What Recipes to Cook in April

Are you wondering what to cook in April? Browse our collection of 50 best April recipes to cook for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert!

April is here, and with it comes the vibrant energy of spring in full swing. The days are longer, the air is warmer, and the market stalls are bursting with seasonal favorites. It’s the ideal time to refresh your cooking routine with dishes that are as bright and lively as the world outside. This month, we’re leaning into the flavors of early spring — juicy berries, tender greens, crisp snap peas, and fragrant herbs — all perfect for meals that feel light yet satisfying. Whether you’re craving an energizing breakfasts, a colorful salad, a breezy weeknight dinner, or a sweet treat to share, this collection of 50 spring-inspired recipes has something for every mood and moment.

What is in Season in April

April is the heart of spring — a time when fresh flavors truly begin to take center stage. As nature wakes up in full color, the kitchen becomes a playground for bright, crisp produce and lighter, feel-good meals. This month brings an abundance of seasonal stars, from tender greens and sweet carrots to juicy strawberries and vibrant herbs. Below, you’ll find a lineup of our favorite fruits and vegetables at their seasonal best, along with recipes that let each ingredient shine.

Fruits	Vegetables
Grapefruit Lemon Lime Oranges Papaya Tangerines	Artichokes Arugula Asparagus Beets Carrots Fennel Leeks Parsnip Peas Radish Rhubarb Scallions Spinach Spring Onions Swiss Chard Turnips

Holidays in April

April is a month rich with meaningful celebrations, both cultural and seasonal. From Easter and Passover to Ramadan and Earth Day, the holidays observed during this time often center around themes of renewal, reflection, and connection.

April brings the joy of Easter, a time to gather with loved ones and celebrate the season of renewal. Whether you're planning a festive brunch, a classic holiday dinner, or a sweet dessert spread, we've got you covered. From glazed ham and spring vegetable sides to hot cross buns and carrot cake, these Easter recipes are perfect for creating a warm and welcoming table. Looking for inspiration? Check out our favorite Easter recipes:

• Easter Brunch Menu
• 40 Best Easter Mains and Entrees
• 30 Best Easter Appetizers
• 50 Best Easter Side Dishes
• 30 Best Easter Desserts

April Breakfast Recipes

• Turkish Eggs. Turkish Eggs, or Çılbır, are a rich and comforting combination of poached eggs nestled over garlicky, herbed yogurt and drizzled with a spiced chili oil.
• Hot Cross Buns. Hot cross buns is a timeless classic Easter bread made with raisins, cinnamon, and a honey glaze. They are perfect for breakfast, a snack or dessert.
• Spinach Quiche. Spinach Quiche is a golden, savory classic with a tender flaky crust and a rich, creamy egg filling that’s packed with flavor. Surprisingly easy to make!
• Carrot Cake Pancakes. Carrot Cake Pancakes combine two of the best foods, are fluffy soft and moist, loaded with classic flavors, and are ready in 15 minutes from prep to table!
• Sweet Potato Hash Browns.
• Spring Vegetable Frittata. Spring vegetable frittata is a delicious breakfast or served at any time of the day. It's a one-pan meal that starts on the stove and moves to the oven.
• Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole.
• Green Detox Smoothie. Green Detox Smoothie is quick and easy to make, delicious and nutritious, and loaded with antioxidants, nutrients, and vitamins for a quick energy boost.
• Pesto Babka. Pesto babka is a showstopping loaf of bread that is savory, delicious, and flavorful with beautiful twists and turns. Plus, it is surprisingly easy to make!
• Carrot Cake Muffins. Carrot cake muffins are moist, light, chewy and full of carrots which means breakfast this week is healthy! Carrot muffins are great for meal prep too.

April Lunch Recipes

• Green Goddess Sandwich. Green Goddess Sandwich is a fresh and vibrant twist on a classic veggie sandwich, packed with a creamy herb sauce, crisp veggies, avocado, and mozzarella.
• Creamless Cream of Asparagus Soup. Creamless cream of asparagus soup is healthy, delicious, smooth, creamy, quick and easy to make. A perfect spring soup for a last minute lunch or dinner.
• Avocado Egg Salad. Avocado Egg Salad is a creamy, nutritious twist on the classic egg salad by adding avocado. Quick and easy to make as a sandwich, wrap, or on its own.
• Sushi Bowl.
• Carne Asada Tacos. Carne asada tacos are delicious, juicy, and tender Mexican street tacos loaded with steak bites that everyone will be raving about on Taco Tuesday!
• Easy Tossed Salad.
• Tuna Melt Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Get your hands on pantry staple canned tuna and make a delicious, crunchy tuna melt grilled cheese sandwich in less than 10 minutes! It's so tasty and easy!
• Korean Vegetable Pancakes.
• Turkey and Cheese Sliders. Turkey and Cheese Sliders are quick and easy, made with deli meat and Swiss cheese filled inside soft Hawaiian dinner rolls topped with a buttery sauce.
• Beet Salad. Beet Salad is a light, fresh, and vibrant salad packed with nutrients. It is loaded with beets, greens, feta, and walnuts, tossed in a homemade vinaigrette.

