Best afternoon tea sandwich ideas

Put together a mouth-watering assortment of sensational sandwiches for your afternoon tea spread. From delicate finger food to open-faced sandwiches, satisfying stacks and chunky rolls, we have something for everyone.

Get to grips with every part of your menu and select your favourites from our afternoon tea recipes to fill your plates. We have it all covered; from scones and sweets to savoury bites and drinks.

Top afternoon tea sandwich tips

Getting ahead of the game with your sweet selection is a good idea, but don’t assemble your sandwiches too early, as they will go soggy or dry out before you get the chance to sample.
You can prepare any mixed fillings in advance and leave in the fridge until you’re ready.
Providing a meaty, veggie and a vegan option is a safe way to cover all your bases.
Mix up your presentation by providing open-faced sandwiches, stacked club sandwiches and delicately sliced finger sandwiches.

Best ever afternoon tea sandwich ideas

Afternoon tea sandwich selection

Keep everyone happy with our superb selection of sandwiches. Try creamy goat’s cheese and roasted red pepper for a sweet and savoury combination, elegant cucumber and prawn or a classic creamy egg and cress. Play with presentation and present an array of chunky rolls, slim finger sandwiches and open-faced toppers.

Cucumber and herb triple-deckers

Give the classic soft cheese and cucumber a facelift with a sprinkling of chives and refreshing mint flavour. With a couple of simple ingredients and some snazzy presentation, turn this standard sarnie into something special. Prefer to stick to the traditional? Try our soft cheese & cucumber fingers.

Green club sandwich

You just can’t beat a club. This hearty sandwich is chock full of creamy hummus, slices of avocado and sweet cherry tomatoes. With a handful of peppery rocket, this versatile veggie sandwich is filling and packed with texture. Try using red pepper hummus for a flavourful mix-up.

Coronation egg mayo

Combine two confirmed classics to create a sandwich worthy of any extensive afternoon tea selection. Bring the classic curry flavours to a traditional egg mayo and use Greek yogurt to balance out the korma paste spices.

Egg & bacon brioche soldiers

Bring some bold flavours to the plate with these chargrilled finger sandwiches. Inspired by brunch flavours, our crispy bacon and egg brioche sandwiches are charred to perfection and served with plenty of butter.

Ploughman’s scones

Feel like pushing the boat out? Fill freshly baked cheddar scones with slices of apple, your favourite chutney or pickle and a snippet of cress. We used apple, tomato and chilli chutney to bring some sweetness and a little heat to these golden scones.

Mini salt beef bagels

We love a sophisticated nibble that’s substantial and full of flavour. These fiery salt beef bagels are ideal finger food, and really look the part on an afternoon tea stand. The combination of crunchy radishes, wafer thin salt beef, smooth crème fraîche and mustard is a winner.

Egg-less mayo sandwiches

Need a tasty, easy vegan option? Use tofu and dairy-free mayo as a substitute for egg to whip up these simple plant-based sandwiches. Nutritional yeast and a pinch of black salt replicate the traditional flavours, as well as warming Dijon mustard and a pinch of turmeric.

Carrot and raisin sandwiches

Take some inspiration from a well-loved spring bake and turn it into a savoury sandwich with a dollop of hummus and some chopped mint. You can prep the filling the day before and leave in the fridge until you’re ready to use. Both kids and adults will dive into these brilliant bites with gusto.

Easy coronation chicken

Coronation chicken filling and sandwches on plates

A classic for a reason, coronation chicken is a great way of using up roast leftovers and making something delicious in the process. Make the creamy filling with a spoonful of mango chutney, a sprinkling of cinnamon and warming curry powder. Leave out the curry powder for those who aren’t a fan of spice.

Crab sandwiches

These substantial crab sandwiches are anything but boring. Use both brown and white crabmeat with plenty of mixed herbs, zesty lemon and cayenne pepper to make these tasty crab triangles. Our easy recipe brings plenty of flavour without overpowering the delicate crab.

Katsu sandos

Take some inspiration from Japan and try our cheat’s version of the katsu sando. Pile crunchy, colourful slaw, crispy pork and a quick tonkatsu sauce onto white bread for the ultimate savoury treat. The textures and flavours are spot-on.

Even more fab sandwich fillers inspiration

Want some simple filling options you can make with storecupboard ingredients? For a satisfying veggie option, try our cheesy apple slaw or a Marmite, cheddar and cucumber combo. Make a decidedly grown-up spread with our salmon smash or creamy smoked mackerel sandwiches.