The game has changed. In 2025, the food bloggers raking in serious money aren’t the ones with perfect food photography or Michelin-level recipes. They’re strategic operators who treat their blog like a revenue machine.
We tore apart income reports from 10 successful food blogs and found something surprising: they all share the same 3 non-obvious monetization strategies that most beginners completely miss.
Here’s what no one tells you about food blog income in 2025:
- The real money isn’t just in ads (one blogger makes 83% of revenue from course sales)
- You don’t need massive traffic to start making money at all
- The fastest-growing income stream is best built over time, not at once
What we’ve covered in this post
- 3 Secrets of successful food blogs
- 10 Food Blog Income Reports To Inspire You
- How you can start a similar blog and make money
3 Secrets of Successful Food Blogs
Patterns from all 10 income reports
| Success Factor | Why It Works | Delicious Example |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Feast | 90% use professional food photography | Pinch of Yum ($56K/month from ads) |
| Niche Flavors | Specialization beats generic recipes | 40 Aprons ($31K in paleo/Whole30) |
| Diverse Income | Mix ads, affiliates, and digital products | A Sassy Spoon ($266K with coaching) |
The “Food Blog Fast Track” System
(A unique 4-step recipe for 2025 success)
1. Pick Your “Signature Dish” (5 mins)
Combine:
- Cuisine Type (vegan/keto/comfort) +
- Unique Angle (“30-min meals,” “air fryer only”)
Example: “Gluten-Free Mexican Instant Pot Recipes”
2. Kitchen Setup (15 mins)
✅ Get Hosted: HostGator Foodie Plan (“Optimized for recipe plugins”)
✅ Install WordPress + Tasty Recipes (best for SEO)
✅ Claim Domain: (e.g., “EasyKetoDinners.com”)
3. Cook Up 3 “Money Posts”
- “5-Ingredient [Niche] Recipes” (Ad-friendly)
- “[Equipment] Buying Guide” (Amazon affiliate links)
- “My First $1K Month” (Story + email list builder)
4. Monetize Like a Chef
- Week 1: Apply for Raptive ads (accepts new blogs)
- Month 1: Create a $7 “Weekly Meal Plan” PDF
- Month 3: Pitch local brands for ingredient sponsorships
🍳 Start Today: Get HostGator Now
Income Report Highlights
1. A Sassy Spoon – $266K/month
- Secret Sauce: Latin comfort food niche + coaching services
- Steal This: “Repurpose recipes into paid cooking classes”
2. Pinch of Yum – $130K/month
- Secret Sauce: Stunning photos + Food Blogger Pro platform
- Steal This: “Teach your photography skills via course”
3. The Clean Eating Couple – $168K/year
Steal This: “Bundle recipes into themed cookbooks.”
Secret Sauce: Done-for-you meal plans
10 Food Blog Income Reports To Inspire You
- Pinch of Yum – $95,197.34
- Show me the yummy – $46,367.19
- 40 Aprons – $31,225
- Bites by Bianca – $77,702/year
- Living The Blog – £14,038.08 ($18,341.87)
- A Sassy Spoon: $15,843
- The Clean Eating Couple: ~$12,500
- Whole Kitchen Sink – $10,613.29
- Rich and delish – $10,478/month
- The Bettered Blondie – $7,000
[1]. Pinch of Yum – $95,197.34/month
Niche: Food & Recipes
Overview: Run by Lindsay Ostrom, Pinch of Yum focuses on approachable, simple, and delicious recipes. Known for its high-quality photography and relatable voice, the blog shares meals for everyday cooks, including healthy, indulgent, and plant-based options.
Content: Easy-to-follow recipes, meal prep ideas, healthy eating tips, and photography tutorials.
Blogging Income Breakdown For November 2016
At the time of publishing this income report Pinch of Yum was monetized with;
- Ads
- Sponsored content
- Affiliate Marketing
- Ebook sales
[1]. Ads
- AdThrive – $52,313.13
- AdThrive Video – $2,966.49
- Gourmet Ads – $1,280.31
Total ad revenue = $56,559.93
[2]. Sponsored Content Income = $22,400
[3]. Affiliate Income Breakdown
Affiliate partners and income earned from them;
- Bluehost – $5,175
- Amazon Associates – $4,753.49
- Swoop – $3,153.66
- Sovrn – $369.43
- Genesis Theme – $139.85
- Elegant Themes – $124.00
- ActiveCampaign – $50.78
- AWeber – $14.40
Total Affiliate Income = $13,780.61
[4]. Ebook Sales
- Tasty Food Photography – $2,296.80
- How to Monetize Your Food Blog eBook – $160.00
Ebook total sales = $2,456.80
Total revenue for November 2016 = $95,197.34
Today Pinch of Yum comfortably makes over $130k per month.
