9 Healthy and Kid-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Treats
Looking for a healthy and family-friendly way to say, “Sláinte!”?
You don’t have to rely on the luck of the Irish (or take on a load of time-consuming work) to host an exciting St. Paddy’s Day for your family. Below, we’ve rounded up nine St. Patrick’s Day treats that are simple, fun and nutritious!
Whether for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or snack time, these themed green snacks will help you throw a St. Paddy’s celebration to remember.
1. Healthy Shamrock Shakes
Shamrock shakes are probably the most highly anticipated green food for St. Patrick’s Day—but those famous minty shakes from your local drive-thru are also loaded with added sugar, questionable dyes and artificial flavors.
For the same frozen fun with more vitamins and minerals, try out this shamrock shake recipe alternative. All it takes is a quick blend of frozen bananas, baby spinach, avocado, mint and coconut milk for a lightly sweet, well-balanced treat!
2. Green Apple Sandwiches
You can turn fresh apples into cute mini sandwiches with just three ingredients: green apples, granola and peanut butter. Simply slice the apples, spread the peanut butter, sprinkle the granola and close up to serve!
To put your own touch on these bite-sized green snacks, use your family’s go-to peanut butter alternative and homemade trail mix instead.
3. Avocado Deviled Eggs
This recipe transforms traditional deviled eggs into the perfect green food for St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to a serving of protein from eggs and yogurt, fresh avocado adds dietary fiber, heart-healthy fats and a vibrant pop of green.
If your little ones are especially sensitive to heat, try swapping the jalapeños for a more mild “greenifying” ingredient like spinach, sweet peas or parsley.
4. Broccoli Cheese Nuggets
Want a more substantial option than light veggie trays and other green snacks? These broccoli cheese nuggets are easy to make yet filling enough to serve as a main dish in your family’s St. Paddy’s Day lunch or dinner.
Frozen broccoli florets give that lively green color while eggs, bread crumbs and shredded cheese provide the same satisfying bite as everyone’s favorite chicken nuggets.
5. Shamrock Veggie Skewers
Made with broccoli, sugar snap peas, green bell peppers and cucumbers, these all-natural veggie skewers are just as delightful to munch as they are to make.
The best part? These veggie-filled St. Patrick’s Day treats have a job for everyone in the family:
- Your littlest ones can peel off any stickers and wash the veggies.
- Older children can slice the veggies (using kid-friendly knives) or carefully skewer them.
- Teens and older kids can cut adorable shamrock-shaped toppers.
6. Rainbow Fruit Platters
This fruit platter may not be 100% green…but it’s definitely bright and perfectly themed for St. Paddy’s Day! Lay out a rainbow of colorful fruit and encourage your little ones to reach the leprechaun’s pot of gold at the end.
Although the recipe calls for strawberries, oranges, pineapples, blueberries and grapes, feel free to arrange your own rainbow with your kids’ favorite fruits.
7. Shamrock Quesadillas
Whether for lunch, dinner or snacks, shamrock quesadillas are another quick and easy green food for St. Patrick’s Day. Use a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter to cut out spinach tortillas, and then fill them with your kids’ favorite toppings:
- Throw in spinach, bell peppers or kid-friendly superfoods like kale to round out the “green snacks” theme.
- Add diced chicken, black beans, tofu or eggs for an extra serving of protein.
- Serve with a side of salsa verde for extra dipping fun!
8. Parmesan Spinach Cakes
All the fun of a muffin, but savory and green, these Parmesan spinach cakes are a simple yet nutrient-rich green food for St. Patrick’s Day. Just puree spinach, eggs and cheese in a blender and then bake in a muffin tin for about 20 minutes.
These little cakes are also perfect to serve with themed food picks or other fun picky eater tools!
9. Cucumber Leprechaun Hats
These bite-sized leprechaun hats are almost too adorable to eat. Made with cucumbers, cheese and yellow bell peppers, they’re light, healthy and great for a mid-afternoon snack or meal-time side. Serve with parsley hummus, fresh salsa verde or homemade basil vinaigrette for an extra punch of color and flavor.
Put a pop of green on the table this St. Patrick’s Day with fun green snacks that are simple to make, fun to munch and even better than a leprechaun’s pot o’ gold! With these junk food alternatives to classic St. Patrick’s Day treats, you can say goodbye to the sugar high and hello to family fun with just the right nutrition.
