National Cheddar Fries Day (April 20)

National Cheddar Fries Day is on April 20, and honestly, this is one of the easier food holidays to actually do something with.

You don’t need much. Just fries, cheese, and whatever else you feel like throwing on top. When my son was younger, anything involving melted cheese was usually a win, so this kind of thing never needed convincing.

It’s not one of those holidays you have to plan for. If you already have potatoes in the house, you’re basically there.

When Is the Holiday?

It’s always April 20.

Who Invented the Holiday?

No one really “invented” the day in a formal way, but cheddar fries themselves are usually linked to Snuffer’s Restaurant & Bar.

They started serving their version back in the late 1970s, piling fries with melted cheddar, and it caught on from there.

The History of Cheddar Fries

Cheddar fries didn’t appear out of nowhere. They’re really just the result of two things people already loved – fries and melted cheese.

French fries have been around for centuries (with France and Belgium both claiming them), and cheese goes back even further. It was only a matter of time before someone combined them.

In the U.S., Snuffer’s Restaurant & Bar helped popularize cheddar fries in the late 1970s, serving them piled high with melted cheese. That style stuck, and now you’ll find some version of them almost everywhere.

Fun Facts About Cheddar Fries

• Cheddar is the classic choice, but plenty of places switch it up with mozzarella, pepper jack, or whatever melts best.
• Different countries have their own version – Canada’s poutine is probably the closest cousin.
• Texas restaurants are known for going all in, adding things like brisket or fried eggs on top.
• Cheese fries started off as diner food before becoming a fast-food and restaurant staple.
• The best ones come down to contrast – crispy fries underneath, properly melted cheese on top.

Coloring Page

If you want something simple to keep kids busy while you cook (or while everyone’s waiting for the fries), this cheddar fries coloring page works well as a quick, no-prep activity.

It’s an easy way to tie the day into something hands-on without turning it into a full lesson.

Activities to Celebrate

Making your own cheddar fries at home is probably the easiest place to start, especially if you let kids choose their own toppings – even simple options like bacon bits or green onions make it feel more fun.

If you’d rather not cook, heading out to a local restaurant that serves loaded fries can turn it into a low-effort treat instead.

For something a bit different, you can set up a DIY fry bar at home with a few cheeses and toppings and let everyone build their own version, which works well for families or small groups.

Trying variations like poutine or Tex-Mex-style fries can also make it feel less repetitive, especially if you already make fries fairly often.

And if your kids enjoy a bit of competition, you can turn it into a mini challenge to see who can come up with the best (or strangest) combination.

Related Recipes

If you’re already making fries, it’s easy to switch things up depending on what you have in the fridge.

Buffalo Cheese Fries are a good option if you want something with a bit of heat, especially with a drizzle of ranch or blue cheese on top.

Pizza Fries tend to go down well with kids, using marinara, mozzarella, and whatever toppings you’d normally put on a pizza.

Carne Asada Fries are more filling and work better as a full meal, especially with guacamole and sour cream added in.

Chili Cheese Fries are the classic comfort option, and honestly one of the easiest to throw together if you have leftover chili.

Garlic Parmesan Fries feel a bit more “restaurant-style” but don’t take much extra effort.

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Links to Resources

If you end up making cheddar fries more than once, a few simple tools can make it easier.

A sturdy fry cutter helps get evenly sized fries without much effort, especially if you’re cooking for more than one or two people.

Using a good non-stick baking sheet also makes a difference, as it helps the fries crisp up properly without sticking (and saves a bit of cleanup).

And if you want that properly melted cheese layer rather than just sprinkled cheese, a melting dome is a nice extra, it traps the heat so everything melts evenly instead of drying out.

Related Holidays

There’s no shortage of food holidays to celebrate for cheese and fry lovers.

• National French Fry Day, in July, is the ultimate tribute to crispy golden fries in all their forms.
• National Cheese Day, celebrated in June, highlights everything from cheddar to gouda, making it a perfect excuse to enjoy all things cheesy.
• National Potato Day, observed in August, honors one of the most versatile ingredients in the kitchen, from fries to mashed potatoes.
• For those who love a hearty, cheesy meal, National Cheesesteak Day in March offers another opportunity to enjoy a delicious, cheese-covered dish.

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