Sign in Subscribe
Hot Takes & Food Dates

National Pancake Day

Certivance

Certivance

— 2 min read
National Pancake Day
Happy National Pancake Day - February 28

Stacks on Stacks: Pancakes That Go Way Back

What do Ancient Greeks, Shakespeare, IHOP, and the Pennsylvania Dutch have in common? Pancakes. No kidding.

February 28 is National Pancake Day, and there’s no better excuse to indulge in a comforting stack of golden-brown flapjacks dripping with maple syrup—or whatever wild topping your heart desires. Whether you call them hotcakes, Johnnycakes, or griddle cakes, pancakes are one of the most beloved (and versatile) breakfast items in history.

Pancake Origins: 30,000 Years in the Making

Pancakes might be humanity’s oldest breakfast. Archaeological evidence shows pancakes were cooked as early as the Stone Age—Otzi the Iceman had remnants of them in his stomach. Fast forward to Ancient Greece, and poets like Cratinus were already romanticizing them. During the English Renaissance, pancakes got fancy with rosewater, sherry, and apples.

IHOP joined the party in 2006 by turning pancakes into a philanthropic powerhouse. Since then, they've raised over $24 million for charities, proving pancakes not only warm bellies, but hearts.

IHOP & National Giving

On this special day, IHOP offers guests a free short stack of Buttermilk pancakes. In return, guests are encouraged to donate to local charities—combining America’s third-favorite breakfast food (after bacon and eggs) with community good.

Pancake by the Numbers

  • #1 Pancake Type: Buttermilk (33%)
  • Top Topping: Maple Syrup (62%)
  • World's Largest Pancake: 49 feet across and 6,614 pounds
  • Southern States: Eat 32.5% of all U.S. pancakes
  • Highest Toss: 31 feet by Dominic Cuzzacrea
  • Calories: 520 in a 2-pancake serving (with syrup & butter)

Let’s Celebrate

How to Celebrate National Pancake Day:

  • Make your own with a global twist—try Greek “Tiganites” or French crêpes.
  • Host a pancake race—yes, it’s a thing.
  • Treat someone to a short stack and a short story about pancake history.
  • Tag your creations: #NationalPancakeDay #FlapjackFiesta

Certivance Can Help You Stay Compliant

Whether you're a small bakery, national brand, or launching a pancake mix, Certivance helps you get your food labels and claims FDA-ready—without the guesswork.

👉 Connect with us to ensure your pancakes are compliant, craveable, and confidently marketed.

Read more