They’re tasty, refreshing, fun, and fresh. They’re also perfectly bite-sized and snackable, so your stomach won’t be stuffed before you make it to the main course. Full of zany flavors, this is a mouthwatering list of 20 party-ready appetizers that put the humble cucumber in the spotlight. Forget bland salads and boring crudites. Dig into spicy pickled cucumbers, cucumber and sardine spread, or cucumber cream cheese toasts. From boats to bites, and canapes to cups, these tempting apps come in all shapes and sizes. And they’re from all corners of the globe, too! Travel right from your own kitchen with Korean beef and cucumber appetizers, Greek stuffed cucumber bites, or Mediterranean cucumber cups. Whip them up for a gathering, pass them around at parties, or just make a platter to share with the family. These morsels are a treat anywhere, any time.
1. Dilly Cucumber Bites
Cucumber’s neutral taste pairs perfectly with the saltiness of briny dill pickles in this inventive recipe. Thick slices of cucumber are topped with a rich blend of cream cheese, fresh dill, and tangy pickles. Top it off with a juicy cherry tomato and you’ll have an app that looks great and tastes even better.
2. Everything Bagel Cucumber Bites
This recipe for diet-friendly and delicious cucumber bites is proof that low-carb doesn’t have to be a chore. Keto-approved and totally yum, they’re made from cucumber slices and a dreamy cream cheese topping. Add a dusting of crunchy, nutty seeds (caraway, sesame, poppy) and you’ll have an app with all the wholesome taste of a grainy bagel, without the actual grains.
3. Ranch Cucumber Bites
It won’t take long to whip up these elegant ranch-flavored cucumber bites, and they’re perfect for summer soirees. If you’ve ever tried homemade ranch, you’ll know it’s a world away from the generic store-bought kind. Mix together cream cheese, herbs, a dash of buttermilk, and you’ll get a tangy, creamy, scrumptious sauce that’s delightful when piled on top of crunchy cucumber. Make extra because this ranch is so good, you’ll want to save some to repurpose as a salad dressing and/or dip.
4. Mini-Cucumber Sandwiches
If you associate cucumber sandwiches with English tea parties and dinner with royalty, you’re not alone. It’s time to reclaim this refreshing delicacy. Light and juicy, there’s nothing like the combo of crisp cukes and grainy bread. This version uses crisp rye bread and seasoned cream cheese. This is fancy finger food at its finest (try saying that with a mouth full of cucumbers).
5. Spicy Korean Beef and Cucumber Appetizers
Low in fat and high in protein, this heart-healthy recipe is approved by the American Heart Association. But it’s not just healthy, it’s also extremely yummy. With lots of fiery flavor, cucumbers have never been so delicious. Paired with dark and spicy Korean shredded beef, it’s seasoned with soy sauce, cilantro, garlic, and red chili. Assemble them by slicing up the cucumber and adding a creamy sauce before topping with chunks of saucy, sticky beef. Garnish with micro-greens if you want to get really fancy.
6. Avocado Goat Cheese Cucumber Appetizers
So simple to prepare, the hardest part of these fuss-free bites is trying not to eat them all before the guests arrive. Creamy avocado, tangy goat’s cheese, and fresh cucumbers are three ingredients with a whole lot of flavor. There’s a little bit of Tabasco sauce in there, too, just to shake things up. Use a piping bag to add the spread and the result is classy, elegant appetizers that will wow your guests.
7. Cucumber Smoked Salmon Appetizer Bites
Bright and zesty, these savory salmon bites are a healthy hit. Smoked salmon, lemony cream cheese, and crunchy cukes are a winning combo that’s also gluten-free and full of good fats. The best nibbles are nutritious and delicious.
8. Cucumber Bruschetta
Bruschetta is a traditional Italian appetizer made from juicy tomatoes on toasted bread. This recipe reimagines the classic Mediterranean favorite with cucumbers subbing in for tomatoes. Layered on crusty bread with a tzatziki-style sauce, this is a Greek-inspired dish that tastes of the islands.
9. Greek Stuffed Cucumber Bites
Take another trip to Europe with these Greek stuffed apps, full of bright summer flavors. Cut the cucumbers vertically and scoop out the seeds. Fill the hollow with a Greek salad blend made of tangy feta, black olives, sweet cherry tomatoes, and herbs. This is a Greek salad without all the prep but with its vibrant tastes and textures.
