How much can a cottage food business make in Texas?

Texas limits cottage food operations to $50,000/yr in gross annual sales.

Can you sell homemade baked goods online in Texas?

Online sales: Allowed. Shipping: Allowed. Approved venues include Direct to consumer, Farmers markets, Online, Mail order in state, Events.

Texas Cottage Food Laws

Q: Do you need a permit to sell baked goods from home in Texas?

Food handler certificate required; no license. Texas is a flagship cottage food state — the 2019 update added online sales and delivery, and the allowed food list is unusually long (including some fermented and pickled items).

Texas is a flagship cottage food state — the 2019 update added online sales and delivery, and the allowed food list is unusually long (including some fermented and pickled items).

Fast facts

Permit: Food handler certificate required; no license
Annual sales cap: $50,000/yr
Online sales: Allowed
Shipping: Allowed

What makes Texas different

Texas allows internet sales and shipping within the state
You need a food handler's certificate but no license or inspection
$50,000 annual gross sales cap

Where you can sell in Texas

Direct to consumer
Farmers markets
Online
Mail order in state
Events

What you can and can't make

Texas follows the standard cottage food logic: shelf-stable items are in, anything needing refrigeration is out. Check the Texas Department of State Health Services product list for state-specific exceptions.

Generally allowed

Breads, rolls, biscuits and buns
Cakes, cupcakes and brownies (without cream-cheese or custard fillings)
Cookies, bars and biscotti
Fruit pies and fruit-filled pastries
Candy, brittle, fudge and chocolate-covered items
Dry mixes, granola, popcorn and roasted nuts
Jams, jellies and preserves made from high-acid fruit

Generally prohibited

Cheesecake and cream-cheese frostings or fillings
Custard, meringue, pudding and Bavarian-cream pies
Anything containing meat, poultry or seafood
Fresh-dairy items, ice cream and buttercream that requires refrigeration
Canned vegetables, salsas and other low-acid canned goods
Garlic-in-oil, pickled goods and fermented foods (in most states)
Kombucha, juices and other beverages requiring a process authority

Texas labeling requirements

The name and physical address of your home kitchen business
The common name of the product
A full ingredient list in descending order by weight
Allergen declaration for the major allergens (milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, sesame)
Net weight or volume
A cottage food disclosure such as "Made in a home kitchen that is not subject to routine state inspection"

Official source for Texas

Texas Department of State Health Services administers cottage food rules in Texas.

Last verified: July 25, 2026

Visit Texas Department of State Health Services

Not legal advice. This summary is for general education. Confirm with Texas Department of State Health Services before you start selling.