35 Sweet & Savory Recipes for the Perfect Tea Party

Hosting a tea party without the right tea party food can leave your guests hungry and underwhelmed, turning what should be a delightful afternoon into an awkward gathering. From classic scones to innovative bites, these dishes are easy to prepare in advance, allowing you to enjoy your party without any last-minute stress.

Tea Party Food

Creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory food for tea parties can be overwhelming, especially when trying to cater to different taste preferences while maintaining the traditional elegance of afternoon tea. This comprehensive collection of tested recipes solves these common challenges by providing foolproof combinations that work harmoniously, making sure your tea party impresses guests with variety and sophistication.

I’ve experienced the stress of serving mismatched treats that didn’t complement each other, which is why I’ve curated these sweet and savory recipes that will make your tea party memorable for the right reasons. Afternoon tea is a delightful tradition, and with a little planning, you can create a memorable spread that caters to every taste.

1. Cucumber and Yogurt Tea Sandwich

Spread a mixture of Greek yogurt, dill, and lemon juice on whole-wheat bread and layer with thinly sliced cucumbers. Cucumbers are hydrating and the yogurt provides probiotics for gut health. Collectively, these fresh ingredients bring a cool and refreshing taste with a tangy twist.

2. Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Want to bring a touch of luxury to your tea parties? Spread cream cheese on tortillas, layer with smoked salmon, spinach, and capers, then roll and slice. Aside from bringing a savory and smoky taste, salmon provides omega-3 fatty acids, which support heart health.

3. Mini Quiches

Bring a hearty addition to your tea party spread with this savory and satisfying treat. Fill mini tart shells with a mixture of eggs, cheese, vegetables, and your choice of protein. Eggs are a great source of protein and choline, significant for brain health.

4. Spinach and Feta Triangles

Want to prepare something savory and tangy for your vegetarian guests? Combine spinach, feta cheese, and herbs in filo dough, then bake until golden brown. Spinach is packed with iron, which helps transport oxygen throughout the body.

5. Chicken Salad Tartlets

Do you want to surprise your tea party guests with a creamy and flavorful treat that has a hint of sweetness? Fill tartlet shells with a mixture of cooked chicken, celery, grapes, and mayonnaise. As a bonus, chicken is a lean protein source, providing essential amino acids for muscle repair.

6. Avocado and Shrimp Crostini

Top toasted baguette slices with mashed avocado, shrimp, and a squeeze of lime. Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fats, which promote healthy cholesterol levels. Creamy avocado complements the succulent shrimp, with a zesty lime finish.

7. Mushroom and Brie Vol-au-Vents

Craving for an earthy and rich treat, with a creamy brie center? Fill puff pastry shells with sautéed mushrooms, brie cheese, and thyme. I usually prepare the mushroom filling in advance and assemble the vol-au-vents just before serving.

8. Asparagus and Prosciutto Tartlets 

Here’s another light and elegant appetizer. Wrap asparagus spears in prosciutto and bake until crispy, then serve in tartlet shells. Aside from giving a crunchy texture, asparagus is a good source of fiber, promoting digestive health.

9. Sun-Dried Tomato and Pesto Pinwheels

These pinwheels can give a colorful and flavorful addition to your tea party spread. Spread pesto on tortillas, layer with sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, and spinach, then roll and slice. More than bringing a savory and tangy taste, sun-dried tomatoes provide lycopene, an antioxidant that protects against cell damage.

10. Sage and Mushroom Tartine

Here’s a vegetarian-friendly appetizer or light lunch option, ideal for guests who enjoy savory flavors. Sauté mushrooms with garlic and sage then spread on toasted bread slices topped with goat cheese and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Mushrooms provide vitamin D for bone health and immune function, while goat cheese offers calcium and probiotics for gut health.

11. Classic Scones

This is a traditional tea party staple that has a buttery and slightly sweet taste, with a crumbly texture. Combine flour, butter, sugar, and milk to create a dough, then bake until golden brown. During weekly meal prep planning, you can prepare the scone dough ahead of time and bake the scones fresh on the day of your tea party.

12. Lemon Drizzle Cake

Here’s a tangy and sweet taste, with a moist crumb you can easily bring to tea parties. You can bake the cake the day before and add the glaze the morning of your tea party. Lemons are a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that supports immune health.

13. Victoria Sponge Cake

This is a classic and elegant dessert with a sweet and fruity filling. To get that light and fluffy texture, fill two sponge cakes with whipped cream and jam. Meal prep tip: bake the cakes the day before and assemble the cake the morning of your tea party.

14. Chocolate Brownies

Combine butter, sugar, eggs, and chocolate to create a fudgy brownie. Aside from giving a rich and fudgy texture, dark chocolate provides antioxidants, which protect against cell damage. You can bake the brownies the day before and cut them into squares the morning of your tea party.

15. Fruit Tartlets

Fill mini tart shells with pastry cream and top with fresh fruit. You can prepare the pastry cream and tart shells ahead of time, then assemble the tartlets with fresh fruit the morning of your tea party. Besides giving a refreshing and colorful dessert, fruits provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

16. Citrus Rose Muffins With Orange Blossom Honey

Citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C, which supports the immune system. To use them in tea parties, bake muffins with citrus zest, rose water, and a drizzle of orange blossom honey. This recipe gives a fragrant and flavorful taste with floral notes and a touch of sweetness.

17. Black Forest Tea Madeleine Cookies

Need to satisfy chocolate lovers who appreciate a touch of sophistication? Combine flour, butter, eggs, and black tea to make shell-shaped cookies, then fill with chocolate ganache. This gives a rich and chocolatey flavor with subtle tea notes.