“Pinch Of Yum” Detailed Blog Income Reports
[2]. Show Me the Yummy – $46,367.19/month.
Niche: Food & Recipes
Overview: Show Me the Yummy is a food blog run by husband-and-wife duo Trevor and Jennifer. Their blog features a variety of simple and tasty recipes, catering to home cooks who enjoy easy-to-make dishes for all occasions.
Content: Comfort food recipes, healthy options, quick meals, videos, and kitchen tips.
Blogging Income Breakdown For December 2016
- Course sales
- Ad Revenue
- Sponsored Content & Freelancing
- Affiliate product recommendations
[1]. Course Sales – $19,360
[2]. Ad Revenue – $14,311.27
[3]. Sponsored Content & Freelancing – $11,750
[4]. Affiliate Product Recommendations;
- Swoop: $443.33
- Amazon Associates: $432.70
Total affiliate revenue = $876.03
Total blogging revenue for December 2016 = $46,297.30
Show Me The Yummy Detailed Blog Income Report
[3]. 40 Aprons – $31,225/month
Niche: Healthy Recipes & Whole30
Overview: 40 Aprons, created by Cheryl Malik, is a food blog that focuses on healthy, nutritious recipes, with a strong emphasis on Whole30, paleo, and keto diets. The blog is known for catering to readers looking for health-conscious meals.
Content: Whole30 meal plans, paleo and keto recipes, meal prepping, and health-conscious tips.
Blogging Income Breakdown for August 2019
[1]. Ad revenue with Adthrive: $25,421
[2]. Freelancing and consulting
- Food blog retainer clients: $550
- Food Blog & Photography Coaching: $2,500
[3]. Affiliate income
- Thrive Market – $560
- Amazon Affiliate sales: $244.13
[4]. Sponsored posts: $1,800
[4]. Product sales – $150
Total blogging income for August 2019 = $31,225.13
“40 Aprons” Detailed Blog Income Reports
[4]. Bites by Bianca – $77,702/year
Niche: Vegan & Plant-Based Recipes
Overview: Bites by Bianca is a vegan food blog focusing on colorful, nutritious plant-based meals. The blog promotes healthy, sustainable eating with visually appealing and easy-to-make recipes.
Content: Vegan recipes, colorful meals, healthy eating tips, plant-based lifestyle guides, and eco-friendly living.
Blogging Income Breakdown
Bite by Bianca’s by Bianca made around $77,000 within her first year of starting the food blog.
Bites by Bianca Detailed Blog Income Report
[5]. Living The Blog – $18,341.87/month
Niche: Blogging Tips & Lifestyle
Overview: Living The Blog is a lifestyle blog focusing on providing tips for new and aspiring bloggers, with insights into building a profitable blog and maintaining a lifestyle blog.
Content: Blogging strategies, income reports, SEO tips, lifestyle topics, and how to monetize a blog.
Blogging Income Breakdown For October 2018
- Sponsored posts and Freelance services – £5809.80 ($7,542.26)
- AdThrive: £8679.74 ($11,268.00)
- Amazon Affiliate sales £204.95 ($266.07)
Total Blogging Revenue = £14,694.49 ($19,076.33)
Living The Blog Detailed Blog Income Report
[6]. A Sassy Spoon – $266,842.68
Niche: Comfort Food & Latin-Inspired Recipes
Overview: A Sassy Spoon, run by Jamie Silva, is a food blog that features Latin-inspired comfort food, along with easy-to-make, flavorful dishes. The blog blends cultural recipes with modern twists.
Content: Latin comfort food, easy weeknight dinners, dessert recipes, meal-prepping tips, and healthy options.
Blogging Income Breakdown from Jan 2023 – December 2023
- Ad Revenue – 78%
- Blog Coaching – 21%
- Brand Partnerships – 0%
- Affiliate Marketing – 1%
Total blogging revenue = $266,842.68
“A Sassy Spoon” Detailed Blog Income Report
[7]. The Clean Eating Couple – $168,642
Niche: Healthy & Clean Eating Recipes
Overview: The Clean Eating Couple, created by Liz and Tyler, is dedicated to sharing healthy and easy recipes for those who want to eat clean. The blog emphasizes whole foods and minimally processed ingredients.
