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 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
photo credit: www.victoriamag.com
“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.”
Get the Mini Salmon Croquette Canapés recipe >
Cucumber Canapés with Dilled Butter
photo credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
“Enjoy these simple yet delicious Cucumber Canapés with Dilled Butter at your next tea.”
Get the Cucumber Canapés with Dilled Butter recipe >
Get the Salmon Petits Toasts recipe >
Sweet Pea and Leek Tartlets
photo credit: www.victoriamag.com
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.
Get the Sweet Pea and Leek Tartlets recipe >
Cherry Tomato Tartlets
photo credit: www.taste.com.au
Light and Fresh, these Cherry Tomato Tartlets are a perfect savory for Afternoon Tea.
Get the Cherry Tomato Tartlets recipe >
Avocado-Egg Salad Canapés
photo credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
“Fresh dill and a hint of Dijon mustard give these Avocado-Egg Salad Canapés extra flavor.”
Get the Avocado-Egg Salad Canapés recipe >
Mini Quiches
photo credit: www.allrecipes.com
“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.
Get the Mini Quiche recipe >
Easy Asparagus and Cheese Mini Tarts
These easy asparagus and cheese mini tarts make a beautiful addition to Afternoon Tea. It’s pungent, herbaceous flavor partners so well with cheese and with store-bought pastry, it’s minutes in the making.
Get the Asparagus and Cheese Mini Tarts recipe >
Salmon Frittatas
photo credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
“Fresh tarragon, new potatoes, shallots, baby green peas, and Gruyère cheese gives these Salmon Frittatas plenty of flavor.”
Get the Salmon Frittatas recipe >
Chinese Green Salad Baskets
photo credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
“These Chinese Green Salad Baskets full of bright and lively flavor.”
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Shrimp Tapenade Canapés
photo credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
“These Shrimp-Tapenade Canapés make excellent finger foods for any occasion.” Or, to make it really simple, use store-bought tapenade and crackers.
Get the Shrimp Tapenade Canapés recipe >
Crab Toast Canapés
photo credit: www.oprah.com
“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.”
Get the Crab Toast Canapés recipe >
Lemon-Lime Scallop Canapés
photo credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
“These zesty Lemon-Lime Scallop Canapés bring an excellent citrus flavor to any tea.”
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Ham, Corn, and Chive Crustless Quiche
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“This Ham, Corn, and Chive Crustless Quiche is a delightful afternoon tea savory.”
Get the Ham, Corn, and Chive Crustless Quiche recipe >
Salmon and Fennel Tartlets
photo credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
“The rich flavor found in these Salmon and Fennel Tartlets make them an excellent contender for your teatime favorite.”
Get the Salmon and Fennel Tartlets recipe >
Italian Spinach-Artichoke Crostini
photo credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
“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!