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Cucumber bites are a quick and refreshing appetizer that I love to make for gatherings. Essentially, it’s like having veggies and feta dip, but with the dip already on the cucumber slices. This way, they look a bit fancy (if you want, you can even call them cucumber canapes) and are super easy to serve and eat.
Table of Contents
To make these cucumber bites, I blend feta cheese with lemon juice, a bit of honey, and fresh dill until it’s smooth and creamy. Then, I just add a spoonful of the whipped feta to the cucumber slices and top them with a little more dill for garnish. This is the kind of recipe that is simple but packs a big punch in the flavor department.
Recipe At a Glance
Cuisine Inspiration: Mediterranean
Primary Cooking Method: No-Cook
Dietary Info: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Key Flavor: Fresh and cheesy
Skill Level: Easy
Ingredients to Make Cucumber Bites
- English cucumbers: Also called hot house cucumbers, English cucumbers are long, seedless cucumbers with thin skin, ideal for cucumber canapes. Slice the cucumber into uniform 1/2″ thick rounds.
- Feta cheese: Use a firm block of plain feta cheese in its own brine. It provides a nice creamy, tangy base to make the whipped spread.
- Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness, complementing the salty flavors of feta cheese. It helps to balance out the overall flavor.
- Lemon: The lemon zest and juice add a bright and citrusy flavor. It also pairs well with crunchy cucumber and fragrant dill.
- Fresh dill: Adds a fresh herby aroma to the feta spread. The vibrant herb colors the whipped feta, giving it a subtle green hue and adding a unique visual appeal.
- Olive oil: Serves as the emulsifier, helping to achieve a light and fluffy texture. It also adds a nice fruity flavor and richness to the spread.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- Crunchy toppings: Sprinkle the tops with toasted almonds, sesame seeds, or chopped pecans for a crunchy bite.
- Add heartiness: Top with a few roasted chickpeas, smoked salmon, or baby shrimp to make these cucumber bites more filling.
- Briny deliciousness: Fold in some chopped sun-dried tomatoes or Kalamata olives for a briny and savory flavor boost. This tasty addition would take these Mediterranean cucumber bites to the next level.
- Give it some spice: Add minced fresh garlic for a subtle kick of spice, or sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes to turn up the heat.
- Try other fresh herbs: For a different flavor profile, swap out the dill for basil, parsley, or chives.
How to Make Cucumber Bites
- In the bowl of a food processor, add feta cheese, lemon zest and juice, honey, dill, and pepper.
- Pulse a few times to break up the cheese and roughly combine everything.
- With the machine running constantly, stream in the olive oil and process.
- Continue to process until it’s completely smooth and uniform throughout. Place a generous dollop of whipped feta on each cucumber slice.
Tips for Making the Best Mediterranean Cucumber Bites
- Taste and adjust. Some brands of feta can be saltier than others. I like to taste the whipped feta and then decide if it needs additional salt or not. If you find it’s too salty, you can add a little extra lemon juice to balance out the flavors.
- Serve it as a dip instead. To make this slightly easier to serve, you can also serve it as a dip. Place the whipped feta in a small serving bowl and garnish with fresh dill. Surround with sliced cucumbers so guests can serve themselves.
- Get the right consistency of whipped feta. Start with crumbled feta and blend the mixture until smooth and creamy. If the feta mixture is too thick, add a touch of olive oil to thin it out but always start slow.
- Serve chilled. For best results, chill the feta spread before topping the cucumber rounds and serve them on a chilled platter. This will help keep the whipped feta firm and retain the crispiness of the cucumbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store leftover cucumber canapes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If possible, store the whipped feta separately from the cucumber slices to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Yes, these are a fun party food, and the separate components can be prepped in advance. Make the whipped feta spread and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Wash and cut the cucumbers and store them in a container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Assemble just before serving and enjoy these almost-freshly made cucumber bites with feta.
Absolutely! Try a regular cucumber, most notably known as the common cucumber. Keep in mind, it has large seeds and a thicker skin so the overall texture will be different. Persian cucumbers are also great but are much smaller in size than a regular cucumber. Any of these cucumbers will work excellently if the whipped feta spread is served as a dip.
You can’t have a party without these cucumber canapes with whipped feta. They are light yet satisfying. But most of all, their fresh, tangy, and oh-so-delicious flavor will steal the show from the appetizer table.
More Healthy Veggie Dip Recipes:
- Mediterranean Mezze Platter
- Avocado Hummus
- Lebanese-Inspired Baba Ghanoush
- Traditional Lebanese Hummus
- Whipped Cottage Cheese Dip
- Beetroot Hummus
- Vegan Feta Dip
- White Bean Hummus
If you try this feel good Cucumber Canapes recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!
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Cucumber Bites
Ingredients
Instructions
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine feta, lemon juice and zest, honey, and dill. Pulse 4-5 times, then with the machine running constantly, stream in the olive oil and mix until completely smooth.
- Place a generous dollop of whipped feta on each cucumber slice. Garnish with fresh dill and serve.
Equipment
Notes
- Taste and adjust. Some brands of feta can be saltier than others. I like to taste the whipped feta, then decide if it needs additional salt or not. If you find it’s too salty, you can add a little extra lemon juice to balance out the flavors.
- Serve it as a dip instead. To make this slightly easier to serve, you can also serve it as a dip. Place the whipped feta in a small serving bowl and garnish with fresh dill. Surround with sliced cucumbers so guests can serve themselves.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
These cucumber bites were like a taste of spring! Everyone loved them and they were gone in a flash. Highly recommend.
Yay I’m so glad you liked them, Barbara! Thank you!!
So Good !!!
Thank you! So glad you enjoyed them!