Irish themed snacks are coming right up for ya lad. Perfectly planned for Emerald Crossing VBS by Answers in Genesis.
Please note that I am still in the process of fully planning for our Emerald Crossing VBS so there will be changes to this post as we run our program and finalize selections. I had posted now so you can use this information as a help and inspiration for your planning, but you may need to make tweaks to serving sizes, quantities, etc.
My first year planning VBS snacks
My first year planning snacks for our church VBS program was Wonder Junction in 2025. I had SO MUCH FUN coming up with themed snacks and playing the part of Sweet Sadie at the Chuckwagon. If you’re looking for western themed VBS snacks you can read all about what we did that first year on my Western Themed Snacks blog post.
I knew Answers in Genesis relevealed the next years theme in June, so as soon as we wrapped up that amazing week I was already spinning my gears thinking up ideas for the upcoming Emerald Crossing VBS theme. So. Many. Good. Ideas.
VBS, St. Patrick’s Day, and More
Below you will find few things that I have put together for Irish themed snacks. Don’t limit yourself to just VBS, these ideas would be great for St. Patrick’s Day, themed educational/class parties, and other celebrations of Irish heritage.
DAY ONE: The Lord is my Shepherd
When I think Ireland I think potatoes, and when I think shepherd, I think shepherd’s pie, which is why this is the PREFECT snack to start out our great week at VBS Emerald Crossing. I’ve put together a simple recipe and assembly that will allow this dish to be quickly and easily prepared for a large crowd.
An alternate snack for this day would be a sheep themed snack. See additional Psalm 23 snack ideas at the end of this post.
SNACK: Mini Shepherd’s Pie
Serving Size: One Pie (Approx. 1/4 cup of meat sauce topped with 1/3 cup of mashed potatoes)
Supplies List:
- ground beef
- bags of frozen vegetables (peas, carrots)
- tomato sauce
- worchestershire sauce
- beef broth
- seasonings
- instant mashed potatoes
- mini pie pans
- napkins
- plastic spoons
- water cups
Meat Sauce
- ground beef (precooked)
- frozen peas and carrots
- tomato sauce
- worchestershire sauce
- beef broth
- dried thyme and rosemary
- salt & pepper
Combine all ingredients in a roaster or slow cooker until heated through.
Mashed Potatoes
Prepare instant mashed potatoes according to package directions. Keep warm in a roaster pan or crock pot until ready to serve.
Alternative: For a quick “cheat” consider using duchess potatoes to top pies with a potatoes “swirl” (Bettergoods Belgian Style Duchess Potatoes, 26.5 oz (Frozen) at Walmart)
Assemble the Mini Shepherd’s Pies
Ladle meat sauce into small “pie pans”.
Use an ice cream or cookie scoop to place a large mound of mashed potatoes on top.
Keep warm in an oven, if needed.
Serve with wooden spoons (optional)
Recipe:
Inspiration taken from Mini Shepherds Pies
Alternative: Some sort of sheep snack (see list at the end of this post)
DRINK: Water
Water to drink
Day 2) Green Pastures
When I imagine green pastures in Ireland, I picture fluffy white sheep and cute little goats grazing on spring green grass. What better VBS themed snack than a grazing board. Since we’re talking about green pastures, why not make it ALL green. Basically, each child will get their own mini green fruit and veggie tray/charcuterie plate.
Since we are using plastic “nachos” trays on day five, that would make an easy serving dish for this day swell. The little nacho cheese well would work great for a green dip or some little green candies.
Green Food Ideas
HEALTHY: green grapes, green apple slices, broccoli, celery sticks, cucumber slices, green bell peppers, kiwi, peas, green dill/onion dip, pickles, guacamole, green olives, asparagus, green go-go squeeze applesauce pouches
SWEET: green M&M’s, green apple flavored candies (such as gummy rings), various mint flavored treats, green foil Hershey’s kisses.
