Easter is a cherished holiday, celebrated with incredible brunches, colorful salads, and delectable desserts like carrot cake. This article provides a variety of Easter recipes suitable for everyone, aiming to make you the star of your brunch, whether you're hosting or attending.
Appetizers and Dips
Classic and Creative Deviled Eggs
A platter of deviled eggs is a quintessential Easter necessity. There are endless variations to explore. Don’t forget to check out all my tips on how to make the perfect batch of hard-boiled eggs.
- Classic Deviled Eggs: A staple for every holiday, especially Easter.
- Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs: Incorporate smoked salmon for a unique twist.
- Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs: Using pickles in the filling not only reduces amount the mayo used in this classic appetizer but really boosts the flavor as well!
- Beet Pickled Deviled Eggs: Vibrant pink eggs add a fun and delicious touch to your Easter spread.
Dips and Spreads with Fresh Veggies
These finger foods and bite-sized Easter recipes celebrate spring flavors.
- The Best Hummus Recipe: Serve a hummus crudité platter with fresh-cut spring veggies.
- Green Goddess Hummus: Brighten up your dinner table with this herby dip.
- White Bean Dip: Whip up this appetizer in under 20 minutes. Think of it as a cousin to hummus but extra garlicky. Serve with raw veggies for an ultra healthy appetizer.
- Healthy 7-Layer Dip: Made with beans, protein-packed yogurt, taco seasoning, guacamole, cheese, tomatoes, black olives, onion, cilantro, and jalapeños.
- Stuffed Mushrooms: A guaranteed hit when you need a bite-sized appetizer that’s not deviled eggs.
- Smoked Salmon Cheeseball: A delicious cream cheese ball for dipping.
- Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip: A warm and creamy dip that's always a crowd-pleaser.
Bites
- Smoked Salmon, Avocado, and Cucumber Bites: A fresh and healthy appetizer.
Brunch and Breakfast Dishes
Frittatas and Quiches
- Smoked Salmon Frittata: A savory frittata filled with smoked salmon.
- Caprese Frittata: If you love the idea of making a quiche for Easter brunch but want to make it a little lighter, make a frittata! It's basically the flavorful filling (in this case, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil) without the crust.
- Asparagus Quiche: A hearty quiche filled with asparagus, green onion, fresh dill, and crumbled feta.
Casseroles and Bakes
- Ultimate Breakfast Casserole: Loaded with sausage, bacon, and hearty veggies, perfect for serving a crowd.
- Chicken Spanakopita Casserole: Put a Greek twist on your main course with this crispy, flakey, ooey-gooey casserole.
Pancakes and Muffins
- Lemon Ricotta Protein Pancakes: Fluffy lemony pancakes that are high in protein.
- Paleo Banana Bread: A sweet and fluffy addition to any brunch table.
- Paleo Blueberry Muffins: Studded with blueberries for a sweet, juicy, and fluffy bite.
- Healthy Morning Glory Muffins: Made with almond flour and packed with raisins, carrots, apples, and nuts.
Other Brunch Ideas
- Hollandaise Sauce: A creamy sauce, perfect with sweet potato eggs Benedict.
- Shakshuka: An easy-to-make brunch staple that showcases tomatoes.
- Charcuterie boards: Charcuterie boards are a hit for happy hour, so why not serve one full of your favorite morning foods, too?
Salads
Fresh and Vibrant Salads
Besides roasted vegetables, don’t forget about adding a bright and fresh salad to the table! The best Easter recipes highlight fresh spring flavor!
- Green Goddess Salad: Layers upon layers of flavorful greens feel so refreshingly spring. You can also make this a few days in advance and it'll stay crunchy. And a from-scratch herby dressing makes it extra special.
- Radish Salad: In less than 15 minutes, you can pull together this side dish that's packed with crispy, flavorful salad. Thinly sliced radishes and cucumbers get a boost with tons of fresh herbs.
- Strawberry Spinach Salad: A colorful dish with fresh fruit, toasted pecans, and goat cheese.
- Spring Salad with Radishes: Spotlighting seasonal veggies like radishes, lettuce, and red onions.
- Nicoise Salad: An impressive salad option.
- Broccoli Salad: A crunchy salad that's a family favorite.
- Coleslaw: A refreshing side dish with homemade coleslaw dressing.
- French Carrot Salad: A vibrant way to get carrots on the table.
- Berry Spinach Salad: Incorporating spring fruits.
- Greek Salad: Fresh Mediterranean flavors for your spring table.
- Arugula and Three-Pea Salad:
- Super Market Slaw: Features broccoli, edamame, corn, chicken, pancetta, and coleslaw tossed in a homemade pesto dressing.
