Afternoon Tea Sandwich Recipes

A traditional afternoon tea is a light and refreshing meal, typically served in the mid-afternoon. An afternoon tea usually consists of a pot of tea, served with a variety of sweet and savoury snacks, such as scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes, pastries, and biscuits, and of course delicious sandwiches with various fillings.

Some of the most popular afternoon tea sandwiches include:

Cucumber sandwiches – thinly sliced cucumber and cream cheese, often seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper.

Egg sandwiches – hard-boiled eggs that have been mashed with mayonnaise, salt, and pepper, and then placed on buttered bread.

Smoked salmon sandwiches – smoked salmon, cream cheese, and sometimes a bit of dill or lemon juice, served on buttered bread.

Ham and mustard sandwiches – thinly sliced ham and a bit of mustard, often served on buttered bread.

Cheese and pickle sandwiches – cheese and pickles, often served on wholemeal bread.

Below we’re going to look at some delicious afternoon tea sandwich recipes for a delightful afternoon tea with friends, family and loved ones. 

Ingredients needed to make an Afternoon Tea sandwiches

Smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich:

• Thinly sliced smoked salmon
• Cream cheese
• Fresh dill (optional)
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• Soft bread (such as white, brown or rye bread)
• Butter (optional)

Ham and mustard:

• Thinly sliced ham
• Dijon mustard or English mustard
• Soft bread (such as white, brown or rye bread)
• Butter (optional)

Egg mayo:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Mayonnaise
• Salt and pepper
• Soft bread (such as white, brown or rye bread)
• Butter (optional)

Step by step instructions to make Afternoon Tea sandwiches

Instructions for smoked salmon and cream cheese:

1. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on one side of each slice of bread.
2. Top one of the slices of bread with a few slices of smoked salmon.
3. Sprinkle a little bit of fresh dill over the smoked salmon (if using).
4. Squeeze a little bit of lemon juice over the smoked salmon (if desired).
5. Season the smoked salmon with a pinch of salt and pepper.
6. Place the other slice of bread on top of the salmon to create a sandwich.
7. Cut off the crusts of the sandwich and slice it into small finger-sized portions.
8. Optionally, butter the bread slices before spreading cream cheese to give an extra smooth texture.

Your smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich for afternoon tea is now ready to be served!

Instructions for ham and mustard:

1. Spread a thin layer of Dijon or English mustard on one side of each slice of bread.
2. Top one of the slices of bread with a few slices of ham.
3. Place the other slice of bread on top of the ham to create a sandwich.
4. Cut off the crusts of the sandwich and slice it into small finger-sized portions.
5. Optionally, butter the bread slices before spreading mustard to give an extra smooth texture.

Instructions for egg mayo sandwich:

1. Peel the hard-boiled eggs and mash them in a bowl with a fork.
2. Add mayonnaise to the bowl and mix well, until the eggs are coated in the mayonnaise.
3. Season the egg mixture with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
4. Spread the egg mayonnaise mixture onto one slice of bread.
5. Place the other slice of bread on top of the egg mixture to create a sandwich.
6. Cut off the crusts of the sandwich and slice it into small finger-sized portions.
7. Optionally, butter the bread slices before spreading the egg mayonnaise mixture to give an extra smooth texture.

Tasty Afternoon Tea sandwiches

Some of the afternoon tea sandwich recipes mentioned above are classic for a reason. These sandwiches have been served at English afternoon teas for many years and have become a staple of this particular meal, making them a safe choice for those who are looking to host or attend a more traditional tea.

The recipes for afternoon tea sandwich recipes listed above are also easy to make and incredibly simple to prepare, requiring just a few basic ingredients and minimal effort. This makes them a popular choice for those who are looking to serve a light and easy meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.

Just what you need

Afternoon tea sandwich recipes are perfect to enjoy birthday celebrations and enjoy a loved one’s birthday, offering a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere to enjoy some delicious treats together. An afternoon tea for an anniversary can also be a lovely way to mark the occasion and spend some quality time together.

Classic afternoon tea sandwich recipes are also perfect for hosting bridal or baby showers, offering a stylish and elegant setting for the special occasion. Some businesses also choose to host afternoon tea meetings or events, offering a more relaxed and informal atmosphere to conduct business and network.

Afternoon Tea in the New Forest

We invite you to join us for a decadent and fabulous New Forest, surrounded by gorgeous scenery and expansive gardens at one of our New Forest Collection locations. Enjoy an afternoon tea in one of our onsite restaurants, such as the award winning 1820, Taylors bar at Beaulieu Inn, inside the gorgeous Bartley Lodge, or the grand Burley Manor.

You’ll find an array of choices as part of our afternoon tea range, including various tea options such as Chamomile, Green Tea, Darjeeling, Winchester Breakfast, and a selection of flavoured Rooibos. 

The afternoon tea menus at our restaurants are subject to seasonal change, however our sample menu includes delicious savoury and sweet options such as Caramelized Onion Sausage Roll, Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese sandwiches, Cheddar and Chutney sandwiches, Roasted Vegetable Tarts, Honey Roast Ham and Dijon Sandwiches, and a selection of cakes and pastries such as a Berry Panna Cotta, Chocolate Eclairs and Mini Lemon Meringue Pies. 

Our afternoon teas are for everyone to enjoy, we have a selection of gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options as part of our afternoon tea offering too, simply ask for the specific menu.