22 Gift-Worthy Cookbooks For Everyone On Your List (Or, You Know, Just For You)

We read, we cooked, we conquered.

Hey! While we’re doing our best to make sure the products we feature will arrive in time for Christmas, shipping times are especially tricky this year and can vary depending on where you live, which product you purchase, and more. Shop early and be sure to double check the retailers’ websites for shipping information to ensure that your gift will arrive in time for the 25th!

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1. The Book on Pie by Erin Jeanne McDowell

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Why buy: It's prime baking season! And even if you've never made one of Erin McDowell's pies before, you've probably already seen at least a few go viral on your feed — for being equally delicious and beautiful to look at.

Get it from Amazon for $31.50+.

2. Modern Comfort Food by Ina Garten

Clarkson Potter

Why buy: There's a reason Ina Garten is respected by both Food Network stars and fine-dining chefs alike: her recipes deliver. And as the weather gets colder, her latest comfort food cookbook — filled with everything from hearty beef stew to bittersweet chocolate cake — is the perfect thing to have on hand.

Get it from Amazon for $15.98 or Target for $21.

3. Vegetable Kingdom by Bryant Terry

Ten Speed Press

Why buy: Whether you're vegetarian or just trying to incorporate more fresh produce into your cooking routine, this vegan-friendly cookbook is packed with inventive (and ridiculously flavorful) dishes that'll make it easy to do just that.

Get it from Amazon for $17.31, Target for $18.69, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $27.60.

4. Cool Beans by Joe Yonan

Ten Speed Press

Why buy: If there ever was a year where a cookbook entirely devoted to beans (!!!) belonged on everyone's shelves, it was 2020. The recipes in this one — like chili with smoky black beans and plantains, or lentil meatballs in tomato sauce — are practical, affordable, and full of plant-based protein.

Get it from Amazon for $27.

5. Time To Eat by Nadiya Hussain

Michael Joseph

Why buy: You might already know Nadiya Hussain from winning The Great British Baking Show several years ago, or from her delightful Netflix show (also titled Time To Eat). Either way, this collection of recipes is an ideal companion to both.

Get it from Amazon for $35.18, Target for $29.99, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $27.59.

6. My First Cookbook by America's Test Kitchen

America's Test Kitchen

Why buy: If you're looking to introduce your toddler or kid to the kitchen, this cookbook is a great starter. Each recipe — from applesauce muffins to sheet pan barbecue chicken — is photographed in an eye-catching and step-by-step way, so tiny cooks can follow along and help!

Get it from Amazon for $16.84.

7. Magnolia Table: Volume 2 by Joanna Gaines

Harper Collins

Why buy: This was one of the top-selling cookbooks of 2020 — and BuzzFeed writers raved about the dessert section of the book most of all. (See: Our reviews for Joanna's chocolate chip cookies and French silk pie. 😋)

Get it from Amazon or Target for $20.98 or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $32.20.

8. The Unofficial Disney Parks Cookbook by Ashley Craft

Adams Media

Why buy: Fair to say we won't be traveling to Disney anytime soon — but we can at least eat like we're there, and that's the next best thing. This book walks you through recipes inspired by the parks' iconic eats, like Dole Whip, churros, and Mickey macarons.

Get it from Amazon for $13.19.

9. The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook by Jeffrey Eisner

Voracious

Why buy: If you've somehow made it through 2020's cook-at-home orders without the help of an Instant Pot, I tip my hat to you! (And then I highly encourage you get one — and learn its glorious time-saving ways.) For recipes, this all-purpose book is a great place to start.

Get it from Amazon for $12.69+ or Target for $12.69.

10. Dessert Person by Claire Saffitz

Clarkson Potter

Why buy: After Claire Saffitz left Bon Appétit earlier this year, she released her first cookbook. It's a beautifully-photographed tribute to all things baked, including blood orange and olive oil upside-down cake, honey tahini challah, and crispy mushroom galettes.

Get it from Amazon for $15.64, Target for $21, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $32.20.

11. Ottolenghi Flavor by Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage

Ten Speed Press

Why buy: We've written odes to Yotam Ottolenghi's recipes and cookbooks over the years — and this latest one is no exception. It's got everything you'd expect: deeply flavorful recipes, thoughtful stories, and gorgeous photography.

Get it from Amazon for $27.99.

12. Flavors of the Southeast Asian Grill by Leela Punyaratabandhu

Ten Speed Press

Why buy: To grill, or not to grill? With this book, it's not even a question. Ultra-flavorful recipes like Malaysian grilled chicken wings and Thai grilled sticky rice combine Southeast Asian tradition with modern and practical grilling expertise — and all of it is backyard-friendly.

