These 12 mason jar and edible gifts are easy to make at home, inexpensive to put together, and always appreciated. A jar of candied pecans or homemade granola tied with a ribbon is the kind of gift people actually use, and enjoy.
Edible gifts are perfect for everyone on your list who’s hard to shop for: teachers, neighbors, coworkers, the mail carrier, and the host of your holiday party. Most of these recipes make a big batch in the air fryer, so you can fill several jars in one afternoon. The list is grouped into candied nuts, granola, seasoning mixes, and sweet treats.
Candied and Roasted Nuts
Nuts are the easiest mason jar gift there is. They’re quick to make, they keep well, and they look beautiful in glass.
1. Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans
Sweet, crunchy pecans with a caramelized coating that isn’t sticky. They roast in the air fryer at 350°F in just minutes and are perfect for snacking or topping salads and desserts.
Get the recipe: Easy Air Fryer Candied Pecans
2. Easy Air Fryer Gingerbread Candied Pecans
The ultimate holiday nut, coated in sweet gingerbread spices. They roast at 300°F, and if they soften over time, a quick 2 to 3 minutes in the air fryer crisps them right back up.
Get the recipe: Easy Air Fryer Gingerbread Candied Pecans
3. Air Fryer Candied Almonds
Cinnamon-sugar almonds with a crunchy, caramelized shell. Let them cool completely so they get that signature crunch, then package them in little bags or jars.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Candied Almonds
4. Honey Roasted Walnuts (Air Fryer)
Sweet, crunchy, lightly salted walnuts made with just five pantry ingredients in about 10 minutes. Line the basket with parchment, since the honey coating can stick.
Get the recipe: Honey Roasted Walnuts (Air Fryer)
5. Roasted Pecans in the Air Fryer: 3 Ways
One batch of pecans, three flavors: sweet, salty, and spicy. Fill a trio of small jars with one flavor each for a gift that looks extra thoughtful.
Get the recipe: Roasted Pecans in the Air Fryer: 3 Ways
Homemade Granola
A jar of granola is a gift that keeps on giving every morning.
6. Air Fryer Cranberry Granola
Wholesome oats with a hint of sweetness and tart dried cranberries, crisped in the air fryer at 300°F. The red cranberries make it look festive in a clear jar.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Cranberry Granola
7. Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Granola
Old-fashioned oats and chopped pecans baked until golden at 320°F, with chocolate chips mixed in. Let it cool completely before you add the chips and fill the jars.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Granola
Seasoning Blends and Mixes
Perfect for the cook in your life, and they don’t need any baking at all.
8. Lipton Onion Soup Mix Copycat
A homemade onion soup mix made from dried onion flakes, beef bouillon, and pantry spices. It’s great for burgers, dips, roasts, and slow cooker meals, and it looks great layered in a small jar.
Get the recipe: Lipton Onion Soup Mix Copycat Recipe
9. Copycat Outback Steak Seasoning
A bold, flavorful steak rub that tastes like the steakhouse favorite. Stored in an airtight jar in a cool, dark cupboard, it stays fresh for up to six months.
Get the recipe: Copycat Outback Steak Seasoning
Sweet Treats
Classic homemade sweets that make any gift feel special.
10. Easy Air Fryer Chocolate Bark
Melted chocolate topped with crushed peppermint candy, Oreos, pretzels, or M&M’s. The chocolate melts in the air fryer at 300°F in about 4 to 5 minutes. Break it into pieces and pack it in jars or cellophane bags.
Get the recipe: Easy Air Fryer Chocolate Bark
11. 3-Ingredient Air Fryer Shortbread Cookies
Flour, butter, and sugar. That’s it. These buttery cookies keep in an airtight container for up to a week, so they’re ideal for gifting.
Get the recipe: 3-Ingredient Air Fryer Shortbread Cookies
12. Air Fryer Mexican Wedding Cookies
Tender pecan cookies rolled twice in powdered sugar. They stack neatly in a wide-mouth jar or tin and look like little snowballs.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Mexican Wedding Cookies
Packaging and Gifting Tips
- Cool everything completely. Warm nuts, granola, or cookies create condensation in a sealed jar and turn soft.
- Pick the right jar. Pint jars work well for nuts and granola, half-pint jars for seasoning blends, and wide-mouth jars for cookies.
- Dress up the lid. Top the lid with a circle of festive fabric or a cupcake liner, then tie it with ribbon or baker’s twine.
- Add a label. Include the name of the treat and the date it was made. For seasoning blends, add a short note on how to use it.
- Make a gift basket. Pair a jar of granola with a mug, or the steak seasoning with a meat thermometer, for a bigger gift.
- Bake in batches. Make one recipe per afternoon in early December, and you’ll have a whole shelf of gifts ready to go.
Edible Gift FAQs
What are the best edible gifts to make ahead? Seasoning blends last the longest. The Outback steak seasoning keeps for up to six months. Candied nuts, granola, and shortbread are also great make-ahead options.
How far in advance can I make homemade food gifts? Most candied nuts, granola, and cookies are best within one to two weeks. Make them in early to mid-December so they’re fresh when you hand them out.
What are good edible gifts for teachers and coworkers? Candied pecans, chocolate bark, and granola are easy crowd-pleasers. They’re simple to portion into small jars, and almost everyone loves them.
Do I need special jars? No. Regular canning jars work perfectly. Just make sure they’re clean, completely dry, and have a tight-fitting lid.
Happy gifting, and Merry Christmas!
