There’s something magical about high tea—small bites, pretty plates, and sips of chai or coffee shared over a lazy afternoon. While traditional British high tea might conjure up visions of cucumber sandwiches and scones, there’s no reason why we can’t bring our own Indian flavors to the table.
Let’s explore how to give the classic high tea an Indian makeover, from savory nibbles and indulgent sweets to comforting chai that makes everything better.
What is High Tea in British Culture?
Contrary to what many believe, high tea in the UK isn’t just an elite affair with fancy crockery. Originally, high tea was a working-class meal served at a high table (hence the term) at the end of a workday. It usually included hearty fare like meat pies, bread, and tea.
However, what we commonly refer to as high tea today has evolved to resemble “afternoon tea”, popularized by British aristocracy—served between lunch and dinner and presented in elegant three-tiered stands.
The 3 Classic High Tea Tiers
- Bottom Tier – Savories: finger sandwiches, quiches, or canapés.
- Middle Tier – Scones: served with clotted cream and jam.
- Top Tier – Sweets: petite cakes, tarts, or pastries.
Adapting High Tea to Indian Flavors
Indian high tea brings in that same leisurely charm but replaces scones with laddoos, and sandwiches with samosas. You keep the structure but infuse each tier with spices, regional textures, and homemade comfort.
How to Structure Indian High Tea
- Savory Tier – Think crispy, spiced bites like samosas, cutlets, or momos.
- Sweet Tier – Indian mithai and pudding-style desserts in small portions.
- Drink & Dip Tier – Masala chai or iced teas paired with chutneys.
Indian High Tea Recipes
Indian High Tea Savory Tier
Perfect for the bottom tier — crunchy, spicy, and deeply satisfying.
Mini Samosa
Crispy triangles filled with a spiced potato mixture — great with green chutney.
Green Gram Vada
Wholesome fritters made with whole moong and spices; protein-packed and hearty.
Sabudana Vada
Crisp on the outside, soft inside — made with tapioca pearls and crushed peanuts.
Corn Cutlet
Mashed potatoes, corn, and Indian spices shaped into patties and shallow-fried.
Gobi 65
Cauliflower florets marinated and fried with South Indian spices; bold and crispy.
Paneer Tikka on Tawa
Cubed paneer marinated in spices, grilled on a tawa — flavorful and juicy.
Butter Garlic Mushrooms
Button mushrooms sautéed in butter and garlic — rich and earthy.
Chilli Garlic Potato Bites
Baby potatoes tossed in chilli-garlic sauce; Indo-Chinese style and zesty.
Bread Rolls
Spiced veggie filling rolled in bread slices, coated with crumbs, and fried.
Maddur Vada
A South Indian delicacy — crispy outside, soft inside with onions and spice.
Egg Bites
Mini egg muffins baked with onions, chillies, and herbs — simple and versatile.
Paneer Momos
Steamed dumplings filled with a paneer masala mix; best with spicy dip.
Bombay Sandwich
Triple-layered sandwich with butter, chutney, veggies, and masala.
Veg Cheese Toasties
Toasted bread layered with cheese and spiced vegetables.
Masala Egg Bread Toast
A quick toast topped with whisked masala egg — crispy edges and soft center.
Sweet High Tea Tier
Stack these on the top tier — indulgent, festive, and satisfying in just a few bites.
Peanut Ladoo
Made with roasted peanuts and jaggery — a wholesome, energy-packed sweet.
Mango Shrikhand
Hung curd blended with mango pulp and cardamom — creamy and cool.
Rava Coconut Ladoo
Roasted semolina and grated coconut rolled into ghee-laced laddoos.
Mango Burfi
A seasonal delight — mango puree thickened with milk solids into fudge squares.
Dry Fruit Ladoo
Dates, figs, nuts — no sugar, just pure natural sweetness.
Coffee Pudding
A soft, set pudding with deep coffee flavor — a modern twist.
Rava Kesari
Semolina pudding cooked with saffron, ghee, and nuts — rich and golden.
Puran Poli
Stuffed flatbread with sweetened lentils — slice into small pieces for tea.
Beverages & Accompaniments – Third Tier
Essential to complete the experience — keep guests refreshed and dips ready.
Chai 3 Ways
- Masala Chai – Classic with cinnamon and cardamom
- Ginger Chai – Spicy, warming, and soul-soothing
- Elaichi Chai – Fragrant and mellow with cardamom
Iced Lemon Tea
Cold brewed tea with lemon and honey — bright and zesty.
Tomato Mint Chutney
Tangy, spicy, and ideal for fried snacks or momos.
Peanut Chutney
Creamy, nutty, and a lovely companion to vadas and dosa bites.
Bonus Adaptable Recipes
Swap or add these to refresh your tea table every time.
Instant Rava Uttapam
Mini savory pancakes topped with onions, chilies, and coriander.
Instant Rava Paniyaram
Golden, ball-shaped dumplings with a soft, savory interior.
Ghughra Sandwich
Stuffed crescent-shaped sandwich pockets with spiced veggie fillings.
Banana Dosa
A sweet crepe made with ripe bananas — great as a brunch dessert.
Hosting the Perfect Indian High Tea
Creating a high tea with Indian flavors allows you to celebrate nostalgia, regional variety, and the joy of sharing. Use small plates, dainty servings, and colorful garnishes. Keep your chai warm, and your chutneys bold.
Whether you’re hosting an intimate get-together or a festive spread, Indian-style high tea brings elegance and comfort to the same table.
