National Pie Day

We’re going to need more days in the year if we want to have a celebration for every type of food in existence. Luckily, most of the important foods, such as pie, already have their assigned dates!

National Pie Day is, as you might expect, a glorious opportunity to celebrate all of the wonderful things about pie.

Whether it’s sweet fruit pies, meat-filled pies with gravy or those silly whipped cream pies that people throw for comical effect, no pie is left out during pie day and they all have an opportunity to shine!

Pies have been around for thousands of years and the recipe hasn’t changed much. It’s still a pastry that’s filled with something, either sweet or savory, and served on a plate or dish that it’s baked in.

It’s simple, it’s effective and it’s incredibly filling. But what exactly do people do on National Pie Day and what is it all about?

Most people see National Pie Day as an opportunity to stuff themselves with all different types of pie. This may be especially easy during National Pie Day as many stores and bakeries have started to celebrate it, offering discounts or even free pies as part of the celebration.

However, others prefer to use National Pie Day as an excuse to bake something of their own, usually with the intention of sharing it with friends and family members. Even if you don’t have a clue how to bake, this might be a perfect opportunity to learn!

Second Millennium B.C.
Ancient Egyptian Pie-Like Pastries
Some of the earliest forms of pie can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where bakers crafted dough made of oats, wheat, rye, and barley, possibly to hold savory fillings, mirroring primitive pie concepts.
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Circa 2000 B.C.
Pies in Ancient Greece
The Greeks are believed to have made pies by combining flour and water to create a basic pastry shell, filled with meats and other ingredients. This practice spread as the Roman Empire expanded.
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12th Century
Pies Gain Popularity in England
In England, pies became a popular dish known as “pyes.” They typically contained meat and used inedible “coffyns” or shells, emphasizing pies’ roles in medieval feasts.
16th Century
The Rise of Fruit Pies in Europe
The 16th century marked a shift as fruit pies gained favor in Europe, transitioning from savory meat fillings to sweeter options like apples and berries.
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1620s
Pies Arrive in Colonial America
English settlers brought pie-making traditions to America. Adaptations with local ingredients like pumpkins and pecans led to iconic American pies.

History of National Pie Day

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.

How to Celebrate National Pie Day

Celebrating National Pie Day can be easy even if it is fairly obvious–just eat pie! Whether it’s a delicious blueberry pie from your local bakery or a filling chicken pot pie for dinner, there are countless different options for giving pie a rightful nod, and they all deserve your attention.

In fact, you could probably serve pie for all three meals of the day if you really put some effort and creativity into it!

Consider these interesting ways to celebrate this auspicious day centered around golden crusts filled with tasty goodness:

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 Facts

From 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.

National Pie Day FAQs

Who introduced pie to America?

Why are pies often associated with the Fourth of July?

What is the “pieing” tradition?

Did medieval pies include fruit?

Is pie popular globally?

Why do we say “easy as pie”?

Which pie holds the Guinness record?

What superstitions surround pie baking?

Why is “mince pie” linked to Christmas?

What is the history of pie contests?

Date	Every January 23rd
Founded by	Charlie Papazian
Tags	Food & Drink
Countries	United States
Hashtags	#PieDay #PieLovers #AmericanPieCouncil #NationalPieDay

When is National Pie Day?

National Pie Day Timeline

Ancient Egyptian Pie-Like Pastries

Pies in Ancient Greece

Pies Gain Popularity in England

The Rise of Fruit Pies in Europe

Pies Arrive in Colonial America

History of National Pie Day