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Mira Nguyen
Mira Nguyen
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Guide to National Food Holidays in July

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Notre Dame chapter.

July is chock full of National Food Holidays.  You could celebrate something everyday. And who doesn’t love an excuse to eat?  Here’s a list of July’s National Food Holidays complete with links to show you how to take each item to the next level.

July 1 – National Gingersnap Day

fall treats chocolate cookie
Maya Giaquinta

Start your July off with this family recipe for the perfect gingersnap cookies that melt in your mouth.  Who doesn’t love a good cookie?

July 2 – National Anisette Day

Christmas Cookies
Lori L. Stalteri on Flickr

Embrace your inner Italian grandma with these traditional Anisette cookies. Be prepared for some eye-balling and good ol’ guessing. Make sure to jazz your cookies up with icing and sprinkles.

July 3 – National Chocolate Wafer Day

Chocolate wafers
m01229 on Flickr

Another day, another cookie. No-bake white chocolate matcha wafer cookies. Need I say more?

July 4 – National BBQ Day

grilling tips and tricks corn sausage
Bernard Wen

It’s America’s favorite holiday, and there’s no better way to celebrate than having a BBQ. Make sure your 4th of July party goes off without a hitch.

July 5 – National Apple Turnover Day

National Food Holidays sweet dough
Helena Lin

Perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These apple turnovers won’t disappoint.

July 6 – National Fried Chicken Day

Boston chicken meat
Kaitlin Wheeler

Another truly American food, fried chicken. There are so many great places to get your bucket, but check out this list of the 10 Best Fried Chicken Joints in America. And, if your just reheating last nights dinner be sure to follow these steps to keep your chicken extra crispy.

July 7 – National Macaroni Day

pasta macaroni corn
Kirby Barth

Take a shot making Mama’s mac n’ cheese for the perfect amount of cheese and cream. Let’s be honest, Easy Mac gets pretty old pretty fast.

July 8 – National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day

National Food Holidays cookie sweet
Gabriela Rajic

If Almond Joys just aren’t your thing, almond rock cookies are a fancy, yet simple alternative.

July 9 – National Sugar Cookie Day

Christmas desserts cookie sweet
Amanda Shulman

My favorite part about all cookies is definitely the dough. But, if you want to actually bake them, follow this recipe for classic sugar cookies.

July 10 – National Piña Colada Day

Smirnoff vodka cocktails coconut water
Megan Clarkson

If you like Piña Coladas (and getting caught in the rain) today is your day. Enjoy a tropical escape from reality.

July 11 – National Blueberry Muffin Day

pastry sweet cake
Jocelyn Hsu

Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or really anytime of the day, blueberry muffins never disappoint.  Upgrade America’s favorite muffin with this delicious streusel topping. 

July 12 – National Pecan Pie Day

Eating Disorder pecan caramel
Amanda Shulman

Put all other pies to shame with this pecan pie recipe. Today’s pecan pies are known for having a gooey, jelly-like center with a thin layer of pecans at the top, but this recipe is chock full of nuts with just the right amount of gooeyness.

July 13 – National French Fry Day

fry pasta macaroni
Chelsea Hawk

French fries are perhaps my guiltiest of pleasures. Try making your own gourmet french fries in the comfort of your home.

July 14 – National Gran Marnier Day

Garnier Cocktail
Cole Kennedy on Flickr

Gran Marnier can add a little flavoring (and alcohol) to just about any drink. Try making a spicy jalapeño margarita for your next boozy Mexican brunch.

July 15 – National Tapioca Pudding Day

Chia Seed Breakfast sweet
Christal Acosido

Did you know bubble tea is made from tapioca pearls? And you can make your own that is better and cheaper than the store!

July 16 – National Corn Fritter Day

leftovers lettuce salad
Jake Popescu

Light and fluffy, these zucchini corn fritters are perfect for summer.

July 17 – National Peach Ice Cream Day

Mango-peach ice-cream
cadyellow on Flickr

Peaches + ice cream might just be the perfect summer combination ever. 

July 18 – National Caviar Day

National Food Holidays
Valentine Bratoff

If you’re feeling extra bougie this summer, you will appreciate this day.  Add your own twist by making eggplant caviar.

July 19 – National Daiquiri Day

Order A Mocktail At The Bar strawberry cocktail
Andrea Leelike

Who doesn’t love a nice cool drink after a hot, summer day? It’s 5 o’clock somewhere.

July 20 – National Ice Cream Sundae Day

Sundae Bar ice cream ice
Kathleen Dolan

Treat. Yo. Self. If you simply don’t have the time or energy to go all out like this sundae, try making a microwavable cookie sundae.

July 21 – National Junk Food Day

reduce cravings for junk food milk cereal
Isabel Wang

I know everyone’s trying to keep their summer bod (or still trying to get it), but here’s the best day to pig out this month. So, grab that bag of chips, and own it.

July 22 – National Penuche Day

National Food Holidays sauce
Kristen Yang

Honestly, had no idea WTF Penuche was at first, but basically it’s an Italian fudge. These pumpkin pecan cookies topped with penuche frosting can’t be beat.

July 23 – National Hot Dog Day

National Food Holidays sandwich lettuce
Sara Mickow

What better way to celebrate national hot dog day than making your own authentic Chicago-style dog.

July 24 – National Tequila Day

cheapest liquors water tequila
Jocelyn Hsu

1 tequila, 2 tequila, 3 tequila…floor! If you can’t handle shots, try one of these 5 mixed drinks.

July 25 – National Hot Fudge Sundae Day

Dairy Queen Sundae
Mr.TinDC on Flickr

Cool off with a nice hot fudge sundae after a long, hot day. Swap out your regular brownie with a FiberOne 90 calorie brownie for a healthier version of a traditional fudgy brownie sundae.

July 26 – National Bagelfest Day

photogenic food sweet cake
Max Bartick

Started in 1986 by the owner of Lender Bagels, Bagelfest is celebrated every year in Mattoon, IL (home of the largest bagel factory). If you can’t make it to Bagelfest this year, celebrate by making your own bagels.

July 27 – National Scotch Day

moscow mule copper mug syrup maple syrup
Christin Urso

Feeling extra classy today, but know nothing about scotch? Fear no more! Impress your friends today with your whiskey knowledge.

July 28 – National Hamburger Day

Healthy super bowl snacks bun beef
Tara Botwinick

Because everything’s better with cheese, why not stuff it inside your hamburger? This Jucy Lucy Burger will leave your mouth drooling.

July 29 – National Lasagna Day

meal preps for every situation vegetable meat
Keni Lin

Making lasagna might sound like a pretty daunting task, but this vegetable lasagna only takes one hour to make. Never eat plain pasta again.

July 30 – National Cheesecake Day

National Food Holidays whipped cream cream
Allie Dang

If there’s no Cheesecake Factory near you, put your baking skills to test by making this strawberry glazed cheesecake.

July 31- National Cotton Candy Day

uk ice cream sorbet
Dorothy Ballowe

If you’re looking to change it up from the typical pink and blue cotton candy, try ordering gourmet cotton candy from Sugar and Spun.

If you’re still going strong, check out next month’s national food holidays.