National Pie Day
From chicken to apple, pecan to mushroom, indulge in classic pastry stuffed with any filling you fancy by visiting a bakery or hosting a pie contest.
Drive January bakery traffic and home baking supply sales by positioning National Pie Day as a fun, shareable celebration with contests and recipe content.
- Host a pie bake-off challenge at your workplace or community—judges get free tastings
- Share your homemade pie creation on social media and tag local bakeries for a chance to win baking supplies
- Flash sale on pie-making ingredients and tools—January 23 only
- Behind-the-scenes pie-making tutorials from local bakers and celebrity chefs
National Pie Day was started in the mid-1970s by Charlie Papazian. Papazian worked as a nuclear engineer in Boulder, Colorado but also had experience as a brewer and teacher. We’re not sure why he decided to do it, but he declared that his birthdate would also be known as National Pie Day!
Everyone seemed to agree (who wouldn’t agree to a pie day?) and ever since 1986, it has become an official celebration that is even sponsored by the American Pie Council.
It’s a bit different from National Pi Day, which celebrates the mathematical constant π.
Start Making Pies
Although it is possible to simply buy the pies from a bakery or store (especially because there will likely be sales or even free pie!), we do suggest trying to make your own pies. This will give a greater appreciation for pie as you can learn more about the process, pick up some new cooking skills, and maybe even learn the history of pies and how they were made in the past.
Host a Pie Bake Off
Invite friends, family or co-workers to a National Pie Day bakeoff challenge. Whether choosing sweet or savory, it’s always loads of fun to gather people around a common interest (and what could be more interesting than pie?). However, the champion of the pie contest could win a creative prize such as a special parking spot at work, a free lunch, or even a giant box filled with pie baking supplies. Of course, those volunteering to be judges are the real winners because they get to taste all of the scrumptious pies!
Watch a Pie-Themed Film
Okay, a film centered completely around pie probably wouldn’t be that great. After all, it would probably just make people want to eat! However, some films have scenes that feature prominently within their larger plots. Check out these films and see if you can spot the pie themes (note: these may not be suitable for younger watchers): Labor Day. Released in 2014, starring Kate Winslet and Josh Brolin, this romantic thriller focuses on the relationship between a single mom and an escaped convict. In one scene (which was used in advertisements by the American Pie Council) the making of a peach pie is featured. Waitress.This 2007 comedy stars Keri Russell as a server in a small town who enters a pie bakeoff that she hopes will lead her away from her abusive husband. Blazing Saddles. This 1974 Mel Brooks western satire includes a memorable pie fight near the end of the film, where hijinx and mishaps ensue. Julie & Julia. Inspirational for those who love to cook, this 2009 film is about a young woman’s experience with cooking for a year from Julia Child’s cookbook. The beginning features a chocolate cream pie that is to-die-for, but the whole film is sure to cause taste buds to demand something yummy!
Play Pie-Themed Music
Most people don’t think about the fact that many songs and poems have been written around the theme of pie. From oldies to metal to pop, pie songs have been made available for more than 40 years, no matter what kind of musical taste a person has. Filling a playlist with pie-themed tunes can be fun and entertaining with songs such as these: “Bye Bye Miss American Pie” by Don McLean 1971“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” by The Four Tops 1965“Wild Honey Pie” by The Beatles 1968“Custard Pie” by Led Zeppelin 1975 National Pie Day is a fun and exciting day to celebrate, and it gets even wackier when you include fun music, films, and delicious desserts. People get up to all sorts of crazy things on social media in honor of this day. You’ll find lots of fun pictures of people gorging on pies, you might come across some new pie recipes and you might even learn a few pie-related facts! A Slice of History: Fascinating Pie FactsFrom ancient kitchens to modern-day celebrations, pie has traveled through centuries as one of the world’s most beloved comfort foods. What began as a practical dish evolved into a powerful cultural symbol—especially in the United States. These fascinating facts reveal how pie became deeply rooted in history, tradition, and community life.Ancient Roots of Pie Pie has ancient roots, with its earliest versions dating back over 2,000 years to ancient Rome. Romans crafted one of the oldest known recipes, a rye-crusted goat cheese and honey pie. This early form of pie laid the groundwork for the diverse pie traditions enjoyed across cultures today. Pie as a Cultural Icon in America Pies were brought to the United States by early English settlers and became deeply embedded in American culture. They are often associated with patriotism and family, especially during national celebrations like Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. Over time, pies have become an emblem of American culinary tradition. Evolution of Pie Contests Pie contests have a storied role in American history, with the earliest known pie contests occurring in the 19th century at county fairs. These competitions highlighted homemaking skills and community pride, evolving into a cherished tradition that persists with fervor in modern-day events across the country. Unique State Pies Several U.S. states have designated official pies that reflect their local heritage. Indiana, for example, honors the Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie, a sweet delicacy that has been recognized as a state symbol since 2009. These official pies contribute to regional culinary identity and community pride.