40 Healthy Easter Recipes That Are Anything But Rabbit Food
Flavorful salads, roasted veggies, and protein-packed appetizers.
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Easter may be known for the sweet treats and hearty eats it brings like chocolate bunnies and glazed ham. But at its core, the holiday is a marker of the ultimate fresh start: spring! With that comes a plethora of fresh vegetables and fruits just begging to make their way onto your Easter menu, and it's easier to do than you may think. Whether you're planning an Easter brunch or Easter dinner, these healthy Easter recipes are an easy and surefire way to check off your healthy eating goals even during the holidays!
While you can absolutely serve that roasted lamb and carrot cake cheesecake, you can add a few of these ideas sprinkled through you Easter menu to lighten it up a bit. Choose lighter Easter appetizers that guests can snack on without feeling guilty. For instance, you can kick things off with an herby dill dip served with spring vegetable crudité and deviled eggs to keep your guests from going hungry.
Then, fill your table with healthy main courses and Easter sides. Think: honey mustard chicken, lean lamb meatballs, or a baked salmon. To go with those, you can go all out with from bright vegetable sides, like asparagus recipes, carrot recipes, and more. There's even got a succotash recipe that’ll fit right in alongside your Southern comfort food favorites. The best part about serving a healthy Easter feast? There’s more room for the Easter desserts!
Air Fryer Asparagus
Making crispy yet tender asparagus couldn't be easier! Just use your air fryer and toss with toasty breadcrumbs to finish. It takes only 20 minutes in total and the machine does most of the work for you.
Get Ree's Air Fryer Asparagus recipe.
Green Goddess Salad
Layers upon layers of flavorful greens feel so refreshingly spring, don't they? 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.
Get the Green Goddess Salad recipe.
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. It only takes about 15 minutes.
Get the Lamb Meatballs recipe.
Roasted Carrots with Honey Herb Butter
Even picky eaters will love this sweet and savory side. Roasting carrots brings out their natural sweetness anyway, but a little bit of honey and a whole lot of herbs really make them pop.
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.
Get Ree's White Bean Dip recipe.
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.
Get Ree's Caprese Frittata recipe.
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.
Get the Radish Salad recipe.
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! Of course, you guests will only be thinking about how good they are.
Get Ree's Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs recipe.
Grilled Lamb Chops
Save room in the oven for other dishes and put your Easter lamb on the grill instead! They are marinated in garlic and herbs and take less than ten minutes to cook.
Get the Grilled Lamb Chops recipe.
Arugula and Three-Pea Salad
That's right, there are three types of peas in this salad, along with fresh herbs, creamy goat cheese, and colorful radishes. It's a flavorful way to make sure everyone gets their greens.
Get Ree's Arugula and Three-Pea Salad recipe.
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! For the best chicken breast, marinate your meat and let the multicooker do the rest of the work. You can sear and cook the chicken all in one place!
Get the Instant Pot Chicken Breast recipe.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Nothing says spring quite like a fresh spinach and strawberry salad! This colorful dish is studded with fresh fruit, toasted pecans, and goat cheese and will be a welcome start to any Easter meal.
Get the Strawberry Spinach Salad recipe.
Turkey Meatloaf
This isn't your mom's meatloaf, but it sure is delicious! 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.
Get the Turkey Meatloaf recipe.
Spring Salad with Radishes
Spotlight seasonal veggies with Ree's spring salad! Featuring peppery radishes, crunchy lettuce, and red onions, this salad is a healthy way to round out your Sunday meal.
Get Ree's Spring Salad with Radishes recipe.
Roasted Broccoli
Skip the steamer and elevate your Easter menu with flavorful roasted broccoli instead! With a light coating of olive oil, salt, and pepper, the broccoli buds get perfectly crispy for a satisfying bite!
Get the Roasted Broccoli recipe.
Air Fryer Snap Peas
For a crispy and delicious side sans the heavy oils, try Ree's snap peas! They're cooked to perfection in the air fryer and then topped with oregano and a sprinkle of parmesan for even more fresh flavor.
Get Ree's Air Fryer Snap Peas recipe.
Asparagus Quiche
No Easter brunch is complete without a hearty quiche as the centerpiece! This green quiche is filled with vibrant spring flavors like asparagus, green onion, fresh dill, and crumbled feta for the perfect brunch bite.
Get the Asparagus Quiche recipe.
Super Market Slaw
Chock full of bright and fresh ingredients (that are probably already in your fridge), this supermarket slaw is a great last-minute Easter side dish. The slaw features broccoli, edamame, corn, chicken, pancetta, and coleslaw tossed in a homemade pesto dressing.
Get the Super Market Slaw recipe.
Honey Mustard Chicken
Healthy doesn't mean boring! This honey mustard chicken, for example, is a sweet and tangy way to dress up boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts.
Get the Honey Mustard Chicken recipe.
Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas
Add irresistible crunch and bright green color to your table with these sautéed sugar snap peas. They're delicious with just lemon juice, but you can also add fresh spring herbs, like parsley or dill, to finish.
Get the Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas recipe.
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