NATIONAL WAFFLE DAY | AUGUST 24
National Waffle Day on August 24th 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.
True Belgian Waffles
Classic Buttermilk Waffles
Apple Cinnamon Waffles
Banana Oatmeal Buttermilk Waffles
Best Chocolate Chip Waffles
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.
Q. What are the other waffle days on the calendar?
A. National Chicken and Waffles Day, National Waffle Week, Waffle Iron Day are just a few of the waffle-related celebrations on the calendar. Sweden also has their own Waffle Day in March.
August 24th Celebrated History
1795
Reverend Samuel Henshall of Oxford, England receives the first patent for a corkscrew.
1847
Charlotte Brontë finishes the manuscript for the classic novel Jane Eyre.
1869
Cornelius Swarthout of Troy, New York received the first patent for the waffle iron, revolutionizing breakfast forever.
1932
Amelia Earhart completes the first transcontinental non-stop flight by a woman.
1949
North Atlantic Treaty goes into effect.
1950
A woman of many firsts, Edith Sampson was the first African American appointed as a U.S. representative at the United Nations.
1995
Microsoft releases to retail the Windows 95 operating system.
2006
The 9th planet in the solar system, Pluto, was demoted to a dwarf planet, much to the outrage of school children everywhere.
2008
American men’s basketball team wins a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.
2011
Co-founder of Apple, Inc, Steve Jobs, resigns as Chief Executive Officer.
2015
Stephen Hawking presents his theory that black holes may provide passage to another universe.
2019
Victor Vescovo reaches the deepest point in the Arctic becoming the first person to visit every ocean’s deepest point.
August 24th Celebrated Birthdays
Zonia Baber – 1862
If you’ve ever taken a geography class and found it fascinating, you should probably thank Zonia Barber. Not only did the geography teacher promote the equal rights of women, but she also encouraged a practical understanding of geography.
Ray McIntire – 1918
As a chemical engineer for Dow Chemical Company, McIntire accidentally developed Styrofoam while trying to create a flexible, rubber-like insulator.
Gregory Jarvis – 1944
The electrical engineer is one of seven astronauts who tragically died when the space shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after lift off.
Marsha P. Johnson – 1945
As a leading activist for the LGBTQ community, Johnson also supported shelters for LGBT youth.
Anna Lee Fisher – 1949
As a physician and mother, Fisher became the first mother in space when she boarded the space shuttle discovery and launched into space. She was also one of six women selected to be NASA’s first female astronauts. The others? Shannon Lucid, Margaret Rhea Seddon, Kathryn Sullivan, Judith Resnik, and Sally Ride.
Orson Scott Card – 1951
The prolific science fiction writer is known for his Ender’s Game series which is now coming to film.
Oscar Hijuelos – 1951
The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist of The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love. The novel follows the story of Cuban immigrants seeking the American Dream. In 1992, the novel came to the silver screen as the The Mamo Kings.
Mike Shanahan – 1952
The former head coach of the Denver Broncos led the team to consecutive Super Bowl wins.
Steve Guttenberg – 1958
The comedic actor is known for his roles in Police Academy, Short Circuit, and Three Men and A Baby.
Cal Ripken – 1960
Also known as “The Iron Man,” Ripken played infield for the Baltimore Orioles.
Marlee Matlin – 1965
The Oscar-winning actress earned numerous awards for her role as Sarah when Children of a Lesser God was brought to the silver screen. She first performed the role in the Broadway play by the same name. Since then, Matlin has performed in over 60 films and television shows. She is also an advocate for the deaf.
Reggie Miller – 1965
The round 1 NBA draft pick played 18 years with the Indiana Pacers.
Ava DuVernay – 1972
DuVernay became the first black woman to win the directing award at the Sundance Film Festival for her film Middle of Nowhere.
Orla Fallon – 1974
The professional singer and musician is a former member of Celtic Woman.
Rupert Grint – 1988
Best known for his role as Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter series, Grint went on to a successful television career in the shows Sick Note and Snatch.