• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Peter's Food Adventures
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Travel
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
  • recipes
  • about
  • travel
  • Follow and Share!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • recipes
    • about
    • travel
  • Follow and Share!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Cucumber Appetizers

    Author: Peter Kolesnichenko · Published: Oct 21, 2022

    Jump to Recipe

    Get inspiration for the next time you're entertaining with these Cucumber Appetizers ideas. Quick and easy finger foods with flavor suggestions everyone will love! Healthy Cucumber Bites look a bit fancy when hosting a party or as a tasty snack.

    Cucumber Appetizers on a board
    cucumber appetizer ingredients
    sliced cucumbers for appetizers on a plate

    Zakuski Appetizers

    These Cucumber Appetizers ideas are inspired by how we eat Zakuski, the Russian version of Hors D'oeuvres or snacks (sometimes with Horseradish Vodka). Zakuski include caviar, smoked meats, pickled tomatoes, salads, cheeses, dill pickles, and other finger foods. These appetizers are a little more fancy than usual, offering a wide variety of ideas, perfect for entertaining.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    There are many ways that you can make Cucumber Appetizers your own. The recipes are versatile, you can personalize it and make them your own. Here are the basics you'll need to cover most Cucumber Appetizers.

    • Long English Cucumbers - sliced into rounds
    • Spread - Cream Cheese mixture or Hummus
    • Fresh Herbs - usually fresh Dill
    • Seafood - usually Salmon or Tuna
    • Garnish - fresh herbs or Cherry Tomatoes
    Cucumber Appetizers Ideas on a board

    How to make Cucumber Appetizers

    Using cucumbers has got to be one of the easiest ways to make canapés or appetizers! They're so easy to slice into round pieces to use as your base. Cucumbers add a freshness and lightness to your appetizers. Plus they're gluten-free appetizers, if your guests require it!

    Salmon and Cucumber Bites

    It's easy to buy smoked Salmon in the store for quick entertaining. However, to elevate this cucumber recipe, I make Salmon Gravlax with Beets (as pictured). This makes the salmon bright pink, provides great party conversation and tastes amazing.

    1. Slice the cucumber into ½" thick rounds.
    2. Mix the cream cheese and sour cream together in a small bowl.
    3. Lay the cucumber slices on a platter or serving board. Spread a layer of cream cheese mixture onto each cucumber round.
    4. Top with thinly sliced Gravlax or Smoked Salmon. Garnish with fresh dill.
    5. Refrigerate Salmon and Cucumber Bites until ready to serve. Served cold.
    Cucumber Appetizers on a board

    Caviar and Cucumber Bites

    Lumpfish Caviar is easily found in most supermarkets under $10, so it's an affordable way to make you appetizers look and feel fancy. Check out How to Eat Caviar to see how we serve traditional caviar.

    1. Slice the cucumber into ½" thick rounds.
    2. Mix the cream cheese and sour cream together in a small bowl.
    3. Lay the cucumber slices on a platter or serving board. Spread a layer of cream cheese mixture onto each cucumber round.
    4. Top a spoonful of Black Caviar. Garnish with fresh dill.
    5. Refrigerate Caviar and Cucumber Bites until ready to serve. Served cold.
    Cucumber Appetizers on a board

    Cucumber Bites with Herbed Cream Cheese

    It's easy to buy herbed cream cheese, however homemade tastes much better! All you need is fresh basil and dill!

    1. Slice the cucumber into ½" thick rounds.
    2. Mix the cream cheese and sour cream together in a small bowl.
    3. Add freshly chopped basil and chopped dill and season with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
    4. Lay the cucumber slices on a platter or serving board. Spread the herbed cream cheese mixture onto each cucumber round.
    5. Top with a Cherry Tomato.
    6. Refrigerate Cucumber Bites with Herbed Cream Cheese until ready to serve.
    Cucumber Bites with Herbed Cream Cheese on a plate

    Avocado Cucumber Appetizers

    It's easy to make homemade Guacamole with avocados for a Mexican inspired cucumber appetizer. Garnish with pickled Jalapeños and chopped Cilantro.

