Cucumber Appetizers

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 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!

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