National Chip and Dip Day is a holiday that falls on March 23rd every year and celebrates one of the most perfect combinations in snack food history. Although chips have been around since the mid-19th century, and dips have been around since the mid-20th century, it wasn’t until someone decided to put them together that one of the greatest party snacks was invented. So why not grab your favorite chips and your favorite type of dip and celebrate this holiday with a couple of friends and family members?

The History Of Chip & Dip

We’re not entirely sure when this holiday was invented, but we do have a good idea when chips and dips first became something that people did. In order to understand why people began dipping their chips in dip, however, we first have to look at the invention of both of these foods to find out when they were first put together.

Potato chips were first invented in 1853—at least, according to a popular story that’s when they were invented. According to this story, New York chef George Crum served up a meal featuring fries to a customer, but the customer sent it back because the fries were too thick. Mr. Crum then decided to cut up some super-thin potatoes and sent them back out. These chips were a hit and have been ever since.

Technically speaking, it could be said that guacamole was probably the first dip ever invented. It was first invented by the Aztecs before the 15th century and was brought to Europe during the 16th century. There were also a variety of other dips made throughout history. But chips and dips wouldn’t be brought together as a snack until the 1950s.

Around 1954, Lipton began an advertising campaign that suggested using their dehydrated onion soup mix as a chip dip. This advertising campaign, along with changes in how people entertained in their homes, created the popular chip and dip combination. A combination that’s enjoyed to this day.

Some Popular Chip & Dip Combinations

Even though it’s nearly impossible to list every single chip and dip combination available—after all, there has to be millions of them—we would like to list some of the more popular combinations currently enjoyed by chip and dip lovers.

• Plain Potato Chips with Onion Dip
• Tortilla Chips with Salsa
• Tortilla Chips with Guacamole
• Tortilla Chips with Nacho Cheese
• Pretzel Chips with Hummus
• Fritos with Chili-Cheese Dip
• Old Vienna Red Hot Riplets with Ranch
• BBQ Chips with Ranch

Observing National Chip And Dip Day

Obviously, the best way for a person to celebrate this holiday is to enjoy some chips and dip alone or to throw a chip and dip party. Thankfully, people have access to a wide variety of different chip and dip combinations, so all a person has to do is choose the one that’s right for them. While celebrating National Chip and Dip Day, people should also use the hashtag #NationalChipAndDipDay on their social media accounts to let everyone know what chip and dip combination they’re enjoying.