St. Patrick's Day is a fun and meaningful day to celebrate, but most of the desserts made for this day include loads of sugar and artificial food coloring. We've put together a list of Healthy St. Patrick's Day Desserts to help you celebrate without the guilt!
Saint Patrick's Day holds a special place in my heart.
My father is from Dublin, Ireland and March 17th was my late mother's birthday.
In fact, most of my father's relatives still live on the Emerald Isle and my father has just moved back to Ireland--we miss him!
I visited Ireland during my college years and it really is a special place (though I'm sure in the many many years since then that it's changed quite a bit.)
While in Ireland one summer, I did the following:
- Studied at Trinity College. But the courses were in Irish History and Literature so I don't recall much. Just ask my husband - I'm a math and science brain for sure!
- Spent loads of time with relatives.
- Hitch-hiked across the small island in 6 hours with another girl in my program (yes, it was safe to do that in Ireland then--I even had the blessing of my very cautious Irish grandmother!)
- Enjoyed all the funny names for things like the word "crisps" for potato chips.
- Learned that fresh eggs can be stored at room temperature for a long time (they have eggs stacked on the floor in the grocery store!)
- Walked into a pub on the Western side where everyone was speaking Gaelic, Ireland's native language.
St. Patrick's Day History
The story behind St. Patrick's Day is inspiring. In a nutshell:
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- Patrick was from Britain, born near the end of the fourth century.
- When he was sixteen, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and forced to tend sheep in Ireland.
- His trials led him to seek God. One day he thought he heard God telling him to flee his captors, so he did.
- He was caught again and put into slavery, but again escaped and returned to Britain.
- He had another "vision" from God calling him back to Ireland.
- There, he studied with priests, became a priest and a deacon, and eventually Bishop of Ireland.
- "Patrick evangelized, taught literacy, equipped men and women for ministry, and provided leadership for new churches throughout the Emerald Isle."
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We don't participate in all of the alcohol, etc., but I like to celebrate on some level.
I'd love to do the whole naturally corned beef and all that, but sometimes just having a few fun green or rainbow-themed treats is enough and is a great way celebrate as well. It's more about the Leprechaun tales than the real St. Patrick, but you can always tell the real story along with the fabricated tales.
Of course, if you'd like to have a more simple meal for St. Patrick's Day, you could serve up this Paleo Shepherd's Pie with Roasted Vegetables. It's lovely.
So here are some Healthy St. Patrick's Day Treats to enjoy with friends or family. I do so hope you enjoy them and better health as well.
Healthy St. Patrick's Day Desserts
Mini Mint Chocolate Brownies
Mint and chocolate are always a favorite--and when brownies are involved, it can't get much better. If you are in need of avoiding the grain, you can use almond flour for this recipe--just adjust the other ingredients. I have some information to that end in my Pumpkin Snickerdoodle post.
Get the Recipe Here
Secret-Ingredient Mint Fudge – vegan and sugar free
Can you guess what gives this Mint Fudge its natural green color? Hint: It's not spinach! This paleo mint fudge is lightly mint flavored, dairy-free, vegan, and low-carb too.
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Grasshopper Pie — gluten free, paleo & dairy free
Doesn't this Grasshopper Pie look amazing--and the green is all natural from nutrition-packed spirulina! You can make this lower carb by using almond flour for the crust and choosing a low-carb sweetener, and an egg replacer should work fine for those who need it.
Get the Recipe Here
Dairy-free Matcha Ice Cream (paleo & vegan)
I can just taste this ice cream now--so creamy and delectable and made with the goodness of matcha. Substitute in a low-carb sweetener if need be.
Get the Recipe Here
Mint Chocolate Ice Cream with Ganache Swirl - dairy free & low carb, with AIP option
This dairy-free mint chocolate ice cream is naturally colored with fresh mint and has a fun twist on traditional mint chocolate chip ice cream. Instead of chips, it has a creamy ganache swirl throughout.
Get the Recipe Here
Keto St. Patrick's Day Sugar Cookies (Vegan Gluten-Free Paleo)
What a fun treat for kids and adults alike! And look at that vibrant green--who needs artificial colors when you can have this naturally?
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Creamy Avocado Lime Pudding - paleo & vegan
This Creamy Avocado Lime Pudding is a great healthy dessert that's loaded with the healthful goodness of avocado! Plus, it's dairy-fee and low-carb too. THM:S
Get the Recipe Here
4-Ingredient Avocado Mint Nice Cream
"Nice Cream" typically is made from frozen bananas, but not in this case. The "nice" in this case (and the color, of course) comes from the highly-revered nutritional powerhouse, the avocado. Use a low carb sweetener if desired.