    1. Slice the cucumber into ½" thick rounds.
    2. Lay the cucumber slices on a platter or serving board.
    3. Spread Guacamole over each cucumber round.
    4. Top with a Cherry Tomato or pickled Jalapeño.
    5. Garnish with chopped Cilantro.
    6. Refrigerate Avocado Cucumber Appetizers until ready to serve.
    Avocado Cucumber Appetizers on a plate

    Cucumber Hummus Bites

    Hummus is healthy and easy to make. For Thanksgiving, I make Pumpkin Hummus which is perfect as a dip, or in Cucumber Hummus Bites.

    1. Slice the cucumber into ½" thick rounds.
    2. Lay the cucumber slices on a platter or serving board.
    3. Spread Hummus over each cucumber round.
    4. Top with Chickpeas or Garbanzo Beans, and lightly drizzle lemon juice over appetizer.
    5. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or basil.
    6. Refrigerate Cucumber Hummus Bites until ready to serve.
    Cucumber Hummus Bites on a plate

    Beet Cucumber Bites

    Beets are super colorful and incredibly healthy. The perfect addition to a healthy appetizer. You can make a homemade Russian style Beet Dip, or buy Egyptian Beet Dip or even use Beet Hummus.

    1. Slice the cucumber into ½" thick rounds.
    2. Lay the cucumber slices on a platter or serving board.
    3. Spread Beet Dip over each cucumber round.
    4. Top with a sliced Cherry Tomato or Chickpeas if using Beet Hummus.
    5. Garnish with fresh dill.
    6. Refrigerate Beet Cucumber Bites until ready to serve.
    Beet Cucumber Bites on a plate

    Cucumber Appetizers with Tuna

    You probably have a can of Tuna in your pantry, with makes this recipe so easy to whip together. Mix in mayo with your favorite spices, it's that easy!

    • Slice the cucumber into ½" thick rounds.
    • Lay the cucumber slices on a platter or serving board.
    • Mix together 4oz (185g) Tuna, ¼ cup mayo, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
    • Spread Tuna mixture over each cucumber round.
    • Garnish with fresh chopped herbs.
    • Refrigerate Cucumber Appetizers with Tuna until ready to serve.
    Cucumber Appetizers with Tuna on a plate

    Recipe Tips and FAQs

    • Greek Yogurt - substitute Greek Yogurt instead of Sour Cream
    • Ranch Dressing - mix a teaspoon of Powdered Ranch into the cream cheese
    • Piping Bag - instead of spooning on the filling (rustic style) you can use a piping bag with a star tip to make if fancy. Alternatively, place filling into a Ziploc bag and cut a corner off to squeeze through the cream cheese mix
    • Mixer - Using an electric mixer ensures your cream cheese mix is smooth and evenly mixed
    • Cottage Cheese - substitute Cream Cheese with Cottage Cheese, this version might be runnier depending on the Cottage Cheese you buy
    • Baby Zucchini - substitute cucumbers with sliced Baby Zucchini or do both!
    Cucumber Appetizers Ideas on a board

    Can I Make This in Advance?

    It's best to make this a few hours in advance and keep covered with cling wrap in the fridge until ready to serve. If making it a day before, the cucumbers might release too much liquids and you'll be serving soggy appetizers. Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for a day.

    Best Cucumbers for Appetizers?

    You can use any cucumber that is sweet and doesn't need peeling. Avoid thick skinned cucumbers, like pickling cucumbers.

