Easter Recipes to Celebrate the Season

Planning the perfect Easter meal is easier with a few delicious recipes to guide you. Whether you're hosting a relaxed family lunch or a full Easter dinner, the right dishes bring everyone together around the table. This collection of Easter dinner ideas features flavourful mains that make a wonderful centrepiece, with starters and desserts coming soon to help you build a complete Easter menu. From lamb chops to salmon and juicy chicken, these Easter recipes are simple, satisfying and perfect for sharing.


Delicious Easter Main Dishes

These Easter main recipes, all made with the Cuisinart Compact Max Air Fryer, bring bold flavour and effortless cooking to the centre of your table.

Spring Lamb Chops with Air-Fried Vegetables

Spring Lamb Chops with Air-Fried Vegetables

Golden air fryer lamb chops rubbed with garlic, rosemary and thyme, cooked until tender and juicy. Served with crisp spring vegetables, this quick Easter lamb recipe brings bright seasonal flavour to the table.

Ingredients:

  • 4 lamb loin chops (about 2.5–3 cm thick)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Spring Vegetable Medley
  • 1 cup asparagus, cut into 3 cm pieces
  • 1 cup peas (fresh or thawed)
  • 1 cup courgette slices
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

  1. Prep the lamb: Pat dry. Mix olive oil, mustard, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Rub all over the chops.
  2. Preheat the air fryer: 200°C for 3 minutes.
  3. Cook the lamb: Place chops in a single layer. Air‑fry 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and 55–60°C internal for medium‑rare.
  4. Cook the vegetables: Toss veg with oil, salt, and pepper. Air‑fry 6–7 minutes at 190°C, shaking once.
  5. Finish: Rest lamb 3 minutes.

Serve with tender asparagus and courgettes for a green, garden-fresh partner to these lamb chops.

Crispy Air Fryer Salmon with Spring Salsa

Crispy Air Fryer Salmon with Spring Salsa

Crisp-edged air fryer salmon topped with a fresh, zesty spring salsa. Cool cucumber, peppery radish and bright lemon bring a crunchy finish that lets this Easter salmon recipe shine. Light, vibrant and ready in minutes.

Ingredients:

  • Salmon
  • 2 salmon fillets (150–180 g each)
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika or lemon pepper
  • Spring Salsa
  • ½ cup diced cucumber
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced radish
  • ¼ cup pea shoots, chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • Pinch of salt

Method:

  1. Prep the salmon: Pat dry. Rub with oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. Preheat air fryer: 200°C.
  3. Cook: Place fillets skin‑side down. Air‑fry 7–9 minutes, depending on thickness, until the top is lightly crisp and flakes easily.
  4. Make the salsa: Toss cucumber, radish, pea shoots, lemon juice, oil, and salt.
  5. Serve: Spoon salsa over warm salmon.

Serve with buttery new potatoes and asparagus for a simple side dish that pairs perfectly with salmon.

Lemon Chicken Thighs

Lemon-Roasted Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Juicy lemon-roasted chicken thighs with golden, crispy skin and bold paprika flavour. As they cook, fresh lemon wedges release bright citrus into the meat, creating tender, savoury chicken with a natural pan juice finish. A simple air fryer chicken recipe that delivers big flavour with very little fuss. 

Ingredients:

  • 10 chicken thighs (skin on, bone in recommended)
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon onion salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Juice of 1 fresh lemon
  • 1 lemon, sliced into wedges

Method:

  1. Marinate the Chicken
  2. In a large bowl, add the chicken thighs. season generously with paprika, salt, onion salt, and black pepper. Squeeze over the fresh lemon juice and massage everything into the chicken until well coated.
  3. Allow to marinate for at least 20–30 minutes (longer if you have time for deeper flavour).
  4. Prepare the Air Fryer
  5. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C.
  6. Place the marinated chicken thighs into the basket in a single layer.
  7. Add Lemon for Infusion
  8. Wedge slices of fresh lemon between the chicken pieces. As they cook, the lemon will gently steam and infuse the meat with bright citrus flavour.
  9. Cook
  10. Air fry at 180°C for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is golden, crispy on the outside, and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 75°C).
  11. Use the Natural Juices
  12. Carefully remove the chicken and place on a serving plate. In the air fryer basket, you’ll find delicious natural juices from the chicken.
  13. Using a spoon or brush, lightly paint these juices over the chicken thighs before serving — this acts as a natural gravy and keeps the meat extra juicy.

Starters and Desserts Coming Soon

More Easter Recipes Coming Soon

Looking for more Easter recipes to complete your menu? Light starters and indulgent desserts will be added soon to help you create a full Easter dinner menu. From fresh appetisers to sweet treats, these upcoming dishes will pair perfectly with the mains in this guide.

Easter Recipe FAQs

Planning your Easter menu and wondering what to cook? From centrepiece mains to crowd-pleasing sides and desserts, these quick answers to common questions about Easter recipes and Easter dinner ideas will help you pull together a table full of flavour.

What should be on an Easter menu?

A classic Easter menu usually includes a light starter, a flavourful main dish and a sweet dessert. Popular choices include lamb, chicken or salmon served with vegetables and a simple dessert to finish the meal.

What are popular Easter dinner ideas?

Popular Easter dinner ideas often feature comforting centrepieces like lamb chops, roasted chicken or baked salmon paired with seasonal vegetables and simple sides.

What are easy Easter recipes for a family meal?

Easy Easter recipes focus on simple ingredients and dishes that cook quickly. Air fryer mains, fresh vegetables and quick desserts are great options for a stress-free Easter dinner.

Bring Your Easter Menu Together

With the right Easter recipes, creating a memorable Easter meal is simple. From flavourful mains to fresh starters and sweet desserts, these dishes offer plenty of Easter dinner ideas to inspire your table. Choose your favourites, build your Easter menu, and enjoy sharing a delicious Easter meal with family and friends.