There is a difference, and they aren't always interchangeable.

'Like doing' implies that something is pleasurable. For example, 'I like cooking'. This means that you enjoy the activity of cooking. It's something which is fun for you.

'Like to do' means that you think it is a good thing to do, or that it produces a good result for you. For example 'I like to cook all my meals at the beginning of the week' . This, in itself, is not an enjoyable activity. However, if you do this, you can eat healthy homemade food all week without having to waste time cooking every night. You like to do this because it has a good result for you.

There are cases where you can say 'I like to' for activities which you enjoy. But the two forms are not always interchangeable. For example, you would say 'I like to look after my teeth', meaning that this is a good thing to do. You would not say 'I like looking after my teeth', though. Gargling with mouthwash, flossing, and visiting the dentist for descaling are not pleasurable activities - you do not 'enjoy doing' these things, even though doing them has a positive end result.

Remember - in so many cases in English, the 'ing' form focuses on the activity itself.

Hi Alina,

I don't think there's much of a difference. Both are used a lot, and I can't think of a situation where one is used more in a certain context than another. Good question.