"I remember being a little kid and coming down the stairs to green-dyed milk and shamrock cookies in my lunchbox for St. Patrick’s Day and loving it. My Irish family really leaned into the holiday, if for no other reason than the fact that it just adds some flair to the end of a long, long winter. Now, the idea of getting the kids decked out in all-green everything and reminding them (again) not to pinch the kids at school who weren’t wearing green seems a little overwhelming. But nevertheless, a holiday is a holiday, and what better way to celebrate March 17 than with some delightful St. Patrick’s Day desserts and treats (plus a few healthy option, too). Below, we rounded up our favorite easy recipes guaranteed to earn you a kiss from the kids, Irish or not.
1. Lucky Rice Krispie Treats
I have to admit, Rice Krispie treats are easily one of my favorite sweets. This recipe makes them even better by adding some extra sweetness and making them festive.
2. St. Patrick’s Day Chocolate Dipped Oreos
Oreos dipped in good luck! All you need are green candy melts, white chocolate chips, green sprinkles, and, of course, the cookies themselves. A glass of milk for dunking can’t hurt either.
3. Rainbow Fruit and Veggie Board
Popping with color, it doesn’t get more inviting than this medley of fresh fruits and veggies if you’re aiming for healthy St. Patrick’s Day treats. And, if they make it to the end of the rainbow, the cookies seem like a well-earned reward!
4. Leprechaun Waffles
What a precious way to infuse St. Paddy’s Day into a waffle, while incorporating a couple of servings of fruit to boot. Little ones will love lending a helping hand to assemble the leprechaun’s features, while snacking on some of its Fruit Loops along the way too.
5. Matcha Baked Doughnuts
If we’ve learned anything from the ongoing matcha craze, it’s that this green powder not only has health benefits, but it’s also delicious. Up your doughnut game by adding matcha and making green treats for the holiday.
6. Chocolate Mint Icebox Cupcakes
As it turns out, mint chocolate isn’t just delicious, it can be festive too! We know these cupcakes won’t last long in your household.
7. Rainbow Donuts
A tasty snack that’s also basically a craft? Sign us up! Your little ones will have the best afternoon making these fun donuts before chowing them down.
8. Mint Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Because you can never have too much mint chocolate this time of year (hello, Girl Scout Thin Mints!), try this recipe too and see how it compares to #3 in this list.
9. Fruity Pebbles Treats
Rainbow cereal takes on a whole new meaning when March 17 rolls around. Loaded with tons of gooey marshmallows, you’ll have these dreamy Fruity Pebbles treats ready in 15 minutes or less.
10. Mint Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Andes Mints have been a staple in my household long before we knew they were an Olive Garden delicacy. Adding them into cookies sounds like my lucky day!
11. Vanilla Bean St. Patrick’s Day Cookies
If you love a classic sugar cookie glistening with fresh icing, these shamrock cookies are the ones to make. Soft and lightly sweetened, they lean toward delightful treat rather than monster cookie gut bomb.
12. Healthy Mint Chocolate Chip Smoothie
Get creative with your morning smoothie and make it festive by trying this healthy mint chocolate chip smoothie. We know you won’t regret it!
13. Pistachio Pudding Rice Crispy Treats
While mint chocolate may be the name of the game this time of year, one of our other favorite festive flavors is pistachio. As it turns out, this sweet pudding can be transformed into great crispy treats as well!
14. Lucky Charms Muddy Buddies
Just when you thought puppy chow couldn’t possibly get better, this recipe adds in the quintessential St. Paddy’s day cereal and kicks it up a notch.
15. Homemade Peppermint Patty Cups
These peppermint patties are made with just four ingredients, making them the perfect treat to make with your little ones.
16. St. Patrick’s Day Fudge
We all know at least one (usually several) people who are fudge obsessed. Make them feel like the luckiest person alive by whipping them up a batch of this deliciously green fudge.
17. Pot of Gold Rainbow Treat
These treats are too cute to pass up! Filled with Funfetti cupcakes and frosting and topped with other goodies, your kiddos will be so excited to see that a leprechaun left them their very own pot of gold.
18. Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip Popsicle
St. Patrick’s day means spring is officially on it’s way, and homemade popsicles are the perfect way to welcome the warmer spring temps.
19. Healthier Shamrock Shake
Want the yummy goodness of a McDonald’s shamrock shake in a healthier option? This smoothie is everything you love about seasonal treat without all the additives you don’t want.
20. Rainbow Pancakes
Got a little one who adores pancakes? Whip up your favorite pancake recipe, divide the batter into five parts, add a drop or two of assorted food coloring to each, and you’ll be all set to stack rainbows together before happy mouths dive in.
21. Creamy Pistachio Fruit Dip
A sweet dip always makes eating fruit better, for you and your kiddos. This pistachio dip is as yummy as it is seasonally appropriate.
22. Lucky Charms Cupcakes
Take two of your little one’s favorite things, cupcakes and lucky charms, and make them into the ultimate St. Paddy’s day treat they’ll be asking for year after year.
23. St. Patrick’s Day Dessert Pizza
Pizza night just got even better! Have a couple of your favorite pies delivered, then end the night with this homemade St. Patrick’s day dessert pizza. This recipe can be made with Bailey’s Irish cream for the adults, or make it kid-friendly by substituting coffee creamer.
24. Copycat Thin Mints
St. Patrick’s Day and Girl Scout cookie season go hand-in-hand. If you weren’t able to get your hands on the coveted Thin Mints in time (or, more realistically, they ran out too quickly), make them at home with your little ones.
25. St. Patrick’s Day Green Pancakes
Let your little ones help make a festive breakfast on March 17 by whipping up some green pancakes to start the day.
26. Pot of Gold Cake
It doesn’t get much more festive than this! Your kiddos will have a blast helping bake and decorate this elaborate pot of gold cake.
27. Pistachio Gelato
Homemade gelato never fails to hit the spot, and kids will love making this pistachio gelato recipe that comes out green!
28. Green Snack Board for St. Patrick’s Day
Green veggies never looked as treat-like and enticing as they do in a creative spread all decked out for this Irish holiday. Grab a shamrock cookie cutter, some spinach tortillas, avocado, and your favorite green produce, and you’ll be ready to bring this recipe to life.
29. St. Patrick’s Day Punch
Kiddos will love the mesmerizing kelly green color of this celebratory punch. While the recipe calls for champagne, it’s easy to make it kid-friendly by swapping in something fizzy sans the booze (or just skip it altogether since it includes ginger ale as well).
30. Lucky Charms Macarons
These Lucky Charms-themed macarons are as cute as they are tasty! Seriously, they’re magically delicious.
