40+ Easter Recipes That Are Fresh, Classic And Easy

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The best Easter recipes highlight fresh spring flavor! And whether you’re planning the perfect Easter brunch or dinner menu, you’ll find something for everyone on this list, including deviled eggs, a spring frittata, grilled lamb chops, honey-baked ham, and more!

A whole roast chicken on a plate

Easter Recipes Everyone Will Love

Even as an adult, Easter is still one of my favorite holidays. Perhaps it’s the combination of warmer weather, beautiful spring produce, and let’s be honest, chocolate bunnies! In my family, Easter often starts with a drizzle of creamy hollandaise sauce on top of eggs Benedict or an assortment of deviled eggs (I have multiple options below!). For dinner, classic options like baked ham, lamb chops, or roast chicken are usually served, with plenty of colorful spring sides. Here’s what you’ll love about my family’s Easter recipes: 

  • They’re foolproof recipes. Each of these has been made many times over the years, and they’re much loved by the Downshiftology community (look at all those positive reviews). 
  • Everything is easy yet impressive. While I love a stunning table full of food, I also prefer easy, unfussy recipes. So that’s what you’ll find here. It’s the only way I’ll cook for the holidays! 

The Best Deviled Eggs Recipes

A platter of deviled eggs is pretty much a necessity for Easter. But guess what? There are endless variations you can make! And don’t forget to check out all my tips on how to make the perfect batch of hard-boiled eggs.

Deviled eggs are hard boiled eggs where the yolk is mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. A little sprinkle of paprika on top helps make these the best deviled eggs recipe.

Classic Deviled Eggs: These are the deviled eggs I make for every single holiday, especially Easter. The little touch of paprika goes a long way for a punch of flavor!

Smoked salmon deviled eggs on a plate.

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs: Smoked salmon is an ingredient I love incorporating into my Easter menu, and these deviled eggs are a great way to do it. Just add smoked salmon, fresh herbs, and briny capers for the final touch.

A platter of beet pickled deviled eggs

Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs: There’s nothing like vibrant pink eggs for Easter, especially for a fun and delicious appetizer.

Several bacon deviled eggs on a marble counter.

Bacon Deviled Eggs: Little crispy bacon bits always makes thing taste 10x better — especially on deviled eggs!

Spicy deviled eggs on a white plate with green onions.

Spicy Deviled Eggs: Kick up the heat with these easy spicy deviled eggs that have a shot of sriracha, a hint of Dijon mustard, and a dash of cayenne pepper.

Several avocado deviled eggs on a white plate.

Avocado Deviled Eggs: Add an extra green spin with fresh and creamy avocado!

Fun and Easy Easter Appetizers

These finger foods and bite-sized Easter recipes celebrate spring flavors, every which way!

A bowl of homemade hummus next to a napkin

The Best Hummus Recipe: A hummus crudité platter is one of the best ways to serve fresh-cut spring veggies. But skip the store-bought hummus because my recipe will taste 1,000 times better (and fresher!).

Green hummus in a bowl with herbs and toppings.

Green Goddess Hummus: If you want to brighten up the colors on your dinner table, this herby green goddess hummus is the best (and easiest) way to do it!

A plate of stuffed mushrooms.

Stuffed Mushrooms: Whenever I need a bite-sized appetizer guaranteed to be a hit (that’s not deviled eggs), these stuffed mushrooms are always on the menu. They’re the perfect bite of tender, umami mushroom filled with cheesy, herby, garlicky goodness.

Salmon cheese ball on a plate surrounded by crackers.

Smoked Salmon Cheeseball: Dipping into a cream cheese ball is delicious. But this smoked salmon version is a chef’s kiss!

White bean dip in a bowl next to crackers.

White Bean Dip: White beans are blended with fresh lemon, garlic, and thyme for the best creamy bean dip ever.

Spinach artichoke dip in a white casserole dish.

Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip: When can you ever go wrong with a bowl of warm and creamy spinach artichoke dip? This version is incredibly easy and packed with flavor!

These smoked salmon, avocado and cucumber bites are the perfect healthy appetizer recipe.

Smoked Salmon, Avocado, and Cucumber Bites: Another fresh smoked salmon idea is to top it with avocado on cucumber bites!

