National Ants on a Log Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Children Comfort Food Vegetable
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Second Tuesday of September
Holiday emoji:: 🐜

National Ants on a Log Day arrives every second Tuesday of September, honoring a beloved and nutritious snack. This simple combination of celery, peanut butter, and raisins is a nostalgic favorite, especially as kids head back to school. Whip up a batch for a healthy treat, share your creative variations, or introduce this classic to a new generation.

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Expected National Ants on a Log Day Deals

While we wait for official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Ants on a Log Day sparks interest in snack-friendly ingredients. Look for grocery stores like Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s to feature discounts on organic celery, various peanut butter brands such as Skippy and Jif, and baking raisins from Sun-Maid. Specialty food retailers might highlight gourmet nut butters or unique dried fruit toppings. Expect school cafeterias to serve this classic, perhaps with a twist. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 14 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Ants on a Log Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #AntsOnALogDay. Share vibrant photos of your snack creations, from classic versions to gourmet twists.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #AntsOnALogDay. Film a quick ‘how-to’ video, a taste test with friends, or a fun challenge featuring the snack.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #AntsOnALogDay. Share your favorite childhood memories of eating ants on a log or post a recipe for a healthier version.

National Ants on a Log Day Hero

George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver (c. 1864–1943) was an American agricultural scientist and inventor who promoted alternative crops to cotton and methods to prevent soil depletion. While he didn't invent peanut butter, his extensive research into hundreds of uses for peanuts, sweet potatoes, and soybeans significantly popularized the peanut and its products, making it a household staple that forms the creamy base of ants on a log.

History of National Ants on a Log Day

Americans have always had a hit-or-miss relationship with snacks. While some healthy snacks like carrot & ranch, nuts, and yogurt are household favorites, some are loaded with fats and other unhealthy stuff. For a nation that loves snacks more than a three-course meal, it is hard to find the right balance in consumption.

Thankfully, there is one snack that is both delicious and nutritious: peanut butter on celery sticks. Stamped and approved by the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois, this iconic snack is a mouthful of healthy delight.

Breaking down Ants on a Log, you have the bottom-most layer which is celery. Moving up, you have a spread of finger-licking-good peanut butter, an excellent source of protein. Finishing it up, you have a generous topping of raisins, a stealthy source of selenium, zinc, and vitamin C.

Although the first time ‘Ants on a Log’ was used was in the 1950s, it wasn’t until 2014 when Peanut Butter & Co. and Duda Farm Fresh Foods submitted a request to recognize the second Saturday of every September to honor this snack. And we are glad they did it. This low-calorie, nutritious, and delicious snack most certainly deserves a day of its own.

National Ants on a Log Day timeline

1700s

Peanuts Arrive in America

Africans arrive in North America and introduce peanuts to the Americans.

1800s

Peanuts are Commercialized

Virginian farmers trade peanuts as a substitute for cocoa and oil.

1895

Peanut Butter is Invented

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patents the process of deriving peanut butter from roasted peanuts.

2014

Ants on a Log Day is Recognized

Peanut Butter & Co. and Duda Farm Fresh Foods officially request the recognition of Ants on a Log Day.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Ants on a Log Day

Local businesses can celebrate National Ants on a Log Day by offering creative takes on the snack. Cafes might feature gourmet versions with almond butter and dried cranberries, while grocery stores can create eye-catching displays with celery, various nut butters, and dried fruits. Schools and daycares can host a ‘build-your-own-ants-on-a-log’ station, encouraging healthy eating and creativity among children. Promote the snack’s nutritional benefits and versatility across all channels.

National Ants on a Log Day FAQs

When is National Ants on a Log Day?

In 2026, National Ants on a Log Day falls on Tuesday, September 8. This annual observance always takes place on the second Tuesday of September, making it a perfect mid-week treat.

What are the nutritional benefits of ants on a log?

Ants on a log offer a balanced nutritional profile, combining fiber and vitamins from celery, protein and healthy fats from peanut butter, and natural sugars and antioxidants from raisins. It’s an excellent energy-boosting snack.

How popular is peanut butter in the United States?

Peanut butter is incredibly popular in the U.S., with Americans consuming an estimated 3 pounds per person annually. It’s a versatile food, enjoyed in sandwiches, baked goods, and as a key ingredient in snacks like ants on a log.

What are some creative variations of ants on a log?

Beyond the classic, creative variations abound! Swap peanut butter for almond or sunflower seed butter, or even cream cheese. Replace raisins with dried cranberries, chocolate chips, or small blueberries for different ‘ants.’

National Ants on a Log Day Activities

Arrange a ‘Do it Yourself’ snack station
In this DIY exercise, let the participants make their own Ants On a Log with a diverse set of ingredients. Allow them to use their creativity by attempting other variations like Ants on a Snowy Log (ricotta cheese version) or Ants on Vacation (without raisins).
Spread awareness about the importance of a balanced diet
Celery, peanut butter, and raisins are all incredibly healthy and nutritious. In a single bite, you get a dose of protein, fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamin K. Eating Ants on a Log is carrying the message of the importance of a balanced diet.
Involve your kids in the celebration
It’s cool to pass down traditions. If you have a loved one rejoining school in September, make sure you share your knowledge with them, as you munch on the goodness of celery and peanut butter.

5 Facts About American Snacks That Will Blow Your Mind

A snack a day keeps the meltdown away
In a food survey by “Punchbowl,” 25% of people confessed that eating a snack stopped them from having a public meltdown.
Tortilla reigns as America’s favorite party snack
32% of partygoers admitted that the best snack in a party is the humble tortilla chip. The list is followed by potato chips, which was the choice of snack of 25% of partygoers.
Americans embrace the double-dip taboo
No matter how much it is frowned upon, over 46% of Americans share a love for double-dipping their chips/veggies into the sauce.
M&M’s top the list
According to a “YouGov” poll, M&M’s top the list of being the most popular snack brand in America, followed by Hershey’s Milk Chocolate.
The bed is for sleeping … and snacks
A survey revealed that 50% of Americans love to snack in bed.

Why We Love National Ants on a Log Day

Peanut butter is delicious
We love peanut butter and any excuse to gorge it up is always welcome.
Ants on a Log is healthy and inexpensive
This iconic American snack ticks all the nutrition boxes and it doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. Sign us up!
Kids need all the help they can get
School reopening can be tough on children. A fun activity planned around snacks can help them ease into their routines