Abby B. The first time I made money with baking was when I was 19. I had zero experience in baking but decided to bake some cupcakes for a family event. People loved it and not long after, my uncle ordered 300 pieces for another event.
As a young kid still in university, that made me some good cash!
*This post may contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission (at no cost to you) if you sign up for a program or make a purchase using my link!
15 Best Side Hustles For Bakers
If you love using social media, you’ll be shocked to know just how many people sell their baked goods online. Most of us spend a lot of time scrolling our feed so what’s better than using these social platforms to promote your cakes?
Cakes and food in general, are highly visual products so you’ll find no difficulty curating an online marketing plan. You can accept orders manually via WhatsApp, Instagram/Facebook Messenger or work with an online ordering platform.
Want to know what you need to start? I’ve made a step-by-step guide on how to start selling baked goods online down below (great tips included!).
Selling online requires much lower capital investment compared to having your own physical shop. It’s also a good way to trial run and understand what works before spending any money.
If you have a good number of followers on your social media, you can make money by promoting products without really owning them. A way to make passive income with social media is to promote affiliate links and earn for every purchase made via your link.
Promote products or services that you use or is related to your baking profession. Some affiliate marketplaces to check out are Amazon Associates, CJ affiliate, Clickbank, Share-a-sale and Rakuten Advertising.
Just create a free account, get links to a suitable product/service and start promoting to your audience! I believe authenticity goes a long way to be successful with affiliate marketing. So, stay genuine!
| What do I need to start? | – Affiliate products or services you can promote – Social media account with growing followers |
3. Create a YouTube channel on baking topics
If you prefer making long-form content over short videos, vlogging your baking journey is a great way to grow on YouTube. People love seeing others build their businesses and overcome challenges in public – even more if it’s useful for their own journey.
You don’t have to be vlog personal aspects of your life if you don’t want to. Sharing useful information or entertaining videos work as well!
It’s free to start a YouTube channel and you don’t need any fancy tools in the beginning. I record my vlogs on my iPhone and avoid complicating things that could potentially make me not produce content.
Make it easier for yourself by having your tripods and gears in a fixed position in your kitchen or baking space. Reducing decision fatigue will make it easier for you to start recording a new video!
Interesting YouTube channels for baking niche:
| What do I need to start? | – A camera to record – Portable microphone for better sound – A video editing software |
Read: What I spent for my vlogging gear in first 6 months
4. Build a podcast in the baking niche
A podcast is a good way to share your knowledge by just recording conversations – either on your own or with a guest. I personally listen to podcast for self development but there are all kinds of podcasts out there.
Talk about baking journey others can relate to or choose a different niche altogether. All you need is to learn how to use an audio editing software and a good microphone to speak into.
Podcasts are much easier to listen to compared to videos and takes less attention. However, it takes social media promotion to get your podcast found by your ideal audience!
| What do I need to start? | – Good desk microphone – Set of quality earphones – An audio editing software |
Check out: 20 best podcasts in the food niche (updated)
If you prefer writing more than recording videos and audio, you can still make a good income with your own blog. Share baking recipes that works for you and ones others are searching for.
Make it an educational blog instead of a personal one to be found on Google Search. You can blog anonymously without showing your face or using your real name.
Just like YouTube, it takes at least a year of publishing consistently to make good income with a blog. It’s an ideal side hustle to start if you’re not looking for immediate cash. Get started by learning how to blog the right way with this beginner blogging course!
Not looking to invest in anything yet? Check out my article for step-by-step guide on how to set up a blog.
| What do I need to start? | – A WordPress Website – Domain name & hosting – Passion to write for a specific niche |
Read: Why I invested in a blogging coach before doing anything else
6. Take up photography and sell baking stock photos online
Having professional photography skills can be beneficial whether you’re looking to take good photos for your bakery business or make money on the side. There’s a few ways to make money with your photos today including selling images on stock websites for others to use.
As an example, not everyone with a blog has the relevant images to use. So, they will resort to paying for quality photos of cakes or cookies that aligns with their content.
