10 Easter food traditions

Easter food traditions in the UK

1. Hard-boiled eggs

Eggs are undoubtedly the most synonymous with Easter when it comes to food. A symbol of spring and new life, we eat them in hard-boiled form and paint them in bright colours. The egg is also believed to represent the tomb stone from where Jesus rose again, with the cracked egg showing his resurrection.

During medieval times, eggs were prohibited during Lent, so part of the Easter celebrations involved hard boiling them, painting them and hiding them for children. Try painting and decorating your own with our Easter egg decorating ideas or for a tasty lunch kids will love, make our healthy Easter boiled eggs.

2. Chocolate eggs

Chocolate eggs deserve their own separate mention - they take on a life of their own in the run-up to Easter when supermarkets are filled to the rafters with an assortment of brightly coloured chocolate eggs with sweet fillings. Although Easter egg hunts began with the painted hard-boiled variety, in the UK Fry's sold their very first chocolate egg in 1873 with Cadbury's following suit just two years later.

Think you can do better? Find out how to make an Easter egg and then how to decorate your Easter egg. Put your eggs to good use and throw an Easter egg hunt.

3. Hot cross buns

Although the exact origins of the hot cross buns is up for debate, they were first referenced in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1733. Typically eaten on Good Friday to represent Jesus's crucifixion – hence the cross on top – they also mark the end of Lent.

Although the traditional recipe is made with dried fruit and mixed peel, they are now available in a variety of flavours all year round. For more variations on the classic, discover our twists on hot cross buns and even more hot cross bun recipes.

4. Lamb

Lamb is the most traditional meat to eat on Easter Sunday and one of the oldest traditions. For Christians who have been fasting throughout Lent, this marks the first time they can eat meat again after 40 days of abstinence, and it also represents Jesus as the 'lamb of God' and his sacrifice. It dates back to Jewish traditions whereby a lamb is sacrificed during Passover.

Many people who enjoy roast lamb at Easter aren't necessarily doing so for religious reasons. It's also a seasonal choice, being widely available in the spring time. Get inspired with our Easter lamb recipes.

5. Simnel cake

A fruit cake topped with 11 marzipan balls - each one said to represent the disciples of Jesus - simnel cake is believed to originate from medieval times. Although there were 12 apostles, Judas is left off the cake to mark his betrayal.

It's believed that this cake traditionally marked Mothers' Day - which falls during Lent - and has now become a part of Easter food traditions. Typically topped with plain marzipan, discover our sour cherry & pistachio simnel cake for a modern twist, then try more simnel cake recipes.

6. Roast chicken

Similar to lamb, chicken represents new life and the end of the fast, as well as tying in with eggs. Although not as common as roast lamb, it's a more budget-friendly option and works well with seasonal spring greens and roasted carrots.

Get inspired with our Easter chicken recipes.

7. Easter biscuits

Easter biscuits are believed to traditionally originate from the West Country of England, with their roots in pagan traditions. Their circular shape is said to represent the circle of life and Jesus's resurrection. These early recipes would have been simply made with butter, flour, sugar and spices such as cinnamon, as well as some with cassia oil in the belief that it was used to clean Jesus's body after his crucifixion.

Now we find them highly decorated with royal icing and intricate patterns. For a fun Easter holiday project with the kids, make a batch of our Easter sugar cookies, then discover even more top Easter biscuits.

8. Fish

Eating fish stems from the tradition whereby no meat was eaten during Lent. On Good Friday when Jesus was killed, fish is eaten as it's viewed as a different kind of meat and therefore not breaking the fast. Fish also has symbolic meaning and link to Jesus from the Bible.

Eating fish and chips on Good Friday has become a tradition that many people who aren't religious may observe. Discover our top Easter fish recipes and Good Friday recipes.

9. Roast ham

Although roast lamb and chicken are more common choices, ham also plays a role in the Easter Sunday lunch, often a celebratory centrepiece meat for other special occasions such as Christmas and Boxing Day.

There's also a logistical reason for eating ham at Easter. Before the invention of refrigerators, ham would be cured over winter (after being killed in autumn) and would then be ready to be eaten by springtime.

Discover our favourite gammon recipes and how to cook and prepare gammon and ham.

10. Easter bread

Although hot cross buns are the most popular type of leavened bread eaten during Easter in the UK, other sweet breads are popular during this time in mainland Europe and have been making their way across the channel. Bread is also traditionally very symbolic in the Christian tradition as it is eaten during communion to represent the body of Jesus.

Try our easy Easter brioche and then discover more Easter bread recipes.

Discover more Easter food inspiration

Easiest ever Easter lunch menu
Vegetarian Easter recipes
Vegan Easter recipes
Easter lunch recipes
Easter side recipes
Top 5-ingredient Easter recipes for kids

What are your favourite Easter food traditions? Let us know in the comments...