10 Dishes to Bring to Your Easter Potluck
Easter has always been a holiday that I look forward to.
When I was younger, it meant waking up early, running downstairs in my pajamas, and going straight to my Easter basket. It was always overflowing. Jelly beans tucked into the plastic straw, candy layered underneath, and usually a stuffed animal sitting on top that I would instantly fall in love with.
Me and my big sister in matching pj’s checking out our stash.
My brothers, checking to see what the Easter bunny brought them.
As I’ve gotten older, the Easter Bunny has stopped visiting, but I still look forward to the day. Now it’s about being with my family. The group has grown over the years. My brothers are married, I have two young nieces, and what Easter looks like has shifted.
One thing that hasn’t changed is that we still do a potluck.
Everyone brings something they’ve put thought into. Sometimes it’s something they love making, sometimes it’s something new they want to try, sometimes it’s just something they know people will eat. I like seeing what everyone shows up with and trying a little bit of everything.
I live about an hour away, so when I’m deciding what to bring, I think about how it’s going to travel. I try to make things that can sit for a bit, that don’t need to be handled carefully, and ideally something I can make the day before so I’m not rushing out the door with Olive and a dish in my hands.
These are the things I would bring.
We used to dye eggs the night before Easter.
We would sit in the kitchen with the little kits, dipping eggs into different colors and lining them up to dry. The next morning, they would be hidden around the house and we would go find them.
Me, finding the not so hidden eggs.
After that, my mom would use the eggs to make deviled eggs or egg salad.
So deviled eggs have always been part of Easter for me.
These are close to the classic, just with a little bit of heat from the jalapeño.
For transporting, it helps to keep the filling and egg whites separate and assemble them once you arrive. It keeps everything from shifting around and makes them look cleaner when served.
Macaroni salad is something that almost always shows up on the table.
Most of the time, it’s a big tub from the grocery store, and that always works. But if you want to try making it yourself, this is a good version.
It has a nice tangy bite, lots of crisp vegetables, and still gives you that pasta element.
This is a good make-ahead option since the flavors develop as it sits. Before serving, a quick stir can help bring everything back together, and a small spoonful of mayo can loosen it up if needed.
Carrots always make me think of Easter. Probably because of the Easter Bunny, but they’ve just always felt like they belong on the table.
They add color, make everything look a little more vibrant, and pair well with whatever the main dish ends up being.
The honey adds a light sweetness, which works especially well alongside savory dishes.
These can be transported in the same dish they’re cooked in so they can easily be reheated. They also hold up well at room temperature if timing doesn’t line up.
I love pasta. Anyone who knows me knows that.
This is a way to bring something pasta-based that feels lighter. It’s served cold, has fresh vegetables, and works well as a side.
The feta adds salt, the peas keep it fresh, and it holds up well over time.
It travels easily in one container and just needs a quick toss before serving. A little extra lemon or olive oil can help freshen it up if needed.
Salads are usually not the thing people get excited about.
But it’s still nice to have one on the table, especially when you have a mix of diets, which we do in my family.
This one feels a little more upscale. The roasted cherries add something different, and the goat cheese balances everything out.
For transporting, it works best to keep everything separate and assemble it right before serving so the greens stay crisp.
These are something I made recently for the first time and immediately knew I wanted to bring to Easter this year.
They were even better than I expected, which is saying something. The banana flavor is subtle, the chocolate chips add just enough sweetness, and the texture is soft and chewy.
They travel well and can be made the night before, which makes things easier. Make sure to let them cool before slicing to make clean lines. You can take them directly in the container you bake them in, just add a cover!
I grew up eating scalloped potatoes.
Most of the time they came from a box, but they were always one of my favorite things on the table.
This version is homemade, so it takes a little more time, but it still has that same familiar feel.
Baking it in a glass dish makes it easier to transport and reheat in the same container once you arrive.
Having something handheld is important at a potluck.
People arrive, grab a drink, and want something easy to snack on without needing a full plate.
These work well because they’re balanced and easy to eat in a few bites.
For best results, bring the bread and toppings separately and assemble just before serving so the bread stays crisp.
This is a good option if you want a mix between a salad and an appetizer. It doesn’t require a lot of ingredients, and is super quick to assemble.
It can be set out and served as people build their own bites.
Slicing the tomatoes ahead of time and assembling just before serving helps keep everything fresh. Bringing the balsamic glaze separately makes it easier to finish right before it goes on the table.
Every potluck table needs some kind of dip.
This one feels right for Easter. Goat cheese with hot honey on top adds a little sweetness and a little heat.
It can be served in the same dish it’s baked in, making it easy to transport and heat once you arrive.
Serving it with bread, chips, or vegetables works well, especially if a gluten-free option is needed.
Easter used to feel really big when I was a kid.
I remember waking up early, going straight downstairs, and taking everything in at once. The basket, the candy, the stuffed animal I’d carry around for the rest of the day.
It was probably second only to Christmas morning.
So…much…candy…
See the amazing stuffed animals?! The easter bunny knows what’s up.
Now it’s different.
There’s a new generation of kids getting excited about Easter baskets and running around looking for eggs.
I still look forward to the day just as much. Spending time with my family, watching the kids play, and eating way too much food.
Potlucks have become the go-to for us, and I love seeing what everyone brings. I like knowing that each dish is something someone thought about. Something they chose because they wanted to share it with the family.
That part makes the day feel even more special. Happy Easter to all who celebrate!
