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Get It NowCucumber appetizers make the best easy cold appetizers! These cucumber salmon bites have a flavorful dill cream cheese mixture that’s topped with smoked salmon, and more fresh dill for good measure. Flavorful, light, and always a hit — similar to cream cheese stuffed mini peppers. Serve up these cucumber appetizer bites at your next get-together and see for yourself!
These beauties are a flashback to my daughter’s first birthday party – and they make a wonderful party app – but they also make a great snack or even a light low carb lunch. For a lunch option, you could slice the cucumbers lengthwise to make longer boats instead of the small slices.
Either way, they will be fantastic for the upcoming summer months. When it gets really hot outside and you don’t feel like cooking, cold appetizers like these are the best.
This smoked salmon platter recipe requires only six ingredients, and no cooking at all. It doesn’t get any easier than that. And, cucumber finger food is so fun!
These cucumber appetizer bites with salmon were originally published on April 13, 2016, and the post was republished in June 2020 to add process pictures and useful tips. The recipe was also updated to be a bit more keto friendly (the original used Greek yogurt only, without cream cheese). Here is one of the original photos, if you are curious:
How To Make Cucumber Salmon Bites
- Make dill cream cheese. This will hold your cucumber appetizer bites together. In a small bowl, mash together cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and garlic powder. Stir in fresh dill.
- Pipe cream cheese. Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag.
TIP: Use a piping bag like this – it even has different tips if you want to get fancy. Alternatively, if you don’t have a piping bag, you can also use a zip lock bag and cut off the corner.
- Assemble cucumber salmon bites. Arrange the sliced cucumber onto a platter and pipe 1/2 tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture onto each slice. Top with salmon and garnish with fresh dill if desired.
Cucumber Appetizers FAQs
Can you make cucumber smoked salmon bites dairy free?
These cucumber appetizer bites are best with the cream cheese and Greek yogurt mixture, but you could also serve the smoked salmon on top of the cucumber bites and some fresh dill for a dairy-free option.
You could also use a dairy-free cream cheese, such as one made with almond milk, but check the label for added sugars and starches if you want these to be low carb.
Are salmon and cucumber bites keto?
Yes, cucumber cream cheese appetizers are keto friendly. They have just 1/2 gram net carbs each! A serving is four of them.
While yogurt is sometimes a gray area in terms of keto friendliness (lactose is a type of sugar), full-fat Greek yogurt is okay to have in moderation. Together with the healthy fats from smoked salmon and cream cheese, these appetizers using cucumber rounds have a keto friendly macro ratio. They make a great keto alternative to chips or crackers!
Do you need to peel the cucumbers?
No, you don’t need to peel cucumbers for cucumber bites. The skin contains fiber and nutrients! However, you can peel it if you really want to.
Can you use dried dill?
Yes, you can. It’s more concentrated, so you’d need just 1/3 the amount – use 2 teaspoons dried to replace 2 tablespoons fresh.
Can you use more salmon?
Sure! These smoked salmon appetizers have just a little salmon as pictured, so that the cucumber and cream cheese mixture get to shine through. Double the amount of salmon if you like plenty of salmon.
Cucumber Appetizer Bites Storage
Can you make smoked salmon cucumber bites ahead?
Yes, you can can make this smoked salmon appetizer with cucumber rounds ahead, but it’s best to assemble right before serving. If you’d like to prep, here are a few things you can do:
- Make yogurt sauce 1-2 days ahead.
- Slice salmon 1-2 days ahead. (You can also buy it pre-sliced.)
- Slice cucumber up to 1 day ahead.
My only advice with this smoked salmon appetizer recipe is do not assemble the bites too far in advance. The cucumbers will release moisture as they sit, so you’ll end up with a soggy mess.
How to store cucumber appetizer bites
Store these cucumber and salmon appetizers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days. Or, use leftover salmon in a smoked salmon salad.
More Cucumber Appetizer Recipes
If you like these healthy cucumber appetizers, here are some suggestions for how to transform other apps into cucumber bites:
- Cold Crab Dip – Serve this tasty dip on cucumber bites for a healthy crunch.
- Mexican Shrimp Cocktail – Tastes so fresh when served with sliced cucumber.
- Greek Tzatziki – Top cucumber bites with a dollop of tzatziki and sprig of fresh dill for a creamy and cool appetizer.
- Bacon Cheese Ball – Instead of making one big cheese ball, roll them into smaller, bite-size pieces and serve as cucumber appetizer bites.
- Bacon Deviled Eggs – Healthy bites of protein, these deviled eggs are super-satisfying. Serve them with cucumber slices on the side.
- Caprese Salad Skewers – I love serving this simple, 6-ingredient appetizer all summer long. Try skewering cucumber pieces on them, too!
- French Onion Dip – Top cucumbers with this creamy cheese French onion dip for an appetizer screaming with flavor.
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites Recipe
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites Recipe (Cucumber Appetizers)
These easy cucumber appetizers need just 6 simple ingredients! This cucumber salmon bites recipe takes just 15 minutes - perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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In a small bowl, mash together the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and garlic powder. Stir in the fresh dill.
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Transfer the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag (or make your own by snipping the corner of a zip lock bag).
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Arrange the cucumber slices in a single layer on a platter. Pipe about 1/2 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture onto each cucumber slice. Top with a folded-over piece of smoked salmon. Garnish with additional dill if desired.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 4 cucumber bites, or 1/10 entire recipe
The number of bites you get will vary a bit depending on the size of the cucumber you use. I got 40 full-sized slices with mine.
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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12 Comments
Teresa
0This looks so refreshing. l was very much looking forward to making these.. I was in such a hurry that I picked up regular cucumbers. Will this still work okay? Also, I forgot to get fresh dill. But I do have dried dill. Recipe only had a handful of ingredients and I still managed to bungle it up.
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Teresa, Yes, regular cucumbers will work.
Tatiana
0I love this recipe. It’s so simple but so tasty. My daughter loves this. Fresh cucumber, and smoked salmon, what’s not to love?
kim
0Love this app idea! It was so easy and tasty! Will definitely be making again!
Megan Bowes
0This is a delicious recipe. I made it for an appetizer and everyone loved it – and I had leftovers for myself. Yum! Will definitely make this again.
Andrea Metlika
0These are a great appetizer for everyone to enjoy. I’d even eat this for lunch.
Pam
0These little bites are absolutely perfect for this hot weather. They’re light, refreshing and delicious!
Annie @ Annie's Noms
0I love smoked salmon and cream cheese, but I’ve never tried putting it on slices of cucumber before. What a tasty, quick snack! I will definitely be making these and I’m not sure I’ll be sharing them as they look so delicious!
Carrie Robinson
0These would be perfect for a weekend brunch! 🙂
Lesley
0I love making these for parties.
Lorrie
0Where can you find the smoked salmon?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Lorrie, Most grocery stores carry it.