Whether your celebrations involve a baller brunch spread or a special dinner, Easter meals often involve all sorts of not-so-vegan-friendly dishes, from cheesecake to honey ham. Heck, even vegan Easter candy is tricky to find. (Yeah, I’m looking at you, milk chocolate bunnies.)
With a little effort and creativity, though, this is your year to get some more plant-based eats on the table. “If mom’s cooking up the holiday meal, offer to help, discuss the menu, and ask if you can create some vegan dishes or transform some of the family favorites,” suggests nutritionist Kathleen Oswalt, RDN, owner of Eat Love Triathlon. And if you’re hosting? Consider it an opportunity to dream up an entire day of vegan Easter recipes.
Even if you’ll be attending a holiday with other family or friends, offering to bring a vegan dish to share goes a long way. “It’s a nice gift for the host but also ensures that you will have at least one option to eat,” adds nutritionist Rhyan Geiger, RDN, owner of Phoenix Vegan Dietitian. (Her personal go-to is a veggie platter with a variety of vegan dips, which makes for a fun app.)
However you’ll be celebrating, you’ll need some delicious, festive vegan Easter recipe ideas in your arsenal. From brunch staples and tasty appetizers to dinner classics and imaginative desserts (peep those No-Bake Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Bars), these dishes are guaranteed to please pretty much everyone at your table.
Cake pops are great, but if you want to try something new, donut pops are it! These are totally vegan, and the simple glaze is made with blueberry preserves.
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Per serving: 205 calories, 3 g fat (1 g saturated), 164 mg sodium, 42 g carbs, 29 g sugar, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein
Looking for a brunch option that’s tasty and easy to make ahead of time? Meet this springy, sweet banana bread.
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Per serving: 256 calories, 8 g fat (0 g saturated), 70 mg sodium, 45 g carbs, 23 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein
These decorative chocolate-covered bananas are rich on the outside and creamy on the inside! The perfect dairy-free alternative to creme eggs.
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Per serving: 40 calories, 3 g fat (2 g saturated), 7 mg sodium, 3 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein
This skillet bake makes for an impressive vegan centerpiece. It’s got it all: beans, veggies, and sweet-savory cornbread (vegan, of course).
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Per serving: 349 calories, 12.6 g fat (1.5 g saturated), 974 mg sodium, 52.8 g carbs, 6.3 g sugar, 9.8 g fiber, 8.6 g protein
Apple butter is highly-underrated. Give it a chance to shine with these vegan cheesecake bars.
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Per serving: 212 calories, 14.2 g fat (6.8 g saturated), 7 mg sodium, 19 g carbs, 8.6 g sugar, 2.5 g fiber, 3.9 g protein
It’s not Easter without some sort of egg-shaped treat, right? These vegan, sugar-free eggs are made with almond flour, coconut, coconut milk, and chocolate.
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Per serving: 43 calories, 4 g fat, 3 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 1 g protein
Love oatmeal in the morning? Make it extra special for the holidays by baking it with fruit and chocolate.
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Per serving: 290 calories, 12.4 g fat, 32 g carbs, 16 g fiber
Who needs buttermilk? These fluffy pancakes are egg and dairy-free, and made with almond milk.
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Per serving: 235 calories, 12 g fat, 735 mg sodium, 30 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 5 g protein
Even carnivores will delight in this hearty baked ziti, which is made with creamy cashew cheese.
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Per serving: 397 calories, 11.3 g fat (1.8 g saturated), 350 mg sodium, 56.7 g carbs, 6.5 g sugar, 6.5 g fiber, 19.2 g protein
What are these made of, if not shellfish? Jackfruit! And, of course, plenty of Old Bay seasoning.
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Per serving: 78 calories, 0 g fat (0 g saturated), 828 mg sodium, 16 g carbs, 0 g sugar, 3 g fiber, 3 g protein
Vegans might not eat eggs on Easter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make this colorful hash. Make it extra satisfying by adding a little vegan sausage to the mix.
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Per serving: 338 calories, 8 g fat (2 g saturated), 276 mg sodium, 62 g carbs, 13 g sugar, 12 g fiber, 10 g protein
This babka is beautiful and oh-so fragrant. Though it skips eggs and dairy, it doesn’t sacrifice texture or flavor.
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Per serving: 223 calories, 4 g fat (1 g saturated), 280 mg sodium, 42 g carbs, 6 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 5 g protein
Want perfect (and dairy-free) dinner rolls to serve alongside your feast? Enter these swirled, “cheesy” beauties.
