National Pie Day

National Pie Day is observed each year on January 23. It was started in 1975 by Charlie Papazian, a nuclear engineer and teacher from Boulder, who decided to turn his birthday into a tribute to a dessert he genuinely loved.

Since 1986, the day has been officially sponsored by the American Pie Council. The goal is to preserve America’s pie traditions and highlight the role pie plays in home cooking and hospitality. The same organization also promotes Pi (π) Day on March 14, which focuses on mathematics, even though it sounds deliciously similar.

When is National Pie Day Celebrated?

National Pie Day is celebrated on January 23 each year, so it’s very easy to remember and plan for.

🥧 Did you know there are many national days dedicated to different types of pies? Here are just a few we’ve covered:

• National Pumpkin Pie Day (December 25)
• National Lemon Cream Pie Day (November 29)
• National Bavarian Cream Pie Day (November 27)

Pies have a history that stretches far beyond the United States, reaching back to ancient civilizations. In Ancient Egypt, early pies were made with simple pastry shells used mainly to hold fillings. As recipes spread across Europe and later to the Americas, pies slowly changed, adapting to local ingredients and tastes. In the United States, these influences evolved into familiar varieties such as apple, pecan, and pumpkin pie. Over time, pie became closely linked to home cooking and shared meals, appearing at family gatherings, holidays, and local fairs.

Did You Know? Facts About Pies

Pies have a long and sometimes surprising history. What we think of today as a dessert or comfort food began as something much more practical.

• The earliest pies were usually filled with meat and baked inside thick, hard pastry shells that were not meant to be eaten. These shells, known as coffins, worked like containers, helping preserve food and making it easier to transport.

• Apple pie took on strong cultural meaning in the United States, where it became a symbol of home and tradition. This association was so strong that the phrase as American as apple pie entered everyday language and is still widely used today.

• In 1998, a pie weighing an impressive 10,540 kg (23,237 lbs) was made in Ontario, Canada. This massive apple pie set a record and could easily feed thousands!

• Even in space, pies found their way to the stars. Astronauts on the Apollo missions enjoyed specially made freeze-dried pies, giving them a taste of home while orbiting Earth.

How People Celebrate National Pie Day

There are endless ways to celebrate National Pie Day. Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of the occasion and enjoy pie in all its forms.

• Baking and sharing: Many people celebrate by making family recipes, from classic apple and cherry pies to savory pot pies, and sharing them with friends, coworkers, or neighbors.

• Mini and hand pies: Smaller pies have become popular because they are easy to portion and transport, making them practical for schools, offices, and casual gatherings.

• Pie potluck: Some hosts arrange pie potlucks where each guest brings a different kind of pie, creating a shared tasting table with a wide range of flavors.

• Promotions and deals: Restaurants and bakeries often join in with specials. National chains like Village Inn, Bakers Square, and Marie Callender’s may offer a free slice of pie with a purchase, while local bakeries often feature discounted whole pies or special pie offers.

• Social media: The hashtag #NationalPieDay fills with baking tips, lattice-weaving time-lapses, and photos of pies cooling on windowsills. Some brands also run best pie photo contests to encourage participation.