National Scrapple Day

National Scrapple Day is observed annually on November 9. It’s a day dedicated to celebrating the unique regional breakfast dish known as scrapple—a loaf made from pork scraps, cornmeal or flour, and spices, sliced and pan-fried to crispy perfection.

History of National Scrapple Day

The dish commonly called scrapple is deeply rooted in the traditions of German and Dutch settlers (the Pennsylvania Dutch) in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic region. They created scrapple to use every part of the pig and avoid waste by combining trimmings with cornmeal and seasonings.
The observance of National Scrapple Day appears to have originated as a food-holiday recognition of this regional specialty, with the date November 9 regularly cited in food calendars and cultural observances.

Why is National Scrapple Day important?

When I reflect on this day, I see it as more than just a quirky food holiday—it helps to preserve and honor a culinary tradition tied to resourcefulness, regional identity, and cultural heritage. Scrapple was born from the idea of “use everything, waste nothing”—and that speaks to broader values of sustainability, community, and pride in place.
At the same time, the day offers a chance to explore a dish often unfamiliar outside its heartland. Celebrating it invites curiosity, openness to regional flavors, and an appreciation for how food tells stories of people, migration, and adaptation.

• It honors a unique breakfast dish tied to the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States
• It celebrates the creativity and frugality of early settlers who turned scraps into something tasty
• It encourages us to explore regional cuisines and expand our food horizons
• It provides a lens into how food traditions carry culture, memory, and identity
• It gives a moment to enjoy something distinctive—and maybe share it with someone else

How to Celebrate National Scrapple Day

Participating is straightforward and delicious. If you live in or near the Mid-Atlantic region, try visiting a diner or store that serves scrapple. If you’re elsewhere, search online for a brand or recipe, and give it a go: slice the loaf, pan-fry until golden, and serve with your choice of ketchup, syrup, apple butter, or mustard.
You could also turn it into a mini-lesson: cook scrapple with family or friends, discuss its origins, explore regional variations (turkey or beef scrapple exists), and talk about how foods travel and change. Share your result or story with someone else and spark conversation.

• Buy or make scrapple, slice it, pan-fry until crisp and serve something new
• Invite someone who’s never tried it and ask for their first-taste reaction
• Explore the history: read about the Pennsylvania Dutch roots and food culture
• Share a photo of your scrapple meal and mention what you liked or what surprised you
• Try a topping or variation you hadn’t before—to see how small changes affect the experience

National Scrapple Day Dates Table