Start by going for a photography course in your spare time and testing your skills by taking photos of your baked goods. Though it’s not ideal for busy individuals, you can also become a part-time photographer when you’re not working.
Selling stock photos may not make much in the beginning, but it’s an online side hustle that works for introverts and those who love building passive income. Your photos can be sold any time even as you’re sleeping!
Stock websites you can join to start:
| What do I need to start? | – A good camera – Photo editing skills – Consistency to upload photos frequently |
7. Become a freelance writer for food content websites
Don’t want to go through all the hassle of building a blog? You can make an income today by offering freelance writing services for food blogs.
Freelance writers earn up to $100 per article and even more if they’re specialized in writing for a niche. Writing for others will improve your writing skills and perhaps make you more confident of building your own bakery blog.
This beginner freelance writing course is the one I took myself to start my writing career. It’s basic but has everything you need to start tomorrow and earn from clients all over the world. Includes how to pitch to clients for topics they can’t resist!
| What do I need to start? | – Writing skills – Good command of English or the language you intend to write for – Promote your freelance writing service |
Check out: How to start freelance writing and make money (the ultimate resource)
8. Sell baking supplies for other bakers
One aspect of the baking business that many overlook is the process of sourcing supplies. Not everyone has the knowledge on where to buy cheap supplies that helps keep their costs low – and may not even have the right access to it.
If you have great experience in buying ingredients for baking that others will find useful, consider becoming a reseller. You’ll make better profit by buying in bulk and sourcing the cheapest items possible.
Once you know what sells, you may even be able to sell the items under your own brand and/or set up an online ecommerce store just for baking supplies.
| What do I need to start? | – Right connections for cheap product sourcing – Platform to sell products on |
9. Pet sitting for friends and neighbors
Not every baker wants to make extra income by baking. Sometimes, you just want something that allows you to take a break from baking. I like to stay practical and suggest other kinds of side hustles for bakers!
Offering pet sitting services is something almost any pet lover can do. If you have a bigger home compared to others and have had experience owning pets yourself, pet-sitting is even more doable.
Pet sitters typically make $15-20 per visit and usually take more than 10 visits in one day. That’s easily $400-600 in a single weekend!
Alternatively, if you’re better with children compared to pets, offering babysitting services is a lucrative side hustle as well. People are always more willing to pay for the comfort and care of their loved ones.
Services you can include with pet sitting:
- Walking
- Home boarding
- Sleepovers and night care
- Training
- Bring to vet
- Basic grooming & care
- Travel trips
| What do I need to start? | – Good skills with pets e.g. dogs, cats – Tools for the service you want to offer – Socializing to get clients |
10. Flip second hand items for cash
I made a chunk of money selling things I no longer need on sites like Facebook Marketplace. It’s something you can do on the side even with a busy lifestyle.
Once you have more experience selling second hand items, consider buying others’ unwanted gems for a cheap price and selling them at a higher price for a profit. Other offline places to find these items are your local flea market – but you’ll need time to make the visit.
Some popular things to flip are furniture, antiques, jackets, car accessories and tech stuffs.
| What do I need to start? | – An eye to spot underpriced valued goods – Skills and platform to sell online or offline – A small budget to purchase your first second hand item |
Check out: How to start reselling things as a side hustle
11. Become a part-time barista at a local café
Maybe you’re a baker for a café or maybe you have dreams of opening your own café one day. What better way than to learn how to make good coffee than to become a part-time barista.
Depending on the hecticness of the café, a barista is a fairly easy-going job. You’ll love it more if you’re a coffee drinker yourself.
It’s a skill that’s used in every day life and if it means getting free coffee, why not. Save every penny! The job rarely requires professional education, compared to becoming a pâtissier or a chef.
| What do I need to start? | – Professional barista training – Food safety knowledge |
12. Rent out your baking tools and equipment
If you have a baking studio or just a kitchen with an assortment of tools and equipment, you can rent them out for money. Not everyone has the capital to purchase their own and sometimes they just need it for a single occasion.
