Cucumber Bites with Smoked Salmon are a delicious party snack or appetiser. Slices of cucumber are topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon. They are so easy to make and a perfect one bite snack that your family and friends will love.
Why make Cucumber Bites with Smoked Salmon?
Cucumber Bites are really light and fresh tasting. They are easy to eat and not at all messy so perfect as canapes or for a finger buffet. The cool fresh taste of the cucumber pairs really well with the cream cheese and the smoky richness of smoked salmon.
What ingredients do I need to make Cucumber Bites?
These Cucumber Bites are a very simple assembly job using only a few ingredients. Here is what you need:
- Cucumber
- Cream Cheese
- Smoked Salmon
- Black Pepper
- Lemon Zest
A full list of the ingredients and the required quantities is found in the recipe card at the end of this article.
What is a cucumber?
Cucumbers are members of the curcubit family along with melons, gourds and chayote. They are about 90% water and there are many different varieties. The most familiar is the long straight dark green cucumber that is sold in supermarkets and greengrocers for salads. However, there are medium sized cucumber varieties and baby or mini cucumbers that are just a few inches long.
What kind of cucumber do I need for Cucumber Bites?
You can use standard salad cucumbers (English cucumbers) or you can use baby or mini cucumbers. Any cucumber you use should be fresh and firm with plenty of moisture and a mild flavour.
What kind of cream cheese should I use for Cucumber Bites with Smoked Salmon?
I use unflavoured full fat cream cheese. Cream cheese is available in lots of different flavours but the unflavoured kind allows the rich smoky taste of the smoked salmon to really come through.
What can I substitute for full fat cream cheese?
You can use low fat cream cheese as long as it is firm enough to hold it’s shape. You could use creme fraiche if it was thick enough but cream cheese is definitely the preferred option.
What is smoked salmon?
Smoked salmon can be hot smoked or cold smoked. I use cold smoked salmon for this recipe. The salmon is first brined and prepared with various herbs depending on the particular smokehouse. The fish is then slowly smoked in a specialist ‘smoke box’. The smoke preserves the fish without cooking it.
Is cold smoked salmon raw?
Yes, it is raw but has been cured by the brine and preserved by the smoking process. You can eat raw smoked salmon but you can also add it to cooked or baked dishes like my Scottish Smoked Salmon and Asparagus Tart.
What is lemon zest?
Lemon zest is the yellow part of the lemon peel. Use a potato peeler to take a fine layer from the lemon and then finely slice, or use a zesting tool or fine grater to make strips of lemon peel. Don’t include the white part as this is bitter and will spoil your dish.
Can I make the Cucumber Bites with Smoked Salmon ahead of time?
Cucumber Bites are incredibly easy to assemble and you can make them up to 2 hours ahead of the time you plan to eat them. Keep them covered and chilled in the fridge until you plan to serve them.
Can I freeze Cucumber Bites?
Unfortunately, you can’t freeze. It contains far too much water and would go to mush when defrosted.
Can I increase the quantities?
This recipe makes 8 Cucumber Bites with Smoked Salmon but you can, of course, increase the quantities.
Vegetarian
Smoked Salmon is not suitable for vegetarians. However, you could top the cucumber bites with cream cheese and chives or use Vegan Smoked Salmon which is made from carrots.
Gluten Free
There are no ingredients in this recipe that have gluten. However, as always, please check the label on pre-made items like cream cheese and smoked salmon.
For more information regarding any dietary information provided on this website, please refer to my Nutritional Disclaimer.
How should I serve Cucumber Bites with Smoked Salmon?
I like to serve these cucumber bites as a canape or an appetiser. They are ideal to pick up with your fingers and they don’t fill you up too much either. A little taste of luxury that’s easy on the eye and the stomach.
Serve Cucumber Bites with a range of other canapes
These cucumber bites are perfect to serve alongside a whole range of other canapes for a party or a finger buffet. Serve them alongside my Air Fryer Mini Baked Potato Canapes and crackers topped with homemade Pork and Sage Pate and some Air Fryer Cheese and Chorizo Twists.
Cucmber Bites with Smoked Salmon
Equipment
- Sharp knife
- chopping board
- Teaspoon
Ingredients
- ½ cucumber 8 slices
- 8 tsp cream cheese
- 20 g smoked salmon
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- Slice ½ cucumber into 8 x 1 cm thick slices.
- Place 1 tsp of cream cheese on top of each slice of cucumber.
- Cut 20 g of smoked salmon into 8 pieces. Place a piece on top of the cream cheese. Sprinkle ½ tsp of freshly ground black pepper and a little lemon zest over the salmon.
- Serve with a range of other appetisers or canapes.
Cat says
Such a simple but delicious canape – absolutely perfect!
Janice Pattie says
Thank you, we love them.
Lesley says
What a great idea, I’m diabetic so have to keep carbs light which can be tricky at this time of year, so this is the perfect snack for me. They were delicious and the lemon and black pepper really lifted the flavour. I’ll be making these for lunch too.
Chloe says
This is a great idea – I served them at Christmas in the evening for visitors and they vanished in minutes!
Janice Pattie says
Happy to hear that the Cucumber Bites went down well at your party.