SALTY: Harvest Snaps crisps, Vlasic pickle balls
SNACK: Green Pastures Grazing Board
Serving Size: One plate/dish
Supplies
- various green fruits and vegetables
- green candies
- vegetable dip
- plates or paper boats
- water cups
DRINK : Still Water
Cups of water.
Day 3) Walk through the valley, comfort me
Bread is the ultimate comfort food. Why not serve Irish soda bread with butter?
Irish Soda Bread
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/grandmas-irish-soda-bread/)
Alternative: Bird Nests
Just as a mother bird comforts her young in the safety of her nest, God is with us, comforting us in the storm and keeping us under his wing.
To create the bird nest snack, use pretzels/lo main with chocolate and little malted eggs.
Day 4) My Cup Runneth Over
Drink: Irish Cream Soda Floats
-LIke a rootbeer float but using cream soda and topped with whip cream and green sugar crystals. Garnish with a green and white striped paper straw..
Drink: Irish Cream Chocolate Milk
Chocolate milk with non-alcoholic “Irish cream” flavoring mixture topped with whipped cream and green sugar.
(https://www.destinationsitters.com/blog/irish-cream-kid-friendly-recipe/)
Snack: Piled High Popcorn
An overflowing cup of popcorn.
Day 5) Goodness and Mercy, Dwell in the House of the Lord
What says Ireland more than potatoes? Today’s snack features golden round hash browns and a yummy Irish inspired dip. Serve in a plastic nachos tray or in a paper boat with cups of dip on the side.
SNACK: Potato Nachos
Serving Size: One boat (10 potato tot rounds) and 1/4 cup of cheese dip (2 oz) or 1/2 cup Reuben dip (4 oz)
Potatoes
Here are a few choices for the types of potatoes you could use. Think something similar to a potato cake or tater tot. I like the golden rounds which remind me also of gold coins.
- Potato Cakes (Boxty)
- Golden Round Hashbrowns
This 30 ounce crispy rounds shredded potatoes from Walmart serves about 12 kids.
Dip
Choose from an Irish cheese dip, a reuben dip, or go crazy and serve both!
Irish Cheese Dip Recipe
8 ounces cream cheese
7 ounces Kerrygold Dubliner cheese (See substitutes below*)
1/4 cup mayonaise
Spreadable Cheddar Cheese Tub (Merkts, Shullsberg, Kraft)
*Kerrygold Dubliner cheese can be substituted with several cheeses, including Gruyère, Gouda, or Fontina, as they share similar nutty and slightly sweet flavors. These alternatives work well in recipes that call for Dubliner cheese due to their melting properties and taste profiles. sharp cheddar
Place all ingredients in a crock pot. Allow to melt together on high heat, stirring requently. Once melted keep on low or warm and serve from the crock pot into small cups.
Reuben Dip Recipe
8 ounces cream cheese
8 ounces swiss cheese
1/2 cup Thousand Island dressing
1/2 cup sour kraut (drained and chopped)
1/4 cup mayonaise
1/4 lb corned beef, finely chopped
Combine all the ingredients above in a slow cooker or roasting pan. Cook until warmed through.
Note: I have already reduced the amount of sour kraut and corned beef in this recipe by half of what many recipes suggest. This is both of budget consciousness and awareness that the kids may not like those ingredients as much. You can adjust to “taste” if you’d like.
Serving Dishes
Here are a few options for serving the potato nachos. We’ll be using nacho trays, but you can use what works best for your set up.
Other Irish Themed Snack Foods to Consider
Gardetto Garlic Rye Chips
Kerrygold Butter
Irish Apple Cake
Irish Soda Bread
Irish Onion Soup
Reubens
Potato Cakes
Corned Beef
Cabbage
Other Psalm 23 Themed Snacks to Consider
Sheep Snacks (See my Emerald Crossing Pintrest board for some super cute ideas!)
Breadsticks (shepherds rod & staff, consider making a curved top for a staff shape)
Pretzel RODS and hummus
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