National Waffle Iron Day is a holiday celebrated on June 29th, used to honor the tool that makes our morning waffles. While the waffle itself is officially celebrated on August 24th with National Waffle Day, this holiday focuses mainly on the hardware used to make waffles. It might seem like an odd holiday to some, but we embrace it as another excuse to make our own waffles.

The History of the Waffle Iron

We couldn’t uncover the history of National Waffle Iron Day, so we delved into the history of the waffle iron instead. This invention dates back to the 14th century, with origins in the Netherlands and Flanders, where people used hinged iron plates with long wooden handles to make waffles. These waffle irons often featured elaborate designs, allowing for the imprinting of religious symbols, coats of arms, or other patterns onto the waffles as they cooked over a hearth fire.

The first stove-top model was created in 1869 by an American named Cornelius Swartwout. His design improvements included downsizing the iron to fit on a stove, adding a swiveling hinge, and attaching a handle. It wasn’t until 1911, however, that General Electric created a prototype electric waffle iron.

Some Hot Facts About Waffle Irons

Interested in some fascinating facts about waffle irons? We’ve gathered some intriguing details about these devices—facts we’re excited to share with you now.

• Waffles have been made for over 700 years.
• The first pair of Nike sneakers were inspired by the tread design of a waffle iron.
• The word “waffle” comes from the Dutch word for wafer.
• Waffle House sells almost 150 waffles every minute.
• The world’s largest waffle was made in 2013, weighing 110 pounds and measuring 8 feet in length.
• Eggo Foods began as a company selling mayonnaise.
• The first waffle iron brought to America was allegedly by Thomas Jefferson.
• When Eggo Foods introduced their frozen waffles in 1955, they were originally called “Froffles.”
• A shortage of ice cream cups at the St. Louis World Fair led to the invention of the waffle cone.

Observing National Waffle Iron Day

To observe National Waffle Iron Day, simply dust off your waffle iron and make some waffles for yourself, friends, or family. There’s a plethora of waffle recipes available, ranging from simple chocolate chip waffles to complex homemade Belgian waffles. Once you’ve cooked the perfect waffle, remember to post a picture of it on social media using the hashtag #NationalWaffleIronDay.