demand services.
• Earnings potential: Advances can range from $5,000 to $50,000, with royalties adding smaller, ongoing payments. A single advance could cover $328 multiple times over.
• Tips for success:
  • Build a strong audience before pitching to publishers.
  • Use print-on-demand services like Blurb for self-publishing.
  • Promote your cookbook through your blog and social media.

Example: Sally’s Baking Addiction successfully published cookbooks, leveraging her blog’s popularity.

13. Memberships

Memberships provide recurring income by offering exclusive content to paying subscribers.

• How it works: Use platforms like Patreon or MemberPress to offer tiers of content, such as recipes, videos, or forums. Alternatively, leverage YouTube or Instagram subscriptions.
• Earnings potential: At $11.60 per member (e.g., Food Blogger Pro’s affiliate program), you’d need 28 members to reach $328.
• Tips for success:
  • Offer valuable perks, like ad-free recipes or exclusive classes.
  • Promote memberships through your blog and email list.
  • Consider affiliate programs for membership sites to earn passive income.

Example: Food Blogger Pro offers a membership community with courses and tools for aspiring bloggers.

14. Speaking Engagements, Workshops, and Classes

Teaching classes or speaking at events allows you to share your expertise and connect with your audience.

• How it works: Host in-person or virtual workshops on topics like food photography, cooking, or blogging. Sell tickets through platforms like Eventbrite.
• Earnings potential: At $50 per ticket, seven attendees per class exceed $328.
• Tips for success:
  • Identify your niche (e.g., vegan cooking or food styling) and market it.
  • Use your blog to promote events and build credibility.
  • Network with other bloggers at workshops for collaboration opportunities.

Example: A blogger might host a virtual sourdough baking class, attracting home bakers eager to learn.

15. Consulting/Coaching/Mentoring

One-on-one consulting allows you to offer personalized advice based on your expertise.

• How it works: Create consulting packages (e.g., blog design, recipe development, or nutrition) and promote them on your blog.
• Earnings potential: At $150 per hour, three hours of consulting per month exceed $328.
• Tips for success:
  • Identify common questions from your audience to define your niche.
  • Offer tiered packages for different budgets.
  • Use tools like Calendly to streamline scheduling.

Example: A blogger might coach aspiring food bloggers on SEO or monetization strategies.

16. Podcasting

Podcasts allow you to reach a new audience and monetize through ads or affiliate links.

• How it works: Create a food-related podcast and sell ad spots or include affiliate links in show notes.
• Earnings potential: Ad rates vary, but a single sponsor deal or consistent affiliate clicks could reach $328.
• Tips for success:
  • Invest in quality audio equipment for professional production.
  • Promote episodes on your blog and social media.
  • Use show notes to drive traffic to affiliate-linked products.

Example: The Food Blogger Pro Podcast monetizes through sponsorships and affiliate links, offering valuable insights to listeners.

17. Physical Products

Selling branded merchandise like aprons, mugs, or cookware can boost income and brand loyalty.

• How it works: Create or curate products and sell them through your blog or platforms like Etsy.
• Earnings potential: At $13 profit per $25 t-shirt, selling 25 units meets $328.
• Tips for success:
  • Design products that resonate with your audience.
  • Use print-on-demand services to avoid inventory costs.
  • Promote products through social media and email campaigns.

Example: Sweetapolita sells sprinkles and cake mixes, turning a blog into a product-based business.

18. Creator Funds

Platforms like YouTube and TikTok offer Creator Funds to compensate content creators.

• How it works: Meet eligibility criteria (e.g., TikTok’s 10,000 followers and 100,000 views in 30 days) to earn direct payments.
• Earnings potential: Creator Funds alone may not reach $328, but combined with other streams, they add value.
• Tips for success:
  • Focus on creating viral, high-engagement content.
  • Combine Creator Fund earnings with other video monetization methods.
  • Stay updated on platform eligibility requirements.

Example: A TikTok food blogger might earn from short recipe videos, supplementing other income streams.

Building a Successful Food Blog: Key Strategies

To maximize your monetization potential, focus on these foundational strategies:

1. Choose the Right Platform: Platforms like WordPress or Shopify offer flexibility for blogging and ecommerce. Shopify is ideal for selling products, while WordPress excels for content-heavy blogs.
2. Drive Traffic: Use SEO, Pinterest, and Instagram to attract visitors. Optimize recipes with keywords and high-quality photos to rank higher on Google.
3. Create Unique Content: Develop original recipes that stand out. Share personal stories to build a loyal community.
4. Invest in Tools: Use plugins like Tasty Recipes for SEO-friendly recipe cards or Tasty Links for affiliate automation.

Chart: Visualizing Income Streams

Income Potential: A Snapshot

Success Stories

• Pinch of Yum: Started as a hobby, now earns over $90,000 monthly through ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and eCookbooks. Their Food Blogger Pro platform teaches others to replicate their success.
• Sally’s Baking Addiction: Built a loyal following with accessible recipes, monetizing through ads, brand deals, and cookbooks.
• Tiffy Cooks: Earns $45,000–$55,000 monthly through ads, brand deals, and affiliate marketing, focusing on Asian and Western recipes.
• Sweetapolita: Transitioned from a baking blog to a product-based business, selling sprinkles and cake mixes.

FAQ: Monetizing Your Food Blog

Conclusion

Monetizing a food blog is a journey that requires creativity, persistence, and strategic diversification. By filling your “egg carton” with multiple income streams—display ads, affiliate marketing, digital products, and more—you can turn your passion for food into a sustainable business. Start small, focus on high-quality content, and leverage tools like Tasty Recipes and Shopify to streamline your efforts. With dedication, you can join the ranks of successful food bloggers who make a living doing what they love.

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Until you can read, Mushroom and Sweet Potato Hash