It’s a good way to make money especially when you’re taking a break and not using these tools. You can also rent out your space for others to use.
Another related service you can offer is rental of decorations or props for events. It’s one way to promote your existing baking service and tap into your current customer base.
| What do I need to start? | – Related baking tools and equipment for rental – Decorations or props for rental – Platform to promote your rental service |
13. Host workshops to teach a skill you have or create paid online courses
As a baker, you have a monetizable skill that not everyone has. In fact, some are dreaming to have your set of skills but not everyone can get a formal education for it or learn well via YouTube.
You can teach them basic or advanced baking skills by hosting physical workshops. I find that people are more inclined to purchase (even for a much higher price) if the skill helps them make extra income.
Make things more passive by selling pre-recorded online courses on learning platforms. The common price points for a single payment short online course are $30, $47 and $67. It depends entirely on the course module and the value your customers can get from taking the course.
You don’t have to be a pro to start teaching others – just be above average and learn as you go!
Some sites you can host online courses on:
| What do I need to start? | – A niched course idea – Well thought out module – Tools to record your lessons e.g. screen record, microphone |
Creating courses is too much work for you? Here’s a list of digital products you can make to sell on easy platforms like Etsy. I’ve made a quick guide on how to make these products too!
14. Complete online surveys for cash
If you’re short on time and need something quick, completing online surveys in your spare time may work for you. Most online surveys is doable using a mobile phone and does not require you to use a computer.
Although it’s not passive and can’t make you an extreme amount of extra income, it takes little time to complete and you’re able to fit it in easily into your daily routine. Imagine doing it on your journey to work or school.
Users are usually paid after completing a number of surveys and meeting certain income threshold. The amount of income made per survey varies depending on the time it takes to complete it.
| What do I need to start? | – Your mobile phone – Signing up to online survey platforms |
Want to make $300 this month?
Easy! Just fill up surveys in your free time on Survey Junkie!
Save up for that dream vacation. You deserve it.
15. Start a print on demand business from home
Considered setting up an ecommerce business but not sure if you can commit to it? Print on demand is one you can manage passively without handling any operations.
All you need to do is sign up to POD fulfillments like Printify or Printful, create designs on Canva or Kittl and upload them on merchandise such as t-shirts, phone cases, tote bags etc.
Sell your merch on Etsy or Shopify and your chosen fulfillment will handle the printing and shipping of orders to your customers.
I highly recommend this side hustle if you’re artistic and have an eye for good design. Even if you don’t, you can buy ready designs on creative marketplaces like Creative Fabrica or Envato Elements.
| What do I need to start? | – Basic designing skills – A laptop to work with – An initial niche and product |
Can’t decide what product to design and sell? Check out my product guides before deciding!
- Tote bags for print on demand
- Tumblers for print on demand
- Phone cases for print on demand
- Posters for print on demand
- Leggings for print on demand
- Jewelry for print on demand
- Candles for print on demand
- Doormats for print on demand
- Hoodies for print on demand
- Pet products for print on demand
- Socks for print on demand
- Pajamas for print on demand
- Blankets for print on demand
- Baby clothes for print on demand
- Wrapping paper for print on demand
- Puzzles for print on demand
- Stickers for print on demand
- Athletic wear for print on demand
- Hats for print on demand
- Journals for print on demand
- Greeting cards for print on demand
- Mugs for print on demand
15 Best Baking Side Hustles
Based on the current trends, here are 15 best ideas for baking side hustles:
- Open an online bakery
- Become an influencer to get sponsorships
- Promote affiliates for baking-related products
- Start a YouTube channel on baking topics
- Build a podcast in the baking niche
- Write for your own bakery blog
- Self publish a baking recipe book on Amazon KDP
- Rent out baking equipment to others
- Offer event management and catering for parties
- Take freelance jobs as a writer for food content websites
- Source and sell baking supplies for other home bakers
- Design merchandise with food designs and quotes
- Host baking workshops to teach others