Easter Brunch Ideas

Round the table with fruity baked goods, veggie-packed dishes, and the best egg recipes for the best Easter brunch.

Spring vegetable frittata in a skillet on a table.

Spring Vegetable Frittata: This one is always a crowd favorite for spring, loaded with the best spring vegetables, fresh herbs, and a touch of creamy goat cheese.

Smoked salmon frittata recipe in a pan.

Smoked Salmon Frittata: Fill up your frittata with savory smoked salmon! It’s fresh, delicious, and a great way to get salmon in for brunch.

Hollandaise sauce in a small grey bowl.

Hollandaise Sauce: My family always requests this creamy hollandaise sauce to make my sweet potato eggs Benedict for Easter brunch. I’ll show you how easy it is to make in a blender!

A baking dish with breakfast casserole.

Ultimate Breakfast Casserole: This breakfast casserole, loaded with sausage, bacon, and hearty veggies, is my favorite way to serve a crowd for the holidays. Plus, you can always make it ahead of time and reheat it in the oven!

Shakshuka is an easy, healthy breakfast recipe in Israel and other parts of the Middle East and North Africa. It's a simple combination of simmering tomatoes, onions, garlic, spices and gently poached eggs.

Shakshuka: This dish has become a brunch staple over the years! Not only is it so easy to make with minimal ingredients, but it lets tomatoes have a shining moment on the breakfast table. And for an extra green spin, you can try my green shakshuka.

Paleo banana bread in a loaf pan.

Paleo Banana Bread: Sweet and fluffy banana bread is always a great addition to a brunch table. And if you want muffins instead, I’ve got these paleo banana nut muffins that will hit the spot.

Three paleo blueberry muffins stacked on top of each other.

Paleo Blueberry Muffins: These are studded with blueberries for a sweet, juicy, and fluffy bite! Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make and can be made a day in advance.

Paleo Pancakes: A stacked plate of these fluffy pancakes is a perennial winner for Easter brunch. They’re so delicious that no one will even know they’re gluten-free!

(gluten-free, paleo) Spinach artichoke quiche with grilled spring onions. The perfect healthy breakfast quiche!

Spinach Artichoke Quiche With Grilled Spring Onions: Besides a frittata, this spinach artichoke quiche is a great way to include more veggies in your brunch spread.

Best Easter Side Dishes

Complete your Easter brunch or dinner spread with the best roasted vegetables that celebrate spring produce in the best way possible.

A plate of roasted asparagus.

Roasted Asparagus: You’ll always find a platter of roasted asparagus on my Easter table! It’s a given since it’s peak asparagus season, and they turn out perfectly crispy and tender every time. And if you have an air fryer, this air fryer asparagus is another great way to cook them.

Scalloped potatoes in a pan.

Scalloped Potatoes: A side of potatoes belongs on every holiday table, but these scalloped potatoes are a must-have for Easter. They give that cheesy, creamy oomph you’re looking for.

Honey glazed carrots in a white bowl on a table.

Honey Glazed Carrots: This is the best way to jazz up roasted carrots! They’re coated in the most delicious honey glaze punctuated with garlic, ginger, and a pinch of cinnamon.

Garlic roasted potatoes in a bowl.

Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes: These are always the first ones to go, so I would make a double batch if you have a big crowd! They’re perfectly roasted and seasoned with herbaceous flavor. If you prefer mashed potatoes, though, you can follow my creamy mashed potatoes recipe!

Green beans in a white bowl.

Green Beans With Shallots And Lemon: Give green beans some love this season with shallots and fresh lemon.

Easter Recipes With Colorful Salads

Besides roasted vegetables, don’t forget about adding a bright and fresh salad to the table! My family is a sucker for broccoli salad or Nicoise salad, but you’re sure to find an Easter recipe below your family will love.

A large platter of Nicoise salad

Nicoise Salad: If there’s one salad to impress with, it’s this Nicoise salad. It’s a fun way to include a “make your own” salad with all the fresh ingredients on a giant platter.

A large bowl of broccoli salad

Broccoli Salad: This crunchy broccoli salad is a non-negotiable for my family’s Easter spread. It’s layered with all the good stuff—bacon, red onion, cranberries, sunflower seeds, goat cheese, and a light creamy dressing.

A bowl of creamy coleslaw.

