Starting a food blog is a deliciously rewarding way to share your love for cooking, baking, recipes, or even restaurant reviews. But before you dive in, it’s helpful to look at what’s working for others in the food blogging world.
In this post, we’ll showcase 15 successful food blogs and break down the key traits that helped them grow, stand out, and earn money online. From content style and branding to monetization strategies, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what makes them thrive.
If you’re inspired to begin your own journey, don’t miss our detailed guide on how to start a food blog. You might also want to explore ways to monetize your food blog and start making money. You can also check out these food blogging name ideas to get going.
By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap to launch a successful food blog that captures your voice—and your audience’s appetite.
Important Note: Please note that metrics like traffic, income, number of posts, and DA can change over time. Websites may also be acquired, rebranded, or even shut down. While we strive to keep this content updated, we cannot guarantee complete accuracy at all times. We recommend verifying details directly from the sources if they are very important in your use case.
In This Article, We’ve Covered
- 15 Examples of Food Blogs
- Common success attributes among these blogs
- How to start a similar blog in steps
15 Examples of Successful Food Blogs
- Pinch of Yum
- Minimalist Baker
- Smitten Kitchen
- Cookie and Kate
- Damn Delicious
- The Pioneer Woman
- Gimme Some Oven
- 101 Cookbooks
- Love and Lemons
- Skinnytaste
- Serious Eats
- Budget Bytes
- The Kitchn
- Oh She Glows
- Two Peas & Their Pod
[1]. Pinch of Yum
Niche Focus: General food and recipes
Overview: Founded by Lindsay Ostrom, Pinch of Yum offers a wide variety of recipes, from comfort foods to healthy dishes, with a strong emphasis on easy, flavorful meals.
Content Types: Recipe posts, cooking tips, food photography, and occasional lifestyle content.
Unique Features: Known for its high-quality food photography and approachable recipes, Pinch of Yum also offers resources on blogging and food photography for aspiring bloggers.
Blog’s Insights
- DA: 69
- Link: Pinch of Yum
- Number of Posts: 1,300+
- Founder: Lindsay Ostrom
- Monthly Traffic: 5 million visits
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 13 years (Founded in 2011)
- Estimated Monthly Income: $50,000
- Monetization: Sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, ads, e-books
How to start a successful blog like Pinch of Yum
Pinch of Yum – Focuses on simple, flavorful recipes that are approachable for home cooks. Their content often includes personal stories, tips on food photography, and insights into how to grow a food blog.
To start a successful blog like Pinch or Yum you need to;
- Source content ideas from the blog directly or
- Or by using an SEO research tool like SEMrush
- You can also source content ideas from our list of more than “100 blog post topics ideas in different foods sub-niches“.
How To Start A Money-making Food Blog
[2]. Minimalist Baker
Niche Focus: Simple, plant-based recipes
Overview: Minimalist Baker, created by Dana Shultz, focuses on easy-to-make recipes that require 10 ingredients or fewer, 1 bowl, or 30 minutes or less to prepare.
Content Types: Vegan and gluten-free recipes, cooking tips, and kitchen hacks.
Unique Features: The blog is widely recognized for its minimalist approach to cooking, offering accessible, plant-based recipes that are easy to recreate at home with simple ingredients.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Dana Shultz
- Link: Minimalist Baker
- Monthly Traffic: 4 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $45,000
- Monetization: Affiliate marketing, e-books, courses, ads
- Number of Posts: 1,000+
- DA: 72
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 11 years (Founded in 2013)
How to start a successful food blog like Minimalist Baker
[3]. Smitten Kitchen
Niche Focus: Home cooking and comfort food
Overview: Smitten Kitchen, run by Deb Perelman, offers approachable recipes with a focus on comfort food and home cooking. She covers everything from indulgent desserts to easy weeknight dinners, always with beautiful, step-by-step photos to guide you.
Content Types: Detailed recipes, personal anecdotes, cooking tips, and tutorials.
Unique Features: It’s known for its approachable, no-nonsense recipes that focus on making delicious, home-cooked meals using simple ingredients.
