National Eggs Benedict Day (April 16)
National Eggs Benedict Day is on April 16, and honestly, this is one of those holidays that’s easier than it sounds.
You don’t need to suddenly start making restaurant-style brunch. Even just doing something slightly different for breakfast counts. When my son was younger, he mostly just wanted to help crack eggs, which didn’t always go smoothly, but he still felt involved.
If you already do a weekend breakfast or brunch, this fits in without much effort. If you don’t, it’s still simple enough to try once without it turning into a whole thing.
When is the Holiday?
April 16 every year. It doesn’t move around, so it’s easy to remember if you end up doing it more than once.
Who Invented Eggs Benedict?
This is one of those recipes where there isn’t a clear answer.
You’ll usually see two versions. One is tied to Delmonico’s in New York, where a regular customer asked for something different and the kitchen came up with it.
The other story is a bit more random. A man ordered eggs, toast, bacon, and hollandaise at the Waldorf-Astoria as a hangover fix, and it ended up on the menu after that.
Both get repeated a lot, and no one really agrees which one came first.
The History of the Holiday
The day itself isn’t nearly as old as the dish.
It doesn’t seem to come from one official source. Like a lot of these food days, it likely built up over time once restaurants and food sites started giving it a date.
Now it’s mostly just used as a reason to make it (or order it). Some places run specials, but for most people it’s just an excuse to do something a bit different for breakfast.
Facts About Eggs Benedict
Eggs Benedict didn’t start as a fancy brunch dish. One of the most common stories says it was first put together as a hangover cure, which explains why it’s so rich.
The earliest versions were served on plain toast, not English muffins, which came later because they hold the toppings better.
Hollandaise sauce, the part most people find tricky, is actually one of the five classic French “mother sauces,” so it’s more traditional than it looks.
There isn’t just one version anymore. You’ll see everything from smoked salmon to spinach to avocado used instead of the original bacon.
Despite feeling like a “restaurant” meal, it’s now a staple in homes as well, especially for weekend breakfasts or special occasions.
Coloring Page
If you’re trying to cook (or even just plate everything up), younger kids usually lose interest pretty quickly. A quick coloring page gives them something to do without you having to stop halfway through.
It also works if you’re not cooking at all and just want a low-effort activity to go with the day.
Activities to Celebrate
You can go all in and make Eggs Benedict properly, but even just trying one part of it works. Learning how to poach an egg is usually enough of a challenge on its own.
If cooking from scratch feels like too much, trying different versions is easier. Order one classic version and one with something like smoked salmon or avocado and compare them.
Going out for brunch works too, especially if you let kids pick what they think looks best. It turns it into more of a “try something new” day instead of just another meal out.
At home, keeping it simple tends to work better. A few toppings, some fruit, and letting everyone build their own version is usually enough.
And if nothing else, just rating different versions (even frozen or shortcut ones) ends up being surprisingly fun.
Related Recipes
If you want to try something a bit different, these are the kinds of variations you’ll usually see pop up.
The matzo brei version with lox is one I didn’t expect to work, but it actually does if you like smoked salmon. It’s a bit softer than the usual base, so it feels more like a brunch dish than a structured stack.
A casserole version is probably the easiest if you’re feeding a few people. You can prep it the night before and just deal with the sauce in the morning, which makes it a lot less stressful.
The Italian-style one with prosciutto and ciabatta leans more savory, especially with the balsamic. It’s not traditional, but it’s a good change if you’re bored of the usual version.
If you need a dairy-free option, the tofu florentine versions are surprisingly decent. Not identical, obviously, but close enough that it still works as the same idea.
Using a crispy potato base instead of an English muffin is another easy swap. It holds everything well and feels a bit more filling.
The New Orleans-style versions (like Eggs Cochon) are much heavier, usually with pulled pork and biscuits. Probably not something you’d make often, but worth trying once.
Sheet pan versions are more about convenience than presentation. Everything cooks together, so it’s less fiddly, especially if you don’t want to poach eggs one by one.
There are also a lot of simple swaps, like using mortadella instead of bacon, or making it in the air fryer if you’re short on time.
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Links to Resources
Check out these handy kitchen essentials for making the perfect Eggs Benedict:
- Poached Egg Maker – A simple tool to make perfectly poached eggs every time.
- Hollandaise Sauce Mix – If making hollandaise from scratch is intimidating, this mix is a great alternative.
- Brunch Cookbook – A collection of delicious brunch recipes, including variations of Eggs Benedict.
Related Holidays
If you love this holiday, you might also enjoy celebrating other food-themed holidays.
- National Pancake Day in February gives you the perfect reason to whip up a stack of fluffy pancakes.
- National Waffle Day in March is the ultimate excuse to enjoy crispy, golden waffles.
- National Bacon Day in August is a must for bacon lovers. These quirky holidays make mealtimes even more enjoyable!
- Additionally, Brunch for Lunch Day is another fun occasion that encourages people to enjoy a delightful brunch-inspired meal anytime during the day.
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