April Dinner Recipes

• Creamy Tuscan Chicken. Creamy Tuscan chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach is a quick and easy 30 minute Italian chicken dinner that is delicious, flavorful, and comforting.
• Asparagus Casserole. Asparagus Casserole is creamy and cheesy, featuring tender-crisp asparagus in a rich, garlicky sauce topped with a crispy panko and parmesan crust.
• Lemon Ricotta Pasta. Lemon Ricotta Pasta is bright, creamy, and bursting with fresh flavor — comfort food with a zesty twist. Ready in under 20 minutes!
• Pineapple Glazed Ham Slices. Sweet and savoury pineapple glazed ham slices are perfect for a holiday dinner. With a caramelized glaze, this ham is dressed to impress.
• Kimchi Fried Rice. Kimchi Fried Rice is a bold, flavorful dish that takes just minutes to prepare using a few simple ingredients — and a great way to use up leftover rice!
• Sheet Pan Lamb Chops. Sheet pan lamb chops with vegetables are healthy and delicious, easy to make, and easier to clean up. Perfect for busy weeknights or a holiday dinner.
• Chicken Enchiladas. Easy baked chicken enchiladas brings the taste of authentic Mexican food into your kitchen — saucy, spicy, and savoury. Perfect for a Mexican fiesta.
• Vegetable Stir Fry.
• Spring Pesto Pasta with Asparagus. Spring pesto pasta with asparagus and chives is light and made with simple ingredients in under 20 minutes. Serve it hot for dinner or cold as pasta salad.
• Seared Scallops. Garlicky, buttery, and perfectly seared scallops take less than 10 minutes to prep and cook. It's the easiest fancy, restaurant-grade meal to make at home.

April Appetizers and Snacks

• Deviled Eggs. Classic deviled eggs are a simple, easy, and healthy appetizer to make when you need something quick for brunch, picnics, barbecues, potlucks, or Easter.
• Chinese Scallion Pancakes. Chinese Scallion Pancakes are crispy, flaky, and packed with savory flavor in every bite. Better than takeout and surprisingly easy to make at home!
• Mezze Platter.
• Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus and Melon. Prosciutto wrapped asparagus and melon are salty, sweet, and juicy. They are easy to make with a handful of simple ingredients, then cooked on the grill.
• Jalapeno Popper Dip. This Jalapeño Popper Dip is creamy, cheesy, and delicious — everything you love about the classic appetizer, served warm and scoopable.
• Honey Mustard Chicken Wings. Honey mustard chicken wings are crispy on the outside but juicy and tender inside. Baked in an air fryer or oven, they have the best texture and flavor.
• Garlic Breadsticks. Soft garlic breadsticks are fluffy, airy, buttery, and delicious. They're an easy recipe that is perfect for beginners at baking bread.
• Marinated Mozzarella Balls. Marinated mozzarella balls is a delicious and simple yet stunning appetizer, made with fresh bocconcini soaked in olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs.
• Hot Bean Dip.
• Salted Soft Pretzels. The best quick and easy salted soft pretzels are buttery, salty, and so delicious. They are golden brown and chewy on the outside, yet warm and soft inside.

April Desserts

• Spring M&M Cookies. Spring M&M Cookies are soft, chewy, and bursting with pastel colors and chocolatey goodness — perfect for celebrating the season, especially Easter!
• Carrot Cake. Made with fresh carrots, this classic Carrot Cake is soft, moist, warmly spiced, and topped with an ultra-creamy cream cheese frosting.
• Coconut Cream Pie. This Coconut Cream Pie made from scratch features a graham cracker crust topped with a creamy homemade coconut pudding filling and freshly whipped cream.
• Easter Egg Sugar Cookies. Cute, delicious, and easy-to-make Easter egg sugar cookies with royal icing are the perfect treat to make this Easter. Crisp outside and soft inside.
• Rhubarb Crisp. Old-fashioned Rhubarb Crisp is one of the coziest desserts to bake this season: a sweet, tart rhubarb filling and a crumbly, buttery crisp topping. So good!
• Peanut Butter Eggs. Chocolate-covered peanut butter eggs with a hard chocolate shell on the outside and a soft peanut butter interior inside are rich, sweet, and delicious.
• No Bake Bird's Nest Cookies. No Bake Bird's Nest Cookies are a fun and festive Easter treat made with butterscotch and peanut butter mixture and topped with chocolate mini eggs.
• Almond Biscotti. Small batch almond biscotti are crunchy, crumbly and packed with almonds, perfect for dunking into tea or coffee, and they are super easy to make.
• Chocolate and Vanilla Marble Cake. Chocolate and vanilla marble cake is delicious, moist, fluffy with the perfect golden brown crust. With two classic cake flavors, this loaf cake has it all.
• Easter Bark. Easter Bark is the perfect chocolate treat — sweet, rich, and pretty, loaded with chocolate mini eggs and sprinkles. It's a quick and easy no bake recipe.

More Spring Recipes

• Spring Produce Guide
• 60+ Spring Dinner Ideas
• 40 Best Salad Recipes
• 40 Best Pasta Recipes
• 50+ Healthy Lunch Ideas
• 50 Best Spring Desserts

Did You Make Any of These April Recipes?

Please leave a comment and rating below, and let me know what you thought of this round up of delicious recipes to cook this April. Be sure to snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @aheadofthyme or share it on the Pinterest pin so that I can follow along.

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