Get it from Amazon for $22.27, Target for $22.49, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $27.60.

13. 7 Ways by Jamie Oliver

Flatiron Books

Why buy: The super practical book takes more than dozen staple ingredients — like chicken breasts, eggs, or potatoes — then offers seven simple ways to transform each of them into delicious and filling meals.

Get it from Amazon for $19.49, Target for $31.99, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $32.20.

14. The Official Downton Abbey Christmas Cookbook by Regula Ysewijn

Weldon Owen

Why buy: Maybe you miss your weekly dose of the Crawley family. Or maybe you just prefer to eat like Edwardian-era aristocrats whenever possible. Either way, this fun and festive Downton Abbey cookbook — with recipes like Yorkshire Christmas pie and Smoking Bishop (a.k.a. ruby port punch 🍷) — can solve for both.

Get it from Amazon for $31.50, Target for $31.99, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $32.20.

15. Sheet Pan Chicken by Cathy Erway

Ten Speed Press

Why buy: You don't always need to reinvent the wheel for dinner. And that's why this simple-yet-invaluable book— packed with 50 chicken recipes that cook all on one sheet pan — comes in incredibly handy. No fuss, less mess. (And less stress!)

Get it from Amazon for $15.88, Target for $15.89, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $17.46.

16. Evolving Vegan by Mena Massoud

Tiller Press

Why buy: In his first cookbook, actor Mena Massoud takes you through his journey into veganism, his mother's Egyptian kitchen, and his extensive travels across the North America in search of diverse (and ever-evolving) plant-based eats.

Get it from Amazon for $19.49, Target for $22.49, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $27.59.

17. The Phoenicia Diner Cookbook by Mike Cioffi, Chris Bradley, and Sara B. Franklin

Clarkson Potter

Why buy: Located in New York's Catskills, the iconic Phoenicia Diner has been serving up textbook-perfect editions of both classic and modern diner food for decades. It's first cookbook serves up equal parts old favorites (buttermilk chicken and waffles) and new ones (chile-braised lamb tostadas).

Get it from Amazon or Target for $22.49 or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $29.90.

18. The Skinnytaste Air Fryer Cookbook by Gina Homolka and Heather A. Jones, R.D.

Clarkson Potter

Why buy: Whether you're a total air fryer newbie or you're already well-versed in its ways, this cookbook from Skinnytaste blogger Gina Homolka is a fan-favorite. It includes nutritional info for all recipes, plus options for different diets — including gluten-free, dairy-free, and Keto.

Get it from Amazon for $19.80.

19. Tasty Pride by Tasty and Jesse Szewczyk

Clarkson Potter

Why buy: In celebration of the queer food community, BuzzFeed Tasty and Jesse Szewczyk compiled this collection of 75 gloriously vibrant recipes authored by LGBTQ+ chefs, food lovers, and activists. Read more about how the book came together — and its mission — here.

Get it from Amazon for $17.61, Target for $19.23, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $23.

20. 5 Ingredient Semi-Homemade Meals by Bobby Parrish and Dessi Parrish

Mango

Why buy: Bobby Parrish has built himself a steadily-growing YouTube base thanks to his videos on everything from grocery store hauls to ingredient education. This time-saving cookbook highlights both — and offers up five-ingredient meals that combine supermarket shortcuts with from-scratch staples.

Get it from Amazon for $18.43, Target for $29.95, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $27.55.

21. The Mexican Home Kitchen by Mely Martínez

Rock Point

Why buy: In this book, Mely Martínez of Mexico In My Kitchen dives deep into home-cooking across the country. It's an incredibly thoughtful and detailed introduction on how to create staples — like perfectly tender carnitas or deeply-flavorful mole poblano — right at home.

Get it from Amazon for $25.20 or Target for $25.49.

22. The Great British Baking Show: Love to Bake by Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith, and The Bakers

Quercus

Why buy: The latest GBBO cookbook drops right before Christmas, and fans of the show will be pleased to know that both Paul's rainbow bagels and Prue's raspberry and caramel eclairs are among the (many!) things included.

Pre-order it (available 12/22) from Amazon for $27, Target for $30, or Bookshop (to support local booksellers) for $27.60.

What was your favorite or most-used cookbook this year? Share in the comments!

Looking for the perfect gift for any occasion? Check out all of BuzzFeed’s gift guides!

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