15 Examples of Successful Food Blogs [Recipes, Dessert, Cooking]

Starting a food blog is an exciting way to share your passion and ideas about different types of food niches.

Learning from the success of other established food blogs can fast-track your journey, providing you with insights on how to create, grow, and monetize your blog effectively to make money faster.

This post will explore 15 successful food blogs, and common success attributes among them.

By the end, you’ll have a roadmap for starting your own food blog that stands out in the crowded digital space.

Note: Some information like traffic, income, number of posts, and DA, will usually change over time, the site itself might entirely be acquired and evolve into something else or even get terminated. We will try to keep the content as updated as we can but we don’t guarantee its accuracy at all times.

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: info@pinchofyum.com
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: hello@minimalistbaker.com
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: deb@smittenkitchen.com
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: kate@cookieandkate.com
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: info@damndelicious.net
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: inquiries@thepioneerwoman.com
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: ali@gimmesomeoven.com
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: heidi@101cookbooks.com
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: hello@loveandlemons.com
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: gina@skinnytaste.com
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: ed@seriouseats.com
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: beth@budgetbytes.com
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: maxwell@thekitchn.com
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: angela@ohsheglows.com
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: maria@twopeasandtheirpod.com
Monetization: Ads, sponsored content, affiliate marketing

How to start a successful blog like Two Peas & Their Pod

Common Attributes Among Successful Food Blogs

If you examine these successful food blogs individually, you’ll notice they share several key features.

These attributes are essential for achieving a similar level of success.

Below are these common traits among these successful food blogs:

400+ Published Posts: Most have at least 400 posts published.
Thousands of Backlinks: These blogs have acquired a good number of backlinks organically over time and not manually.
Multiple Monetization Methods: They mostly make over 10,000 per month utilizing monetization methods like:
- Display ads [Google AdSense, Mediavine, Adthrive & Ezoic are the most utilized].
- Affiliate promotions [mostly using Impact radius, PartnerStack, etc., and other single affiliate programs]
- Sponsorships
- Digital info products [courses & e-books]
Active for 3+ Years: They have been active for a minimum of three years which allows them to gain experience, grow, and refine their initial approach to something better.
Strong Internal Linking: Effective internal linking has helped them gain more indexed pages and better Google ranking, while also helping to keep readers longer on their site.
Regular Visit: These blogs have built a loyal base of repeat visitors who regularly engage with their content and are likely to click on their blog on similar search queries in Google search results due to trust of familiarity.

These are common traits found among the successful blogs mentioned in this post which has helped them achieve this success. Content quality is vital, it evolves as the blog grows, and owners learn to enhance and refine it over time.

You can master these strategies in our vital post on the “12 Key Blogging Tips and Strategies.”

How to Start A Similar Successful Food Blog And Make Money

Here is how you can start a similar blog like the ones mentioned in this post.

According to my experience, I think anyone at all very interested in blogging will succeed just like these ones mentioned here just that sometimes it also takes time.

Start Below

Start within a sub-niche in your niche

Decide on which sub-niche under food blogging to start.

Then follow the steps below to get started when you’ve chosen your niche.

Step 1: Click on “HostGator” to host your blog
Step 2: Choose your preferred HostGator plan
Step 3: Choose your preferred domain & complete your sign-up
Step 4: Within your HostGator account “Install WordPress” your blogging platform
Step 5: Within WordPress choose your blog theme [A Pre-built Site]
Step 6: Customize the pre-designed pages, and start writing and publishing blog posts.