20 Easy Tea Party Foods and Recipes

Hosting a tea party can be a delightful and elegant affair, but it doesn’t have to be stressful.

With the right recipes and a bit of planning, you can create a beautiful spread that will impress your guests without keeping you in the kitchen all day.

Growing up, my grandmother and I would host little tea parties in her garden. We’d prepare simple yet delicious treats, sip on different teas, and chat for hours.

These moments left a lasting impression on me and inspired my love for tea party hosting. Here, I’ll share 20 easy tea party foods and recipes that are perfect for creating your own memorable gatherings.

1. Cucumber Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 8 slices of white bread
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh dill (optional)

Instructions:

1. Spread cream cheese on each slice of bread.
2. Arrange cucumber slices on four slices of bread.
3. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and dill if using.
4. Top with the remaining bread slices and cut into triangles.

2. Mini Quiches

Ingredients:

• 1 package of mini phyllo pastry shells
• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup cooked, chopped spinach or bacon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Whisk eggs and milk together.
3. Add cheese and spinach or bacon.
4. Pour the mixture into pastry shells.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until set.

3. Scones with Jam and Cream

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed
• 2/3 cup milk
• Jam and clotted cream for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Stir in milk until just combined.
5. Turn onto a floured surface, knead gently, and pat into a circle.
6. Cut into wedges and place on a baking sheet.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

4. Smoked Salmon Pinwheels

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. smoked salmon
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Fresh dill
• 4 large tortillas

Instructions:

1. Mix cream cheese, lemon juice, and dill.
2. Spread mixture on tortillas.
3. Layer smoked salmon on top.
4. Roll tortillas tightly and slice into pinwheels.

5. Lemon Bars

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix 1 cup flour, butter, and powdered sugar. Press into a baking dish.
3. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
4. Beat eggs, granulated sugar, 2 tbsp flour, baking powder, and lemon juice.
5. Pour over the baked crust and bake for another 20-25 minutes.
6. Cool and dust with powdered sugar.

6. Chicken Salad Croissants

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked, diced chicken
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 1/4 cup chopped grapes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 6 mini croissants

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken, mayonnaise, celery, grapes, salt, and pepper.
2. Slice croissants and fill with chicken salad.

7. Caprese Skewers

Ingredients:

• Cherry tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella balls
• Fresh basil leaves
• Balsamic glaze

Instructions:

1. Thread tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil onto skewers.
2. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.

8. Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tsp mustard
• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. Boil eggs, cool, and peel.
2. Halve eggs and remove yolks.
3. Mix yolks, mayonnaise, and mustard.
4. Spoon mixture back into egg whites and sprinkle with paprika.

9. Fruit Tartlets

Ingredients:

• 1 package of mini tart shells
• 1 cup vanilla pudding
• Assorted fresh fruit (berries, kiwi, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Fill tart shells with pudding.
2. Top with fresh fruit.

10. Mini BLTs

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of bread
• 8 slices of cooked bacon
• 1 tomato, sliced
• Lettuce leaves
• Mayonnaise

Instructions:

1. Toast bread and cut into quarters.
2. Layer bacon, tomato, lettuce, and mayonnaise on bread quarters.

11. Pimento Cheese Spread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup diced pimentos
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together.
2. Serve with crackers or bread.

12. Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Ingredients:

• 1 pint fresh strawberries
• 1 cup melted chocolate

Instructions:

1. Dip strawberries in melted chocolate.
2. Let cool on parchment paper.

13. Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

• 4 large tortillas
• 8 slices ham
• 8 slices cheese
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

Instructions:

1. Spread mayonnaise on tortillas.
2. Layer ham and cheese on top.
3. Roll tightly and slice into pinwheels.

14. Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. mushrooms, stems removed
• 8 oz. cream cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix cream cheese, Parmesan, spinach, salt, and pepper.
3. Stuff mushroom caps and bake for 15-20 minutes.

15. Macarons

Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• 2 large egg whites
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• Food coloring (optional)
• Filling of choice (buttercream, ganache, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Sift powdered sugar and almond flour together.
2. Beat egg whites until frothy, gradually add granulated sugar, and beat to stiff peaks.
3. Fold in dry ingredients and food coloring if using.
4. Pipe circles onto parchment paper and let sit for 30 minutes.
5. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 15-18 minutes.
6. Fill with desired filling.

16. Mini Pavlovas

Ingredients:

• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp vinegar
• Fresh fruit and whipped cream for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 250°F (120°C).
2. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
3. Gradually add sugar and beat to stiff peaks.
4. Fold in vanilla and vinegar.
5. Spoon onto parchment paper and shape into circles.
6. Bake for 1 hour, then turn off the oven and let it cool inside.
7. Top with fruit and whipped cream.

17. Spinach and Feta Phyllo Cups

Ingredients:

• 1 package mini phyllo cups
• 1 cup chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped onions
• 1 egg

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix spinach, feta, onions, and egg.
3. Spoon into phyllo cups and bake for 15-20 minutes.

18. Tea Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 8 slices of bread
• 4 oz. cream cheese
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped radishes
• Fresh herbs (dill, chives)

Instructions:

1. Spread cream cheese on bread.
2. Top with cucumber, radishes, and herbs.
3. Cut into triangles or rectangles.

19. Mini Cheesecakes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
• 3 tbsp melted butter
• 16 oz. cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Fresh fruit for topping

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter, press into mini muffin tins.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
4. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well.
5. Pour into crusts and bake for 20 minutes.
6. Cool and top with fruit.

20. Veggie Platter with Hummus

Ingredients:

• Assorted fresh vegetables (carrots, celery, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers)
• 1 cup hummus (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. Wash and cut vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
2. Arrange on a platter with a bowl of hummus in the center.

Conclusion

Hosting a tea party can be an enjoyable and stress-free experience with these 20 easy recipes. If you’re aiming for a traditional English tea or a modern twist, these dishes offer a variety of flavors and textures that will delight your guests.

From savory sandwiches and quiches to sweet treats like scones and macarons, there’s something here for everyone. Remember, the key to a successful tea party is not just in the food, but in the company and the moments shared over a warm cup of tea.

So, gather your loved ones, set the table with your best tea set, and enjoy a charming afternoon filled with delicious bites and delightful conversation.