Deb’s personal touch, storytelling, and humor shine through within most of her posts, which makes it feel like you are cooking alongside a friend.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Deb Perelman
- Link: Smitten Kitchen
- Monthly Traffic: 3.5 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $35,000
- Monetization: Ads, cookbooks, sponsored content
- Number of Posts: 1,200+
- DA: 74
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 18 years (Founded in 2006)
[4]. Cookie and Kate
Niche Focus: Vegetarian recipes
Overview: Cookie and Kate, a vibrant food blog by Kathryne Taylor, is a popular blog featuring wholesome, vegetarian recipes, often inspired by seasonal ingredients, with a focus on healthy, vegetarian recipes made from fresh, whole foods.
The blog was launched in 2010, and named after Kathryne and her rescue dog, Cookie, who adds a personal and playful touch to the site.
Content Types: Vegetarian recipes, meal prep guides, and healthy eating tips.
Unique Features: Cookie and Kate emphasize nutritious, plant-based eating with a focus on whole foods. The blog’s vibrant photography and down-to-earth tone make it highly approachable.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Kathryne Taylor
- Link: Cookie and Kate
- Monthly Traffic: 2.5 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $25,000
- Monetization: Ads, affiliate marketing, cookbooks
- Number of Posts: 900+
- DA: 66
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 11 years (Founded in 2013)
How to start a successful blog like Cookie and Kate
[5]. Damn Delicious
Niche Focus: Food and recipes
Overview: Created by Chungah Rhee, Damn Delicious focuses on providing simple, quick recipes that are full of flavor and perfect for busy home cooks. Originally started in 2011 as a hobby blog, the blog has now grown into a popular resource for busy home cooks looking for simple, flavorful meals.
Content Types: Fast and easy recipes, meal prep ideas, and comfort food.
Unique Features: The blog is known for its no-fuss, straightforward recipes, which are often made with everyday ingredients, making it a favorite for weeknight dinners.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Chungah Rhee
- Link: Damn Delicious
- Monthly Traffic: 2 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $30,000
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content, cookbooks
- Number of Posts: 700+
- DA: 64
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 11 years (Founded in 2013)
How to start a successful food blog like Damn Delicious
[6]. The Pioneer Woman
Niche Focus: Comfort food and lifestyle
Overview: Ree Drummond’s blog, The Pioneer Woman, offers not only recipes but also insights into her life on a ranch, covering topics like family, home, and travel.
Content Types: Homestyle recipes, personal stories, photography, and lifestyle content.
Unique Features: Ree’s charming storytelling, combined with her down-home, comforting recipes, has turned The Pioneer Woman into a massive brand, including a TV show and product line.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Ree Drummond
- Link: The Pioneer Woman
- Monthly Traffic: 4.5 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $60,000
- Monetization: Ads, affiliate products, TV show, cookbooks, product line
- Number of Posts: 2,500+
- DA: 88
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 18 years (Founded in 2006)
How to start a successful blog like “The Pioneer Woman”
[7]. Gimme Some Oven
Niche: Easy, healthy recipes
Overview: Ali Ebright’s Gimme Some Oven features healthy, easy-to-make recipes, often with a lighter twist on classic dishes.
Content Types: Recipes, meal prep ideas, healthy eating tips, and lifestyle posts.
Unique Features: Known for its approachable, feel-good recipes, Gimme Some Oven also emphasizes flexibility, encouraging readers to adapt recipes to their own preferences or dietary needs.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Ali Ebright
- Link: Gimme Some Oven
- Monthly Traffic: 2.8 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $35,000
- Monetization: Ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts
- Number of Posts: 1,100+
- DA: 68
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 15 years (Founded in 2009)
How to start a successful blog similar to Gimme Some Oven
[8]. 101 Cookbooks
Niche: Natural, whole-food cooking
Overview: Created by Heidi Swanson, 101 Cookbooks focuses on natural, whole-food ingredients, offering recipes that promote mindful, healthy eating.
Content Types: Whole-food recipes, cookbook reviews, and seasonal ingredients.
