The 41 Healthy Cookbook Gifts We’re Giving (and Secretly Hoping to Get)

As a culinary dietitian, one of the most challenging projects I ever worked on in recipe development was crafting a line of smoothies that were minimal on ingredients, texturally perfect, nutritionally complete, and tasted great — all without looking like concrete in a cup. That’s why I can really appreciate the 5-Ingredient Smoothie Recipe Book from Amy Gonzalez, RD, LD, because she accomplishes so much of this 100 times over in her book. From the interesting flavors of the watermelon mojito smoothie or the blackberry coconut fig to the simpler blueberry oat and the green mango, there’s something to suit every mood and flavor preference. I appreciate that some recipes emphasize protein while others really lean into greens, and there’s even guidance for how to bulk things up and make it a meal. Snag this book for the fitness instructor (or enthusiast) you know who’s always looking for the next best concoction.

Whether your loved ones are into the “fibermaxxing” trend or simply trying to increase their fiber intake, The Fiber Fueled Cookbook is a great place to draw inspiration. Written by gastroenterologist Will Bulsiewicz, MD, with recipes by Alexandra Caspero, RD, the book focuses on a less restrictive, more nutrition-by-addition approach. He discusses how to utilize a variety of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes to improve fiber intake and support a multitude of health outcomes. The book is full of delicious plant-based recipes that make it easy to get the fiber you need while doing so in a flavor-filled way.

Vegan baking can be hit or miss, but Amanda Bankert is confident enough in her vegan baking to serve up these egg-, dairy-, and butter-free treats to Parisians themselves at her bakery, Boneshaker. Now, in her book Voilà Vegan, she’s sharing the recipes so you can re-create them at home, using both French and American techniques. Scully, who spent more than a decade in France and worked in a French patisserie, had this to say about the cookbook: “It has beautiful photography and you just love looking through it. [Bankert] does a good job at capturing France in a way that doesn’t feel fake or inauthentic.” 

Bankert also provides a variety of instructions for how to swap in vegan ingredients and tips for using common baking equipment, making the book feel functional for both beginners and experienced vegan bakers. Safe to say, we love this book for any vegan on your list who has a sweet tooth.

Daniel Leader is a pioneer in bread-making, whether you know him from his bakery, Bread Alone, or from the book that teaches his methods, A Slow Rise. His style of “soft-skill baking” relies on senses like smell and touch as well as visual cues, and he pairs this instinct-based learning with teaching solid technical skills to help you become a bread master. Simone Scully tested the book and was suitably impressed. “If you like bread as much as I do, this cookbook will definitely capture your imagination. First of all, it’s just a beautiful book, with stunning bread and baking photography,” she says. “The photos feel creative and moody and delicious. There’s a variety of recipes in this book, from bread (like whole wheat and sandwich loaves) to desserts like the blood orange–lemon tart. I also feel like the book does a great job of walking me through how to make a good sourdough loaf, for example, in a way that doesn’t feel overwhelming.” Truly a gift for the bread bakers who cherish each loaf and want to learn to cook by feel as well as by the numbers.

Come for the techniques, stay for the connection in this fun cookbook. Sri Lankan–born Kevin Wilson’s ode to chai is not simply a book of recipes; it’s also a guide to the lessons that chai can teach us in our everyday lives. Our tester, Olivia Campbell, a health and science writer, says, “This is a cute book with a few recipes interspersed with essays and meditations on chai, tea, and life.” We love the idea of combining this with some of the basic chai-making accessories recommended in the book, like a mortar and pestle, a fine-mesh stainless steel strainer, an 8-ounce ladle, or even a gorgeous handmade mug, for a thoughtful gift.

Tinned fish has become a food-world darling in recent years, and Fishwife has been leading the movement. Their new cookbook is a natural extension of that mission, inviting even more people to fall in love with tinned seafood. Not only do we love the shelf-stable nature of the namesake products, but the nutrition profiles are great as well. Canned seafood can pack a variety of nutrients from omega-3 fats to calcium and vitamin D, and of course, protein. The Fishwife Cookbook takes its signature product and shows you how to transform it beyond a simple grazing board into stews, noodle dishes, casseroles, tacos, and even deviled eggs. Pair the book with some of their slow-smoked mackerel or sardines with hot pepper to make a complete gift for your tinned fish superfan.

Every serious cook has their own method for managing a grocery list, but for those who love cookbooks and a simple notepad, this pad from Rifle Paper Co. is whimsically cookbook-themed and great for organizing extensive lists. Scully says, “It’s a fun kitchen pad, themed with cookbooks so it fits right in and would likely be a pattern most home cooks would like. The paper is thick enough so your writing doesn’t bleed through and I like that there are checkboxes so you can mark when you get something. This is a handy tool for meal planning and grocery shopping for the week.” We think pairing it with a pretty pen, a cute kitchen towel (like this coordinated one also from Rifle Paper Co.), or a new cookbook makes the perfect gift set.

If you want to engage with your favorite cookbook collector’s hobby without adding to their library (or in my case, hoard), the Holiday Cookbook Christmas Ornament is a great way to show you care. This hand-painted, glass-blown ornament stands just under 4 inches tall and features a charming, heirloom-style cover with glittery holly leaves and a festive red binding. It’s sure to look great on anyone’s tree: Give it alone or with another of the cute, cooking-themed glass ornaments from the Old World Christmas Store, like this rolling pin, this stand mixer, or even a cute little pastry.

Cookbooks are wonderful to look at, but occasionally you might need to use one to actually, you know, cook something. If that situation arises, you want to be prepared with a cookbook holder, and we love this option from Williams Sonoma. It’s sized perfectly for both bound books and whatever tablet you may be viewing them on, and it has a protective acrylic shield to keep your books protected from splatters and your tablet free from fingerprints. The wooden base folds up for compact, easy storage, and the aesthetic is simple and clean. It’s a perfect blend of functionality and design that lets you access your favorite recipes more easily, whether from your cookbook collection or your tablet.