With their delicate presentation and endless filling combinations, tea sandwiches are the perfect way to elevate any party or gathering. In this guide, you’ll find everything from expert tips to make the best tea sandwiches to flavourful recipes and tea pairing ideas.
What Are Tea Sandwiches?
Tea sandwiches are small and crustless finger sandwiches traditionally served as part of afternoon tea. They were made to be easy to eat while sipping tea and socializing, without being too heavy or filling.
Tea sandwiches were one of the first foods to grace the afternoon tea table and they’ve remained a staple ever since. They are light, fresh, beautifully presented and customizable! If you’re craving something savoury, sweet or hearty, there’s a tea sandwich filling for every palate and every season.
Today, tea sandwiches remain a charming part of modern tea parties, bridal showers and other gatherings. Whether you’re keeping it traditional with a cucumber tea sandwich or adding your own twist with an avocado egg salad the sandwich, they’re a timeless and delightful addition to your tea time.
The Best Tea Sandwiches Are…
- Easy to make – Many fillings can be prepped in advance, saving you time on the day of your tea party.
- Elegant and customizable – From classic cucumber to strawberry, the possibilities are endless.
- Perfect pairings for tea – Their light flavours make them ideal companions for everything from bold black teas to vegetal green teas.
Tips for the Best Tea Sandwiches
1. Start with the Right Bread
Use soft, thin-sliced bread. White bread is most traditional, but whole wheat or even rye can be a great option. The type of bread used may also depend on the type of filling. The bread should be sturdy enough to hold fillings without falling apart, but not too dense.
2. Keep the Filling Light
Too much filling can make sandwiches messy or overpower delicate flavours. You want thin layers that don’t spill out with each bite. Spread your fillings evenly to the edges and keep layers thin so each bite is balanced and easy to eat.
3. Remove Moisture
Moisture is one of the biggest enemies of a perfect tea sandwich. Ingredients like cucumbers, tomatoes or juicy fruits can quickly make the bread soggy if not handled properly. To avoid this, spread a very thin layer of butter or cream cheese on the inside of each bread slice. This acts as a barrier and helps maintain texture. Also, always pat down watery ingredients with a paper towel before assembling.
4. Always Cut the Crusts
Traditional afternoon tea sandwiches are crustless. It creates that clean, elegant look. Use a long, sharp bread knife or serrated knife and cut slowly with gentle sawing motions. If you want perfect edges then you can cut the crusts after the sandwiches have chilled in the fridge for 15–30 minutes. Chilling before cutting will firm up the bread and fillings for cleaner and straighter cuts.
5. Play with Shapes
Triangles and rectangles are a classic shape for tea sandwiches, but you can also use cookie cutters to serve round sandwiches or other fun shapes. This will add visual interest to your serving platter.
6. Serve Fresh!
To avoid serving dry or soggy tea sandwiches, they should always be served fresh. If you need to prepare them in advance, you can refrigerate the filling and assemble right before serving.
Teas to Pair with Tea Sandwiches
Pairing your sandwiches with the right tea can elevate the experience. Check out the ideas below to get started.
Black Teas (Earl Grey, Darjeeling, English Breakfast):
Great with rich, savoury sandwiches like ham or turkey. Their bold flavour holds up well to hearty fillings.
Green Teas (Sencha, Jasmine, Dragonwell):
Ideal with lighter, fresh fillings like cucumber, avocado, or hummus. The grassy, slightly astringent notes refresh your palate.
White Teas (Silver Needle, White Peony):
Delicate white teas are best served with equally delicate flavours. My favourites are cucumber cream cheese sandwiches. Their light floral notes won’t overpower the food.
Oolong Teas (Lightly oxidized or roasted):
These teas have a layered, complex flavour that pairs nicely with both savoury and sweet. Try lightly roasted oolong with salmon or floral oolong with ricotta.
