Last updated: March 28, 2026
Quick Answer: January 23 National Pie Day is an unofficial American food holiday celebrated every year on January 23. It honors the long history of pie in American culture and gives bakers, restaurants, and food lovers a reason to bake, share, and enjoy pies of every kind. No registration is required to participate — anyone can celebrate.
Key Takeaways 🥧
- January 23 is the official date of National Pie Day in the United States each year.
- The holiday was established by the American Pie Council, which promotes pie baking and consumption nationwide.
- National Pie Day is not a federal holiday — schools, banks, and offices remain open.
- It is separate from Pi Day (March 14), which celebrates the mathematical constant π.
- Celebrations include baking pies at home, visiting local bakeries, hosting pie contests, and sharing recipes online.
- Both sweet and savory pies qualify — apple, pumpkin, chicken pot pie, and quiche all count.
- Restaurants and bakeries often offer discounts and specials on January 23.
- The day has roots in American pie culture going back centuries, with pie appearing in colonial American cookbooks.
- Social media hashtags like #NationalPieDay see significant activity every January 23.
- Pie is one of the most searched food topics in the U.S. during the winter months, making this holiday well-timed for engagement.
What Is January 23 National Pie Day?
January 23 National Pie Day is an annual food holiday in the United States dedicated to celebrating pie in all its forms. The American Pie Council, an organization founded to preserve and promote America’s pie heritage, is credited with establishing and maintaining the holiday.
The day is informal and participation is entirely voluntary. There are no official ceremonies, government proclamations, or registration requirements. Anyone — home bakers, professional pastry chefs, restaurants, schools, or community groups — can take part simply by baking or eating pie.
“Pie is as American as… well, pie. National Pie Day on January 23 is the one day a year the whole country has an excuse to indulge.”
Important distinction: January 23 National Pie Day is completely separate from Pi Day (March 14), which honors the mathematical constant 3.14159. The two holidays share a name but have no other connection.
What Is the History Behind January 23 National Pie Day?
Pie has a much longer history than most people realize, stretching back thousands of years before the American Pie Council made it official.
A brief timeline of pie history:
| Era | Development |
|---|---|
| Ancient Egypt (~9500 BCE) | Early grain-based flat pies, likely filled with honey and fruit |
| Ancient Greece & Rome | Pastry crusts used as cooking vessels for meat and fish |
| Medieval England (1300s–1500s) | “Coffyns” (thick pastry cases) filled with meats, spices, and preserved fruits |
| Colonial America (1600s–1700s) | Pie became a staple food; apple and pumpkin pies appeared in early cookbooks |
| 19th–20th Century America | Pie became deeply embedded in American identity; “as American as apple pie” entered the cultural lexicon |
| 1986 (estimated) | The American Pie Council established January 23 as National Pie Day |
The specific origin of January 23 as the chosen date is not well-documented publicly. The American Pie Council has not published a detailed explanation for why January 23 was selected over other dates. What is clear is that the holiday has been observed consistently on January 23 for several decades.
How Is January 23 National Pie Day Celebrated?
Celebrations range from simple (eating a slice at a local diner) to elaborate (hosting a neighborhood pie bake-off). Here are the most common ways people mark the day:
At home:
- Bake a pie from scratch using a family recipe or a new one found online
- Host a pie swap with neighbors or coworkers — everyone brings a different variety
- Teach children a basic pie recipe as a kitchen activity
At restaurants and bakeries:
- Many bakeries offer discounts, free slices, or limited-edition flavors on January 23
- Diners and cafes often feature pie specials on their menus
- Check local social media pages or websites for January 23 promotions in 2026
Online and social media:
- Share photos using #NationalPieDay or #January23NationalPieDay
- Post a recipe video or a “pie of the year” roundup
- Food bloggers and recipe sites typically publish special content on this date
Community events:
- Schools and community centers sometimes organize pie contests or baking classes
- Charitable organizations use the day to raise funds through pie sales
What Types of Pie Count for National Pie Day?
All pies qualify — sweet, savory, single-crust, double-crust, hand pies, and even no-bake versions. The American Pie Council does not restrict the holiday to any specific style.
Popular sweet pies for January 23:
- Apple (the most iconic American pie)
- Cherry
- Pumpkin
- Pecan
- Blueberry
- Key lime
- Chocolate cream
Popular savory pies:
- Chicken pot pie
- Quiche
- Shepherd’s pie / cottage pie
- Meat pie
- Spinach and feta pie (spanakopita)
Choose sweet pies if you’re baking for a dessert-focused gathering or want to lean into the classic American pie tradition. Choose savory pies if you want a full meal option or are catering to guests who prefer less sugar.
