What to serve with finger sandwiches

Finger sandwiches are a great choice for a light lunch or afternoon snack! But what do you serve alongside this light recipe? Read on for 27 ideas about what to serve with finger sandwiches.

Close up of cucumber cream cheese sandwiches on a plate.

Although finger sandwiches are traditionally served with afternoon tea in England, I strongly believe that they work any time of day and in any part of the world. Being a born and raised American myself, I am a self-proclaimed lover of mini sandwiches.

I love dainty bites of any kind. Also, there are so many different ways to stack and enjoy a ‘wich. The options are endless.

Whether you are serving them for a small gathering of friends, a baby shower, a bridal shower or as game day food you might be wondering what to serve with finger sandwiches. Here’s an assortment of ideas that everyone will love:

Tea, of course! Any variety will provide that tea time experience, such as earl grey tea.
Finger food snacks such as olives, pickles or nuts.
How about a hot sandwich to accompany your cold sandwich, such as a classic grilled cheese.
Spreads, dressings or condiments such as jellies, jams, mustard, ranch, mango chutney or chive butter.
Serve alongside a meat and cheese tray loaded with salami, deli meats and an array of your favorite cheeses.
Crackers or pita chips are the perfect accompaniment.
Fruit salad or fresh fruit.
A bowl of hot soup, such as tomato soup or French onion soup.
Leafy green chopped salad or any variety of pasta salad.
Potato salad, coleslaw or another traditional side dish.
French fries, potato chips or another type of cooked potato finger food.
Brownies, cookies or any type of dessert bar.

Table of Contents

Finger Sandwich Recipe Variations

A few varieties of this light lunch or afternoon tea snack include:

Ham with regular or Dijon mustard
Classic cucumber with cream cheese and dill
Egg salad sandwiches with mayo
Smoked salmon
Chicken salad
Ham salad
Roast beef with Swiss cheese
Pimiento cheese spread
Deli meat with slices of romaine lettuce and cheddar cheese slices
Cheese spread and onion
Deli meat, lettuce and cheese
Peanut butter and jelly

How To Make Cucumber Finger Sandwiches

These cucumber tea sandwiches are one of my all-time favorite childhood lunches. Super simple, but so tasty! Great lunch option for guests.

Make the Best Cucumber Cream Cheese Sandwiches

Regular or English cucumbers may be used, but the English variety will offer fewer seeds.
Pat the cucumber slices with a damp paper towel for using, to remove excess moisture.
In addition to the dill, add other fresh herbs of your liking to make the spread even more flavorful.
Spice up your cucumber sandwiches by adding cayenne pepper, curry powder, extra black pepper or red pepper flakes to the mixture.
A splash or two of Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest or squirt of lemon juice will all provide some stronger flavors that balance out the cucumbers nicely.
Hold delicate crustless sandwiches together better by wrapping them halfway with parchment or wax paper.

How Many Finger Sandwiches Per Person

Plan for four small sandwiches per person when serving as a main course for lunch. If you are serving them as part of an appetizer spread for a party, two per person will suffice.

Best Bread For Finger Sandwiches

Typically finger sandwiches are made using soft white bread, rye bread or whole wheat bread slices. The most important thing is that the bread is fairly thinly sliced and soft in texture.

How To Cut Finger Sandwiches

To cut a finger sandwich, remove the crusts, then cut into small squares, or rectangles approximately 1 inch wide by 3 inches long. You can also use a cookie cutter to cut out different shapes.

How To Make Finger Sandwiches Ahead of Time

Make little sandwiches ahead of time, minus any spreads. If using spreads, do not cut until just before serving. Stack on a plate and wrap tightly in plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator overnight.

Just before serving, add spreads to the bread (if using), slice and serve.

Air Fryer French Fries

French fries in parchment paper next to air fryer tray and ketchup.

Say goodbye to soggy fries! Let the air fryer do its magic with your next batch of French fries! They are so easy to make and they turn out perfectly crispy every single time.

Green avocado dressing in a container ready to pour.

Creamy Avocado Ranch Dressing is bursting with flavor. Fresh lime, cilantro and avocados create a delicious dressing you’ll want to lick off the spoon! Pour this creamy sauce over a salad, on tacos or use it as a veggie dip or sandwich spread!

Zucchini Chips are the perfect snack made from a favorite garden vegetable! Free from preservatives, super easy to make and better than potato chips!

Close up of chopped salad filled with ingredients.

This is the best classic chopped salad recipe you’ll find. It makes a large batch to enjoy for lunch throughout the week or serve at your next gathering.

Crispy kale chips oven recipe transforms this vegetable from a healthy superfood that you might add to a salad or casserole into a delicious snack! All you need is a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes until you these tasty chips in your fingertips. Perfect for kids and adults and everyone will be wanting more!

Bowl of tomato soup with broiled bread and basil on top.

This Roasted Tomato Soup is bold, flavorful and comforting. You will never want to make another tomato soup again! Great for entertaining or family dinner.

Bowl of french onion soup from the top, with a slice of bread on top and shredded cheese melted over everything.

