National Apple Dumpling Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Baking Fruit
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every September 17
Holiday emoji:: 🍎

National Apple Dumpling Day arrives every September 17, inviting everyone to indulge in this comforting, fruit-filled dessert. Perfect for autumn gatherings or a cozy evening, this day encourages baking, sharing, and savoring the sweet, spiced goodness. Gather your ingredients, try a new recipe, and share your creations with friends and family.

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Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
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FAQs
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Expected National Apple Dumpling Day Deals

As National Apple Dumpling Day approaches, expect local bakeries and dessert shops to roll out special promotions and limited-time offerings. While specific 2027 deals are yet to be announced, past years have seen regional chains like Cracker Barrel and Bob Evans feature apple dumplings on their seasonal menus. Grocery stores such as Whole Foods Market and Kroger often highlight baking ingredients, including fresh apples, pie crusts, and spices. Look for discounts on ready-to-bake dumplings from brands like Pepperidge Farm or Pillsbury. Specialty dessert makers may also offer online deals. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 17 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Apple Dumpling Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalAppleDumplingDay. Share mouth-watering photos and videos of your homemade apple dumplings or favorite bakery finds.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #AppleDumpling. Film quick recipe tutorials, taste tests, or creative ways to serve this classic dessert.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalAppleDumplingDay. Share family recipes, host a virtual baking party, or poll friends on their favorite apple varieties for baking.

National Apple Dumpling Day Hero

Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman)

John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, was an American pioneer nurseryman who introduced apple trees to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Born in 1774, he became a legendary figure for his ecological efforts and generosity, making apples a staple fruit across the expanding frontier. His legacy is deeply intertwined with American apple cultivation, providing the very fruit central to apple dumplings.

History of National Apple Dumpling Day

Apple as a noble fruit is the favorite fruit of a lot of people and usually the first fruit of the day. An apple dumpling is a pastry made from peeled apples that are cut into quarters, filled with sweets, and wrapped in dough for either baking or boiling, and served with any topping of your choice.

Apple dumplings are a common food in the northeastern United States, especially around Pennsylvania. As the country’s favorite pudding, it is often also eaten for breakfast or dessert. The crust, filling, and sauce for apple dumplings are arguably some of the most appealing parts of the pastry due to their sweetness.

On this day, we celebrate America’s favorite pastry, which has been dubbed a “cultural staple” by food historians due to its acceptance and consumption among all social classes. Annual apple dumpling festivals are held in the towns of Atwood, Illinois, Stuart, Virginia, and Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania.

National Apple Dumpling Day timeline

1747

Apple Dumplings Make a Cookbook Appearance

Hannah Glasse publishes two apple dumpling recipes in her cookbook.

1750

Identified as America's Common Food

Botanist Pehr Kalm reports having apple dumplings at every meal.

1851

Apple Dumplings’ New Recipe

Eliza Leslie includes a recipe for baked apple dumplings in her cookbook.

1879

Top American Food

Mark Twain includes baked apple dumplings on a list of unmatched American foods.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Apple Dumpling Day

Local bakeries, cafes, and restaurants can celebrate National Apple Dumpling Day by featuring special dumpling flavors or offering a ‘buy one, get one’ deal. Farmers’ markets can highlight local apple growers and host apple dumpling baking demonstrations. Even non-food businesses can participate by offering apple-themed treats to customers or hosting a ‘best apple dumpling’ contest among employees, fostering a sense of community and fun.

National Apple Dumpling Day FAQs

When is National Apple Dumpling Day?

National Apple Dumpling Day 2026 falls on Thursday, September 17, offering a perfect mid-week excuse to enjoy this classic baked treat.

What are the most popular apples for baking dumplings?

For baking apple dumplings, firm and tart apples that hold their shape well are preferred. Popular choices include Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, and Golden Delicious, which offer a good balance of flavor and texture.

How many apples are consumed in the U.S. annually?

Americans consume a significant amount of apples each year, with per capita consumption hovering around 16-19 pounds. This makes apples one of the most popular fruits, enjoyed fresh, baked, and in various dishes like dumplings.

What is the difference between an apple dumpling and an apple turnover?

An apple dumpling typically features a whole or half cored apple, often filled with spices and sugar, wrapped in pastry dough and baked. An apple turnover, however, uses sliced or diced apples folded into a triangular or rectangular pastry, usually fried or baked.

National Apple Dumpling Day Activities

Get yourself some apple dumplings
You can either make or order your favorite apple dumpling recipe and enjoy it with a good movie and a cup of tea. You might even fall into a peaceful slumber almost straight after.
Invite a friend or family over
“’Tis the season to be jolly!” Food has always been a way to bring families and friends together. Use this opportunity to have people over and offer them apple dumplings with a tall glass of apple juice, and if they can’t be physically present, have it delivered to them.
Try various recipes
The recipe for making apple dumplings is quite simple and almost universal. Go on the internet or social media to see how others make their apple dumplings, try one or more of these recipes, and experience variety — after all, it is the spice of life.

5 Facts About Apples Worth Munching On

It makes love confessions easy
In ancient Greece, to throw an apple at someone was to declare one's love.
It is a patient fruit
Apple trees usually take four to five years to produce their first fruit.
China produces more of it
The Chinese account for more than half the world's production of apples.
It can be available all year round
After they are harvested, agricultural facilities are used to keep apples fresh year-round.
It is America’s most beloved fruit
From pies to dumplings, apples are one of the most popular fruits consumed in the United States.

Why We Love National Apple Dumpling Day

Eat! Eat!! Eat!!!
What do we love more than food? Eating good food! Apple dumplings are known to be irresistible, sweet-savory pastries and we love nothing more than being given the opportunity to eat them all day.
For the culture and the community
National Apple Dumpling Day is a day recognized by most Americans due to the long-standing tradition of eating apple dumplings and their status in all households irrespective of social class. Apple dumplings are pastries that provide inclusion to all as it is a readily available pastry.
What to do with all those apples?
Having an abundance of fruit can be overwhelming and the same goes for eating the same thing, the same way for a while. We love National Apple Dumpling Day because we get to try out other recipes with our apples.