When you think of Easter recipes, what kind of food do you think about? I mean, besides chocolate bunnies and marshmallow Peeps, obviously. I personally think about glazed carrots, warm rolls, spring veggies like asparagus and peas, a honey-glazed ham, and, of course, eggs of all kinds. Just like any other holiday, Easter has its traditional foods, and it just doesn't feel right if you don't make at least one of them. Want to try something holiday-appropriate and seriously delicious? These Easter recipes for adults have got you covered.
Whether you are looking for a main dish, a dessert that will impress everyone, a side to bring along to dinner, or maybe a cocktail, there is something here for everyone. There is an overwhelming amount of Easter recipes out there to choose from, but I went through them all, got extremely hungry, started craving deviled eggs, and found some of the best ones I could. These are ideal for anyone hosting Easter dinner or lunch, or just if you need a dish to bring along to wherever you're going. And hey, even if you don't celebrate Easter, you can (and should) make these. They look beyond incredible — I'm having a hard time picking just one myself. Here are 20 Easter recipes so good, they'll make you forget about all that chocolate.
1. Lemon Chicken with Asparagus and Potatoes
If you're looking for a simple crowd-pleaser, go with this lemon chicken recipe from Damn Delicious. With asparagus and potatoes, it's pretty much a whole meal in one skillet. It's spring-y and honestly, it's hard to go wrong with lemon chicken.
2. Peeps Coconut Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
If you're looking for an adorable Easter dessert, here it is. This coconut cake recipe from I Am A Food Blog is perfect for spring weather, and the Peeps on top take it from simple to really fun.
3. Spring Greens Asparagus and Ricotta Pasta
Pasta might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Easter, but why not? It's pasta. You really can't go wrong. This recipe from Foodie Crush mixes spring ingredients like asparagus, peas, mint leaves, and lemon with delicious pasta.
4. Strawberry Chamomile Paloma
This perfect spring drink from Half-Baked Harvest is so pretty that it almost doesn't matter how it tastes — luckily, though, it sounds delicious. Mix chamomile, honey, grapefruit juice, strawberries, and tequila for a blend of sweetness you'll want to drink all day. And if you're not looking for a cocktail, this works just as well without the tequila.
5. Paska Easter Bread
No, this isn't dessert. Paska is an Easter tradition for people living in Russia and Ukraine. This recipe from Natasha's Kitchen makes a soft, sweet bread that can be enjoyed on its own, or can even be made into French toast.
6. Orange Brown Sugar Glazed Ham
Ham is an Easter dinner tradition for a lot of families. Instead of going with the super popular honey ham version everyone always makes, try this sweet orange bourbon ham from Simply Scratch. Who needs honey ham when you have this?
7. One-Pan Lemon Roasted Salmon, Potatoes, and Parmesan Asparagus
Seafood fans, this one is for you. Salmon is easy to make and hard to mess up — especially with a one-pan recipe like this from Half-Baked Harvest. The potatoes and asparagus ensure that you won't have to cook much else.
8. Sweet Carrots with Tarragon
Searching for the perfect side dish? Try baby carrots. When cooked in butter and honey, carrots become super sweet and irresistible. This recipe from Foodie Crush has you steam them, but you can also cook them in the oven if you prefer.
9. Chocolate Peanut Butter Peeps Skillet S'mores
Can we talk about this dessert? Just when you thought s'mores couldn't get any better, How Sweet It Is created this: a colorful s'mores dip with extra sugar and added peanut butter. You can just skip dinner and go straight to dessert.
10. Romanesco and Chickpea Salad
This very pretty salad is so nice to look at you almost won't want to eat it... but you will, because it tastes really good. Love and Lemons uses fresh spring veggies and perfectly poached eggs for a light side dish or starter.
11. Shrimp Carbonara
If you're looking for some comfort food for Easter, go for this shrimp carbonara recipe from Damn Delicious. It still feels holiday appropriate, but the rich sauce and salty bits of bacon will leave everyone feeling warm and happy.
12. Double Chocolate Nutella Carrot Cake Cups with Malted Cream Cheese Frosting
There is so much happening with these little desserts from Half-Baked Harvest, but it's fine, because this looks amazing. Carrot cake is a great option for an Easter treat, and Nutella and a sweet frosting make it even better. Plus, look how cute that presentation is!
13. Dilled Red Potatoes and Peas
There is just something about red potatoes and peas that scream "Easter" to me. This recipe from Foodie Crush is very simple, but the dill and butter bring it all together for a truly scrumptious side dish. You don't need much when a dish involves potatoes!
14. Buttermilk Brined Cornish Hens
Get all fancy on your guests or family and serve some little Cornish hens. This recipe from Kitchen Confidante makes them extra special with rich buttermilk and lots of yummy seasoning and spices.
15. Easter Egg Marshmallow Truffles
Why go out and buy marshmallow truffles when you could make them yourself? This cute recipe from Taste and Tell is easier than it seems. Make these even better by putting them in an egg dish. Too cute!
16. Lavender French 75
On the hunt for a *classy* cocktail to serve before dinner? Try this lavender French 75 drink from Love and Lemons. It mixes lavender with champagne, gin, and lemon juice for a seasonally appropriate treat that tastes light and so good.
17. Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Skillet
Simple but decadent, this chicken recipe from The Comfort Of Cooking mixes butter and mushrooms in a rich cream sauce over chicken — and it's all made in one skillet. It doesn't get much better than that.
18. Grilled Potato Salad with Almond-Basil Chimichurri and Seven-Minute Eggs
Incorporate eggs into your dinner with a side dish like this from Half-Baked Harvest — here's to hoping it's nice enough to grill outside! The nutty and savory chimichurri sauce keeps this from being boring, and makes it amazing instead.
19. Meyer Lemon Tart
If you've never had a Meyer lemon, you are seriously missing out. These little lemons are super sweet and when cooked, taste wonderful. This dessert recipe from Foodie Crush screams spring and looks so impressive.
20. Easter Panettone Bread
Although Panettone is a sweet bread from Milan traditionally served around Christmas, A Pretty Life In The Suburbs created an Easter version. Eat this flakey bread as an appetizer, dessert, or in the morning.
For more ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.
Images: Damn Delicious; I Am A Food Blog; Foodie Crush; Half-Baked Harvest; Natasha's Kitchen; Simply Scratch; Half-Baked Harvest; Foodie Crush; How Sweet It Is; Love and Lemons; Damn Delicious; Half-Baked Harvest; Foodie Crush; Kitchen Confidante; Taste and Tell; Love and Lemons; The Comfort Of Cooking; Half-Baked Harvest; Foodie Crush; A Pretty Life In The Suburbs