Add this classic French Onion Soup to your recipe arsenal. It is rich, hearty, flavorful and super easy to make. The presentation is impressive and will make people believe you’ve slaved over a hot stove all day long.

Side view of a grilled cheese sandwich overflowing with cabbage and bacon and sauce.

Transform rock and roll into a spunky, zingy, beautiful grilled cheese sandwich!

Showing the edge of a large bowl filled with caprese pasta salad really close up.

Pesto caprese pasta salad is a huge hit at parties! Serve this delicious dish as a side, salad or appetizer. The combination of mozzarella cheese, tomatoes and basil is absolute perfection!

Looking down into a blue mixing bowl filled with potato salad.

Cook potatoes and eggs together in a single pot to make Instant Pot Potato Salad with Eggs. Done in less than 30 minutes and requires minimal clean-up. This is the perfect party food or summer side dish!

Baking sheet with air fryer sweet potato fries.

Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries is a delicious way to enjoy sweet potatoes! The air fryer works its magic and transforms them into a sweet or savory treat or side that will not last long.

Top view of a large bowl of fruit salad.

Put a delicious spin on your next summer gathering by learning how to make Fruit Salad step by step with a super-secret and unexpected ingredient. Add a twist to this classic recipe.

Nothing screams potluck more than this homemade macaroni salad recipe! This side or party food is easy to make and will get devoured at your next gathering.

Bowl with a spoon it of butternut squash with cream cheese.

This is the perfect, most delicious way to use up butternut squash in the fall! Butternut squash soup recipe with cream cheese is guaranteed creamy, packed with comforting flavor and super easy to prepare. Great dinner option any night of the week!

This recipe details the best deviled eggs ever. An American classic known for their appearances at summer potlucks and Easter dinner, this is the most delicious way to use up hard-boiled eggs!

Spoon sticking out of rhubarb peach jam in a glass jar.

This Rhubarb Peach Jam is a great way to use up rhubarb from the garden! The peach-rhubarb combo makes a fantastic pair.

Pieces of balsamic bruschetta on a counter.

Tomatoes marinated in basil, oil, balsamic vinegar and garlic is the perfect topping for this bruschetta with balsamic glaze recipe. One of the most perfect little finger foods you’ll ever enjoy. Get ready to knock people’s socks off!

Stack of chocolate brownie cookies with one of them split in half.

If you can’t decide between cookies and brownies, you’ve found the perfect dessert. You get both with one recipe! These Chocolate Brownie Cookies are chewy, crispy, crinkly, chocolatey, unique and absolutely irresistible!

Caramel Pecan Bars are a delicious replacement for pecan pie. These bars are packed with caramel and pecans and are easier than pie to make so you can get to enjoying them quicker!

Two wooden spoons tucked into a glass bowl of peach coleslaw.

Sweeten up your coleslaw with peaches for a fresh, healthy and delicious variation on a summer salad. Peach Coleslaw (from Butter and Baggage) will be great for your next cook-out. Don’t forget the Texas Pete for a little kick.

Small paper bag of homemade potato chips.

Homemade potato chips (from Beyond the Chicken Coop) are one of those simple comfort foods that are completely different than the chips you buy at the store. These chips have lots of crunch and satisfy your snack cravings.

Beer battered onion rings on a platter with a small bowl of dipping sauce and one onion ring dipping into it.

The most crispy, delicious and simple Beer Battered Onion Rings (from Spoon Fork Bacon) you will ever taste! The best thing about these onion rings is that the crunch LASTS for awhile, so you don’t have to worry about the first fried onion ring being soggy by the time you’re finished frying your last!

Let’s elevate breakfast scones with the sweet, caramely goodness known as dulce de leche. I bring you, my friends, your new weekend breakfast indulgence – Dulce de Leche Scones (from Kickass Baker).

Stack of 3 mini butter tarts with a bite missing from the top one.

Butter Tarts (from Foreign Fork) are a quintessential Canadian dessert that vaguely resemble the interior of pecan pie. This butter tart recipe can be enjoyed plain or with walnuts, raisins, or chocolate chips.

Close up of a few petit four mini cakes.

Petit Fours (from Sugar Spun Run) are dainty French treats that are perfect for bridal showers, brunches, or anytime! I tested many recipes and honestly think this is the best and easiest way to make these sweet treats at home! Please see the how-to video in the recipe for flawless results, even if you’re a beginner baker!

Smoked Salmon bagel platter with a variety of fresh veggies sliced, small bowl of baby dill pickles, a dig and whole bagels sliced in half.

This Smoked Salmon Bagel Platter (from Fresh Apron) is sure to impress! It’s filled with smoked salmon, bagels, and fresh toppings. Perfect to serve for holidays or an everyday weekend brunch.

A tea pot and tea cup with a British flag on it filled with tea with a slice of cake on a plate.

Taking a dash of care when making tea brings great rewards of flavour. Follow our six point plan for a great tasting cuppa (from Fuss Free Flavours).

What To Serve With Finger Sandwiches – 27 ideas!