Content: Clean eating recipes, meal prepping guides, Whole30, paleo, and gluten-free options, along with fitness and healthy lifestyle tips.
Blogging Income Breakdown for 2019
- Ad Revenue from Mediavine – $73,003
- Affiliate Income – $50,020
- Sponsored Posts – $42,390
- Ebook Sales – $3,229
Total blogging revenue = $168,642
The Clean Eating Couple Detailed Blog Income Report
[8]. Whole Kitchen Sink – $10,613.29
Niche: Healthy Living & Recipes
Overview: Whole Kitchen Sink, created by Bailey Ryan, is a blog focused on healthy living, clean eating, and Whole30 recipes. The blog offers practical tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, meal planning and sticking to dietary goals.
Content: Whole30 and paleo recipes, meal prep ideas, health and wellness tips, and lifestyle advice for healthy eating.
Blogging Income Breakdown October 2018
- Ads: $3,738.19
- Affiliates: $1,047.08
- Sponsored Posts: $5,846.02
Total blogging income – $10,631.29
Whole Kitchen Sink Detailed Blog Income Report
[9]. Rich and Delish – $10,478/month
Niche: Dessert & Comfort Food
Overview: Rich and Delish is a dessert and comfort food blog that shares decadent, indulgent recipes that are perfect for treating yourself. The blog covers everything from rich cakes to savory comfort food.
Content: Desserts, indulgent recipes, comfort food, baking tips, and step-by-step guides.
Blogging Income Breakdown for January 2024
- Raptive ads – $11,284
- Amazon Associate – $262
Total blogging Income In January 2024 = $11,546
Rich and delish Detailed Blog Income Report
[10]. The Bettered Blondie – 7,000/month
Niche: Clean Eating & Gluten-Free Recipes
Overview: The Bettered Blondie, run by Sarah Nevins, is focused on gluten-free and clean-eating recipes. The blog offers a variety of easy, wholesome recipes that cater to those with dietary restrictions, making healthy eating more accessible.
Content: Gluten-free recipes, paleo and Whole30 dishes, meal prep ideas, healthy lifestyle tips, and family-friendly meals.
Blogging Income Breakdown for October 2020
- Ad Income from Adthrive – $6,792
- Affiliate Income – $148.78
- Sponsored Posts – $175
Total Blogging Income In October – $7,115.78
The Bettered Blondie Detailed Blog Income Report
Food Blog Fast Track: Start Cooking Up Cash Today
1. Claim Your Flavor Niche (5 Minutes)
Pick one of these profitable angles:
🍳 “30-Minute [Diet] Meals for [Audience]”
🍕 “[Cuisine] Comfort Food with a Twist”
🥑 “[Equipment]-Only Recipes” (Instant Pot, air fryer, etc.)
Example: “5-Ingredient Keto Dinners for Busy Moms”
2. Kitchen Setup (15 Minutes Flat)
🔥 Start with HostGator (Food Blog Plan – $2.75/month)
🔥 Domain Hack: Use your niche (e.g., “AirFryerMagic.com”)
🔥 Must-Have Plugins:
- Tasty Recipes (SEO-friendly formatting)
- WP Recipe Maker (Google rich snippets)
- Pinterest Pin It Button
3. Cook These 3 Money-Making Posts First
📌 1. “Best [Niche] Kitchen Tools”
- Example: “Essential Gluten-Free Baking Gear”
- Profit: Amazon affiliate links
📌 2. “[X]-Minute [Theme] Meal”
- Example: “15-Minute Vegan Pasta Recipes”
- Profit: Display ads + brand sponsorships
📌 3. “How I Made $[X] With [Tactic]”
- Example: “How I Earn $500/Month from Spice Reviews”
- Profit: Builds credibility for coaching/services
4. Instant Income Streams
💰 Week 1: Apply for Raptive ads (accepts new food blogs)
💰 Month 1: Sell $7 “5-Ingredient Recipe Cards” PDF
💰 Month 2: Pitch local grocers for sponsored ingredient posts
Pro Chef Secrets
- Use your smartphone + natural light for food photos
- Film vertical videos for TikTok/Reels while cooking
- Hashtag #RecipeDeveloper on Instagram to attract brands
🍴 Start Your Food Blog Now: Get HostGator Here
“Your secret family recipe could be someone’s favorite meal—and your paycheck!”
If these steps seem complicated, you can follow our detailed guide on “How To Start A Food Blog And Make Money“ for further instructions.