- Create baking-related products to sell on Etsy
- Sell digital products for bakers on Etsy
12 Ways To Make Money From Baking
These are 12 ways to make money from baking:
- Take orders for special events
- Open your own physical bakery
- Start a café or coffee shop
- Sell your baked goods to other restaurants for reselling
- Build a YouTube channel teaching others how to bake
- Share baking recipes online with a blog
- Create short-form videos for TikTok or Instagram
- Pre-record your baking lessons to sell as online courses
- Teach others on how to start an online baking business
- Sell baking photos on stock websites online
- Rent out your space with baking tools to others when not in use
- Create and sell DIY baking kits for kids
How To Start Selling Baked Goods Online
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to start selling baked goods online:
- Decide what type of baked goods you want to sell
- Plan how to source materials, standard daily operations and delivery methods
- Capture professional photos of your bakery products in the best way possible
- Create a PDF menu using professional photos for online orders
- Decide on pricing based on market research of competitors and your actual cost
- Set up social media e.g. Instagram, TikTok and Facebook
- Set up Google My Business and have your business listed on Google Maps
- Include link on how to purchase in bio of social account
- Post daily on your social media to look active and up-to-date
- Mix professional photos with authentic live photos of you baking
- Accept orders manually via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, or via online ordering platform
- Ask customers to submit reviews on Google Maps to redeem discount on second order
- Repeat!
19 Types Of Baked Goods To Sell From Home
- Cream puffs
- Birthday cakes
- Brownies
- Cookies
- Sourdough bread
- Doughnuts
- Bundt cakes
- Tarts
- Cupcakes
- Sweet rolls
- Fruit pies
- Banana bread
- Short cakes
- Sugar cookies
- Madeleines
- Muffins
- Biscuits
- Bagels
- Cake pops
Which Side Hustle Should I Choose?
Unsure which side hustle for bakers you should go for? Here are the top 6 things to consider when deciding which side hustle is best for you.
- How much time can you commit to it?
- Consider how much time you can set aside for your side hustle for weekdays and weekends
- What type of income are you looking for?
- Do you want to make income actively or passively while you sleep?
- What sparks interest & passion in you?
- Choose a side hustle that aligns to your personal goals and interests as it keeps you motivated
- Are you an extrovert or an introvert?
- Different side hustles requires different level of communication with the outside world, are you comfortable meeting new people every day?
- What is your current partner or friend up to that you can leverage on?
- Doing something with a friend or partner makes things easier and more manageable
- How soon do you need to make extra money?
- Not all side hustles make the same amount of money in the same pace, do you need money today or in a year’s time?
Bottom Line
There are so many side hustles you can explore for bakers within the baking niche (or even outside of it). Start by writing down all kinds of knowledge you have, then expand further by specifying how they can be monetized.
The best way to get started with side hustles is to TRY. Pick at least one or two things I’ve shared above, give time and you’ll eventually find something that works for you!
I will always recommend building passive income streams to no longer trade time for money.
Here are 15 best side hustles for bakers:
- Sell baked goods online using social media
- Promote affiliate links for baking-related products
- Create a YouTube channel on baking topics
- Build a podcast in the baking niche
- Share your knowledge with your own bakery blog
- Take up photography and sell baking stock photos online
- Become a freelance writer for food content websites
- Sell baking supplies for other bakers
- Pet sitting for friends and neighbors
- Flip second hand items for cash
- Become a part-time barista at a local café
- Rent out your baking tools and equipment
- Host workshops to teach a skill you have or create paid online courses
- Complete online surveys for cash
- Start a print on demand business from home
I’m not one to brag, but blogging has changed my life. I’ve been able to earn an income passively while on a coffee date and traveling with my family. With everything, it takes time to learn and not an overnight success – to speed things up, get yourself a blogging coach before starting.
These are my blogging resources to help you out:
- Step-by-step guide how to start blogging in your free time
- Why you need a blogging coach right from the start
- Worried of exposing yourself? You can blog anonymously
Photo by Tim Douglas
