National Pretzel Day is on Monday, April 26, 2027, and it falls on April 26 every year. It celebrates the twisted snack, soft or hard, salted or plain. Many pretzel chains mark the day with deals, so check their apps before you go.
When Is National Pretzel Day?
It’s always April 26. Promotions vary from year to year, so confirm details with each store.
Who Started National Pretzel Day?
Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell declared the first National Pretzel Day in 2003. He did it to honor the pretzel’s contribution to Pennsylvania’s history and economy, abc27 reports.
The state has good reason to claim it. Pennsylvania leads the nation in pretzel production, with about 80% of the market.
America’s first commercial pretzel bakery
In 1861, Julius Sturgis opened a bakery in a 1784 stone house in Lititz, Lancaster County. It became America’s first commercial pretzel bakery.
His real innovation was making dry, shelf-stable hard pretzels that could be produced and shipped in bulk. The family business later grew beyond Lititz. In 1946, his grandson Tom Sturgis opened a bakery in Reading.
Two popular stories surround his recipe. One says a traveler traded it for a meal. Another says an apprentice dozed off at the oven and overbaked a batch, creating the first crunchy pretzels. Neither can be confirmed.
The legend of the twist
A widely told legend says European monks first baked pretzels around 610 A.D. as rewards for children who learned their prayers. In the story, the twisted shape represents arms crossed in prayer. There’s no firm record to prove it.
Another story says plain flour-and-water pretzels became a popular Lent food, when eggs, lard, milk and butter were off-limits. It’s also possible the twisted shape was simply practical, making pretzels easy to hang on sticks for display.
What is documented is that German and Swiss immigrants, especially the Pennsylvania Dutch, brought pretzels to America.
Why Celebrate Pretzels?
Pretzels are part of Pennsylvania’s food heritage and a billion-dollar U.S. business today. The day honors the bakers, from small family shops to big snack makers. It’s also a chance to try regional styles, from Philadelphia’s figure-eight soft pretzels to crunchy hard twists.
How to Celebrate National Pretzel Day
- Grab a deal: check pretzel shops and their apps for free or discounted pretzels.
- Bake soft pretzels: boil shaped dough briefly in a baking soda bath before baking for that chewy, brown crust.
- Visit Lititz: the Julius Sturgis bakery offers tours where you can try twisting your own pretzel.
- Make a dip spread: beer cheese for adults 21+, honey mustard, spicy brown mustard or warm caramel.
- Try sweet pretzels: dip pretzel rods in chocolate and roll them in sprinkles or crushed nuts.
- Do a taste test: compare sourdough, rods, twists and pretzel bites side by side.
- Add pretzels to dinner: use crushed pretzels as a crunchy coating for chicken tenders or fish.
- Make a pretzel crust: crush pretzels with butter and sugar for a salty-sweet pie or cheesecake base.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are soft pretzels dipped in baking soda water?
The alkaline bath helps the crust brown deeply and gives pretzels their chewy skin and classic flavor. Commercial bakers often use a stronger lye solution.
Which state makes the most pretzels?
Pennsylvania. It produces about 80% of the pretzels made in the U.S.
Can you still visit the first pretzel bakery?
Yes. The Julius Sturgis bakery in Lititz, Pennsylvania, is open for tours. Check its website for current hours.