National Potato Chip Day (March 14)

ByClare Brown Posted on Updated on

Potato chips are one of the most popular snacks in the world, and National Potato Chip Day on March 14 is the perfect excuse to indulge in a crispy, salty treat.

Whether you prefer classic, kettle-cooked, or flavored varieties, there’s no denying the impact potato chips have had on snack culture.

Celebrate with some fun facts, history, and delicious recipes.

And if you love unique celebrations, don’t miss the other weird holidays in March!

When is the Holiday?

This tasty holiday is celebrated annually on March 14th. It’s a day dedicated to enjoying one of the most beloved snack foods worldwide.

bowl of potato chips and a coke in a glass in the background

Who Invented It?

The invention of the potato chip is often credited to George Crum, a chef at Moon’s Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York.

Legend has it that in 1853, a customer complained about his fried potatoes being too thick and soggy.

Crum, frustrated, sliced them paper-thin, fried them to a crisp, and added salt—creating what became known as Saratoga Chips.

The History of the Holiday

Potato chips gained popularity throughout the late 19th century. By the early 20th century, companies began mass-producing them.

Tri-Sum Potato Chips (1908) and Mike-sell’s Potato Chip Company (1910) were among the first manufacturers.

In the 1920s, Laura Scudder revolutionized chip packaging by introducing wax paper bags, keeping chips fresh longer.

Frito-Lay brought potato chips into the mainstream in the 1930s, and flavored varieties emerged in the 1950s.

Today, the potato chip industry is worth over $15 billion annually.

Top 5 Facts About the Holiday

  1. The first mass-produced potato chips were sold in barrels or tins before bags were invented.
  2. Pringles aren’t technically potato chips – they are made from dehydrated potato flakes and shaped into uniform crisps.
  3. Lay’s introduced flavored chips in the 1950s, starting with Barbecue.
  4. The average American eats over 4 pounds of potato chips per year.
  5. The most popular chip flavor worldwide varies—while the U.S. loves BBQ, the U.K. prefers Cheese & Onion.
open packet of potato chips

Activities to Celebrate

  • Host a chip-tasting party – Gather friends and family and sample different flavors and brands of potato chips. Compare notes on texture, seasoning, and crunch level.
  • Make homemade potato chips – Try your hand at making fresh chips in the oven, air fryer, or deep fryer. Experiment with unique seasonings like truffle salt, garlic parmesan, or spicy chili.
  • Try potato chip-based recipes – Incorporate chips into meals, from casseroles to desserts, and explore new ways to use them in cooking.
  • Visit a chip factory – Take a tour of a potato chip manufacturing plant to see the process behind making this iconic snack.
  • Create a potato chip ranking list – Conduct a taste test of different brands and flavors, then rank them based on crunch, taste, and uniqueness.
  • Use potato chips in arts and crafts – Make fun chip-themed artwork or use crushed chips as edible decorations for homemade treats.
  • Donate chips to a food pantry – Share the love by donating snack-sized bags of chips to local food banks or shelters.

Best Recipes for the Holiday

  1. Potato Chip Tuna Casserole – A comforting dish made with creamy tuna, noodles, and a crunchy potato chip topping.
  2. Irish Nachos – Kettle chips loaded with melted cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and green onions for a pub-style appetizer.
  3. Potato Chip Chocolate Bark – A quick and easy sweet and salty treat combining melted chocolate with crushed chips.
  4. Crispy Air Fryer Potato Chips – A homemade alternative to store-bought chips with a fraction of the oil and salt.
  5. Potato Chip Crusted Chicken Tenders – Juicy chicken coated in crushed chips for extra crunch, served with honey mustard dip.
  6. Sweet and Salty Brownies – A decadent dessert that blends potato chips, pretzels, and dark chocolate into rich, fudgy brownies.
  7. Loaded Chips with Blue Cheese and Bacon – A gourmet take on nachos with crispy kettle chips layered with blue cheese, bacon, and scallions.
open packet of flavored potato chips

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Links to Resources

  • Potato Chip Slicer. A must-have kitchen gadget for effortlessly slicing potatoes to achieve uniform thickness for homemade chips.
  • Air Fryer for Homemade Chips. A healthier alternative to deep frying, this air fryer allows you to make crispy, golden potato chips with minimal oil.
  • Potato Chip Bag Closer. Keep your chips fresh longer with this handy bag sealer, perfect for maintaining crunch and preventing staleness.

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