I Tried FarmSteady's DIY Cooking Kits, and They Made Homemade Food Easier Than Ever

It may be September, but it's never too early to start thinking about holiday gifts for your loved ones. Enter FarmSteady, a brand that sells DIY kits for creating a wide variety of foods, whether you're a beginner cook or an experienced home chef looking to increase your cooking rolodex. If you're searching for a unique and thoughtful gift, these kits are excellent options. Why? I put several of FarmSteady's kits to the test myself and achieved delicious results.

I tested three FarmSteady kits: the Semolina Pasta Kit, the Lacto Pickle Kit and the Cinnamon Roll Kit. Here's how it went.

Packaging: The first thing I noticed about these kits was the adorable packaging. The boxes are made from sturdy cardboard that keeps all the necessary ingredients nice and snug, while the hand-drawn illustrations on the front add a charming touch. Each label clearly outlines what's included in the kit, along with any additional ingredients you'll need to provide.

Instructions: Inside each kit is a card with a QR code that takes you to an online page with detailed instructions for creating what's in the box. While only one of the kits I tested, the Lacto Pickle Kit, included a video tutorial alongside the written instructions, each guide features photos for every step of the process. I never had a problem understanding what to do next.

The Semolina Pasta Kit

The Semolina Pasta Kit comes with nearly everything you need; the only ingredients you'll need to provide are water and, optionally, olive oil. While the recipe doesn't mention flour in the ingredient list, the instructions reference using it when shaping the pasta to prevent sticking, so it's worth having some on hand. (I didn't have any flour available, so I used wax paper to keep the pasta pieces separated.) The instructions include links for making several types of pasta, but because the kit comes with a cavatelli board and shaping rod, I opted to make cavatelli.

The overall process of making pasta with this kit was incredibly easy. As someone who had never made pasta before, I was intimidated by what I'd seen online, including the need for a pasta drying rack, multiple egg yolks and complicated instructions. This kit offers a simplified approach that's perfect for beginners. It would also make a great group activity, as you can create up to six different pasta shapes. While I had to improvise because I didn't have any flour on hand, I was thrilled with the final result, especially considering I was a complete beginner.

The Laco Pickle Kit

I've always been fascinated by making my own pickles, so this was the kit I was most excited to try. While the recipe calls for Kirby cucumbers, I used two long cucumbers and cut them into pieces roughly the size of Kirby cucumbers. Simply give the cucumbers an ice bath, then place them in the provided jar along with the brine and tea bag to begin the pickling process.

The process was much simpler than I expected. Plus, the airtight jar that FarmSteady provides is a standout feature and can be reused to make other fermented foods, such as kimchi. After a few days, the brine became cloudy, and the pickles turned out great. The kit is straightforward and easy to complete in less than an hour, not including the fermentation time.

The Cinnamon Roll Kit

Easily the most complicated of the three kits, this one took a few hours to complete, but the payoff was well worth the effort. Like the Semolina Pasta Kit, it helps to have flour on hand, even though it's not listed as a required ingredient, especially when rolling out the dough. That said, you can still make do without it. I have no experience making pastries or working with dough, but I was able to make everything from scratch using this kit, and the process was surprisingly easy. As long as you follow the instructions, which are detailed and easy to understand, you shouldn't have any trouble baking up a batch of golden-brown cinnamon rolls. The instructions also provide options for different icing consistencies. Because I prefer a thinner icing, I added more milk to the powdered sugar mixture, resulting in a smooth, pourable glaze.

You don't have to stop at cinnamon rolls, pasta or pickles when searching for the perfect gift. If someone is hopping on the sourdough trend, FarmSteady has a kit for that, too. Or maybe they're focused on wellness and would enjoy a DIY kombucha-making kit. With so many options to choose from, the possibilities are nearly endless!