We love how even a tiny tea party with simple neighbors and a toddler in a tiara can be so charming. These 20 small bites look fancy and will allow you to have fun at the party. Pinkies up, friends.
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1) Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
The original tea sandwich that started it all, and honestly, it's still the first one that everyone goes for.
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Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese
Ingredients
Method
- Stir together the cream cheese, dill, lemon juice, and salt until smooth.
- Spread the mixture evenly over all 8 slices of bread.
- Layer thin cucumber slices over half the slices and top with the remaining slices.
- Trim off the crusts with a sharp knife and cut each sandwich into triangles or fingers.
- Arrange on a platter and chill until ready to serve.
Notes
2) Mini Quiche Lorraine
They feel sophisticated but everyone's gonna grab them when they see them – little custard bites with bacon and cheese!
Mini Quiche Lorraine
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 F and grease a 24-cup mini muffin tin.
- Cut small rounds from the pie crust and press one into each cup.
- Whisk together the eggs, cream, salt, and nutmeg.
- Sprinkle bacon and Swiss into each crust, then pour the egg mixture over the top.
- Bake for 20 to 22 minutes until puffed and set, then cool slightly before lifting out.
Notes
3) Smoked Salmon Crostini
Here’s a quick dish that’s both savoury and a tad posh – they’ll be ready before your tea finishes brewing!
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 F, brush the baguette slices with olive oil, and toast for 6 to 8 minutes until golden.
- Let the toasts cool, then spread each with whipped cream cheese.
- Drape a small ribbon of smoked salmon over each one.
- Scatter capers and dill on top and add a tiny squeeze of lemon.
- Arrange on a platter and serve right away.
4) Deviled Eggs with Dill
No party tray would be complete without deviled eggs. Added with a little fresh dill, they feel right at home at a tea.
Deviled Eggs with Dill
Ingredients
Method
- Place the eggs in a pot, cover with water, bring to a boil, then cover and remove from heat for 12 minutes.
- Cool the eggs in ice water, peel, and slice in half lengthwise.
- Pop the yolks into a bowl and mash with mayonnaise, Dijon, dill, vinegar, and salt.
- Spoon or pipe the filling back into the egg whites.
- Dust with paprika and a little extra dill before serving.
Notes
5) Caprese Skewers
All that flavor from a caprese salad is in these easy-to-eat, two-bite skewers that everyone will love.
Caprese Skewers
Ingredients
Method
- Thread one tomato, a folded basil leaf, and one mozzarella ball onto each small skewer.
- Arrange the skewers on a serving platter.
- Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
- Finish with a small pinch of salt just before serving.
6) Prosciutto Wrapped Melon
It feels effortless, but it always receives the most praise! It is both sweet and salty in a fantastic way.
Prosciutto Wrapped Melon
Ingredients
Method
- Slice the cantaloupe into thin bite-sized wedges and remove the rind.
- Wrap each wedge with a half slice of prosciutto.
- Secure with a small pick if needed and arrange on a platter.
- Drizzle lightly with olive oil and finish with cracked pepper and torn mint.
7) Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
With a bright, garlicky, and summery scent, this will be the appetizer that makes the entire table smell incredible.
Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 F, brush the bread with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and toast for 6 to 8 minutes.
- Combine the tomatoes, basil, garlic, remaining olive oil, vinegar, and salt in a bowl.
- Let the tomato mixture sit for 5 minutes so the flavors mingle.
- Spoon the topping onto each toast just before serving so they stay crisp.
Notes
8) Chicken Salad Croissants
Buttery chicken salad croissants feel like a hug on a tea tray.
Chicken Salad Croissants
Ingredients
Method
- Stir together the chicken, mayonnaise, celery, grapes, almonds, and salt.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Split the mini croissants and spoon the chicken salad inside.
- Arrange on a platter and chill until ready to serve.
9) Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
These small, stuffed tomatoes are tiny, bright and poppable, making them perfect for grazing!
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Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Ingredients
Method
- Slice the tops off the cherry tomatoes and scoop out the seeds with a small spoon.
- Set the tomatoes cut-side down on a paper towel to drain.
- Mix the cream cheese with chives, garlic, parsley, and salt until smooth.
- Pipe or spoon the filling into each tomato and chill until serving.
Notes
10) Goat Cheese and Fig Tartlets
These may sound fancy but all you need is some goat cheese and figs or fig jam (storebought is fine!), and ready made pastry shells. They're so easy to make!
Goat Cheese and Fig Tartlets
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350 F and set the phyllo shells on a baking sheet.
- Spoon a small amount of goat cheese into each shell, then top with fig jam.
- Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until warmed through and slightly softened.
- Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with pistachios and thyme before serving.
11) Herb and Garlic Scones
Savory scones bring a gentle, flaky refreshment to any tea party, and are a comforting and even a bit underrated addition.
Herb and Garlic Scones
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt, then cut in the cold butter until crumbly.
- Stir in the cheddar, chives, and garlic, then add the cream and gently mix into a dough.
- Pat into a circle, cut into 8 wedges, and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 16 to 18 minutes until golden and serve warm.
Notes
12) Mini Spinach and Feta Pies
Imagine a little spanakopita that's made with a perfectly crispy phyllo shell and filled with deliciously savory spinach, which is designed to be eaten in one bite.
Mini Spinach and Feta Pies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Squeeze the spinach dry and mix with feta, egg, dill, and pepper.
- Brush a phyllo sheet with butter, layer a second on top, and cut into strips.
- Place a spoonful of filling at the end of each strip and fold into triangles.
- Brush with butter and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until crisp and golden.
Notes
13) Roast Beef Tea Sandwiches
A solid choice for meat lovers, this sandwich features a horseradish sauce that adds a bit of a kick to everything.
Roast Beef Tea Sandwiches
Ingredients
Method
- Stir the cream cheese together with the horseradish and pepper.
- Spread the mixture over all the bread slices.
- Layer roast beef and arugula over half the slices and top with the rest.
- Trim the crusts and cut each sandwich into neat fingers before serving.
14) Savory Palmiers with Parmesan
These flaky pinwheels look fantastic because they are made with a sheet of store-bought puff pastry, which is our little secret!
Savory Palmiers with Parmesan
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Brush the puff pastry with egg and sprinkle evenly with Parmesan, thyme, and pepper.
- Roll both long sides inward to meet in the middle, then chill for 10 minutes.
- Slice into half-inch pieces and lay flat on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 13 to 15 minutes until puffed and golden.
Notes
15) Pimento Cheese Tea Sandwiches
Southern charm for your tea table! This creamy pimento cheese will change your life.
Pimento Cheese Tea Sandwiches
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the cheddar, cream cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, garlic powder, and cayenne until creamy.
- Spread the pimento cheese over half the bread slices and top with the rest.
- Trim the crusts with a sharp knife.
- Cut each sandwich into triangles or fingers and arrange on a platter.
Notes
16) Endive with Blue Cheese and Walnuts
Crisp little endive boats feel fancy and take zero cooking, that's our kind of appetizer.
Endive with Blue Cheese and Walnuts
Ingredients
Method
- Separate the endive into individual leaves and arrange them on a platter.
- Spoon a little blue cheese into the base of each leaf.
- Sprinkle with toasted walnuts.
- Drizzle with honey and finish with chopped chives.
17) Curried Egg Salad on Rye
This little sandwich has a cozy kick to it with a warmly spiced twist on egg salad.
Curried Egg Salad on Rye
Ingredients
Method
- Hard-boil the eggs for 12 minutes, then cool, peel, and chop them.
- Mix the chopped eggs with mayonnaise, curry powder, celery, cilantro, and salt.
- Spread the egg salad over half the rye slices and top with the rest.
- Trim the crusts and cut into small squares before serving.
18) Shrimp Cocktail Cups
Each tiny cup of shrimp with cocktail sauce is so fancy and celebratory!
Shrimp Cocktail Cups
Ingredients
Method
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and poach the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes until pink.
- Drain and chill the shrimp in ice water, then pat dry.
- Stir together the ketchup, horseradish, lemon juice, and hot sauce.
- Spoon a little cocktail sauce into each glass and hang a few shrimp over the rim.
- Serve cold with lemon wedges.
19) Brie and Apple Slices
Something that often works in any occasion is the combination of creamy brie cheese with fresh and crunchy apples.
Brie and Apple Slices
Ingredients
Method
- Toss the apple rounds with lemon juice to keep them from browning.
- Lay a slice of brie on each apple round.
- Warm briefly under the broiler for a few minutes if you want the brie melty, or leave it as is.
- Drizzle with honey and top with pecans and thyme before serving.
20) Mini Eclairs with Raspberry Cream
Dainty little eclairs are a staple of every tea party, so make sure you save some room on the tray!
Mini Eclairs with Raspberry Cream
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 F, bring the water and butter to a boil, then stir in the flour until a dough forms.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, pipe into small logs, and bake for 22 to 25 minutes until golden and hollow.
- Cool completely, then whip the cream and fold in the raspberry jam.
- Pipe the raspberry cream into the cooled shells and chill for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Dip the tops in melted chocolate and let set before serving.