Get the Recipe Here
No-Bake Coconut Avocado Grasshopper Bars - paleo & vegan
No need to turn on your oven for these Grasshopper Bars. The lovely avocado stars again in these delicious No-Bake Chocolate Mint Bars that are easily done low carb, vegan, AIP, and are THM too.
Get the Recipe Here
Gluten-Free Vegan Matcha Brownies
I love so much about these brownies! Lightly colored and with all of the benefits of matcha, topped with freeze-dried fruit and even rose petals. If you're watching carbs, you can change out the sweeteners but the dates will be hard to substitute. You could try a chia blend with water or maybe couple that with coconut and made into a paste with added sweetener.
Get the Recipe Here
Tropical Pineapple, Macadamia and Spirulina Maxima Bars
Top off your meal with these bars that are packed to the brim with nutrition from pineapple, macadamia, and spirulina. These would not be able to be done lower carb unless you are really creative with coconut butter and added sweetener perhaps.
Get the Recipe Here
Healthy Shamrock Shake Recipe - Dairy Free
What a great healthier alternative to the popular sugar and green-food-coloring laden drink in a certain fast food restaurant--drink up!
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Vegan Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (dairy free with sugar-free option)
Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream is a favorite with many ice cream lovers. Round out your St. Patrick's Day Celebration with this dairy-free, low-carb, naturally-colored version of this classic ice cream.
Get the Recipe Here
Healthy Green Velvet Cake
This cake's rich green color comes from spinach which adds loads of nutrition to this delectable dessert. If you are avoiding eggs use an egg substitute. Those avoiding grains and carbs could use almond flour instead, making appropriate adjustments to the recipe.
Get the Recipe Here
Keto Key Lime Poke Cake
This Keto Key Lime Poke Cake looks delicious, light, and flavorful! If you need to avoid eggs, this will be a tough one to substitute for so I would choose another option, but it could be done. Use a vegan curd for the filling and use an appropriate egg replacer for the cake.
Get the Recipe Here
Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies (Paleo GF)
These brownies are almost exactly what I used to make when I was younger--but done healthier! If you are low carb just replace the sweetener and an egg substitute should work pretty well for this recipe.
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Key Lime Popsicles (low carb & dairy free with AIP & vegan option)
These Dairy-free Key Lime Popsicles are a great refreshing treat for your St. Patrick's Day celebration. They work for a low-carb diet and can be made vegan too.
Get the Recipe Here
Baked Gluten-Free Vegan Funfetti Doughnuts (Paleo)
Kids of all ages are sure to love these rainbow-themed gluten-free doughnuts. If you are avoiding carbs, this is a tough recipe to alter. If you are on the THM eating plan, these are an E recipe. For paleo, you will have to omit the sprinkles or make your own.
Get the Recipe Here
Raw Vegan Matcha Cheesecake (paleo too!)
This is a fantastic Cheesecake that's Raw, Vegan and made with the super nutrition powerhouse Matcha. If you need to reduce the carbs, you could probably use some coconut instead of the dates and a low-carb sweetener as well.
Get the Recipe Here
Instant Avocado Vanilla Pudding (Vegan)
Skip the boxes with "who knows what" or rather "you know what and it's bad" ingredients and make this just as fast "instant" vanilla pudding instead!
Get the Recipe Here
Matcha Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies (Vegan & Paleo)
I can't wait to make these! Make sure to use a low-carb sweetener and low-carb chocolate chips (or make my Homemade Choc Chips) if you need to reduce the carbs.
Get the Recipe Here
No-Bake Andes Mint Bars
Andes Candies were always a favorite of mine growing up. Love this adaptation into a healthful bar. For low-carb use a low-carb sweetener instead.
Get the Recipe Here
Whatever you choose to do, I hope this Saint Patrick's Day finds you healthy and enjoying loved ones around you.
Which Healthy St. Patrick's Day Dessert is your favorite?
I want them alllll! Thanks for including my avocado mint nice cream!
Me too and you are so welcome! I was really happy to see how low in carbs it is!
I'd love to make natural corned beef. Will have to see if I can find a recipe.
One of my favorite books is called How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill, a historian who wrote a series of books on key turning points in history that greatly influenced the world we live in today. Anyway, it has great, detailed history about St. Patrick in there. I'm not Irish, but I love history and I learned so much in this book about St. Patrick and Ireland.. It's a great, great book, as are all of them in the series.