    • Long English Cucumbers - thin skinned, sweet with small edible seeds
    • Lebanese Cucumbers or Persian Cucumbers - small than Long English, sweet and mild
    • Field Cucumbers - thick skinned, tasty and crispy - recommend peeling before slicing
    Cucumber Appetizers on a board

    Cucumber Garnish Ideas

    • Poppyseeds
    • Everything But the Bagel Seasoning
    • Fresh Chives
    • Sesame Seeds
    • Red Chili Flakes
    • Dukkah
    • Toasted Pine Nuts

    Appetizers You'll Love

    • Jalapeño Popper Deviled Eggs
    • Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes
    • Smoked Salmon Appetizers on Rye
    • Tomato Bruschetta
    • French Onion Dip Made From Scratch

    Cucumber Appetizers are healthy appetizers with so many flavor variations. These Cucumber Bites don't require cooking, are low carb and gluten free. Impress your friends with something so easy, that looks a little fancy. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

    Cucumber Appetizers Ideas on a board

    Cucumber Appetizers

    You'll love these Cucumber Appetizers recipe ideas perfect for your next party or as a snack. Easy Cucumber Bites with cream cheese, salmon, caviar, hummus, beets, avocado, tuna. Your one stop shop for holiday cucumber serving ideas!
    5 from 26 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Course: Appetizer, Canapes, Snack
    Cuisine: European, Russian
    Keyword: Cucumber Appetizers

    Ingredients

    Salmon and Cucumber Bites

    • 2 Long English Cucumbers
    • 8 oz (250g) cream cheese
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • Gravlax or Smoked Salmon thinly sliced
    • black lumpfish caviar
    • fresh dill

    Instructions

    Salmon and Cucumber Bites

    • Slice the cucumber into ½" thick rounds.
    • Mix the cream cheese and sour cream together in a small bowl.
    • Lay the cucumber slices on a platter or serving board. Spread a layer of cream cheese mixture onto each cucumber round.
    • Top with thinly sliced Gravlax or a spoonful of Black Caviar. Garnish with fresh dill.
    • Refrigerate until ready to serve. Best served cold.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @petersfoodadventures or tag #petersfoodadventures!

    ©PetersFoodAdventures.com

    Cucumber Appetizers Bites
    Cucumber Appetizers Ideas on a board
    Cucumber Appetizers Ideas on a board

    More Appetizers

    • saganaki cheese with honey drizzle
      Greek Fried Cheese - Saganaki
    • This classic Swiss Cheese Fondue Recipe is perfect for the ultimate night in! Perfect for a romantic evening, or hosting a fondue party or just warming up after a day of skiing. An easy appetizer that's simple make.
      Swiss Cheese Fondue
    • cherry tomato bruschetta
      Cherry Tomatoes Bruschetta
    • Easy Pumpkin Hummus is healthy appetizer and perfect for fall or Thanksgiving. Made in minutes, with pumpkin, chickpeas, garlic and rosemary. A vegan savory dip that everyone will enjoy.
      Easy Pumpkin Hummus

    Primary Sidebar

    Peter's Food Adventures - where you'll find Russian recipes, Slavic and International favorites with some fun travel and cooking videos. A Russian Food Blogger.

    Hi, I'm Peter!

    Are you looking for a little inspiration in the kitchen? Let me show you how to create tasty meals for your family!

    Food is the ingredient that brings people together. I love authentic foods, and have a very multicultural food background. I am genuinely happy to share the recipes of foods that make me and my family happy. And hopefully yours too. 

    Learn more about me →

    As Featured On

    As Featured On various magazine brands

    Popular Recipes

    • A Hungarian classic summer dish - paprika peppers with with ground beef, rice and paprika spice. Cooked in a delicious tomato passata sauce. Summer comfort food - Hungarian Stuffed Peppers (töltött paprika)
      Hungarian Stuffed Peppers (töltött paprika)
    • Greek Meze Plates
    • pineapple fried rice served inside pineapples
      Thai Pineapple Fried Rice
    • black caviar on a plate served with blinis
      How to Eat Caviar

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Intellectual Property

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Peter's Food Adventures

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT
    687 shares
    • 162