Herbal Teas (Chamomile, Peppermint, Rooibos):
A gentle pairing for sweet sandwiches like strawberry or cream cheese with jam. Most herbal teas are a great naturally caffeine-free option, too!
Best Tea Sandwiches Recipes
My blog has a variety of tea sandwich recipes that are both delicious and simple to prepare. Below is a list of the best tea sandwich recipes to try.
1. Avocado Egg Salad Tea Sandwiches
A healthier and modern twist on the traditional egg salad, made even better with creamy avocado and fresh lemon juice. It is rich, smooth, and satisfying without feeling heavy.
Tea pairing idea: A mellow oolong or a classic English Breakfast tea.
2. Ricotta Cucumber Tea Sandwiches
Crisp cucumber slices are layered over a whipped ricotta spread, lightly seasoned with lemon zest and fresh herbs. Served open-faced, these sandwiches are refreshing and visually stunning.
Tea pairing idea: Delicate white tea or floral green tea (like jasmine).
3. Tuna Tea Sandwiches
Made with a tuna salad featuring just the right balance of mayo and mustard plus add a touch of finely chopped celery for extra crunch. It’s a comforting and familiar flavour for the tea table.
Tea pairing idea: Strong black teas like Assam or a malty Ceylon to balance the richness of the tuna.
4. Strawberry Tea Sandwiches
Sweet and slightly tangy, these are perfect for spring and summer tea parties. This sandwich brings a playful, fruity note to the tea table!
Tea pairing idea: Hibiscus or chamomile herbal tea, or a gentle white tea.
5. Turkey Tea Sandwiches
Savoury roasted turkey slices pair with crisp apple and a mild cheese for a hearty, satisfying bite.
Tea pairing idea: Spiced black tea or roasted oolong.
6. Ham and Cheese Tea Sandwiches
Simple, timeless, and quick to make. These sandwiches use thinly sliced ham, cheddar and a hint of mustard. It’s a go-to for a classic savoury option that’s always well-received.
Tea pairing idea: Earl Grey or Darjeeling black tea.
7. Carrot Ginger Tea Sandwiches
This one packs a little zing! The carrot and ginger combo adds a fresh, flavourful bite. It’s also a beautifully bright, colourful tea sandwich option.
Tea pairing idea: Lightly oxidized oolong or lemongrass herbal tea.
A Full Afternoon Tea Experience
Tea sandwiches are only one part of an afternoon tea service. For the full experience, don’t forget to include:
- Freshly baked scones (these English style scones are most traditional)
- Sweets like panna cotta, cakes or cookies
- A pot of tea
Frequently Asked Questions
Are tea sandwiches only for afternoon tea?
Not at all! While they’re a classic part of afternoon tea, they also make a lovely addition to brunch, bridal showers, baby showers or luncheons. You can make them and enjoy yourself for a mid-day break, too.
How many tea sandwiches should I serve per person?
Plan for at least 4 small sandwiches per person if serving as part of a full afternoon tea. If you’re offering only sandwiches, you can plan to offer more.
What size should tea sandwiches be?
These finger sandwiches should be small and easy to eat in 2 to 3 bites.
What’s the proper way to serve tea sandwiches at a tea party?
Serve tea sandwiches on a tiered stand or flat platter. For a more traditional approach, they are the first course of an afternoon tea service and should be presented on the bottom tier if using a 3-tier stand (savouries go on the bottom, scones in the middle, sweets on top).
What fillings are best for kids at a tea party?
Familiar fillings like ham and cheese, peanut butter and jelly or cucumber with cream cheese are usually kid-friendly. You can also cut the sandwiches into fun shapes to make them extra fun!
Sorry, but just as I would never peel potatoes, I would never cut off crusts, way too wasteful. I don’t see any note about what you do with them; certainly hoping they’re not going straight to compost. Put out for birds perhaps?
Completely understandable! I definitely wouldn’t just throw the crust out. After removing, I usually just eat the crust pieces myself. You can also cut them up and make croutons.