Ingredients — about 20–24 bites
Cucumber bites
- 2 large English cucumbers
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Optional toppings
- Extra fresh dill
- Chopped chives
- A little cracked black pepper
- Thin cherry-tomato pieces
- Everything-bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Wash and dry the cucumbers thoroughly.
- Cut them into ½-inch thick rounds. Slightly thicker slices hold the topping better.
- Arrange the cucumber slices on paper towels and gently pat them dry.
- For a firmer appetizer, sprinkle lightly with salt and let them sit for 15–20 minutes, then pat away the moisture.
- In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add mayonnaise, sour cream/Greek yogurt, dill, parsley, chives, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Mix until creamy and well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner snipped off. You can also simply spread it with a butter knife.
- Pipe or spoon about 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto each cucumber round.
- Garnish with dill, chives or a tiny piece of tomato.
- Refrigerate for 15–30 minutes and serve chilled.
Nut & Allergen Information
- Peanuts: None required.
- Tree nuts: None required.
- Dairy: Yes — cream cheese and sour cream/Greek yogurt.
- Egg: Mayonnaise commonly contains egg.
- Wheat/gluten: Naturally gluten-free if all packaged ingredients are verified gluten-free.
- Soy: Check mayonnaise and seasoning labels if soy is an allergy concern.
- Nut-free: This recipe contains no nuts.
- For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free yogurt/sour cream.
Approximate Nutrition
Per 1 bite, assuming 24 bites:
- Calories: ~55–65 kcal
- Protein: ~1–2 g
- Carbohydrates: ~2–3 g
- Fat: ~5 g
- Fiber: ~0.3 g
Values vary according to the cream cheese and mayonnaise used.
Q&A
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. They can be prepared a few hours ahead and refrigerated, although they’re best served the same day.
Q: Why is my topping sliding off?
The cucumber is probably too wet. Pat the slices thoroughly dry before adding the cream cheese mixture.
Q: Can I use regular cucumbers?
Yes. English cucumbers are especially convenient because they have a firm texture and fewer seeds.
Q: Can I use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream?
Yes. Plain Greek yogurt works very well.
Q: Can I add chicken or smoked salmon?
Yes. Small pieces of cooked chicken or smoked salmon can be added as a topping for a more substantial appetizer