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Home » Dessert » Irish Potato Candy (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Irish Potato Candy (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Published: Mar 1, 2021 · Modified: Feb 27, 2022 by Rebecca Pytell · This post may contain affiliate links.

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collage image of vegan irish potato candy
irish potato candy with image text

Irish Potato Candy is such a fun and easy treat to make! This vegan version of the old-fashioned candy is completely dairy-free and gluten-free! A no-bake homemade recipe that's just 6 ingredients, full of the classic sweet creamy coconut and cinnamon flavors you love, plus it can be made sugar-free and keto!

vegan irish potato candy on a white plate

You may have never had or even heard of Irish potato candy, so the thought of potato and candy meshed together may already be scaring you. Before you click off, let me put your mind at ease...There is NO potato in Irish potato candy. Here's another kicker for you...it's not even Irish! This old-fashioned candy has its roots in Philadelphia, PA, and typically is a very dairy-heavy treat. Have no fear, I'm going to show you have to make it completely vegan and...potato-free!

bowl of homemade Irish potato candy

What is Irish Potato Candy?

This wholly American candy has its origins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The brand, Oh Ryan's of Boothwyn, PA, "claims to be the largest distributor of Irish Potatoes, shipping about 80,000 pounds to major chains and smaller candy stores, mostly in the Philadelphia area," per Wikipedia. If you're not from the Northeast you may have never heard of this seasonal confection.

The candy is made to look like a potato with a blend of butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, shredded coconut, and vanilla. The mixture is then molded into oblong potato-like ovals and rolled in cinnamon. This gives the candy the appearance of a small russet potato! Some people roll their coconut-cream in cocoa powder for a darker and dirtier look and add pine nuts to the exterior for the appearance of small potato sprouts.

Amish potato candy is the kind you'll see that DOES contain potato that's mashed but doesn't actually look like potatoes. It's rolled like pinwheel cookies with a peanut butter filling and sliced.

What is Potato Candy Made of?

You only need 6 ingredients for this easy no-fuss, no-bake candy!

ingredients for irish potato candy

  • Vegan Butter: The coconut-cream-based center of the "potato" starts with a half and half blend of butter and cream cheese. Use your favorite plain vegan, allergen-free butter that's been cubed and softened.
  • Vegan Cream Cheese: You'll need dairy-free cream cheese for your other half. Essentially you are making cream cheese frosting. I suggest using a plain, allergen-free cream cheese brand like Daiya. You DO NOT want whipped cream cheese for this recipe. You want a thick variety. You'll want this cubed and softened like the butter before blending.
  • Powdered Sweetener: This is where the sweetness comes in! Use your preferred powdered sugar variety. You can make it sugar-free by using something like Swerve or you can just use standard powdered (confectioner) sugar. This is added into the blended-up butter and cream cheese mixture.
  • Shredded Coconut: Next you'll need some shredded coconut (NOT finely shredded or coconut flakes). You need to use sweetened shredded coconut. Unsweetened shredded coconut can be used if you want this recipe to be keto and completely sugar-free, however, unsweetened coconut tends to be drier in terms of texture. You can use either one, but I suggest you stick with a sweetened variety for optimal candy pleasure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is added for flavor! It creates a perfect balance with the sweet coconut and rounds everything out with that hint of vanilla for this cream-based confection.
  • Cinnamon: Finally, you'll need a hefty dose of cinnamon! This is the exterior of the potato candies. Depending on the variety of cinnamon you use may end up with a darker or lighter colored potato. If you want an extra dirty (extra cinnamony) potato, you can double roll them in cinnamon (roll once, then again before serving). You can also use coconut powder if you want an extra dark potato. I suggest going the traditional route and sticking with cinnamon!

This Recipe is Made to be:

  • Gluten-Free
  • Vegan & Vegetarian
  • Allergy-free (Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, Egg-Free, Nut-Free, Peanut-Free, Wheat-Free, Sesame-Free, Corn-Free)
  • Grain-Free
  • Low in Sugar or Sugar-Free
  • Keto and Low-Carb (if you go sugar-free!)
  • Paleo (depending on the dairy-free butter and cream cheese you use, as well as opting for sugar-free!)
  • Easy, Quick, and Kid-Friendly
  • ...and Potato-Free!

