Photo by Sven Brandsma

Easter

Easter is a time of renewal, hope, and celebration. Whether you observe it as a Christian holiday or simply enjoy the traditions of the season, there’s no need for animals to suffer in the process. Veganism is not about giving up your faith, traditions, or culture—it’s about aligning them with your values of kindness, peace, and love for all of God’s creation. The good news is that you can still enjoy all your favourite Easter traditions with delicious, cruelty-free alternatives!

Photo by Anna Bratiychuk

Vegan Easter Treats

For many, Easter is synonymous with a family meal, and there’s no reason why a vegan Easter feast should be any different. If traditional celebrations are your preference, you can still embrace the spirit of Easter with:

Roast “lamb” joint: Opt for a hearty plant-based alternative such as a homemade seitan roast or a store-bought centre-piece, like this “lamb” joint from the Faux Butcher, or the THIS! Isn’t Chicken Roast. These are just two of the many, many options available online and in supermarkets.

Creamy mashed potatoes: Replace dairy butter with plant-based alternatives like Flora Plant butter or Naturli block butter. Add a good splash of Flora Plant Double Cream or Elmlea Plant Double Cream to enhance the creaminess.

Glazed carrots & roasted parsnips: Instead of using bee’s honey, try roasting your favourite root vegetables with a drizzle of maple syrup or vegan Honea for a caramelised, sweet crunch. To find out why taking honey is harmful to bees, check out this page here.

Mini and Creme Eggs: Mummy Meagz’s ‘Chuckie Egg’ is a fantastic alternative to traditional creme eggs, featuring a creamy fondant centre encased in rich dairy-free chocolate. They also make Chickee Eggs, which is the perfect alternative to Mini Eggs. Doisy and Dam are also another option for those who prefer dark chocolate. All these can be found in various supermarkets and health-food stores.

Dairy-Free Chocolate Easter Eggs: Many supermarkets now stock their own affordable ‘Free From’ Easter eggs. Look out for brands brands like Moo Free and NOMO which offer a wide variety of vegan flavours.

Luxury Vegan Eggs: For something extra special, look for handmade or artisan options, such as the the beautifully designed vegan eggs from Hotel Chocolat and Kokoa.

With so many delicious alternatives available, you can enjoy a feast that is not only kind to animals but also full of flavour and tradition.

Recipes

Activities

Egg Hunting & Painting: If you love an Easter egg hunt, there’s no need to change your tradition! Simply swap out dairy-based chocolate for vegan alternatives. If you enjoy decorating eggs, consider using wooden, ceramic, or papier-mâché eggs instead of those taken from hens. This way, you can enjoy the fun without contributing to the egg industry, which involves immense cruelty to chickens. For more information on this, please see our Eggs page.

Connect with Animals & Nature: Easter and spring symbolize renewal and new life. A wonderful way to celebrate is by planting trees, flowers, or vegetables. Go for a nature walk, visit a wildlife sanctuary, pick spring flowers to press and preserve, or take part in a beach or park clean to honour God’s creation and care for the planet.

Baking together as a family: Easter is a wonderful time to get creative in the kitchen with family and friends. Baking together can be a fun and rewarding way to celebrate while making delicious, cruelty-free treats.

Photo by Chris Hardy

Photo by Vishnu Prajapati

The Truth About Easter Bunnies

Each year, the approach of Easter prompts many to purchase rabbits as gifts for their children, often without fully understanding the commitment required. Rabbits are complex animals that require just as much - if not more care, in some ways - as cats or dogs.

Staggering Statistics:

High Abandonment Rates: Approximately 80% of rabbits bought during the Easter period are abandoned or die due to neglect within a year. ​

Shelter Overcrowding: Tens of thousands of abandoned rabbits pass through UK shelters every year, many having been dumped by the sides of roads, under bridges, or beside rubbish bins.

Increased Pet Rabbit Population: An estimated 1.5 million rabbits are kept as pets in the UK, a significant increase from 1 million the previous year, with many new owners lacking experience in rabbit care. ​

Consider Compassionate Alternatives: Instead of purchasing a live rabbit this Easter, consider these options:

Plush Rabbit Toys: Soft, cuddly, and requiring no care, they provide joy without the responsibility of a live animal.​

Vegan Chocolate Bunnies: Delicious and cruelty-free, these treats allow you to indulge in the Easter spirit ethically.​

Educational Materials: Books and movies about rabbits can be both entertaining and informative.​

By choosing compassionate gifts, you can still celebrate Easter with your children in a way that is kind to animals.

However, if you are absolutely certain that you have the space, time, and commitment to care for a rabbit, please consider adopting instead of buying from a pet shop or a breeder. Adopting from a shelter saves lives and ensures you are not supporting unethical and exploitative individuals. It’s worth noting that rabbits are also highly social animals and should be adopted in pairs to prevent loneliness and distress.

Photo by Aswathy N

Christianity and Veganism

If you’re a Christian and would like to explore how veganism aligns with your faith, please click the button below for further resources.


“I believe that all Christians should be vegan, both because that is clearly what the Bible tells us if one looks at it as a whole, and because we should be concerned about feeding the poor, caring for the environment, and health. One day Christians will be as ashamed of supporting meat eating as the are now of once having supported the slave-trade. ”
— Fr John Ryder