Common mistake: Many people assume National Pie Day only applies to dessert pies. Savory pies have just as much historical and cultural standing, and including them makes the holiday more accessible to everyone.
How Is National Pie Day Different from Pi Day?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions about both holidays, and the answer is straightforward: they are entirely unrelated.
| Feature | National Pie Day | Pi Day |
|---|---|---|
| Date | January 23 | March 14 (3/14) |
| Subject | The baked food, pie | The mathematical constant π (3.14159…) |
| Origin | American Pie Council | Physicist Larry Shaw at the San Francisco Exploratorium (1988) |
| Primary audience | Food lovers, bakers | Math enthusiasts, students, educators |
| Common activity | Baking and eating pie | Math puzzles, reciting digits of π — and also eating pie |
The overlap in name causes genuine confusion every year. Pi Day does involve eating pie as a fun pun, but its core purpose is mathematical education. January 23 National Pie Day has no mathematical component whatsoever.
Tips for Celebrating January 23 National Pie Day at Home
Celebrating at home doesn’t require professional baking skills. A few practical tips make the experience more enjoyable for beginners and experienced bakers alike.
For beginner bakers:
- Start with a store-bought crust and focus on a simple filling (apple or cherry work well).
- Use a glass pie dish — it lets you see when the bottom crust is fully browned.
- Chill your pie dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling to prevent shrinkage.
- Brush the top crust with an egg wash for a golden, professional finish.
For experienced bakers:
- Try a lattice crust or decorative cutouts for visual impact.
- Experiment with flavored crusts (add cinnamon, cheese, or herbs depending on the filling).
- Make a mini pie flight — several small pies with different fillings for a tasting experience.
For group celebrations:
- Assign different pie types to different participants to ensure variety.
- Set up a simple judging system (best crust, best filling, most creative) to add friendly competition.
- Pair pies with complementary drinks — cider with apple pie, coffee with chocolate cream, wine with savory quiche.
FAQ: January 23 National Pie Day
Q: Is January 23 National Pie Day a public holiday? A: No. It is an unofficial food observance. Schools, businesses, and government offices operate normally on January 23.
Q: Who created National Pie Day? A: The American Pie Council is credited with establishing National Pie Day on January 23. The exact founding year is not publicly confirmed, but estimates place it around the mid-1980s.
Q: Is there a National Pie Day in other countries? A: The January 23 date is specific to the United States. The United Kingdom observes British Pie Week in March, and other countries have their own informal pie celebrations, but none share the January 23 date.
Q: Do I need to register or sign up to participate? A: No registration is needed. Anyone can celebrate January 23 National Pie Day by baking, buying, or eating pie.
Q: What is the most popular pie in the United States? A: Apple pie is widely considered the most iconic American pie and consistently ranks among the top choices in consumer surveys, though regional favorites like pecan (South) and key lime (Florida) are also strongly associated with American pie culture.
Q: Can savory pies be used to celebrate National Pie Day? A: Absolutely. Chicken pot pie, shepherd’s pie, and quiche are all legitimate ways to celebrate. The holiday is not limited to sweet dessert pies.
Q: Are there any discounts available on January 23? A: Many bakeries, diners, and grocery chains offer promotions on January 23. Check local bakery websites and social media pages closer to the date for 2026 deals.
Q: How is National Pie Day promoted online? A: The hashtags #NationalPieDay and #January23NationalPieDay are commonly used on Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). Food bloggers and recipe sites typically publish special content on this date each year.
Conclusion: How to Make the Most of January 23 National Pie Day
January 23 National Pie Day is a simple, accessible celebration that requires nothing more than a willingness to bake or enjoy a good pie. Whether the goal is a quiet evening of home baking, a community pie contest, or just picking up a slice from a local bakery, the day offers a genuine reason to connect with one of America’s most enduring food traditions.
Actionable next steps for 2026:
- Choose your pie — decide on sweet or savory based on your audience and skill level.
- Plan ahead — gather ingredients before January 23 to avoid last-minute grocery runs.
- Share the experience — invite friends, family, or coworkers to bake or eat together.
- Post online — use #NationalPieDay to join the broader conversation and discover new recipes.
- Support local — check nearby bakeries for January 23 specials and consider buying local rather than baking if time is short.
Pie has been part of human culture for thousands of years. January 23 is simply the one day a year that everyone agrees to celebrate it together.
References
- American Pie Council. About National Pie Day. americanpiecouncil.org. (n.d.)
- Exploratorium, San Francisco. Pi Day History. exploratorium.edu. (2013)
- Smith, Andrew F. The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America. Oxford University Press. (2004)
- Davidson, Alan. The Oxford Companion to Food. Oxford University Press. (1999)