How to Make Irish Potato Candy

With just a few steps and some chilling time, you'll be able to whip this homemade candy up in a flash! It's super kid-friendly so it makes a perfect St. Patrick's Day activity to do at home with the kids!

Start with Making the Coconut Cream Base

creaming process for homemade irish potato candy

  1. Just like with a cream cheese frosting, you start out by beating together the room temperature vegan butter and cream cheese. You can use a stand mixer or hand mixer.
  2. Once you've creamed them together, you'll slowly add in the powdered sweetener, and continue beating the mixture until everything is creamed together and smooth.
  3. Finally, you'll add in the vanilla extract and shredded coconut. Mix everything together until combined.
  4. Now you'll chill the coconut cream base for 20-30 minutes, just enough to allow things to harden up a bit before rolling and making those potatoes!

How to Shape and Roll the Potato Candy

shaping and rolling irish potato candy in cinnamon

  1. Using about a tablespoon-sized amount of your chilled "coconut dough", roll it with your hands into an oblong potato-like shape. It can be awkward and knobbing, just like real potatoes are! Don't worry about uniformity.
  2. Next, roll that little coconut potato in the cinnamon to completely coat the exterior. No white should be showing. Please each piece back onto a lined baking sheet for easy cleanup and chilling.
  3. Chill the vegan potato candy until you're ready to serve!

plate, bowl, and sheet of vegan Irish potato candy

Additional Tips and Tricks

  • Chill Before Shaping: Some people shape the coconut dough into the potato shape and then chill in the fridge, however, I recommend you chill the dough before shaping. Shaping the chilled dough and then directly rolling in the cinnamon makes it super easy for the cinnamon to stick perfectly on the outside.
  • Best Way To Store Potato Candy: The BEST way to store and keep the finished candy is in the freezer! Transfer the cinnamon potato candy directly with the parchment or wax paper into an airtight freezer container. They'll stay perfectly soft and chewy with no need to defrost! You can keep them in the freezer for 2-3 months. You can keep them in the fridge. Stored the same way in a container for up to 2 weeks. DO NOT store them at room temperature! While these are dairy-free, they're made with perishable vegan ingredients.

More Irish Recipes for St. Patrick's Day:

  • Traditional Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread
  • Traditional Irish Colcannon
  • Easy Lentil Shepherd's Pie
  • Irish Boiled Dinner Vegetables
  • Irish Potato Bread (Potato Farls)
  • Rustic Mung Bean Shepherd's Pie
  • Mint Chocolate Cupcakes
  • Mini Mint Chocolate Brownies

centered white plate with broken open irish potato candy

Print

Irish Potato Candy (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

vegan irish potato candy on a white plate
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews

Irish Potato Candy is such a fun and easy treat to make! This vegan version of the old-fashioned candy is completely dairy-free and gluten-free! A no-bake homemade recipe that's just 6 ingredients, full of the classic sweet creamy coconut and cinnamon flavors you love, plus it can be made sugar-free and keto!

  • Author: Rebecca Pytell
  • Prep Time: 30 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 Minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 25-30 Candies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No-Bake
  • Cuisine: American, Irish

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 oz Vegan/Allergy-Free Butter (½ stick, cubed, softened)
  • 4 oz Vegan/Allergy-Free Cream Cheese (cubed, softened)
  • 4 Cups Powdered Sweetener (or preferred powdered sugar)
  • 1 Tsp Pure Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 ½ Cups Shredded Coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
  • ¼ Cup Ground Cinnamon

Instructions

Making the Coconut Cream Base:

  1. In a stand mixer or large bowl with a hand mixer, beat together the vegan butter and cream cheese until creamed.
  2. Slowly add in the powdered sweetener, cup by cup, with a low speed until incorporated into the creamed butter and cream cheese.
  3. Now add in the vanilla extract and shredded coconut. Mix everything together until thoroughly combined.
  4. If needed, scrape the mixture out of the stand mixer into a large bowl or transfer the bowl you used directly to the fridge to chill for 20-30 minutes.

Shaping and Rolling the Candy:

  1. Set up 3 stations: Line a baking sheet or large plate with parchment or wax paper and set aside. Pour the cinnamon out onto another large plate. Then take out the bowl of coconut cream.
  2. Roll about a tablespoon-sized amount of chilled coconut dough, using your hands, into an oblong potato-like shape. Then roll the coconut ball on the plate of cinnamon until it is completely covered and no white is showing. Place the potato candy on the lined baking sheet. Repeat until all the coconut dough is used.
  3. Keep the potato candy in the fridge or freezer until ready to eat.

