Forget everything you thought you knew about food blogging success. In 2025, the top-earning bloggers aren’t winning with just pretty photos—they’re running data-driven revenue machines.
After analyzing 10 real income reports, we discovered their shared secret: 3 unconventional food blogging monetization strategies most beginners blogs overlook completely when starting.
👉 Spoiler: None involve “going viral” or having 100K followers.
You can as well check out these real examples of food blogs crushing it right now.
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 to start a similar food 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.
November 2016 Income Breakdown
Here’s exactly how this food blog earned $95,197 in November 2016 – and how they’ve grown to $130k+/month today!
1. Ad Revenue ($56,559.93) – 59% of income
- AdThrive: $52,313.13
- AdThrive Video: $2,966.49
- Gourmet Ads: $1,280.31
2. Sponsored Content ($22,400) – 24% of income
- Brand partnerships & collaborations
3. Affiliate Income ($13,780.61) – 14% of income
- Top Performers:
- Bluehost: $5,175
- Amazon Associates: $4,753
- Swoop: $3,153
4. Digital Products ($2,456.80) – 3% of income
- Tasty Food Photography eBook: $2,296
- Monetization guide: $160
Total November 2016 Revenue: $95,197.34
Fast forward to today: They’re now earning $130,000+ monthly!
🔍 Want the full details? See their complete November 2016 income report here for exact strategies.
[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 DecDecember 2016 Blogging Income Breakdown
This month’s revenue came from a mix of courses, ads, sponsored work, and affiliate 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 Income for December 2016: $46,297.30
For a deeper dive into how these numbers were achieved, check out the full income report here.
[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.
Full Time: 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.
