What to Serve with Afternoon Tea? 7 Tasty Side Dishes

Afternoon tea isn’t just a meal; it’s an event. It’s the Oscars of snack time, minus the long speeches. Now, we all know the stars of the show: the tea itself and those cute little sandwiches. What really takes your tea time from “just okay” to “oh, wow” are the side dishes.

We’ve been there, thinking, “What on earth goes well with tea?” It turns out, a lot. We’re talking about pairing like a pro without having to actually be one. Scones, meet clotted cream and jam. These sides aren’t just add-ons; they’re what we all secretly look forward to.

Yes, those tiny desserts and savory bites that make us feel fancier than we are? They’re key. And we’re here to share our top picks. No more mundane tea times. Get ready to impress, or at least, make your taste buds very happy.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes with Afternoon Tea?

If you want your tea time to be enjoyable, you’ll need side dishes.

Any side dish with a lesser liquid content will probably serve as a good side dish for a cup of afternoon tea.

More often than not, tea is served with savory and sweet snacks.

Read on to discover the possibilities of your palate while drinking tea.

What to Serve with Afternoon Tea? 7 Tasty Side Dishes

Are you excited about trying varying types of basic snacks? Whether you are giving yourself a little afternoon tea party or serving guests, these side dishes will surely come in handy.

1. Sandwich Cake

The exciting thing about a sandwich cake is that you can make it taste however you want it to.

The icing for sandwich cake has numerous possibilities, so it is one of the most versatile cakes.

Using just two or more layers of sandwich bread, customize the taste of your cake by using whatever ingredients you have and incorporating them into the icing.

The simplicity of preparation does not define its taste.

Sandwich cakes are so delicious that anyone can enjoy them.

2. Orange Scones

What’s better to wash away that afternoon slump than a citrus freshness?

A valuable and classic tip would be to use the fresh citrus zest.

It gives a better fragrance and proves to be much more effective than preserved ones.

The process is really simple.

You only need to add the orange zest together with the flour, and the remaining process is the same as baking a regular scone.

If you want a flaky layer to your scones, use cold unsalted butter so that when the butter melts in the oven, it pushes up the dough and creates beautiful layers.

3. Roasted Salmon Sandwiches

Have you ever heard of a salmon between bread? Yes, this recipe does exist, and it is fantastic.

Use roasted salmon in olive oil to get the best flavor for this recipe.

If available, use a thicker sandwich bread to give a more sophisticated look to your tea time.

Roasted salmon sandwiches come in handy when you have run out of ideas to prepare the fatty fish.

This recipe tastes even better with a dill sauce, so it is recommended that you try it.

The tangy dill sauce can be made in under 5 minutes. It goes well with any grilled fish.

Make this once, and you’ll want to make them forever.

4. Banana Bread

Do you have some overripe bananas at home that isn’t good-looking enough to serve but still taste good inside? Why not make some banana bread? It is a unique type of bread that is rich in banana flavor.

Non-bread lovers also fall in love with this recipe because the final product is not at all similar to regular bread.

Nobody can say no to this moist and sweet bread.

Melted butter is the hero of this recipe, and it gives a unique flavor that makes you distinguish the bread from any other banana recipe.

The only downside is that this recipe takes a while to bake.

So, be conscious of your schedule if you decide to bake banana bread at home.

5. Scotch Eggs

To put it simply, scotch eggs are hard-boiled eggs wrapped in a mixture of sausage meat and deep-fried in vegetable oil after breading.

Scotch eggs are suitable for a light snack time like afternoon tea.

The scotch eggs are the complete opposite of the regular sandwiches and cookies generally served with tea.

These eggs are also tasty when paired with a spicy sauce. The only problem with this dish is the time.

It takes about 40 minutes to make, but the result is so satisfying you wouldn’t complain.

6. Classic Cucumber Sandwich

No afternoon tea is complete without these classic cucumber sandwiches.

Cucumbers make it possible for you to eat multiple side dishes because of their lightness.

Thinly sliced cucumbers in a buttered sandwich bread will give your afternoons a hydrating, fresh feeling.

It is one of the easiest and healthiest sandwiches.

You can even add an herb of your choice for a taste of freshness.

Pair this sandwich with your favorite cup of tea, and you have the best hot and cold combo.

7. Egg and Cress Sandwich

The egg and cress sandwich is a delicious go-to sandwich that many tea drinkers love.

It is quick to whip up and filled with protein to keep you full and energized until your next meal.

The recipe includes a rich, creamy egg salad made of crushed boiled eggs and mayonnaise.

Add chopped watercress to the mixture, and you’re done.

You can enjoy your egg and cress sandwich with any tea.

Tip: While breaking the boiled eggs, do not run them super smooth.

Leave some large chunks of the whites so that your sandwich has an interesting texture.

Conclusion

You’ve probably noticed that the list contains so many sandwiches.

Because sandwich pairs exceptionally well with tea, it would be unimaginable to have a sandwich-less tea time.

With these side dishes, you’ll constantly wait in excitement for the afternoon tea time.

If you are ever confused about what to cook, always come back to look for this list.

Search for these easy-to-find ingredients, and you will have a delicious side dish.