How to Start a Home Bakery in Minnesota

Want to turn your baking into a business? Minnesota's cottage food law makes it one of the most accessible places to start — no commercial kitchen, low cost, and you can be selling within weeks. Here's the step-by-step.

Starting a home bakery in Minnesota, step by step

  1. 1. Understand the cottage food law

    Minn. Stat. §28A.152 lets you sell non-hazardous baked goods directly to consumers from your home kitchen, up to $78,000 in gross annual sales — no commercial kitchen or license.

  2. 2. Register and train with the MDA

    Register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture before selling. It's free up to $7,665 in sales (Tier 1, with a free annual online training) and $50/year above that (Tier 2, which adds an 8-hour food-safety course every 3 years).

  3. 3. Decide what to bake

    Stick to shelf-stable items: cookies, breads, bars, fruit pies, candy, jams, and dry mixes. Anything that needs refrigeration isn't allowed.

  4. 4. Label every product correctly

    Minnesota labels need your name (or registered business name), your registration number or address, the date made, a full ingredient list with allergens, and the required 'homemade and not inspected' disclosure.

  5. 5. Price for profit

    Cover ingredients, your time, packaging, and platform fees — then check what comparable local bakers charge. Don't underprice; specialty homemade goods command a premium.

  6. 6. Find your first customers

    Start with the people who already love your baking, then list on Ovendrop so local buyers searching for homemade goods can find and order from you for pickup.

What you'll need to get started

The barrier is low: a home kitchen, your MDA registration and training, ingredients, and basic packaging. There's no rent, no commercial lease, and no inspection to schedule.

Your biggest early decisions are what to specialize in and how to price it — the steps above cover both.

List your home bakery and start taking local pickup orders.

Ready to sell? Start your Ovendrop storefront

Next steps

Sell your baked goods online in MinnesotaMinnesota cottage food lawHow Ovendrop works

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start a home bakery in Minnesota?

Very little. There's no commercial kitchen or license required. Your main costs are ingredients, packaging, and the MDA registration fee — free up to $7,665 in sales, then $50 per year.

Do I have to register to sell home-baked goods in Minnesota?

Yes. You must register with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture and complete a food-safety training before you start selling. Registration renews each year by April 1.

Where can I sell my baked goods once I start?

Directly to consumers — at home, at farmers markets and events, and online for in-person pickup. Listing on Ovendrop lets local buyers find and order from you for pickup.

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Cottage food laws change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your state's official resources before selling.