An Afternoon Tea isn’t complete without savory bites. Along with tea sandwiches, scones, clotted cream, preserves, and tea cakes, a well-rounded Afternoon Tea serves a smidgen of savory bites as well.
For the ritual of Afternoon Tea, as you may know, began when Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford and a close friend of Queen Victoria, complained of “having that sinking feeling” during the late afternoon. She needed something small, just enough to satisfy that in-between time, before dinner.
Thank you, Anna, Duchess of Bedford, for this lovely ritual.
We’ve found the most beautiful Afternoon Tea Savory Recipes, most of which are easy, with make-ahead tips you’ll want to note for your next Afternoon Tea.
Whether that be for two or a crowd.
Henry James
Afternoon Tea at 31Daily
- Easy Make Ahead Tea Sandwiches
- How to Serve an Afternoon Tea
- Afternoon Tea Sweet Bites and Teacakes
- Afternoon Tea Scones
- How to Throw an Afternoon Tea Party
- 15 Beautiful Edible Flowers
All Afternoon Tea Recipes and Ideas >>
Easy Afternoon Tea Savory Recipes and Ideas
For elegant, easy, and delicious savory finger foods to occupy the bottom tier or your tea server. For placement of foods on a 3-Tier serving platter, see our “How to Serve an Afternoon Tea.”
Mini Salmon Croquette Canapés
“Lemon juice and dill provide subtle complements to the mild taste of salmon. Coated in bread crumbs and fried in hot oil, our Mini Salmon Croquette Canapés have a pleasing crunch atop French-bread crostini. A topping of citrus aïoli unites the hors d’oeuvres for an experience in flavor and texture.”
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Cucumber Canapés with Dilled Butter
“Enjoy these simple yet delicious Cucumber Canapés with Dilled Butter at your next tea.”
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Get the Salmon Petits Toasts recipe >
Sweet Pea and Leek Tartlets
Our Sweet Pea and Leek Tartlets are delicious alone or as an accompaniment to a savory sampling. Here, goat cheese blends with a medley of sautéed herbs and vegetables—tarragon, parsley, sweet peas, and leeks—all baked in a flaky pastry shell. A fresh sprig adds a lively finishing touch.
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Cherry Tomato Tartlets
Light and Fresh, these Cherry Tomato Tartlets are a perfect savory for Afternoon Tea.
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Avocado-Egg Salad Canapés
“Fresh dill and a hint of Dijon mustard give these Avocado-Egg Salad Canapés extra flavor.”
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Mini Quiches
“In addition to the tea sandwiches, you should include at least one classic brunch-type dish on your menu. Mini quiches fit the bill beautifully, combining the cuteness of tea food and breakfast-ness of brunch food. As for what kind to make, it’s easy to take a basic mini quiche recipe and change it up with a variety of add-ins to suit your tastes.”
Make ahead tip: Bake and freeze ahead of time, then reheat at 350° F for 10 to 15 minutes.
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Easy Asparagus and Cheese Mini Tarts
These easy asparagus and cheese mini tarts make a beautiful addition to Afternoon Tea. Its pungent, herbaceous flavor partners so well with cheese and with store-bought pastry, it’s minutes in the making.
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Salmon Frittatas
“Fresh tarragon, new potatoes, shallots, baby green peas, and Gruyère cheese gives these Salmon Frittatas plenty of flavor.”
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Simple Ham Salad and Cucumber Slices
Top one mounded tablespoon of this easy and versatile ham salad on thinly sliced cucumbers. A sprig of fresh dill is perfect.
Easy Ham Salad Recipe >
Chinese Green Salad Baskets
“These Chinese Green Salad Baskets full of bright and lively flavor.”
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Shrimp Tapenade Canapés
“These Shrimp-Tapenade Canapés make excellent finger foods for any occasion.” Or, to make it really simple, use store-bought tapenade and crackers.
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Crab Toast Canapés
“While the acidity of a tomato-and-basil-topped slice of toasted bruschetta goes well with a glass of wine, we prefer something more subtle with a cup of tea. Enter this delicate bruschetta, which combines crabmeat, shallots and dill, and has a subtle zing from preserved lemon rind.”
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Simple Ham Salad Cracker Bites
A simple, favorite savory bite for afternoon tea. Simple dollop water crackers with this easy and delicious, savory ham salad. Top with sprigs of fresh dill and chives for a pretty and simple presentation.
Get the easy Ham Salad recipe >
Lemon-Lime Scallop Canapés
“These zesty Lemon-Lime Scallop Canapés bring an excellent citrus flavor to any tea.”
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Ham, Corn, and Chive Crustless Quiche
“This Ham, Corn, and Chive Crustless Quiche is a delightful afternoon tea savory.”
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Salmon and Fennel Tartlets
“The rich flavor found in these Salmon and Fennel Tartlets make them an excellent contender for your teatime favorite.”
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Italian Spinach-Artichoke Crostini
“A taste of Tuscany comes right to the table in these Italian Spinach-Artichoke Crostini.”
Get the Italian Spinach-Artichoke Crostini recipe >
Love your list of ideas. I have been searching for a list of savory offerings. Thanks.
Thank you so much, Jane. It always seems like the savory selections take a bit more thought!