These festive, crowd-pleasing Instant Pot Easter recipes will help you keep your holiday cooking simple while impressing your guests with great flavor. Savory and sweet dishes included!
After a nice break from cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas, it's time to entertain yet again. Easter is a wonderful celebration for many friends and families, and while it's not quite as notorious for feasting as the winter holidays, it signifies a new season. A new season means new food, and it's exciting to make these special recipes to share with the people you love.
While it's a joyous celebratory Sunday, it can be stressful to cook without a plan. Don't fret - we're here to help. We'll make menu planning easy with these simple Instant Pot Easter recipes divided into main dishes including brunch, veggie sides, and sweet treats because indulgence is half the fun of the holidays.
INSTANT POT EASTER RECIPES: MAIN dishes
Planning out the star of the show? Steal the spotlight with these main dishes that you can make in your Instant Pot. When you're in charge of creating the perfect centerpiece, the pressure is on! Fortunately, these ideas are pretty easy, pretty foolproof, and pretty tasty.
POT ROAST BEEF & GRAVY
This Instant Pot roast beef and gravy is warm, hearty and full of flavor. Chuck or topside beef is seared and pressure cooked pot-roast style in a delicious red wine brown gravy resulting in fall apart, tender meat. Lamb can be used instead. Get the recipe on our blog.
Mediterranean Lamb Roast With Pomegranate & Gremolata
If you want that "I've been cooking all day" vibe going on at the dinner table, then consider this amazing dish of tender roasted shoulder of lamb. It's fall-off-the-bone tender, guaranteed to pair perfectly with every side you make. Get the recipe on our blog.
Instant Pot pork Shoulder With Gravy
If you’re new to Instant Pot pressure cooker, cooking a large piece of meat like pork shoulder might seem intimidating at first. However, this easy Instant Pot pork roast is actually one of the best recipes to attempt as a beginner. Get this recipe on our blog.
Instant Pot Chicken & Gravy
Sometimes, the gravy is just as exciting - if not more highly anticipated - than the meat itself. If that's the case, this whole chicken recipe will do the trick. The recipe is grain-free so it's perfect for including everyone with dietary restrictions in all of the fun and festive eating without sacrificing flavor. Get this recipe on our blog.
BROWN SUGAR GLAZED HAM
This reverse-seared Instant Pot Ham recipe with Brown Sugar Glaze uses only 6 ingredients and takes just 15 minutes to cook. It is a juicy, easy dinner or lunch your family and guests will love! Recipe from Sunday Supper Movement.
beef cheeks braised in tomato and red wine
These braised beef cheeks are a melt-in-your-mouth meat dish, that can be enjoyed in many ways: as a decadent ragu with your favorite pasta, as a stew over mashed potatoes, in a casserole or as a pie filling, and even as tacos. Get this recipe on our blog.
Sous Vide Rack Of Lamb
Did you know you can cook sous vide in the Instant Pot? This rack of lamb is so easy, and it's especially convenient to make the night before entertaining. They'll cook through slowly to tender perfection, and you can simultaneously brown them and heat them up to serve in about ten minutes before serving. Hands-off, so easy, and so rewarding. Recipe from Flo Lum.
Instant Pot Lamb Shanks
Another lamb idea is to serve up bone-in lamb shanks for the holiday. These are fancy and take on that slow-braised flavor that shanks require. Fortunately, the IP cuts back on time to about two hours for similar results. You won't be disappointed! Recipe from The Foodie Eats.
INSTANT POT ROAST CHICKEN & POTATOES
This delicious recipe of Instant Pot roast chicken and potatoes with herb and garlic butter is made in the 8-quart Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer model using the Pressure Cooking + Roasting functions. We provide instructions for using the regular Instant Pot model together with the oven finish. Get the recipe on our blog.
Lemon Pepper Instant Pot Salmon
While everyone tucks into delicious chocolate eggs over Easter, for many this time is much more than desserts and lamb roast. If you follow an Easter tradition of choosing to eat fish on Good Friday, this simple salmon recipe would be great as a main protein dish on the table. It goes with different sides and you can make a big batch ahead of time and warm it up just before serving. Recipe from Wholesome Delicious.
Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole
For yet another brunch option - and admittedly lighter fare - this breakfast casserole will feed and fill your guests up. It encompasses everything you love about breakfast into one easy-to-make pressure cooker meal boasting crispy hash browns, eggs, bacon, sausage, veggies, and cream. Hello, yum! Recipe from Best Recipe Box.
INSTANT POT WHOLE CAULIFLOWER
A whole head of cauliflower is perfectly pressure cooked with a delicious spice rub, then finished with a sweetened glaze and garlic, thyme bread crumbs. It's beautiful, impressive, festive, and easy to make. Serve it as a plant-based, vegetarian main or as a side for Easter or any other holiday. Get this recipe on our blog.
INSTANT POT EASTER RECIPES: Side dishes
If you're in charge of sides, show your guests what's up! No soggy veggies or smothering your food in cheese to hide the fact that you burned it. Just to clarify, there's nothing wrong with some cheese... Anyways, here are some of our favorite and most beloved holiday side dishes adapted for the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Loaded Mashed Potatoes
If you’re looking for a change from the classic mashed potatoes, try our creamy, delicious loaded mashed potatoes with cheese and bacon, made directly in your Instant Pot. You can get that final melted result with or without the oven, giving you extra space for roasting or baking. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot Air Fryer Rosemary Potatoes
Using the Instant Pot with air fryer lid or Instant Pot Duo Crisp (or any other air fryer model) gives you perfectly roasted, crispy potatoes quickly without heating up the kitchen. And, infusing them with rosemary takes them to the next level. Get this recipe on our blog.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Our Instant Pot mashed potatoes with sour cream is a super easy dish you can whip up in 20 minutes. The final consistency is creamy and the flavor has a faint tang from the sour cream, which really complements the subtly sweet, starchy potatoes. It’s a great side dish you can serve with your favorite stew, roast chicken or BBQ Beef Short Ribs. Get the recipe here.
Savory Mashed Sweet Potatoes
If you're looking for a naturally sweet dish in place of regular mashed potatoes, these savory sweets should do the trick. No sugar or marshmallows here - just garlic, herbs, butter, and Parmesan for a fabulous and colorful side. Recipe from Pressure Cooking Today.
Creamy Green Bean Instant Pot Casserole
Green bean casserole is what every holiday is all about. It's seldom made any other time of the year, and while I encourage you to use this easy IP recipe whenever, it's especially handy for a special occasion. Made with real food - no canned soup or fried onions - this nutritious and delicious dish is a fun way to eat your veggies. Get this recipe on our blog.
Scalloped Potatoes
Mash isn't for everyone. Many holiday tables boast a scalloped potato dish for good reason. This layered dish is easily constructed in a springform pan that fits inside the IP. These tender spuds are piled with ham and a cheddar/mozzarella cheese blend for a hearty and addictive side. Recipe from I Wash, You Dry.
Instant Pot Gravy
This quick and easy gravy is velvety thick and super delicious and you will want to pour it on everything! You don’t need any drippings so it can be done quickly for a weeknight meal of sausages and mash or to pour over steak or roast chicken on the weekend. Get the recipe here.
Instant Pot cabbage with a creamy cheesy & garlic sauce
There is a sweet spot where the cabbage can be cooked but still have just a little bit of crunch to it. That’s the texture of the cabbage you get in this recipe. And, topped with creamy garlicky sauce, this humble vegetable gets to shine in all its glory. Get this recipe on our blog.
Instant Pot Vegetables En Papillote
These veggies are SO easy to make. This method uses a paper bag so they're evenly cooked, buttered, and seasoned through for serving to your guests. This is a great way to cook up a healthy side of carrots and green beans for a light and nutritious choice at the table. Plus, it's SO easy and takes just about ten minutes to cook. Get this recipe on our blog.
Parmesan Garlic Artichokes
These stuffed garlic and Parmesan artichokes are the perfect springtime veggie dish. Light, delicious, perfect for dipping, and quick - what could be better? These are also pretty centerpieces. Recipe from Family Fresh Meals.
