Pistachio no bake cookies St. Patrick’s Day always remind me of the first time my mom made something green that wasn’t mint. When I was growing up, green desserts meant peppermint, but one spring she stirred pistachio pudding into a warm stovetop mixture and said, “Let’s try something different.” Back in our kitchen, that nutty sweetness filled the air, and I remember sneaking chopped pistachios before they ever made it into the bowl. Trust me on this, these cookies are soft, lightly nutty, and perfectly festive without ever turning on the oven.
Pistachio No Bake Cookies for St. Patrick’s Day
Equipment
- medium saucepan
- wooden spoon
- Cookie scoop (1½ tablespoon)
- Parchment Paper
- baking sheet
- Measuring tools
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ½ cup whole milk
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- 3.4 oz instant pistachio pudding mix dry powder
- 3 cups quick oats
- ½ cup chopped pistachios
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 3 –5 drops green gel food coloring optional for brighter color
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter with milk and sugar, stirring constantly.
- Bring to a full rolling boil and boil for 60 seconds exactly.
- Remove from heat immediately.
- Stir in dry pistachio pudding mix, vanilla, salt, and food coloring if using. Mix until smooth and glossy.
- Fold in oats and chopped pistachios until evenly combined.
- Drop 1½ tablespoon portions onto parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Allow to set at room temperature for 20 minutes until firm.
- Texture cue: Cookies should hold their shape, feel soft in the center, and have a light chew from the oats and pistachios.
Notes
Store in airtight container at room temperature up to 5 days. Freezing:
Freeze up to 2 months with parchment between layers. Humidity Tip:
In humid climates, allow 25–30 minutes setting time or refrigerate briefly. Troubleshooting:
- Too soft? Boil 5–10 seconds longer next batch.
- Too crumbly? Slightly reduce boil time.
- Artificial flavor too strong? Add 1 tablespoon finely ground pistachios for deeper nutty balance.
- Color dull? Use gel coloring for brighter St. Patrick’s Day green.
Nutrition
Conclusion
Between you and me, pistachio no-bake cookies for St. Patrick’s Day are the kind of surprise treat my mom loved to make, familiar but just a little unexpected. If you enjoy festive green desserts, you might also love St. Patrick’s Day mint chocolate cookies or the colorful fun of rainbow no-bake cookies. And if you’re in the mood for something richer, red velvet no-bake bites bring that same soft texture with a different twist. Trust me on this, these pistachio cookies disappear fast once the green desserts hit the table.