Coleslaw: You can never go wrong with a giant bowl of this creamy colelsaw for a refreshing side dish. My homemade coleslaw dressing is unmatched! But if you prefer a no-mayo slaw, this vinegar coleslaw is second best.

A bowl of French carrot salad.

French Carrot Salad: This vibrant salad is another delicious way to get carrots on the table! The grated carrots are tossed with the best honey Dijon mustard dressing, sliced green onions, and plenty of fresh herbs.

Berry spinach salad in a large bowl.

Berry Spinach Salad: This berry forward salad is my favorite for incorporating more spring fruits on the table! It’s very simple, but so delicious, especially with my homemade raspberry vinaigrette.

A big bowl of Greek salad

Greek Salad: Fresh Mediterranean flavors always deserve a spot on your spring table. Just don’t forget to make a batch of my homemade Greek dressing—it’ll beat the store-bought version any day.

A big bowl of classic potato salad.

Classic Potato Salad: This is my mom’s signature potato salad recipe that always gets rave reviews for any holiday, but especially Easter. It’s the perfect blend of creamy and crunchy textures, and is packed with such fresh flavors.

A bowl of egg salad.

Egg Salad: If you’re not making deviled eggs, a batch of this egg salad is the next best thing! You can serve it for brunch, as a side dish, or even with lettuce wraps for a fun dinner alternative. And if you want to get creative with this, you can make my avocado egg salad or curried egg salad.

Best Easter Dinner Ideas

If you’re cooking up the centerpiece for dinner, I’ve got plenty of Easter recipes that fit the bill! Choose from the classics like baked ham or grilled lamb chops, or switch it up this year with fresh seafood, and more.

A plate of rosemary grilled lamb chops for holiday dinners like Easter or summer cookouts.

Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops: Being a New Zealander, grilled lamb chops have always been an essential part of our Easter spread. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make in just 35 minutes. And instead of using store-bought mint jelly, I’m pairing it with my fresh mint apple sauce that will elevate this dish by a ton!

Whole roast chicken in a skillet

Easy Roast Chicken: This classic roast chicken comes out perfectly golden and juicy, every single time. And if you have a slow cooker, this slow cooker whole chicken works just as well.

Honey baked ham on a plate next to a knife

Honey-Baked Ham: If you’re celebrating with a large group, I always recommend this honey-baked ham. It’s much easier than you think and tastes as good as the store-bought version! Side note: Make this ham salad if you’ve got leftovers!

Cooked prime rib in a pan.

Garlic Herb Prime Rib: This beautiful hunk of meat is one of my favorite holiday dinners, especially for Easter. It’s got a delicious garlic crust and it comes out of the oven perfectly tender and juicy.

A baking tray of baked salmon.

Best Baked Salmon: If you’re thinking about serving salmon, this is one of my favorite ways to make sure I have perfectly tender and flaky filets every time.

Slow roasted salmon with orange, fennel, and herbs on a sheet pan.

Slow-Roasted Salmon with Fennel and Orange: For a larger filet of salmon, this is quite the show stopper. Not only is it slow-roasted for the most tender salmon. But, the citrus fennel herb topping gives this major spring vibes.

Four baked cod filets in a white casserole dish.

Garlic Herb Baked Cod: Besides salmon, cod is my second favorite fish for dinner parties. And this lemony garlic herb version is the perfect way to serve it for spring.

Cods en papillote on a baking sheet

Mediterranean Cod en Papillote: This is a fun way to serve up individual cod filets with veggies for each of your guests! The flavor is light and fresh, with a Mediterranean twist.

Four salmon filets in a pan with orange slices and thyme on top.

Orange Glazed Salmon: Since we’re in the thick of citrus season, this orange glazed salmon is another great way to incorporate salmon and oranges! It comes together quickly as well.

Chicken salad in a white bowl with spoon.

Ultimate Chicken Salad: I love making this chicken salad for a super fresh yet hearty dish, I know everyone will love. It’s the perfect combination of juicy chicken, crisp celery, green onion, fresh grapes, and a light creamy dressing.

Shrimp salad in a large white bowl

Shrimp Salad: This shrimp salad is a fabulous option for a lighter main or side dish. I usually like to serve this wrapped in lettuce cups, but you can also serve it as is.

