Odds are good that you’re already making your holiday shopping list and checking it twice. This year, U.S. adults are expected to spend an average of $720 on gifts. But making some homemade presents could save you a whole lot of cash, and many require just a few simple steps to assemble. We’ve rounded up 11 easy mason jar recipes that look and taste great but don’t require heaps of money or time. From hot cocoa and spiced nuts to soup and pancake mixes, these DIY gifts are sure to please even non-foodie friends. Give them as presents or as party favors the next time you host an event.
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11 Easy Mason Jar Recipes
1. Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Mason Jar Cookies
Packed with oatmeal, crunchy pecans and chocolate chips, these treats make the perfect gift for the cookie monsters in your life. Assembling the jars will be a cinch, too! Photo and recipe: Carmen Sturdy / Life by Daily Burn
2. Kumquat Marmalade
Help your pals liven up toast or pancakes this winter with some tangy marmalade. With no added sugar, it’s healthier (and tastier!) than most store-bought jams. This simple recipe takes just 45 minutes from start to finish. Photo and Recipe: Krysta / Nosh On It
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3. Vegetarian Five Bean Soup Mix
Thanks to layers of colorful beans, this soup-in-a-jar mix is nutritious and pretty! The soup is a great source of fiber and a nice change from all of the treats circulating during the holiday season. This recipe makes four jars, complete with spice packets that should be added when the soup is simmering and downloadable instruction labels you can paste on your presents. Photo and Recipe: Cassie / Back to Her Roots
4. Cinnamon Oatmeal
Go beyond basic oatmeal with this seasonal spin on the fiber-packed breakfast. Add apple chips and cinnamon to rolled oats, then adorn the jars with your favorite festive fabric. Photo and Recipe: Rachel / I Love My Disorganized Life
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5. Sriracha Salt
Know someone who’s addicted to the world’s favorite spicy rooster sauce? Whip up a batch of Sriracha-flavored salt that they can use to kick eggs, sandwiches and avocado toast up a notch. Let the mixture dry for a day or two before bottling it up. Photo and Recipe: Braised Anatomy
6. Multigrain Pancakes
Whole-wheat flour, barley flour, oat flour, rye flour and flax make this flapjack mix way more nutritious than your average box of Bisquick. Put in in a jar and you’ve got an A-plus present for the breakfast lovers in your life. Bonus: If you can find small bottles of local maple syrup, tie them onto each jar! Photo and Recipe: Katie / Good Life Eats
7. Cranberry Jelly
Bring something unique to a family’s table with a jar of juicy relish. Antioxidant-rich cranberries are in season, so take advantage of the season’s bounty! This jelly is the perfect accompaniment to mashed potatoes and meats. Store your jars in the fridge before giving away. Photo and Recipe: Linda / It All Started With Paint
8. Breakfast Granola
Give yogurt aficionados something scrumptious to sprinkle on top of their go-to snack. You probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry, so this recipe is perfect for when you want something homemade in a pinch. Be sure to stir the mixture every 10 minutes while baking to ensure even toasting. Photo and Recipe: Anneke / Capturing Daily Delights
9. Homemade Hot Cocoa
Nothing says wintertime like indulging in some hot cocoa after spending time on the slopes. Add a mix of dark and white chocolate chips for an especially rich drink that’s got heart-healthy antioxidants. Or, for a seasonal twist, layer crushed candy canes on top of each jar. Photo and Recipe: Evermine
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10. BBQ Sauce
Sweet and smoky, this condiment will hit all the right flavor notes when used on a BBQ pizza or to marinate meats. Fill your favorite glass jar and include a note telling your pal to use it all up within two to three weeks. Photo and Recipe: Lexi / Lexi’s Clean Kitchen
11. Mixed Nuts
Prep ahead and then squirrel away a batch or two of these savory treats to use as last-minute gifts. You’ll need just one pan and roughly 20 minutes to make the crunchy, sweet and salty blend. This recipe is easily adjustable if you need to avoid certain nuts due to allergies. Photo and Recipe: Linda / It All Started With Paint
Originally posted November 2014. Updated December 2015.