18. Scottish Shortbread Cookies

This is a traditional tea-time treat that pairs perfectly with a cup of tea. To make this classic buttery and crumbly cookie, combine flour, butter, and sugar, then bake until golden. These cookies provide a quick source of energy from carbohydrates, perfect for mingling with tea party guests.

19. Vanilla Pumpkin Spice Cupcake

Combine flour, sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, and spices to make cupcakes, then frost with cream cheese frosting. This recipe gives a classic fall flavor with warm spices and a creamy frosting. Besides providing vitamin A and fiber, pumpkin is the perfect ingredient for autumnal tea parties.

20. Fruit and Cheese Platter

Here’s a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors, with varying textures. Arrange a variety of cheeses (cheddar, brie, goat cheese) and fresh fruits (grapes, berries, sliced apples) on a platter. This recipe provides a mix of protein, calcium, vitamins, and fiber.

21. Mini Frittatas

Whisk eggs with milk and your favorite chopped veggies (like spinach, mushrooms, and bell peppers) and bake in muffin tins. Best for weekly meal prepping, you can make a big batch ahead of time and reheat individual frittatas as needed. This recipe is also savory and satisfying with customizable flavors depending on your veggie choices.

22. Cheesecake Bars

Here’s another decadent and satisfying dessert. Combine cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and graham cracker crumbs to create a creamy cheesecake bar. Aside from cheese giving a rich and creamy taste, cheesecake’s dairy provides calcium that builds and maintains strong bones.

23. Herb-Glazed Triple-Decker Sandwich

Need healthy appetizers with a herby twist to classic deli flavors? Layer sliced turkey, ham, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and a homemade herb-infused mayonnaise between three slices of whole-wheat bread. Lean protein from the meats and fiber from the veggies contribute to a balanced meal.

24. Antipasto Skewers

Need a light and refreshing snack with a burst of Mediterranean flavors as you mingle with guests? Thread cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olives, and basil leaves onto skewers. This recipe offers a good source of antioxidants from the tomatoes and healthy fats from the olives and cheese.

25. Caramelized Onion and Thyme Sausage Rolls

Need a crowd-pleasing appetizer with a touch of elegance? Wrap puff pastry around a mixture of sausage, caramelized onions, and thyme, then bake until golden brown. This results in a savory and rich treat with a flaky crust.

26. Bruschetta

Here’s another simple yet elegant appetizer that’s perfect for a summer tea party. Top toasted baguette slices with a mixture of diced tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil. This gives a fresh and flavorful treat with a garlicky kick.

27. Sesame Crackers With Cranberry Cheese Spread

Add a festive touch to your tea party, especially around the holidays. Combine cream cheese, dried cranberries, and orange zest for a festive spread, then serve with sesame crackers. This is sweet and tangy with a creamy texture and a bit of crunch from the crackers.

28. Mini Blueberry Bundt Cakes

This recipe is moist and flavorful with bursts of sweetness from the blueberries. Combine flour, sugar, eggs, and blueberries to make mini bundt cakes. Blueberries are packed with antioxidants that help protect the body from damage.

29. Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Here’s a satisfying and warming option, ideal for tea parties during cooler weather. Fill individual ramekins with a mixture of cooked chicken, vegetables (carrots, peas, potatoes), and a creamy sauce, then top with puff pastry or biscuit dough. This is a balanced meal with protein from the chicken, and vitamins and fiber from the vegetables.

30. Vanilla Bean Cream Puff

This recipe is a classic French pastry that adds a touch of elegance. Bake the cream puffs the day before and fill them with the pastry cream a few hours before serving. These treats give a sweet and creamy taste with a delicate vanilla flavor.

31. Macaroni and Cheese Bites

Perfect for kids and adults who love classic comfort food with a fun twist, this recipe brings a cheesy and comforting taste with a crispy exterior. Combine cooked macaroni, cheese sauce, and breadcrumbs, then shape into bite-sized balls and bake until crispy.

32. Salted Bourbon Mini Crumb Cake

Combine flour, sugar, butter, and bourbon to make mini crumb cakes, then sprinkle with sea salt. This recipe gives a buttery, crumbly, and moist texture with a hint of bourbon and salty sweetness. It’s ideal for adult guests who enjoy a touch of boozy flavor in their desserts.

33. Green Tea Yogurt Parfait

Running out of ideas for a healthy and refreshing tea party snack? Just layer Greek yogurt, granola, honey, and fresh berries in a glass or jar. Probiotics from the yogurt, antioxidants from the berries, and whole grains from the granola make this a nutritious choice.

34. Buckwheat Blini With Crab Salad

Combine buckwheat flour, milk, and eggs to make a batter, then cook thin pancakes. Top with a crab salad made with lump crab meat, mayonnaise, celery, and herbs. Being the main ingredient, buckwheat is a good source of fiber and protein, promoting digestive health and satiety.

35. Earl Grey and Jasmine Green Tea Infused Macarons

Impress your guests with a unique and elegant treat. Make meringue cookies with almond flour and egg whites, then fill with Earl Grey and Jasmine green tea-infused buttercream. This recipe gives a sophisticated and subtly sweet taste with floral tea notes.

Conclusion

With these perfectly balanced sweet and savory recipes, you’ll create tea party foods that your guests will talk about for months to come, from delicate finger sandwiches to irresistible pastries that pair beautifully with any tea selection. Start exploring these tea party food recipes today and give your next tea party the elegant touch it deserves.