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Per serving: 269 calories, 13 g fat (3 g saturated), 263 mg sodium, 33 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein
This rich skillet lasagna is so good that you’ll want to make it for holiday feasts, weeknight dinners, and everything in between.
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Per serving: 308 calories, 13 g fat (3 g saturated), 561 mg sodium, 39 g carbs, 5 g sugar, 4 g fiber, 11 g protein
If it isn’t Easter without a bunny cake, try using this eggless vanilla white cake recipe this year. Bunny ears not included.
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Per serving: 305 calories, 13 g fat (6 g saturated), 238 mg sodium, 44 g carbs, 19 g sugar, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein
Eggs are the main ingredient in traditional frittatas, but this spin uses chickpea flour instead. It’s a little starchier and denser, but still a great brunch choice.
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Per serving: 153 calories, 4 g fat, 414 mg sodium, 20 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 4 g fiber, 7 g protein
Easter is the perfect time to try a new dessert. Might I suggest these fruity, tangy, cheesecake bars?
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Per serving: 193 calories, 10 g fat (3 g saturated), 18 mg sodium, 26 g carbs, 15 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein
Whether fresh or frozen, strawberries make these tasty oatmeal bars great at brunch or as a dessert).
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Per serving: 152 calories, 7 g fat (4 g saturated), 2 mg sodium, 21 g carbs, 13 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 2 g protein
There’s more to plant-based eating than just vegetables, but sometimes a big bowl of them is exactly what hits the spot. Serve this bright dish up as a side or a main.
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Per serving: 334 calories, 14 g fat (2 g saturated), 758 mg sodium, 41 g carbs, 10 g sugar, 10 g fiber, 14 g protein
This vegan side is a great, spring-y alternative to mashed potatoes. It’s got plenty of herbs for flavor, plus a mustard-based dressing.
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Per serving: 127 calories, 4 g fat, 18 g carbs, 3 g sugar, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein
This meat-free shepherd’s pie has a veggie-packed filling and a cauliflower top. Portobello mushrooms offer meaty texture and flavor everyone will love.
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Per serving: 330 calories, 12 g fat, 34 g carbs, 12 g sugar, 16 g fiber, 24 g protein
Yes, it’s possible to make a 7-layer dip without meat or dairy! This one’s got guac, vegan taco meat, vegan cheddar, refried beans, and more. Serve it as an appetizer with your favorite tortilla chips.
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Per serving: 366 calories, 24 g fat (4 g saturated), 860 mg sodium, 29 g carbs, 2 g sugar, 7 g fiber, 9 g protein
There’s nothing like starting your holiday off with a muffin. These are tangy, sweet, and studded with crunchy poppy seeds.
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Per serving: 217 calories, 7 g fat (2 g saturated), 231 mg sodium, 37 g carbs, 22 g sugar, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein
For some people, this dip is a necessity on every holiday. Now it’s vegan-friendly, too.
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Per serving: 662 calories, 60g fat (13 g saturated), 1028 mg sodium, 19 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 10 g fiber, 13 g protein
Betcha haven’t had asparagus noodles before! They make for a seasonal dish perfect for Easter.
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Per serving: 250 calories, 19.6 g fat (5.7 g saturated), 404 mg sodium 11.6 g carbs, 5.3 g fiber, 10.7 g sugar
I didn’t think this was possible, but it turns out that French toast is still delicious without the eggy dip!
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Per serving: 145 calories, 12.7 g fat (8.5 g saturated), 95 mg sodium, 12.7 g carbs, 4.7 g sugar, 1.7 g fiber, 2.9 g protein
If you’re a savory breakfast person, these skillet potatoes are an absolute must. Add vegan sausage or scrambled tofu, and serve them alongside some fruit.
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Per serving: 341 calories, 5 g fat (4 g saturated), 309 mg sodium, 68 g carbs, 1 g sugar, 12 g fiber, 12 g protein
The “cream” of this soup comes from pureed cauliflower, white beans, and cashews. It’s all of the luscious mouthfeel and none of the dairy.
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Per serving: 355 calories, 12 g fat (2 g saturated), 542 mg sodium, 49 g carbs, 4 g sugar, 14 g fiber, 18 g protein
Honestly, every holiday is better with some cornbread. Need I say more?
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Per serving: 201 calories, 7 g fat (1 g saturated), 469 mg sodium, 20 g carbs, 8 g sugar, 0 g fiber, 1 g protein
This flavorful queso will shine in any appetizer spread, guaranteed.
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Per serving: 216 calories, 14.8 g fat (2.7 g saturated), 332 mg sodium, 16.6 g carbs, 3.3 g sugar, 2.5 g fiber, 7.4 g protein
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