How to Use Easter Leftovers

A tiered tray of Lindt chocolate bunnies wrapped in gold foil with red ribbons, arranged on an elegant table.

Easter is over. You’ve survived the egg hunts, the never-ending roast dinners, and Aunt Margaret’s questionable hot cross bun pudding. But now you’re left staring at a fridge full of leftovers, a mountain of half-eaten chocolate eggs, and enough pastel-coloured décor to make an interior designer weep. What now?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s how to make the most of your Easter leftovers, both the edible and the decorative, so you don’t have to eat plain roast lamb sandwiches for the next week (unless you want to, in which case… we won’t judge. Much.)

The Chocolate Mountain

The Easter Bunny has been too generous again, and now you’re staring at an overwhelming pile of chocolate eggs, bunnies, and chicks. You could eat them all in one sitting, but let’s pace ourselves, shall we?

1. Melt It Down

Turn those chocolate scraps into a decadent hot chocolate. Just melt the leftovers in warm milk, add a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of Baileys (adults only of course), and enjoy.
Make a chocolate fondue and dip in fruit, marshmallows, or, if you’re truly committed to the Easter theme, more chocolate.

2. Bake With It

Chop up chocolate eggs and use them in cookies, brownies, or rocky road, because regular chocolate chips are so last season.
Melt down white chocolate bunnies and drizzle over cakes or pancakes for extra indulgence.

3. Upgrade Your Breakfast

Stir melted chocolate into porridge or yoghurt for an elite morning treat.
Make chocolate spread by blending melted chocolate with a little cream and spreading it on toast. Or just eat it with a spoon, we’re not here to judge.

A plate of rich chocolate brownies with a marbled peanut butter swirl.

The Leftover Roast

You went all out on the Easter roast, but now you’re faced with too much lamb, potatoes, and veg. Resist the urge to simply reheat it all, let’s get creative!

1. Epic Roast Sandwiches

Grab some crusty bread and load it up with sliced lamb, mint sauce, and leftover roast potatoes. Bonus points if you shove some stuffing in there too.

2. Shepherd’s Pie

Shred up your roast lamb, mix it with any leftover gravy and veg, top with mashed potatoes, and bake. Boom, Easter leftovers, but make it comforting.

3. Curry Night!

Transform your roast lamb into a spiced-up curry. Just fry up some onions, add curry paste, coconut milk or chopped tomatoes, and throw in your shredded lamb. Serve with rice or leftover roast potatoes (because carbs on carbs is the best kind of meal).

A bowl of curry with white rice, garnished with chickpeas, pistachios, and fresh coriander.

Egg Overload (Not the Chocolate Kind)

Hard-boiled eggs from the egg hunt still lurking in the fridge? Here’s how to give them a new lease of life before they become a science experiment.

1. Egg Salad (But Make It Interesting)

Chop up boiled eggs and mix with mayo, mustard, and a bit of paprika for an actually tasty egg mayo sandwich filling.

2. Devilled Eggs

Slice them in half, scoop out the yolks, mix with mayo and a splash of vinegar, and pipe back in. Fancy and retro, who knew?

3. Add Them to Everything

Chuck them in a potato salad, ramen, or even on toast with avocado. Bonus: pretending you planned it this way all along.

A buffet table lined with individual bowls of salad topped with croutons, chicken, and hard-boiled eggs.

The Easter Bunny’s Leftover Veg

Somehow, you have too many carrots and enough leafy greens to start your own farmers’ market. Here’s how to sneak them into meals without feeling like a rabbit.

1. Carrot Cake Muffins

Because adding carrots to cake makes it healthy, right? Right.

2. Homemade Veggie Crisps

Slice leftover parsnips, carrots, and potatoes super thin, bake with olive oil and salt, and enjoy your DIY crisps.

3. Springtime Soup

Blend roasted carrots, parsnips, and potatoes with some stock and seasoning for a cosy soup (and the illusion of having your life together).

A bowl of smooth orange carrot soup garnished with fresh herbs, accompanied by rustic bread and basil.

Recycling Easter Décor (Because We’re Not Made of Money)

Easter decorations are lovely… until you realise you now have an army of pastel-coloured bunnies and enough fake grass to turf a small garden.

1. Upcycle for Next Year

Store decorations away for next Easter, because future you will appreciate the effort. Make a list so you know what you have and stick on the outside of the box, no more buying stuff you've already got!

2. Use Them for Spring Décor

Easter bunting? Looks adorable for the rest of spring.
Pastel baskets? Great for storage or small flower arrangements.
Fake eggs? Spray-paint them in neutral tones and pretend they were never Easter-themed in the first place.

3. DIY Kids’ Crafts

Let the kids loose with glue and glitter to give leftover décor a new twist.
Repurpose shredded paper “grass” as stuffing for craft projects or gift wrapping (sustainable and thrifty).

A young girl in a vintage-style dress drawing on a large piece of paper, crafting on a patterned rug.

Easter leftovers don’t have to mean a week of regret and boring meals. With a little creativity (and maybe a splash of wine to fuel the inspiration), you can transform your Easter haul into something exciting.

Now, go forth and make Easter leftovers actually enjoyable—because no one wants to see yet another sad sandwich.

Happy Easter!