Cheesy Asparagus Wrapped In Bacon
With a steamer rack and a few minutes, this fantastic appetizer comes together. Three ingredients - bacon, cheese, and asparagus - are all you need to make magic happen. These are so simple, you can even prepare them to make fresh throughout a day of entertaining. Recipe from Recipe This.
Fennel & Asparagus Instant Pot Risotto
Fennel and asparagus are a lovely seasonal welcome - an indicator that the sun is out, the flowers are in bloom, and warm weather is around the corner. Show off seasonal produce in a creamy, cheesy, rich, and low-effort risotto with gorgeous results. Get this recipe on our blog.
white beans with rosemary, garlic & olive oil
White beans are something you would commonly find in Mediterranean and Italian cooking: slowly braised with aromatic rosemary or other herbs and garlic and finished with a little olive oil. It’s easy, affordable, and super healthy. Get the recipe here.
Potato Salad With Tangy Vinaigrette
This Instant Pot potato salad is a great example of using the pressure cooker for spring and summer dishes. It's a fantastic salad to bring to a barbecue party, picnic in the park or to enjoy as a nutritious, balanced meal at home. Mixed with lovely green beans, peas, pickles, and zesty shallot vinaigrette, it’s vegan, gluten-free and Whole30 friendly. Get this recipe on our blog.
Instant Pot Silk Tie-Dyed Easter Eggs
How gorgeous are these?! Hard-boiled eggs are a must at Easter because they double as decoration and food. You can make some egg salad or add them to potato salad, make deviled eggs, or eat them plain throughout the week. Either way, this Instant Pot dying method is brilliant, low-effort, and seriously stunning! Recipe from Ginger Casa.
INSTANT POT EASTER: Desserts
Easter (or any holiday, really) is nothing without a little something sweet. Treat yourself and your loved ones to a true celebration with one of our favorite festive treats made in the Instant Pot this year.
Oh-So-Pretty Carrot Cake
Carrot cake is a must-have for Easter. It's crumbly, sweet, and signifies the beginning of spring. This cake is going to satisfy the little ones and the adults, and the leftovers are great for the lunchbox as it's also nut-free. Get this recipe on our blog.
Robin Egg Mini Instant Pot Cheesecakes
If you like classic New York-style cheesecake and malted milk candies, you'll love this dessert. It's a fabulous way to sneak in a little something sweet in single-serving portion sizes, and the kids will just adore the colorful presentation. These are sure to put a spring in your step. Make sure to save room! Recipe from Pressure Cooking Today.
Chocolate zucchini cake
Learn how to make moist and fudgy Instant Pot chocolate zucchini cake with silky, smooth chocolate glaze on top. This is a great cake using up summer zucchini. You can also top it with vanilla or chocolate cream frosting. Get the recipe here.
CINNAMON ROLLS
These Instant Pot Cinnamon Rolls are a staple breakfast food during the holidays. They are a perfect sweet treat to start our mornings off on a festive note. Recipe from Recipes From A Pantry.
The Best Ever Easter Cakes
These pastel-iced flour cakes are a lovely little treat to make in your IP this season. It's an easy recipe with simple baking ingredients that even the worst baker couldn't screw up! Recipe from Recipe This.
Lemon Ginger Instant Pot Cheesecake
This gorgeous, zesty cheesecake is the perfect way to serve up a citrus dessert. This creamy cheesecake is worth all the extra calories! With a ginger nut biscuit crust and a creamy lemon filling, your guests will be asking for this recipe. Get the recipe from Every Nook & Cranny.
White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake
This smooth, creamy cheesecake is packed full of raspberries and white chocolate. It’s the perfect dessert for showing off summer berries — strawberries or blueberries work just as well! Get this recipe on our blog.
We hope that you have a beautiful Easter full of great food, great family, and great tradition. Enjoy these recipes, and make sure to share if you know anyone else trying to come up with some ideas for Easter hosting and entertaining.
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