8 Easter recipes to create the perfect lunch menu

Laid-back Easter lunch menu

No fuss or frills, this menu is all about easy delicious food the family can enjoy at their leisure.

Snacking starters 

Air-fryer falafel

Once you've made the mixture, this falafel takes just 13 minutes to air-fry. Make the mixture the night before and fry them right before your guests arrive, so they're nice and crispy. If you have leftovers, pair them with lamb in pitas for a Family Day treat.

Find the recipe for air-fryer falafel here.

Find more air-fryer recipes here. 

Salt-and-pepper squid

If you're doing snacking starters, you need a variety of options for your guests. Our next recommendation is this salt-and-pepper squid created by Acid chef and co-founder Jes Doveton. It may look fancy, but it's super-easy to make.

Find the recipe for salt-and-pepper squid here.

Main course

Ncinci’s fish pie

This fish pie is one of our deputy editor Khanya Mzongwana's family recipes. It's a great option to bring to an Easter potluck or to serve as a main. Khanya added eggs to make the pie a brunch-friendly option, but you can omit them if you prefer.

Find the recipe for Ncinci’s fish pie here. 

Dessert

Chocolate custard tart

A big family lunch needs a nice big dessert to finish off the feasting and this chocolate tart is perfect. It serves 12 people and food director Abigail Donnelly made the base with Romany Creams to give it a nostalgic touch.

Find the recipe for chocolate custard tart here.

WANT MORE EASTER RECIPES? Check out our Easter recipe collection 

Bougie Easter lunch

Up the ante with this fancier menu that's ideal for a sit-down lunch. The dishes are sure to impress!

Starter

Fresh tomato gnudi

This vegan gnudi is served with a fresh tomato salad and is a great way to kick off your meal on a lighter note.

Find the recipe for Fresh tomato gnudi here. 

Find more vegan recipes here.

Main course

Herb-marinated roast lamb

More than half of you (67% to be exact) said you prefer lamb as your Easter main in our Friday food fight on Instagram stories. So we present to you: Clement Pedro's herb-marinated roast lamb. Carrots and parsnips are roasted with the lamb and bay leaves are tied to the bone to make it look extra fancy.

Find the recipe for herb-marinated roast lamb here. 

Pearl barley salad

Now that your roast is sorted you need something to serve it with. Sam Woulidge was inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi to make this salad. Since the salad is quite dense, a little goes a long way, making it perfect for feeding a crowd.

Find the recipe for pearl barley salad here. 

Dessert

Plum, marshmallow and chocolate cobbler

Hannah Lewry went hard when she created this masterpiece. She elevates the cobbler by adding marshmallows to the filling and chocolate chips to the dough.

Find the recipe for plum, marshmallow and chocolate cobbler here. 

Coconut cereal snowballs

To make your Easter lunch feel extra special, end the meal with petit-fours. These coconut cereal snowballs take just 15 minutes to make and you can serve them with coffee.

Find the recipe for coconut cereal snowballs here.