Snack attack: March 14 is National Potato Chip Day
March 14 is National Potato Chip Day — a day dedicated to nothing but the crispy, crunchy snack that has become a staple in pantries worldwide. Whether you prefer them plain, salted, wavy, flat, or flavored, potato chips have a way of satisfying our cravings like nothing else.
The humble potato chip's origins are as delightful as the snack itself. In 1853, at Moon's Lake House in Saratoga Springs, New York, Chef George Crum encountered a particularly finicky customer who repeatedly sent back his fried potatoes, complaining they were too thick and soggy. In a moment of culinary inspiration (or perhaps frustration), Crum sliced the potatoes paper-thin, fried them to a crisp, and seasoned them with salt. To everyone's surprise, the customer loved them, and thus, the potato chip was born. (It seems unfair to us that the fussy customer gets no recognition in this origin story!)
This year, even Heinz is celebrating National Potato Chip Day — with the announcement of a limited-edition Heinz Chip Dip. Their point of view is that while ketchup and French fries are a classic duo, pairing ketchup with potato chips hasn't quite caught on. Until now, maybe? The new Heinz Chip Dip features their signature ketchup in a wide-mouth jar, making it perfect for dipping those crispy chips. Rolling out just in time for National Potato Chip Day, this offering is available nationwide through Walmart, while supplies last.
If that combination doesn't strike you as the way you want to celebrate National Potato Chip Day, here are a few more ideas:
Host a chip-tasting party: Gather an assortment of potato chip flavors — leaning heavily into all the weird ones you've never dared to try before — and invite friends over for a tasting session.
Make 'em yourself. If you're feeling adventurous in the kitchen, try imitating Chef Crum's original recipe. Slice your potatoes very thinly, season them to your liking, then bake or fry them for a chip just like the original.
Celebrate on social by posting your favorite chips and chip-related memories by using #NationalPotatoChipDay.
So, on March 14, grab your favorite bag of chips (and maybe some Heinz Chip Dip) and crunch away in celebration of National Potato Chip Day!
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