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
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. Its 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 >
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
photo credit: www.teatimemagazine.com
“These Chinese Green Salad Baskets full of bright and lively flavor.”
Get the Chinese Green Salad Baskets recipe >
Shrimp Tapenade Canapés
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“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 >
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
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“These zesty Lemon-Lime Scallop Canapés bring an excellent citrus flavor to any tea.”
Get the Lemon-Lime Scallop Canapés recipe >
Ham, Corn, and Chive Crustless Quiche
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“This Ham, Corn, and Chive Crustless Quiche is a delightful afternoon tea savory.”
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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
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“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!