10th November 2025, by Ashling McCloy | Read time: 6 minutes
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As the holiday season rings its bells and the Christmas countdown begins, there is nothing more tempting than a home-cooked meal, a glass of red and an evening in front of the telly. So get ready to dive into the best comfort food cookbooks from the likes of Jamie Oliver, Yotam Ottolenghi, and Sophie Wyburd…
With Autumn comes apple crumble, bowls of steaming soup and hearty Sunday roasts. Honestly. it’s what the UK does best. It celebrates time at home, lit fires and hours with friends and family. So, when it came to writing this piece, I, of course, reached out to those people. After all, nothing brings folk closer together than food. Everyone has a faithful recipe, a creation passed down the generations or a recipe book they rely on year after year. I simply asked… ‘do you have a favourite comfort food cookbook?’ My What’s App blew up. Unsurprisingly, lovely neighbours, old pals and family all had something to share proving that cooking, sharing food and entertaining really is something to be celebrated.
Numerous names were mentioned. Ottolenghi, of course. Jamie Oliver, definitely. But it was Northern Irish food writer and author, Diana Henry, who got the most shout-outs. Renowned for her family-friendly dishes, she has perfected the art of simple, comforting food. So yes, I have included not one but two of her hugely popular cookbooks in my list of winter-warming recipe books. Read on for more classics, not to mention some must-have debuts from brilliant talents in the world of food.
The new cookbook from Yotam Ottolenghi and co-authors Helen Goh, Verena Lochmuller and Tara Wigley is a delicious concoction of irresistible recipes.
Warm, hearty creations like cheesy bread soup, caramelised onion orecchiette with hazelnuts and crispy sage, and rich chocolate ripple cake. This is a celebration of what makes food so special; it’s an invitation to share, indulge and enjoy.
The absolute go-to for proper good grub. We’re talking famed pub food that’s worth the wait after those long wintry walks. Obviously, there’s plenty of the classics, like Steak & Ale pie, but for me, it’s all about the puds. Legendary Sticky Date and Banana Pudding, Apple Crumble… heaven.
Undeniably a cooking icon, Oliver has been a constant source of easy, yet delicious mid-week recipe inspiration for years. And his latest book most definitely lives up to his reputation. From his Batch-It-Up Bolognese to an effortless Smash Burger, this book is a bible of quick meals guaranteed to keep eveyone happy and full.
Eighteen years in the making, this spectacular cookbook from renowned chef Paul Ainsworth brings restaurant food home. We’re talking Brown Butter Pumpkin Tortelli with Parmesan, Sage and Biscottii, Piri Piri Chicken, The Mariners’ Scotch Egg. It is a festival of comforting classics and Michelin star quality that you’ll turn to time and time again.
Since the first restaurant launched in 2010, Dishoom has become something of a cult destination. Known for the most authentic, inventive and inviting Indian cuisine, this book brings those flavours home. Founded by cousins Shamil and Kavi Thakrar and brothers Adarsh and Amar Radia, this nostalgic collection of recipes is a love letter to the very best in Indian comfort food.
Recipe writer, supper club host, podcaster and content creator, Wyburd is the real deal when it comes to simple, tasty comfort food. She formerly headed up the food team at Mob, developing recipes for a large social media audience, and now does the same on her own platforms. Get ready to tuck in to spiced blackened salmon tacos, chipotle vodka gnocchi bake and chicken and ricotta meatballs with green spaghetti with the help from her debut cosy cookbook.
This has been declared a must for anyone wishing to cook up a feast in those dark, wintry months. We’re talking easy one pot dinners, delicious meals to leave you full, happy and content. There’s the chicken with miso and sweet potatoes, sausages with lentils and a chocolate and red wine cake… all waiting to be devoured.
This is a veritable feast of tasty, indulgent gorgeousness. If you’re in a hurry but need a quick dose of comfort, recipes like the Grilled Halloumi and Peach Burger with Chipotle Mayo or Sriracha Crispy Tofu or Coca Cola Chicken Wings or Ben’s Dad’s Puttanesca will hit the spot. This book embraces cosy nights in and cooking with friends.
Another Diana Henry favourite – so much so, the classic cookbook is now revisited, revised, and refreshed nearly 20 years after its first publication. With a new foreword by Nigel Slater and seven new recipes, this is a must for cold-weather cooking. From warming Irish stew and roast pork with black pudding, apple and mustard sauce to hazelnut, espresso and chocolate shortbread. Irresistible meals and total crowd-pleasers.
The TikTok star brings us a wholesome book of heart-warming, nourishing dishes. There are plenty of easy wins including Leftover Roast Dinner Hotpot and Honey-Kissed Camembert plus a host of scrummy bakes from Almond Bundt Cake to Traditional Tiffin. Wherever you live, this is all you need to create that cosy country evening at home.
For twenty-five years, award-winning restaurant critic Jay Rayner has been uncovering the very best food from across the globe. This book is testament to those discoveries. He shares culinary delights, like the original Ivy’s famed crispy duck salad to a DIY Greggs Steak Bake; from New York delis to Whitechapel curry houses, Nights Out at Home tells the stories of the places and the meals that have shaped Jay’s career. Essentially, he is bringing the restaurant to our own kitchen.
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