10. Prosciutto and Goat Cheese Cucumber Appetizers
Prosciutto is a sweet and savory wafer-thin ham. In this recipe, it teams up with cucumber for a crazy delicious snack. It’s not just the prosciutto that makes this so insanely tasty. There’s also creamy goat’s cheese and rich fig preserves in there too. If you can’t find fig, feel free to substitute cranberry sauce or another fruity preserve. As long as it’s sweet and tart, you can’t mess this one up!
11. Mediterranean Cucumber Cups
These tiny bites are so cute! And, happily, they’re also darn tasty. You really can’t go wrong with a Greek-style blend of feta, tomatoes, onion, olives, and herbs stuffed into chunks of cucumber.
12. Low-Carb Avocado Shrimp Cucumber Appetizer
These apps are so good, I’m tempted to throw a party just to have an excuse to make them. Grilled shrimp is stuck into a mound of smashed avocado and spread on a cucumber base. Then you shove the entire thing in your mouth at once and enjoy the delightful sensation of chewing your way through creamy avocado, crunchy cukes, and spicy shrimp.
13. Cucumber Cream Cheese Toasts
Some people think that classy appetizers have to be complicated, and those people are wrong. How do I know? Because these cream cheese toasts are very classy, very tasty, and also very simple. Tiny, crunchy crostinis are loaded with cucumbers, cream cheese, and fresh dill. It’s basic, but it works.
14. Cucumber Appetizers With Sardine Spread
Gluten-free, dairy-free, and delicious – these apps are a good choice when you have a crowd coming and you’re not sure of everyone’s dietary needs. This is foolproof finger food. Salty and savory, they’re really addictive but also super healthy. Top your cucumber with a rich sardine pate, and add an olive as a garnish. That’s it. It’s simple but satisfying!
15. Cucumber Boat Appetizer
A cute variation on the typical cucumber bites, these boats are a fun app for summer parties. Served as a long strip of cucumber, they’re a hollowed-out log filled with creamy smoked salmon. Not loving the idea of smoked salmon? No problem. This versatile recipe will be just as good with tuna, crab meat, or even mackerel. With so many variations, you’ll never get bored with making these delectable treats.
16. Stuffed Cucumber Bites
Need an hors d’oeuvre in a hurry? These hassle-free bites are the answer to your prayers. Stuffed with a cheesy ranch dressing, they’re divinely creamy but light enough that you can devour a couple and still have room for mains.
17. Cucumber Canapes With Whipped Feta, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Basil
Cucumbers are usually a summer treat, but if you’re looking for a festive appetizer, this one has all the colors of Christmas. Green cucumbers are topped with bright red sun-dried tomatoes and finished off with a silky smooth whipped feta paste. It’s so good, you can serve this one at birthdays, Thanksgiving, summer fetes, and anywhere that people appreciate good food.
18. Cold Cucumber Soup
Cold soup is just the thing for sweaty summers. If you’re in the middle of a heatwave, chill out with this flavorful bowl of healthy, green, goodness. Made with cucumbers, yogurt, cumin, lime, and fresh dill, it’s bright, zesty, and very aromatic. Sip a cup while you’re sunbathing, and you’ll feel instantly refreshed with every spoonful.
19. Tomato Cucumber Avocado Salad
If you’re looking for a more substantial appetizer that’s still light on the stomach, this is it. Cucumbers, tomatoes, and avocado are tossed together in a basil pesto to create a colorful dish that tastes like the Mediterranean. Add a little bit of lemon juice, and it’s sunshine in a bowl!
20. Spicy Pickled Cucumbers
This sweet and spicy recipe is just the thing to wake up your tastebuds and get the party going. Inspired by Vietnamese cuisine, these tangy and tasty bites are made with sliced cucumbers marinated in a piquant brine with garlic and chili. After 48 hours soaking up all that flavor, your cucumbers are pickled and ready to go! Pile them onto tiny toasted crostinis, serve them in a green salad, or just keep a jar in the fridge for unexpected guests. These tantalizingly sour snacks will keep for up to 2 weeks. Click on a star to rate it!
Average rating 5 / 5. Vote count: 2 No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
Share on social media: Let us improve this post!
