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21 Next-Level Foods You Can Make in a Mason Jar

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Colgate chapter.

The mason jar is one of the most versatile and useful containers that you can own. You can use them for storage, for decorating, and, of course, for some seriously awesome cooking. You may have tried drinking out of a mason jar or eating some fruit out of one, but we can bet you haven’t tried making sushi or cheesecake. Watch out, because mason jars are about to become your new best friends.

1. Very Berry Cherry Pie Parfait

mason jar recipes cream yogurt
Maggie Harriman

If you want to pimp out your breakfast, it’s all about the layers. Learn how to make this awesome parfait here.

2. DIY Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding

mason jar recipes ice cream chocolate
Liz Mirra

You no longer have to travel to New York City to try this treat. Get the recipe here.

3. Deconstructed Sushi

vegetarian meal prep vegetable dairy product
Hui Lin

Sushi is good in all forms, from burgers to burritos. Now, you can enjoy it out of mason jars. Find the recipe for it here.

4. Strawberry Yogurt Parfait

mason jar recipes cream parfait
Anna Loh

Your breakfast will be crunchy, creamy and super fresh. Try this out, and see for yourself.

5. Oreo Peppermint Cheesecake

mason jar recipes cake cream
Gabby Phi

Think of this as one giant peppermint Oreo. This will be your new favorite recipe.

#SpoonTip: For more epic Oreo recipes, check this article out.

6. Cookie Trifle

mason jar recipes raspberry cake
Photo courtesy of @nicktnz on Instagram

This dessert is sweet and spicy at the same time, so how could you possibly say no?

7. Chopped Salad

Meal prep vinegar garlic
Bernard Wen

You can make a wide variety of salads in mason jars, so start experimenting! 

8. Banana Cocoa Overnight Oats

mason jar recipes chocolate cappuccino
Jason Jonathan

Overnight oatmeal is the magical breakfast that makes itself while you sleep — here’s how.

9. Mango & Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

mason jar recipes sweet cream
Yonatan Soler

A tropical pudding like this will make you think you’re on an island somewhere. And it’s good for you, too.

10. Pumpkin Tiramisu

mason jar recipes caramel ice
Jaye Lind

This twist on classic tiramisu is just as amazing, maybe even better. 

11. Chickpea Salad

mason jar recipes salad
Jason Jonathan

This lunch is perfect for anyone on the go, or anyone who just wants a really good lunch. 

#SpoonTip: Check out this article for more easy and portable lunches.

12. Faux Shepard’s Pie

single serving dinner sweet cream
Savannah Carter

This pie is hearty and filling, plus it doesn’t take long to make at all.

13. Mango Overnight Oats

Overnight oats recipe yogurt
Kassie McIntyre

A bright and sunny breakfast like this will definitely wake you up.

14. Chocolate Raspberry Donut Trifle

mason jar recipes cream cake
Elizabeth Phillip

This dessert is the epitome of indulgence. Treat yoself, amirite?

15. Cup of Dirt

mason jar recipes gelatin sweet
Emily Hu

A delicious childhood throwback that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. Take a walk down memory lane, and make it for yourself.

#SpoonTip: For more recipes that’ll make you nostalgic, here are 60 of the best.

16. Berry Cheesecake Parfait

no bake fruit desserts cream strawberry
Katherine Richter

Have yummy cheesecake for one without traveling all the way to The Cheesecake Factory.

17. Italian Pasta Salad

meal prep hacks vegetable sweet
Max Bartick

Anyone who says they don’t like pasta salad has never tried mason jar pasta salad. 

18. Cajun Shrimp Dinner

mason jar recipes
Jason Jonathan

Yes, you can definitely eat a sophisticated meal out of jar. Try out the recipe.

19. Chia Seed Overnight Oats With Nectarine & Berries

mason jar recipes
Maggie Harriman

You can’t go wrong with fruit and oats. Get this super easy recipe here.

20. Quinoa Bowl

mason jar recipes
Sabrina Tilevitz

Quinoa is versatile enough to eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. So why not do it? Start out with this recipe.

21. DIY Ramen Noodles

mason jar recipes honey
Brandon Slover

Ramen seems to be the quintessential college meal. And it’s even better in a mason jar. Here’s how to make it.

Rebecca is editorial director of Colgate's chapter of Spoon. She loves having an excuse to spend even more time thinking about food. Usually, she can be found scrolling through baking blogs, listening to bad pop-punk music from the early 2000s, or looking for golden retrievers to pet.