National Fortune Cookie Day 2025: History, Fun Facts & 10 Recipes to Try at Home

Celebrate National Fortune Cookie Day on July 20 with fun facts, the fascinating history behind these sweet treats, and 10 delicious fortune cookie recipes you can make at home. National Fortune Cookie Day is celebrated every July 20, honoring the iconic treat that combines crisp sweetness with a little surprise tucked inside. Whether you love them for their vanilla-almond crunch or the witty fortunes they deliver, fortune cookies are a delightful end to any meal and a symbol of curiosity, hope, and fun.

But did you know the origin of the fortune cookie isn’t exactly what many people think?

Although commonly associated with Chinese cuisine, especially in American Chinese restaurants, the fortune cookie’s roots are actually Japanese and American. Fortune cookies as we know them today are believed to have originated in early 20th-century California. A Japanese immigrant named Makoto Hagiwara, the designer of the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco, is credited with serving the first modern fortune cookies around 1914. He used a similar baked cookie to thank supportive friends during a difficult time.

At the same time, a Chinese immigrant named David Jung, founder of the Hong Kong Noodle Company in Los Angeles, claimed to have invented the cookie in 1918 to uplift the poor with biblical quotes inside the treat. Regardless of who created them, by the 1930s and ’40s, fortune cookies were being mass-produced and served in Chinese restaurants across the U.S., especially after Japanese-Americans were forced into internment camps during WWII, leaving Chinese-owned businesses to popularize the treat.

Today, fortune cookies are as much a part of pop culture as they are a dessert, often featured in movies, social media trends, and even wedding favors.

Fun Facts About Fortune Cookies

• Over 3 billion fortune cookies are made each year, with the majority consumed in the United States.
• Wonton Food Inc. in Brooklyn, New York, is the largest manufacturer of fortune cookies in the world.
• Fortune cookies are not traditional in China, and many Chinese nationals only encounter them abroad.
• There are professionals who write fortunes for mass distribution, some have written thousands of unique one-liners and proverbs.
• The Guinness World Record for the largest fortune cookie was set in 2013 and weighed over 750 pounds!

How to Celebrate National Fortune Cookie Day

1. Make your own fortune cookies at home (recipes below!).
2. Write custom fortunes for friends or coworkers and surprise them.
3. Host a dinner party with homemade Asian-inspired dishes and fortune cookies for dessert.
4. Print fortunes with inspiring quotes or inside jokes and gift them in jars.
5. Try a fortune cookie challenge: everyone reads their fortune and tells a story based on it!

10 Delicious Fortune Cookie Recipes to Try

Whether you’re a baking pro or just starting out, these recipes offer creative, flavorful ways to enjoy this classic treat. Each link directs to a trustworthy food blog or recipe site.

1. Classic Homemade Fortune Cookies - A great starting point, vanilla-sweet and crisp, ready to fill with personalized fortunes.
2. Chocolate-Dipped Fortune Cookies - Add flair with melted chocolate and sprinkles, perfect for parties or gifting.
3. Colorful Rainbow Fortune Cookies - A fun, vibrant twist for birthdays or Pride Month celebrations.
4. Gluten-Free Fortune Cookies - Delicious and crispy with zero gluten, no one will know the difference.
5. Matcha Green Tea Fortune Cookies - Green tea adds a subtle, earthy flavor and beautiful color.
6. Red Velvet Fortune Cookies - Bold and romantic, perfect for Valentine’s Day or anniversaries.
7. Orange-Chocolate Fortune Cookies - A zesty take on the classic cookie, with orange zest and almond extract.
8. Personalized Fortune Cookie Message Tutorial - Includes tips for printing or writing your own fortunes before baking.
9. Fortune Cookie Cupcakes - Turn fortune cookies into adorable edible toppers on frosted cupcakes.
10. Giant Fortune Cookie Cake - Perfect for celebrations, a cookie you can slice like cake and fill with a giant message.

Tips for Baking Fortune Cookies at Home

• Bake only 2–3 at a time—they harden quickly and need to be shaped fast.
• Use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Have your fortunes pre-cut and ready before baking.
• Wear gloves when folding—the cookies are hot and pliable for a very short time.
• Store in an airtight container to keep them crisp.

DIY Fortune Ideas to Include

• “You will soon discover a talent you didn’t know you had.”
• “Adventure is on the horizon—don’t forget to pack snacks.”
• “Luck favors the bold—and the prepared.”
• “A new friendship will bring unexpected joy.”
• “Trust the process. Your breakthrough is near.”

Pair with These Themed Meal

To elevate your celebration, pair your homemade fortune cookies with a themed meal:

• Starter: Dumplings or spring rolls
• Main: Orange chicken, stir-fried noodles, or tofu rice bowls
• Drink: Jasmine tea or bubble milk tea
• Dessert: Homemade fortune cookies!

National Fortune Cookie Day is more than a quirky food holiday; it’s a celebration of multicultural history, creativity, and joyful tradition. Whether you’re baking from scratch, writing personalized fortunes, or just indulging after a meal out, fortune cookies are small but meaningful reminders that something sweet is always ahead.

So, on July 20, bake a batch, crack one open, and share some wisdom, one cookie at a time.