That sounds great! I made a note to get it out of the library. Thanks!
Loved that book! Whatever happened to my copy?
I really didn't know the story of St. Patrick's Day. In fact, I really didn't realize I didn't know it until I read your post. Great recipes and great info!
Interesting post! We were missionaries in Hungary, and they also sell and store their eggs at room temperature. I knew St. Patrick was a Christian, but had forgotten his story. Thanks for the reminder. God bless!
You're welcome - I've never been to Hungary. One of the places I wanted to visit when I was in Europe. Blessings to you as well.
Thanks for this! I didn't know the history of St Patrick's Day. I made "green deviled eggs and ham." The ham was normal ham, but for the eggs, I mixed the yolk of 6 hard-boiled eggs with 1/4 c mayo, 1/2 of a ripe avocado, some apple cider vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper together. So tasty and festive
looking forward to this - might eliminate the green, just because the baintrain has some pre conceived notions about eating that color;)
:). Even veggies???
To make our green smoothies/shakes I did two things (one the day before and one the day of St. Patrick's Day):
*Added some mint-flavored liquid chlorophyl and a drop of peppermint flavoring for a minty green shake.
*Added an avocado and some spinach leaves for a green smoothie.
Both had a base of frozen bananas, plain yogurt, and milk. My kids and hubby loved and devoured both. 🙂
I *LOVE* St. Patrick's Day!
I always make a meal for my family from the the Irish Heritage Cookbook. It seems pretty authentic and all the recipes are good to great! I think most of the recipes are WAPF friendly as well, or can be adjusted easily.
I'll have to check that out. Thanks!
OOh love that you wont taste the parsley in fudge! great tip! Happy St Patrick's Day Adrienne!
You're welcome! However, I made this for my family today and now they're saying it needs an alteration. Sigh. Hope you enjoy it!
I recently just learned that fresh eggs can stay at room temperature, too. And a bowl or basket of eggs on the counter just looks so lovely.
I'll admit, I've been pretty slack about St. Patrick's this year. I think I'll make a command decision and have green smoothies for breakfast and a big wilted spinach salad (with bacon and chopped egg) for dinner. Thanks for the late night inspiration.
Toooo late night inspiration for me. I'm up early and not feeling so chipper. And with all that I tried making last night a lovely egg bowl won't fit on my counter :-)...but sounds great! Actually that's a great idea. Thanks, Stephanie!
We love to do it up for all the holidays and you have some great ideas here. We are a popcorn family so I love that one the most I think.
Hi Adrienne,
What a lovely post. Hello to a fellow Irish gal!
I generally use the Holidays as a time to teach and instill cultural awareness, which is very important to my husband and me.
So this year I did a geography lesson with my daughter and we mapped out Ireland (cut, colored, glued, etc). We also did some math (counting the leaves of shamrocks, addition and multiplication). My grandfathers were Irish and so we talked a little bit about heritage and what that means. We did some coloring sheets and some workbooks. My son joined us (he's only 2.5), but still had fun. We have been listening to Celtic and Irish music all week. I play guitar, and playing some fun Irish songs for the kids (we love our music time). I've been making green dishes and green smoothies. I'll surprise my husband with some Guinness (my all-time favorite beer). I can no longer drink it, but he will enjoy it for me. 🙂
For us, everything comes back to family and love. After a fun day with the kids, I'm sure Scott and I will spend the evening cuddled up watching a funny movie.
Hugs,
--Amber
I love your thoughts on the Holidays. I have to say, this one almost went by me with all of the anxiety that we've been dealing with with my son, and my husband has been exceedingly busy - and also since my sons have their hockey "closing ceremony" tomorrow so my mind wasn't on St. Patrick's. But now it is. No time for a bunch of "hoo haa". I play guitar also, but not very well now - I'm so rusty! I'd love to know what Irish songs you play - maybe I can find a way to get the music from you :-).
Think I'll go break out the Irish music. We don't have much, but I do love what I have. Take care, Amber!
We will be having green Yoda pancakes. We have a Star Wars mold for them!
How funny!
St. Patrick's Day is a special day in our home too. I love the story of Patrick and the courage to go back and evangelize to a country that had held him captive. My husband and I both have Irish ancestors and love remembering the customs and passing them on to our children. Thanks for sharing healthy treats for the holiday.
You're welcome! Thanks for sharing, Alea and have a great St. Patrick's Day!