St. Patrick’s Day desserts don’t have to be all about Guinness and Bailey’s. If you’d rather skip the booze and still keep things festive, there are plenty of great ways to do it. Mint, chocolate, apples, and even oats bring in the Irish-inspired flavors without needing a drop of alcohol. From buttery shortbread to rich brownies and everything green in between, these desserts keep the spirit of the holiday alive without the buzz.
Healthy Shamrock Shake
This is the homemade version of the famous Shamrock Shake, minus all the questionable ingredients. A fresh, minty treat that keeps things simple while still feeling festive.
Get the Recipe: Healthy Shamrock Shake
Grasshopper Pie
No need for Guinness when you’ve got this no-bake chocolate mint pie stealing the show. It’s creamy, cool, and packed with just the right amount of minty kick. Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day when you want dessert without turning on the oven.
Get the Recipe: Grasshopper Pie
Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Skip the booze and go for a dessert that knows how to balance flavors. The sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb work great together, and the buttery crisp topping seals the deal. Just add a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’re set.
Get the Recipe: Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
Simple Irish Oatmeal Muffins
These muffins don’t need fancy ingredients to get the job done. Just a little bit of sweetness, a great texture from the oats, and they’re good to go. They work just as well for breakfast as they do as a side for something heartier, like stew.
Get the Recipe: Simple Irish Oatmeal Muffins
Irish Bread Pudding
Nothing complicated here—just a straightforward, old-school dessert that’s a great way to use up extra bread. Soft, custardy, and just the right amount of sweetness to make it feel like a real treat for St. Patrick’s Day.
Get the Recipe: Irish Bread Pudding
Watergate Salad
This no-bake classic keeps things simple with a mix of pistachio pudding, pineapple, and marshmallows. It’s been around forever for a reason—it’s easy, quick, and hits that nostalgic sweet spot.
Get the Recipe: Watergate Salad
Mint Chocolate Chip No Bake Cheesecake
If you’re into Andes Mints and cheesecake, this one’s a no-brainer. It comes together fast, doesn’t require baking, and brings the chocolate-mint combo front and center—perfect for a St. Paddy’s Day treat.
Get the Recipe: Mint Chocolate Chip No Bake Cheesecake
Rainbow Air Fryer Donuts
These shortcut donuts are all about the fun factor. Decorated in bright rainbow colors, they’re great for St. Patrick’s Day or any time you need an easy, festive dessert that doesn’t take much effort.
Get the Recipe: Rainbow Air Fryer Donuts
Leprechaun Bark
A St. Patrick’s Day sugar rush, but make it festive. Swirls of white and green chocolate loaded with Lucky Charms marshmallows make this the kind of treat that looks just as good as it tastes.
Get the Recipe: Leprechaun Bark
Green Velvet Brownies
Everything you love about red velvet, but decked out for St. Patrick’s Day. These fudgy, slightly tangy brownies get a bold green makeover and are an easy way to get into the holiday spirit.
Get the Recipe: Green Velvet Brownies
Green Crinkle Cookies
These soft, chewy cookies come together with just a few ingredients, thanks to a cake mix shortcut. Their bright green color makes them perfect for St. Patrick’s Day, no extra effort required.
Get the Recipe: Green Crinkle Cookies
Shamrock Whoopie Pies
These are as fun to eat as they are to make. Fluffy cake-like cookies sandwich a sweet, creamy filling, all shaped like shamrocks for an extra festive touch.
Get the Recipe: Shamrock Whoopie Pies
Chocolate Mint Trifle
Layers of cake, creme de menthe chips, and whipped topping make this trifle a great choice for anyone who takes their chocolate-mint combo seriously. It’s a crowd-pleaser that looks fancy without much work.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Mint Trifle
Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Dip
A no-bake dessert dip that turns cheesecake into a scoopable, shareable treat. Rich chocolate, a hint of mint, and a smooth, creamy texture make it a great addition to any St. Patrick’s Day party spread.
Get the Recipe: Mint Chocolate Cheesecake Dip
Pudding Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
These cookies are packed with chocolate and plenty of minty flavor, thanks to the pudding mix that keeps them soft. If you love mint, these cookies deliver big.
Get the Recipe: Pudding Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
Andes Mint Brownies
If regular brownies aren’t enough, these step it up with chunks of Andes Mints baked right in and a smooth chocolate ganache on top. The result? A rich, chocolatey dessert that’s great for St. Patrick’s Day—or any day.
Get the Recipe: Andes Mint Brownies
Andes Mint Cookies
Chocolate cake mix and Andes Mint candies team up to make an easy, festive cookie that brings the St. Patrick’s Day vibes without any complicated steps. You’d never guess these came from a cake mix.
Get the Recipe: Andes Mint Cookies
Irish Apple Cake
No unnecessary extras—just tart apples, a simple batter, and a classic recipe that’s been around forever. It’s a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with something traditional. Serve it as is or with a creamy custard sauce.
Get the Recipe: Irish Apple Cake
Butter Irish Shortbread
A basic three-ingredient shortbread that’s buttery, crumbly, and just sweet enough. It’s the kind of classic, no-frills dessert that works great for St. Patrick’s Day and beyond.
Get the Recipe: Butter Irish Shortbread
Peppermint Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Cups
A simple, small dessert that brings together peppermint, cookies, and cheesecake in individual portions. Easy to make and even easier to eat.
Get the Recipe: Peppermint Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Cups
Mint Chocolate Chip Mini Cheesecakes
Each bite of these mini cheesecakes packs plenty of chocolate and mint flavor, with a crunchy cookie base to balance it out. Great for when you want a little something sweet without making a full cheesecake.
Get the Recipe: Mint Chocolate Chip Mini Cheesecakes
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.