NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY

NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY August 24

NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY

National Waffle Day on August 24 commemorates the anniversary of the first waffle iron patent issued. Celebrate by savoring your favorite kind of waffle!

#NationalWaffleDay

On August 24, 1869, Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York received his patent for the waffle iron. While waffles existed long before then, the invention made waffles more readily available.

Eaten throughout the world, a waffle is a leavened batter or dough. When cooked between two patterned plates, the dough bakes in the waffle's characteristic uniform impressed surface. Waffles also come in many forms. Depending on the type of batter or iron used, the resulting waffle varies by consistency, size, shape, and flavor.

Waffle irons and waffles originated around the 14th century.  An anonymous husband penned the first known waffle recipe as a set of instructions for his wife.  According to the manuscript, Le Ménagier de Paris, each of the four recipes began:

Beat some eggs in a bowl, season with salt and add wine. Toss in some flour, and mix. Then fill, little by little, two irons at a time with as much of the paste as a slice of cheese is large. Then close the iron and cook both sides. If the dough does not detach easily from the iron, coat it first with a piece of cloth that has been soaked in oil or grease. 

  •  1911 - First electric waffle iron was introduced by General Electric.
  • 1953 - Frank Dorsa’s Eggo Frozen Waffles are sold in Supermarkets for the first time.
  • 1964 - Belgian Waffles debut at New York's World's Fair.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY

Enjoy your favorite waffle recipes. Or visit a local restaurant for some fresh served waffles. Restaurants across the country specialize in waffles, crafting delicious combinations for every meal of the day. No matter your preference, there's a waffle for you!

Invite friends over for a waffle making party. Set up a buffet with fresh fruit, syrups, and nuts. Ask them to bring their best ingredients and get tasting! You never know what you'll discover.

You can also check out the latest specials and offers on the Celebration Deals page. Use #NationalWaffleDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY HISTORY

Our research was unable to find the creator of National Waffle Day.

Waffle FAQ

Q. Are waffle and pancake batters the same?
A. No. Waffle batter contains about twice as much fat and sugar as pancake batter. The additional fat and sugar are what make waffles crispy on the outside.

Q. Which is older, pancakes or waffles?
A. Pancakes have been around longer than waffles. The waffle iron required to make waffles was invented in the later 1800s, while methods for frying dough or batter have been around since before the Renaissance.

Q. What's the difference between a Belgian waffle and a regular waffle?
A. Belgian waffles have deeper, bigger honeycombed pockets than other waffles.

Q. Are there different kinds of waffles?
A. Yes. The Belgian and American waffles are two. A sweeter, crisper, and thinner waffle, the Liege waffle is often served without any toppings. The potato waffle can be served savory or sweet, and yes, potatoes are the main ingredient. In the Netherlands, they make a thin, crispy waffle called stroopwafels. They consist of two waffles with a layer of syrup between them.