3 Better For You Mason Jar Kit Gifts

Looking for a gift idea for your favorite foodies, but don’t know what to make? 

These mason jar kits are a fun, thoughtful option. Plus, who doesn’t like a healthier, homemade treat?

What you’ll need to make DIY mason jar gifts

To make mason jar gifts, all you need is a handful of mason jars, some ribon or twine, and tags to write what the gift is, along with any notes for preparing it.

If the instructions are on the longer side, you can also include a separate recipe card inside or on the side of each jar.

As for decorations, feel free to keep them as simple or as creative as you’d like. This step can be a great one to have your kids help with!

These mixes specifically can be stored for 3 months. Make sure to write a “Use By” date on the gift tag!

1. Cranberry and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix 

This better-for-you cookie recipe makes for a warm and gooey holiday present.

To make the gift jar, simply layer the dry ingredients into the jar. On either a tag or recipe card, make sure to include a list of additional ingredients that need to be added as well as the recipe instructions.

This gift is pretty enough on it’s own or it can be part of a larger themed present as well.

For example, you could pair this jar with a baking tray, festive oven mitts, and a cookie jar. Or simply tie a nice bottle of pure vanilla extract to the side of the jar for just a little something extra.

What to layer in the jar:

• 1-1/4 cups all-purpose or white whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats

What to add when baking: 

• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1/3 cup applesauce
• 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 large egg

To prepare the cookies:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, applesauce, egg and vanilla until blended. Next, add the contents of the mason jar and mix well.
• Drop tablespoon-sized scoops of cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving 2 inches between each cookie.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring the cookies to a cooling rack.

This recipe makes around 2 ½ dozen (30) cookies.

Each cookie provides about 93 calories,4g of fat,  13.7g of carbohydrates, 1.6g fiber, 6.4g of sugar, 1.2g of protein.

2. Cinnamon and Oat Pancake and Waffle Mix

This pancake and waffle mix is perfect for the breakfast-lover in your life.

To dress up the gift even more, you could tie a mini bottle of pure maple syrup to the jar.

Or include it in a breakfast gift-basket along with a pancake spatula, fresh coffee beans or loose-leaf tea, and a bottle of pure maple syrup or homemade chia seed jam.

The full recipe makes about 4 cups, which makes about 25 pancakes or 15 waffles.

What to layer in the jar:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 cups quick oats 
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup dry buttermilk powder

What to add when baking: 

• 1 cup of the dry, pre-made mix
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons of melted, unsalted butter
• 3/4 to 1 cup water for pancakes or use 3/4 cup of water to make waffles
• Toppings of choice

To Prepare Pancakes or waffles

• Place 1 cup of the mix into a medium sized bowl. 
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, butter, and water. Whisk until slightly frothy.
• Stir the wet mix into the dry ingredients until just combined. Let the mixture sit for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, if making pancakes, heat a skillet or griddle over medium-low heat. For waffles, preheat your waffle iron.
• For Pancakes: Lightly grease the skillet or griddle. Drop 1/4 cup of batter per pancake onto the heated skillet and cook until the edges start to set and the bubbles on top start to pop. Flip, and cook until lightly browned. Repeat with remaining batter.
• For Waffles: Follow the directions for your specific waffle iron on how much batter to use and when to tell when the waffles are ready.

Each 1 cup batch makes about 6 pancakes or 4 waffles.

One pancake provides 90 calories, 1g of fat, 15.8g of carbohydrates, 2.2g of fiber, 3.5g of sugar, and 3.6g of protein. 

One waffle provides 138 calories, 1.5g of fat, 23.7g of carbohydrates, 3.3g of fiber, 5.35g of sugar, and 5.4g of protein.

3. Banana Bread

Banana bread is great for every season.

This mix adds a nutritional boost to traditional banana bread by adding in fiber-rich wheat germ and ground flax seed.

For extra texture, you can also include 1/4 cup of chopped nuts into the mixture as well.

Again, this gift is great on it’s own, or you can add a little something extra by pairing it with a loaf pan or festive oven mitts.

What to layer in the jar:

• 1/2 cup plus 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup wheat germ
• 1/4 cup ground flax seed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon

What to add when baking: 

• 3 tablespoons of olive, avocado, or vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ripe, medium bananas

To Prepare the Bread: 

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 
• Lightly spray a 9×5 bread pan and set aside. 
• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, eggs and bananas until creamy.
• Slowly add the contents of the mason jar into the bowl and mix well. 
• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out nearly clean.

This recipe makes about 7, 1-inch slices of banana bread.

Each slice (without nuts) provides 212 calories, 7.8g of fat, 1.1g of saturated fat, 32.8g of carbohydrates, 2.1g of fiber, 13.8g of sugar, 5.1g of protein. 

The Bottom Line 

Homemade presents make for some of the best gifts – especially when they’re as tasty as these better-for-you mixes!

Do you make mason jar gifts? Share your favorite DIY gift ideas in the comments below!