Cottage Bakery Guide for Packing

Last updated October 2024

If you are just starting out or trying to expand and trying to find all of the packaging, cookwear and label stuff you need to operate your micro bakery cottage food business is proving to be a huge time suck – let me save you!

In this post, I have curated below, some of my favorite items, at the best prices that I can find just for packaging your products. I will update this page as sales occur, or better and/or lesser priced items are tested and approved from my cottage bakery. There is nothing below that I have not used or still use – these are my reorder go-to’s.

Note: Yes, I order from Temu sometimes when I can buffer in shipping time, it’s the same product on Amazon, it just cuts out the middle men(‘s) as you are ordering much more directly from the Chinese manufacturers. I realize that can be a polarizing opinion so I always have the Amazon alternative in case saving money is not for you 🙂

Note 2: Some of these have affiliate links and I earn some pennies on your click-throughs, you do not pay more for items, rather the company (Amazon) rewards me with a tiny appreciation kick-back.

Cinnamon Rolls – Packaging for one large roll

• Plastic:
  • Pick up at your local GFS (Gordon Food Service) 32 oz Round Containers with lid – black. 25 count for $11.99 ($.48 each)
  • Amazon 30 ct 24oz Black plastic with lid. 30 count for 16.99 PrepNaturals ($.57 each)
• Paper or Compostable:
  • Amazon: 32 oz paper bowls with lids (yet microwave safe) 50 count $31.99 plus a 15% off coupon = $27.19 ($.54 each)
  • Temu: 36 oz 100 count $31.47 ($.31 each) Paper Kraft Bowls with lids

Cinnamon Rolls or Cookie Bars – 8×8 disposable pans for 4 large rolls or 5/6 smaller rolls or a pan of cookie bars, brownies/blondies.

• Amazon: These are my go-to: Disposable aluminum pans with lids 35 count $19.79 ($.56 each)
• Temu: 20 count 8×8 with lid range from $6.50-10 depending on when you purchase and if you have coupons. https://temu.to/k/ugkpov7byvx ($.32 each)

Bread (Kraft paper-esque bags for sourdough boulle, batard and sandwich loaves) These are my favorite due to the ratio of paper to a plastic window and that I can roll it closed with the metal in the closing to make it resealable for customers. More paper=the better. Plastic is not great for freshness of breads like sourdough.

• Amazon: 100 PCS Large Paper Bread Bags for Sourdough Bread, Bakery Bags with Window with tin tab for closure. $23.99 ($.24 each)
• Temu: 20-Pack Rectangle Kraft Material Produce Bags with Clear Window – Resealable Tin Tie Tab Lock, Eco-Friendly Paper Bread Storage. $8.09

Sandwich Loaf or Quick Bread Plastic Bags

• Temu: 240 Pack Clear Plastic Bread Bags with Twist Ties, 3 Sizes (5×14, 8×18, 10×22 inches) Reusable Bread Storage Bags, BPA-Free Rectangle Bread Containers for Homemade Bread, Bakery and Gift Giving. $23.49 plus coupons (=$16 or $.06 each)
• Amazon: Clear Cellophane Bread Bags Plastic Treat Bags with Ties for Airtight Storage of Baked Goods（100PACK, 8x8x14in) $9.49 ($.09 each)

Individual Cookies

Bags: (big flat non topped cookies)

• Temu: 100pcs Kraft Paper Bread Bags with Stickers – Heat Sealable, Disposable Sandwich & Bakery Packaging $7.99 https://temu.to/k/ul393bvijn3
• Amazon: Kraft Bread Bag Bakery Bags with Front Window Label Seal Sticker Packaging Paper Bag (100 Pieces) $13.97

Clamshell: (large, stuffed sticky topped cookies)

• Amazon: Plastic Clamshell 5 x 5 https://amzn.to/3zKBs91 $9.90
• Temu: Plastic Clamshell packaging  50/100pcs 5”x5” Disposable Plastic Trays $6.79 https://temu.to/k/uic8nx82liy

Focaccia Bread (9 X 13 size) I bake my focaccia in reusable pans, some sourdough bakers opt to use disposable pans, and package/serve with accompanying lids. I think this depends on how or what your bread is topped with – If you are making one with drizzles of icing or pesto, you might opt for a disposable with lid. If you have more plain styles, you can likely use the bags below.

• Amazon: Plastic Flat Open Poly Bags, 18 x 24 inch Clear Plastic Bags, 30 Count Reusable Flat Open Storage Bags  $6.99 These bags are huge and wrap up nicely for even larger than 9X13 breads
• Temu: can not find an equivalent, that have cellophane bags, but I prefer poly.