Baked halibut with herbed mayonnaise crust on a plate.

Easy Baked Halibut: Here’s a reminder not to forget about halibut! It’s such an underrated seafood option that’s incredibly delicious, especially with this creamy herb topping with diced shallots.

Scallops in a pan.

Scallops With Citrus Ginger Sauce: Last but not least, these pan-seared scallops are my favorite way to make scallops for dinner! The citrus ginger sauce complements the scallops so well and will add a bright touch as an entree.

Stunning Yet Easy Easter Desserts

Easter isn’t complete without the perfect spring dessert! It’s a time for fresh spring fruits to take center stage. But if you’re a chocolate lover, I’ve got a few options for that as well!

A lemon cake topped with blueberries on a table. A small plate of fresh lemons and blueberries is next to it.

Paleo Lemon Blueberry Cake: Without a doubt, I’d say this is everyone’s favorite spring dessert. The cake is soft and fluffy with a hint of lemon and dotted with plenty of fresh blueberries.

Gluten-free lemon bars on a wooden board.

Gluten-Free Lemon Bars: We love a good lemon bar for Easter, and trust me when I say that I’ve mastered the best gluten-free version yet. The crust tastes just like shortbread, and the creamy filling is the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.

Gluten-free carrot cake on a cake stand.

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake: I think it goes without saying that a carrot cake belongs on every Easter dinner table. This version has three layers of spiced carrot cake with an irresistible cream cheese frosting—so good!

Coconut crème brûlées with berries on top.

Coconut Crème Brûlée: These individual crème brûlées are perfect for serving to dinner guests. They’re smooth, silky, and finished with a caramelized topping and fresh berries.

This gluten-free Vegan Caramel Cheesecake recipe is drizzled with the most amazing salted caramel sauce. The vegan cheesecake is simply made from cashews that have soaked overnight and it's super creamy and decadent.

Vegan Caramel Cheesecake: This vegan cheesecake is probably one of the most popular desserts in the community! It’s cashew-based, which means it’s ultra creamy (just like the real thing). And the salted caramel sauce on top is simply perfection.

A half eaten chocolate pot de creme.

Chocolate Pots de Crème: This is everyone’s favorite chocolate custard that’s decadently rich and ultra creamy. But the good news is that it’s really easy to make and can be prepped in advance!

If you make any of these Easter recipes, I’d love to hear how they turn out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more food inspiration, join my free newsletter.

Easter recipes

40+ Easter Recipes That Are Fresh, Classic and Easy

5 from 5 votes
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

So many amazing Easter recipes to choose from. But this lemon blueberry cake is always a winner for Easter dessert!

Ingredients  

Dry Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

Instructions 

  • Pre-heat oven to 350° F (175° C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with coconut oil or ghee. You can also line the bottom of the springform pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
  • Combine all dry ingredients (minus the blueberries) in a large bowl and stir.
  • Combine all wet ingredients in a bowl.
  • Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix with a hand-mixer on medium-high speed for about 30 seconds or until combined.
  • Pour half the batter into the springform pan and add ½ cup of the blueberries. Pour the remaining batter and add the rest of the blueberries on top of the batter.
  • Bake in the oven for 55-60 min. The batter will remain light colored on top, so use a toothpick to make sure the middle is cooked through. 

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.004g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 79IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Lemo blueberry cake
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe roundup originally published April 2023, but updated with new recipes for your benefit!

About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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10 Comments

  1. Hi Lisa, which of your Recipes do you suggest I use to make healthy Hot Cross Buns, I was thinking of one of your Bread recipes and adding some spices to make them taste like Traditional Hot Cross Buns then making them into rolls or using a muffin tin and putting or cutting a cross on the top. It has been a Tradition in our Family to have them at Easter but the Commercial ones are not suitable for me now. Thank you :-)

  2. Thank you for sharing these recipes. This year Easter bunch will be hugging the ones closest to us. Stay safe everyone.5 stars

    1. Hi Jayne – I hope some of these recipes can bring some joy this upcoming weekend amidst the craziness.

  3. All of these Easter recipes looked great, and so easy to make! I found a few I need to make for my family ASAP, thank you!5 stars

  4. I love all of the many delicious Easter Meal Ideas! I am excited to make the Green Shakshuka for brunch with my family. Thank you!5 stars