Notes

  • Storage: The best way to store the finished candy is in the freezer, lightly wrapped in parchment or wax paper, and placed in an airtight freezer container. You can keep them in the freezer for 2-3 months. They can be stored the same way in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. DO NOT store them at room temperature!
  • You can use unsweetened cocoa powder in place of cinnamon if you want a darker potato.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2 Candies

Keywords: potato candy, Irish potato candy, vegan potato candy, dairy-free potato candy, coconut candy

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @rebeccagf666 on Instagram and hashtag it #strengthandsunshine

overhead view of vegan irish potato candy on a plate

So fun, so easy, this candy is a perfect family activity and one that's DELICIOUS to eat afterward! Give this recipe a pin and if you make it, show me your little potatoes, tagging me over on Instagram!

So tell me:

+ Have you ever heard of Irish Potato Candy?

———————————————-

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Anna

    February 06, 2023 at 9:31 am

    This recipe is so good, thank you 😋👍🏻

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      February 06, 2023 at 10:37 am

      Glad to hear it!

      Reply
  2. Helen

    March 09, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    Your Irish Potato Candy looks delicious. I remember eating this!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      March 09, 2021 at 5:43 pm

      Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Kimberly Dsouza

    March 05, 2021 at 12:33 pm

    I have never heard of Irish Potato candy! It sounds great though and they look lovely too.

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      March 05, 2021 at 5:30 pm

      Super fun! Enjoy!

      Reply
  4. Kali Allen

    March 05, 2021 at 2:19 am

    Interesting! I'm not a huge fan of cinnamon but these still look amazing. Love, love that they are dairy free. Can't wait to give them a try.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      March 05, 2021 at 7:23 am

      Give these a go with some cocoa powder then!

      Reply
  5. Josh

    March 04, 2021 at 9:14 pm

    I was scrolling and scrolling to figure out how to store these things. I kept saying to myself “you probably can’t leave them out for too long”. Then you said it confirming what I had thought. I think I’m going to try this but dip a few in some sort of vegan chocolate to make them kind of like Mounds candy. Just gonna try it and also make the cinnamon coated ones.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      March 05, 2021 at 7:23 am

      Haha, yes, just like anything with cream cheese frosting! Must be kept cold! You can make traditional Mounds candy right here!

      Reply
  6. Maiko

    March 04, 2021 at 5:39 am

    Oh wow, I thought potatoes can be candy? How? Then read your article and there's no potatoes haha! I've never heard of this recipe before, totally will igve it ago!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      March 04, 2021 at 7:05 am

      Such a fun St. Patrick's Day tradition!

      Reply
  7. Wayneish Brown

    March 03, 2021 at 9:42 am

    Wow! Irish potatoes candy is really new to me. They look delicious. I must try this and see how they turn out!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      March 03, 2021 at 4:54 pm

      Super quick and easy to make! Enjoy!

      Reply
  8. Stephanie

    March 02, 2021 at 11:13 am

    I had to take a moment to just squeal with delight when I saw this post because Irish potato candy is really special to me! My mom was taught by her mom how to make this and so when I was growing up, my mom taught me! We would spend every March/April making them and experimenting with chocolate-covered versions, ones with other elements inside, etc. It's such a delicious treat and it's awesome that you were able to concoct a vegan version!

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      March 02, 2021 at 5:26 pm

      It's such an underrated candy! More people need to know about it! And wow, it's so easy to make from scratch!

      Reply
  9. Jen

    March 02, 2021 at 12:07 am

    I'm from the northeast (Bahstan) and I have never heard of this! In good American fashion we will try making this on St. Paddy's day. 🙂

    Reply
    • Rebecca Pytell

      March 02, 2021 at 6:46 am

      These will become a tradition!

      Reply

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Hey there, welcome to Strength and Sunshine! I’m Rebecca and I'm so glad you're here! This is your go-to destination for delicious, fun, and (mostly) healthy gluten-free and allergy-free recipes, tips & tricks, advice, as well as celiac and food allergy coaching services! More about me



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