National Peanut Butter Day

National Peanut Butter Day History

National Peanut Butter Day is dedicated to celebrating and honoring one of America’s beloved foods – peanut butter. Embodying an essence of fun and nostalgia, the observance accords recognition to the creamy or crunchy delight that forms an integral component of numerous dishes. It acknowledges not only the gustatory pleasure peanut butter imparts but also its nutritional values, being a rich source of protein and healthy fats.

Peanut butter has a prominent place in American food history. As per historical accounts, the popular spread was introduced at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904, which triggered its widespread consumption in the United States. In contemporary America, National Peanut Butter Day serves to highlight its culinary versatility, with peanut butter inspiring a variety of recipes from sandwiches, cookies, to savory sauces. The day also emphasizes its cultural significance as a staple for many American households, being an affordable and easily accessible source of nutrition.

National Peanut Butter Day is observed with much enthusiasm in America. People around the nation celebrate by trying out new peanut butter-based recipes, hosting peanut butter-themed parties, or simply enjoying a spoonful of their favorite brand. It provides a unique opportunity for communities to come together in shared appreciation for this humble spread. While the annual observance garners nationwide attention, it is specifically observed on January 24th each year.

Top 10 Facts for National Peanut Butter Day in 2026

• While George Washington Carver is frequently associated with the legume due to his discovery of over 300 uses for it, he did not actually invent peanut butter; the modern process was patented by others including Canadian pharmacist Marcellus Gilmore Edson and the famous cereal pioneer Dr. John Harvey Kellogg.
• The clinical term for the specific fear of getting peanut butter stuck to the roof of one's mouth is archibutyrophobia.
• Despite being categorized as a nut in culinary contexts, the peanut is botanically a legume, which means it grows underground and is more closely related to beans and lentils than to tree nuts like walnuts or almonds.
• The first known recipe for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich appeared in the year 1901 within the pages of the Boston Cooking School Magazine, authored by Julia Davis Chandler.
• Approximately 94 percent of American households are estimated to keep at least one jar of peanut butter in their pantry at any given time.
• In the realm of cinema, the spread serves as a central motif in works such as the 2019 independent hit The Peanut Butter Falcon and the 1985 Canadian cult classic The Peanut Butter Solution.
• It takes about 540 individual peanuts to produce one standard 12-ounce jar of the creamy or crunchy spread.
• Statistics from the National Peanut Board suggest that the average American student will have consumed roughly 1,500 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches by the time they graduate from high school.
• The world record for the largest peanut butter and jelly sandwich was set in Grand Saline, Texas, where a massive creation weighed in at 1,342 pounds.
• Chemist Joseph Rosefield revolutionized the industry in 1922 by developing a process for homogenization, which prevented the peanut oil from separating and eventually led to the creation of the brand Skippy.

In the News and Trending in the US for National Peanut Butter Day

Top things to do in the US for National Peanut Butter Day

• Enjoy some peanut butter today. Make a PB & J, use peanut butter in a recipe, or just take a spoon to a jar. Either way peanut butter is versatile and delicious no matter how you eat it.
• Explore recipes that involve peanut butter. There are tons of recipes for breakfast, dinner, and dessert.
• Learn more about how peanuts are grown and cultivated. The farming process can be a little complex, but it's well worth it for the result.