Unique Features: Heidi’s focus on wholesome, natural ingredients and her artful photography give the blog a unique, organic aesthetic, making it a go-to for health-conscious food lovers.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Heidi Swanson
- Link: 101 Cookbooks
- Monthly Traffic: 1.2 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $20,000
- Monetization: Ads, cookbooks, affiliate marketing
- Number of Posts: 900+
- DA: 75
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 21 years (Founded in 2003)
How to start a successful blog like 101 Cookbooks
[9]. Love and Lemons
Niche Focus: Vegetarian and plant-based recipes
Overview: Love and Lemons, by Jeanine Donofrio, is a vegetarian food blog that emphasizes seasonal produce and creative plant-based meals.
Content Types: Vegetarian recipes, meal planning guides, and tips for cooking with seasonal ingredients.
Unique Features: The blog’s clean, vibrant design and focus on fresh, seasonal cooking have made it a favorite for those looking to incorporate more plant-based meals into their diets.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Jeanine Donofrio
- Link: Love and Lemons
- Monthly Traffic: 2 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $30,000
- Monetization: Ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, cookbooks
- Number of Posts: 800+
- DA: 65
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 12 years (Founded in 2012)
How to start a successful blog like Love and Lemons
[10]. Skinnytaste
Niche Focus: Healthy, low-calorie recipes
Overview: Skinnytaste, created by Gina Homolka, specializes in low-calorie, healthy recipes that don’t sacrifice flavor. The blog is popular among those looking to lose weight or eat healthier.
Content Types: Healthy recipes, meal plans, and weight-loss tips.
Unique Features: Skinnytaste’s focus on lightened-up versions of comfort foods and classics, paired with nutritional information for each recipe, makes it a go-to for health-conscious home cooks.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Gina Homolka
- Link: Skinnytaste
- Monthly Traffic: 3.8 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $55,000
- Monetization: Ads, cookbooks, affiliate marketing, meal plans
- Number of Posts: 1,400+
- DA: 73
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 15 years (Founded in 2009)
How to start a successful blog like Skinnytaste
[11]. Serious Eats
Niche: Culinary techniques, recipes, and food science
Overview: Serious Eats is a food blog that goes deep into the science and techniques of cooking, offering detailed recipes and in-depth food knowledge.
Content Types: Recipes, how-to guides, food science explanations, and product reviews.
Unique Features: The blog stands out for its emphasis on precise cooking techniques and culinary education, appealing to both novice and advanced cooks who want to perfect their skills.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Ed Levine
- Link: Serious Eats
- Monthly Traffic: 8 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $70,000
- Monetization: Ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content
- Number of Posts: 2,000+
- DA: 80
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 19 years (Founded in 2005)
How to start a successful blog like Serious Eat
[12]. Budget Bytes
Niche Focus: Affordable Food Recipes
Overview: Budget Bytes, created by Beth Moncel, focuses on delicious recipes that are budget-friendly and easy to make, perfect for those cooking on a tight budget.
Content Types: Low-cost recipes, meal prep guides, and budget cooking tips.
Unique Features: Budget Bytes breaks down the cost of each recipe, offering readers an affordable way to eat well without overspending.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Beth Moncel
- Link: Budget Bytes
- Monthly Traffic: 2.3 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $25,000
- Monetization: Ads, cookbooks, sponsored posts
- Number of Posts: 800+
- DA: 67
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 13 years (Founded in 2011)
How to start a successful blog like Budget Bytes
[13]. The Kitchn
Niche Focus: Home cooking, kitchen tips, and lifestyle
Overview: The Kitchn is a comprehensive food and lifestyle site that offers recipes, kitchen tips, and home cooking advice, along with product reviews and home-related content.
Content Types: Recipes, how-to guides, kitchen hacks, and product reviews.
Unique Features: The Kitchn is known for its practical, everyday cooking advice and its blend of recipes with lifestyle and kitchen content, making it a well-rounded resource for home cooks.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Maxwell Ryan
- Link: The Kitchn
- Monthly Traffic: 6.5 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $65,000
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing
- Number of Posts: 3,000+
- DA: 81
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 19 years (Founded in 2005)
How to start a successful blog like The Kitchn
[14]. Oh She Glows
Niche: Vegan recipes
Overview: Created by Angela Liddon, Oh She Glows is a vegan food blog that focuses on healthy, plant-based recipes that are wholesome and delicious.