Potato and Egg Salads
- Classic Potato Salad: A signature recipe that always gets rave reviews.
- Egg Salad: A great alternative to deviled eggs, served for brunch or as a side dish.
Main Courses
Roasted Meats
- Herb Roasted Chicken: A classic choice, served with extra wedges of fresh lemon.
- Easy Roast Chicken: Comes out perfectly golden and juicy.
- Slow Cooker Whole Chicken: An alternative using a slow cooker.
- Honey-Baked Ham: Recommended for large groups, easier than store-bought versions.
- Garlic Herb Prime Rib: A favorite holiday dinner option.
- Garlic-Herb Beef Strip Filet Roast: A leaner cut with flavorful garlic and herbs.
- Turkey Meatloaf: Made from lean ground turkey rather than beef, this healthy version of the classic dinner is coated in ketchup glaze and makes the perfect addition to your Easter dinner menu.
Lamb and Other Meats
- Rosemary Grilled Lamb Chops: Easy to make in just 35 minutes.
- Grilled Lamb Chops: Marinated in garlic and herbs, cooked on the grill.
- Lamb Meatballs: Get all the same juicy flavor as roasted lamb but in a faster, more casual way. And save on the fat by baking them in the oven instead of frying them.
- Honey Mustard Chicken: A sweet and tangy way to dress up boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts.
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast: A flavorful Easter chicken dinner doesn't have to mean spending all day in the kitchen, thanks to the Instant Pot!
Seafood Dishes
- Slow-Roasted Salmon with Fennel and Orange: A show stopper with tender salmon.
- Orange Glazed Salmon: Incorporating salmon and oranges.
- Garlic Herb Baked Cod: A lemony garlic herb version perfect for spring.
- Mediterranean Cod en Papillote: Individual cod filets with veggies.
- Easy Baked Halibut: A reminder not to forget about halibut!
- Mediterranean-Crusted Halibut: Flakey and flavorful, this sheet pan halibut is just what you were looking for-if easy, healthy, and holiday-worthy is what you're after.
- Shrimp Lemon and Pea Cauliflower "Risotto": All the spring things, this quick-fix dish uses cauliflower rice to mimic risotto.
- Bruschetta Steak: Not crazy about the idea of cooking an individual steak for everyone? Cook two or three larger cuts instead.
- Shrimp and Asparagus Linguine: A fresh spring pasta dish.
- Grilled Scallop and Fruit Kabobs: Any excuse to grill, right? Even if scallops are on the menu.
- Scallops With Citrus Ginger Sauce: Pan-seared scallops for dinner.
- Shrimp Salad: A lighter main or side dish.
Other Options
- Ultimate Chicken Salad: A fresh yet hearty dish.
Vegetable Side Dishes
Roasted Vegetables
- Roasted Asparagus: A platter of roasted asparagus is a given since it’s peak asparagus season, and they turn out perfectly crispy and tender every time.
- Air Fryer Asparagus: Making crispy yet tender asparagus couldn't be easier! Just use your air fryer and toss with toasty breadcrumbs to finish.
- Honey Glazed Carrots: The best way to jazz up roasted carrots!
- Roasted Carrots with Honey Herb Butter: Even picky eaters will love this sweet and savory side.
- Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes: Always the first ones to go, so make a double batch if you have a big crowd!
- Roasted Broccoli: Elevate your Easter menu with flavorful roasted broccoli instead!
- Air Fryer Snap Peas: For a crispy and delicious side sans the heavy oils, try Ree's snap peas!
- Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas: Add irresistible crunch and bright green color to your table with these sautéed sugar snap peas.
Potato Dishes
- Scalloped Potatoes: A must-have for Easter.
Desserts
Cakes and Bars
- Paleo Lemon Blueberry Cake: A favorite spring dessert.
- Gluten-Free Lemon Bars: A mastered gluten-free version for Easter.
- Gluten-Free Carrot Cake: A must-have on every Easter dinner table.
- Healthy Carrot Cake Cupcakes: Made with almond flour, sweet potato, and sweetened with maple syrup!
Other Desserts
- Coconut Crème Brûlée: Individual crème brûlées perfect for serving guests.
- Vegan Caramel Cheesecake: A popular cashew-based dessert that’s ultra creamy.
- Chocolate Pots de Crème: A decadently rich and creamy chocolate custard.
- No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Easter Nest Cookies: Made with 8 healthy ingredients, ready in 15 minutes!
Specific Recipes
Paleo Lemon Blueberry Cake Recipe
- 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.
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