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National Pancake Day

Get ready to indulge! Celebrate National Pancake Day with delicious recipes, coupons, and discounts - it's the perfect way to start your day!

Saturday

September 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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DATES×2The Day before Ash Wednesday · September 26

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFood

SUBCATEGORYBreakfast

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Prepare to indulge in some delicious pancakes on National Pancake Day on Sept. 26! This day of celebration has been around for over 500 years and is a great way to show your appreciation for the breakfast staple. It's also the perfect time to try out different recipes and experiment with various ingredients, from classic buttermilk pancakes to vegan friendly options. Let's get ready to flip our way into this special day!

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Corner Bakery Cafe

Cracker Barrel

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Introduction

Get ready to indulge in some delicious pancakes on National Pancake Day, which falls on the day before Ash Wednesday each year! This holiday has been celebrated since the 15th century, when Christians would use up all their rich ingredients such as eggs and butter before the start of Lent. Today, it's a popular tradition to enjoy stacks of fluffy pancakes with your loved ones, topped with your favorite syrups and toppings. So mark your calendars for this tasty celebration and get ready to satisfy your pancake cravings!

TIMELINE

National Pancake Day Timeline

Earliest Pancake Origins

Made from cereal grains and wild nuts, the ancient version of pancakes were eaten by prehistoric societies.

Ancient Greeks and Romans

The first recorded mention of a dish that resembles pancakes comes from ancient Greek and Roman cuisines, where they were often sweetened with honey.

European Pancake Evolution

Developed as a dish for Shrove Tuesday, pancakes were used to consume perishable ingredients before the fasting period of Lent.

First Pancake Mix Introduced

Aunt Jemima pancake flour, the first ready-mix food to be sold commercially, was invented by Chris L. Rutt and Charles G. Underwood.

IHOP's National Pancake Day

The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) started their National Pancake Day, offering free pancakes to patrons and requesting donations for children's charities.

National Pancake Day Official

September 26 was officially recognized as National Pancake Day, devoted to celebrating and enjoying this beloved breakfast dish.

TIMELINE

National Pancake Day Timeline

Earliest Pancake Origins

Made from cereal grains and wild nuts, the ancient version of pancakes were eaten by prehistoric societies.

Ancient Greeks and Romans

The first recorded mention of a dish that resembles pancakes comes from ancient Greek and Roman cuisines, where they were often sweetened with honey.

European Pancake Evolution

Developed as a dish for Shrove Tuesday, pancakes were used to consume perishable ingredients before the fasting period of Lent.

First Pancake Mix Introduced

Aunt Jemima pancake flour, the first ready-mix food to be sold commercially, was invented by Chris L. Rutt and Charles G. Underwood.

IHOP's National Pancake Day

The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) started their National Pancake Day, offering free pancakes to patrons and requesting donations for children's charities.

National Pancake Day Official

September 26 was officially recognized as National Pancake Day, devoted to celebrating and enjoying this beloved breakfast dish.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Pancake Day

Make your own pancakes

Making pancakes doesn't have to be intimidating. All you need is flour, eggs, milk, and butter for a classic recipe. Get creative with the batter by adding chocolate chips, blueberries, or other toppings.

Go out for pancakes

Much simpler than making your own pancakes, go try out that new restaurant that serves pancakes. Search for Pancakes on Yelp and see where your pancake adventure takes you.

THROW

Throw a pancake party

Invite your friends over and make a variety of pancakes together. Have a competition to see who can come up with the most creative topping combination.

VISIT

Visit an IHOP

Take advantage of National Pancake Day at IHOP by enjoying all the delicious variations of pancakes they have to offer, from strawberry banana to red velvet.

PARTICIPATE

Participate in a pancake race

Pancake races are an old English tradition where people run while flipping a pancake in a pan. Gather up your friends and family to join in on the fun!

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Pancake Day

Create a pancake bar

Set up a DIY pancake bar with different toppings and syrups for your family or friends to make their own delicious creations.

TRY

Try new pancake recipes

Instead of the traditional pancake recipe, try out some unique and creative recipes such as red velvet pancakes, banana oatmeal pancakes, or even savory pancakes with bacon and cheese.

HAVE

Have a pancake-themed movie night

Watch your favorite movies while enjoying some delicious pancakes. Bonus points if the movie has a pancake scene!

HOST

Host a pancake party

Invite some friends over for a brunch party featuring all types of pancakes, from sweet to savory. Don't forget the mimosas!

DONATE

Donate to a charity that supports hunger relief

In the spirit of giving, donate to a charity that helps provide food to those in need. After all, pancakes are a staple for many breakfasts and it's important to give back on National Pancake Day.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Pancake Day

Pancakes are fun to make & eat

Making pancakes is a great activity to share with family and friends. You can get creative in the kitchen by adding colorful sprinkles or fruits to your pancake batter. And once they’re ready, you can share them around the table while chatting and having fun!

Pancakes are easy to make

Pancakes are a staple of breakfast and brunch menus all over the world. Best of all, they're quick and easy to make with just a few simple ingredients like eggs, flour, baking powder, and milk. Plus, you can add your favorite toppings like fresh fruit or chocolate chips for extra flavor and texture!

Pancakes are delicious

Who doesn't love pancakes? They're light and fluffy, with a slightly sweet taste that makes them a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you opt for traditional buttermilk Pancakes or something more experimental like banana or carrot cake pancakes - you can’t go wrong!

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Pancake Day

Pancakes bring people together

National Pancake Day is a great opportunity to gather friends and family around the breakfast table for a delicious meal. Whether you're making huge stacks of pancakes at home or heading out to your favorite pancake house, it's a day to enjoy some quality time with loved ones over a stack of fluffy goodness.

Pancakes are a delicious breakfast food

One of the main reasons why we love National Pancake Day is because it gives us an excuse to indulge in our favorite breakfast food - pancakes! They're fluffy, sweet, and can be topped with all sorts of delicious toppings like maple syrup, whipped cream, and fresh fruit.

Pancakes are versatile

While traditional pancakes are delicious on their own, they can also be jazzed up with different flavors and variations. Add chocolate chips or blueberries to your batter for some extra sweetness, or try making them with almond flour for a gluten-free option!

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