Content Types: Vegan recipes, meal prep tips, and plant-based cooking advice.
Unique Features: The blog is recognized for its vibrant, nutrient-rich recipes and Angela’s inspiring personal story of transitioning to a plant-based diet for better health.
Blog’s Insights
- Founder: Angela Liddon
- Link: Oh She Glows
- Monthly Traffic: 1.5 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $20,000
- Monetization: Ads, cookbooks, affiliate marketing, sponsored content
- Number of Posts: 600+
- DA: 70
- Contact: [email protected]
- Blog Age: 15 years (Founded in 2009)
How to start a successful blog like “Oh She Glows”
[15]. Two Peas & Their Pod
Niche: Family-friendly recipes
Overview: Two Peas & Their Pod, created by Maria and Josh, is a family-oriented food blog that focuses on comforting, easy-to-make meals.
Content Types: Family-friendly recipes, baking tutorials, and meal planning ideas.
Unique Features: The blog is known for its approachable, family-focused recipes, as well as its baking content, with cookies being a particular standout.
Blog’s Insights
- DA: 66
- Founder: Maria Lichty
- Number of Posts: 1,200+
- Link: Two Peas & Their Pod
- Monthly Traffic: 2 million visits
- Estimated Monthly Income: $25,000+
- Blog Age: 15 years (Founded in 2009)
- Contact: [email protected]
- Monetization: Ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing
How to start a successful blog like Two Peas & Their Pod
How to Start a Profitable Food Blog in 4 Simple Steps
Want to create a successful food blog like the top recipe sites? Follow this straightforward guide to launch your blog and start making money.
Step 1: Pick Your Food Niche
Focus on a specific cuisine or cooking style:
✔ Diet-Specific (Keto, vegan, gluten-free)
✔ Cooking Methods (Air fryer, Instant Pot, baking)
✔ Meal Types (Quick dinners, meal prep, desserts)
✔ Cultural Cuisines (Italian, Mexican, Asian)
Step 2: Set Up Your Blog (15 Minutes)
- Get Hosting: Start with HostGator (Choose the Hatchling Plan)
- Register Your Domain (e.g., EasyVeganEats.com)
- Install WordPress (1-click setup)
- Pick a Food Blog Theme (Look for recipe-friendly designs)
Note: HostGator’s 30-day money back guarantee lets you test it risk-free.
Step 3: Create Your First 5 Recipes
Start with these winning post types:
- “5-Ingredient [Dish] for Busy Weeknights”
- “The Best [Equipment] for [Cooking Style]”
- “Classic [Cuisine] [Dish] Made Easy”
- “[Diet] [Meal] in Under 30 Minutes”
- “How to Store/Freeze [Food] Properly”
Step 4: Monetize from Day One
Food blogs earn through:
- Sponsored Recipes (Brand partnerships)
- Affiliate Links (Kitchen tools, ingredients)
- Display Ads (Apply once you have traffic)
Explore Other Examples of Succesful Blogs in Other Niches
Food & Cooking Focus
Examples of food blogs (All culinary niches)
Specialized Cuisines
Examples of mom blogs (Family meals/kid-friendly recipes)
Examples of travel blogs (International cuisines)
Examples of health blogs (Healthy eating)
Food Photography & Styling
Examples of photography blogs (Food photography)
Examples of fashion blogs (Styling inspiration)
Kitchen Tech & Tools
Examples of tech blogs (Kitchen gadgets)
Examples of product review blogs (Appliance reviews)
Monetization & Business
Examples of affiliate blogs (Cooking products)
Examples of business blogs (Food startups)
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Examples of lifestyle blogs (Entertaining/meal prep)
Examples of sports blogs (Sports nutrition)
Examples of gaming blogs (Gamer snacks)
Complete Collections
Examples of successful blogs (All categories)
Examples of real estate blogs (Kitchen design)
