What to do with Easter leftovers
Food Editor
Olivia Ferguson
Easter leftovers don’t have to go to waste – with a bit of creativity, they can be transformed into easy meals and indulgent treats. From loaded lamb tacos to hot cross bun apple crumble, here’s how to turn your extras into something delicious.
How to use leftover Easter lamb
Leftover roast lamb is wonderfully versatile and full of flavour.
Shred it into warm flatbreads with houmous, crisp salad and a drizzle of mint yoghurt for an effortless lunch.
Toss it through herby couscous with any leftover vegetables and a squeeze of lemon.
Try this crowd‑pleasing taco recipe (just pick it up from step 3), which features tender lamb in sweet‑sharp Mandarin Marmalade and pairs it with vibrant salsa and bitter chicory.
For something heartier, lamb is perfect in a quick shepherd’s pie: gently simmer lamb with onions, carrots and gravy, then top with buttery mashed potato and bake until golden.
Recipes with leftover chicken
Roast chicken practically begs to be reinvented.
Strip the meat and pile it into sarnies with crispy bacon, avocado and mayo, or stir it through a family‑favourite pesto pasta for an easy protein boost.
For something fresher that really sings of spring, try this lemon chicken noodle soup recipe (start from step 3), which can be made with homemade stock made using the bones and is finished with irresistible crispy chicken skin.
What to do with leftover veg
Need creative ways to use up leftover vegetables? We've got you.
Simply chop them up and add to a flavour-packed frittata that's perfect for both breakfasts and lunches.
Or roast with honey and wholegrain mustard, add to grains and top with feta and herbs.
Finally, for a brilliant brunch, try this bubble and squeak recipe, with crispy leftover veg, sage-fried eggs and Flame Roasted Tomato Chutney.
Ideas with leftover Easter chocolate
If your house somehow ends up with leftover chocolate after Easter, there are plenty of tasty ways to use it up.
Chop it and bake it into brownies, cookies or blondies, where all the different chocolates melt into delicious gooey bites.
Or melt some to drizzle over pancakes, stir into porridge or swirl through homemade ice cream.
Kids will love making DIY hot chocolate stirrers: melt the chocolate, pour into clean yoghurt pots, top with leftover sweets and let them set. Dunk them into warm milk for the richest, creamiest hot chocolate.
Hot cross bun recipe ideas
Transform leftover hot cross buns into comforting desserts and sweet treats.
Slightly stale hot cross buns become the star of this seasonal twist on an epic apple crumble. This comforting pudding tops tart Bramley apples with hot cross buns that have been soaked in milk, egg, and cinnamon, then finished with a crunchy oaty topping. Simply serve with custard or vanilla ice cream for a dessert the whole family will want more of.
Leftover buns (of any flavour) also work well as French toast, in bread and butter puddings or coated in cinnamon sugar, chopped into bite-sized pieces and popped in the air frier to make hot cross 'churros'.
And if you really want to pull out all the stops, our Tiramisu Hot Cross Buns make the fluffiest, most indulgent base for this seasonal tiramisu.
Published 12/03/2026
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