Easter might be the most egg-centric holiday of the year—but what if you’re skipping eggs this spring? Whether you’re dealing with an egg allergy, following a plant-based diet, or just trying to avoid the high price of a dozen eggs (yep, it’s still a thing), we’ve got you covered. Celebrating Easter without eggs doesn’t have to mean missing out on all the treats, sweets, and baked goods that make the holiday fun. From egg-free Easter recipes and clever egg substitutes in baking to eggless Easter desserts even kids will love, these ideas prove you can totally skip the eggs without sacrificing the spirit of the season.
So whether you're dodging dye kits or dairy-free by choice, here are our favorite ways to make your Easter egg-free—and still completely delicious.
Just because it’s egg-free doesn’t mean it can’t be indulgent. These vegan dessert recipes bring all the flavor, minus the eggs.
This Vegan Chocolate & Pear Olive Oil Cake from Jessie Sheehan is a wonder for two reasons: It bakes in a cast iron pan, which makes for a lovely serving moment, and though it contains no eggs, it’s still fluffy and rich. The walls of the cast iron pan radiate heat, which helps create the lush moisture and bouncy texture we’ve come to expect from the best chocolate cakes, and this one definitely delivers.
Here are even more egg-free cake recipes we’re loving for spring gatherings and holiday spreads. Top them off with edible flowers, fresh fruit, and a generous swirl of frosting.
Essentially, as long as humans have had butter, we’ve been making funky shapes out of it. An enduring classic is the Baranek wielkanocny, or the Easter butter lamb, an absolutely adorable Polish butter sculpture complete with a red ribbon around its neck. A butter sculpture as a centerpiece is a multi-purpose item at your table. First, it’s a conversation starter. (Where did you get this little lamb? Is it really butter?) Second, your guests are free to use the butter throughout the Easter meal.
Recently in our Test Kitchen, Nea made a butter tower—just stacked softened butter on a pretty tray and served it with toasted bread, baguette, crackers, even crudités and radishes with flaky salt. Simple, stunning, and surprisingly useful
Flax has long been a secret for vegan bakers. Similar to the properties of chia seed, when broken down, flax forms a gelatinous substance that can act like a binder in baked goods. To create one replacement egg, use 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed plus 3 tablespoons of water.
Here's some recipes that already use it:
Brushing egg wash over your baked goods prior to popping them in the oven helps create the beautiful, golden crust that’s the hallmark of a well-done pastry. That’s because the proteins in the egg provide a Maillard reaction—without it, crusts come out of the oven looking flat and dull. Because dairy has those same proteins, brushing the same amount of milk or cream in lieu of egg wash creates a similar effect.
Plus, biscuits make for a great no-egg breakfast treat.
If you’re looking for the perfect brunch food with a flaky crust but don’t want to buy the dozen eggs needed for a quiche, this Mortadella & Dijon Tart is an ideal swap. Layered with two kinds of zesty mustard, sharp provolone cheese, and salty mortadella ham, this puff pastry tart comes together quickly and, depending on the size of your gathering, can be sliced into portions large or small.
You can also go the galette route—sweet or savory, just brush the tops with cream instead egg wash.
Missing the fun (and mess) of dyeing eggs? Have the smaller hands at the table—big kids welcome too—decorate cupcakes instead of eggs. Erin McDowell has a great primer on how to make food dye from almost any food scrap.
Here's some of our favorite spring cake recipes that just so happen to be perfect for Easter. If you looking for even more inspiration, check out our full list here
What egg swap will you be trying this Easter? Let us know below!
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