Stuffed cucumber bites are a satisfying and easy appetizer everyone loves. It’s easy to mix up a batch for any kind of party.
Cucumber appetizers
With New Year’s Eve coming soon, I think an easy, tasty hors d’oeuvre that can be made quickly and will feed your many guests is in order.
This is tasty and so easy, you will love it. You just need to squeeze the cream cheese from a piping bag into the hollowed-out cucumbers!
It will look like you spent a lot of time preparing this, but it is really simple. The finished product is Stuffed Cucumber Bites! A perfect cucumber appetizer.
Cucumber appetizers
MaryJo gives this a two thumbs up! And she’s the primo taste expert.
History of Stuffed Cucumber Bites
So, we were asked to bring a small appetizer to a party. And the party was on a houseboat that our friend has at our old marina and she lives on the boat full time. (So did we until we sold our boat and moved on land)!
Laurie always has a big crowd of people on her boat and the party goes way past my bedtime!
Anyway, I made a double batch of stuffed cucumber bites and people loved them. They are not gut filling so you can eat several, but still have room for the meatballs in gravy and the little wieners drenched in sweet BBQ sauce that other people brought. Know what I mean?
Ingredients Needed
First of all, we are making finger food, so the proper sized cucumber is necessary. If your cucumber is too big and fat you will have a cucumber round that is 2 1/2″ in diameter.
What you need are cucumber slices that are no more than 1 1/2″ in diameter. Smaller grocery store fresh cucumbers or homegrown ones would be great.
The English cucumber is usually my go-to variety to get consistent-sized cucumber rounds. English cukes are the ones that are long and wrapped in plastic.
You might have a hard time finding them in smaller grocery stores, but they are pretty universally available in larger stores. You will need 2 of these cucumbers.
Next on the list is an 8-ounce block of room temperature cream cheese. Philadelphia Brand Original Cream Cheese is recommended. I have tried the lower fat variety but it just lacks the flavor that the original has.
These are little bites and it’s party appetizers we are making so I’m going all in.
A good mayonnaise is needed for a good cream cheese mixture and either Hellman’s or Duke’s brand is recommended.
Grape or cherry tomatoes that are halved to stand tall on the softened cream cheese and mayo are needed. Don’t you just love a juicy cherry tomato?
Finally, some Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix is needed. Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, and Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing Mix for the best flavor.
Grab a pastry bag and a small star tip and load up that cucumber with the spiced up cream cheese and mayo and you’ll have some tasty fresh veggies.
If you are adventurous and want to try making your own ranch dressing mix, try The Pioneer Woman’s recipe. I have used this recipe before and it is really quite good.
Easy Recipe Directions
Peel the skin off of the cucumbers. You can leave it on if you wish or just peel off strips and leave some skin attached.
The skin actually contains good fiber and Vitamin A. Then cut the cucumbers into 3/4″ thick rounds.
Next, use a melon baller or small spoon to carve out an indentation in the sliced cucumber. This is where the cream cheese mix will sit.
Mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, and ranch dressing mix together in a small bowl. If you make a double batch of this, a hand mixer might come in handy.
Taste the dressing and add a little salt. About 1/4 teaspoon is all you will need.
Place the dressing mix into a piping bag with a small rosette tip. The disposable plastic bag type would work great.
Pipe each cucumber slice until the mix is about 1/2″ above the cucumber. Stand a tomato half in the dressing and you are all done.
You can garnish the finished easy cucumber appetizers with fresh chives or maybe fresh dill weed.
To transport the ranch cucumber bites, place them in a covered airtight container. Or, place them on a serving platter and cover gently with plastic wrap.
Store leftovers refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.
I love potluck appetizers and this one is a winner. And I did eat a couple of little wieners.
Stuffed cucumber bites are something I will be bringing to the big games. Really easy and delicious.
And here’s a couple of other popular appetizers to try: Bonefish Grill Bang Bang Shrimp, Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Appetizer, Smoked Salmon and Dill on Toasted Baguette. Or find one at 8 Most Popular Appetizers.
Surprise your friends and family by bringing a great-tasting and delicious-looking party treat! Just make sure that you make enough for everyone.
Here’s the simple recipe.
HERE ARE SOME MORE TASTY RECIPES TO TRY:
- Stuffed Zucchini
- Roasted Cruciferous Vegetables
- Cucumber Balsamic Caprese Salad
- Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Bites
- Best Healthy Potato Salad
Stuffed Cucumber Bites
Ingredients
- 2 cucumbers , peeled and sliced 3/4 inch thick and hollowed with a melon baller
- 8 oz block cream cheese at room temperature
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tsp Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Halved grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Peel and slice cucumbers to 3/4 thick.
- With a melon baller, cut out center portion of the cucumber.
- Mix the cream cheese, mayo, hidden valley ranch mix, and salt in a bowl.
- Place in a pastry bag with a rosette pipette end.
- Pipe cucumber slice with cream cheese to 1/2 inch above cucumber.
- Stand a halved grape tomato in the cream cheese.
- Sprinkle with chives, fresh dill weed, or parsley to garnish.
Notes
- English cucumbers work well for this recipe.
- 2 cucumbers will make approximately 16 appetizers.
- Nutrition information is for one appetizer.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 days.
Nutrition
can I make these a day ahead of time?
Hi Virginia. It would be best to make them the same day. I’m afraid that the cucumber and cheese would dry out and not be as appetizing looking.
I have made them a day ahead of time, they are still delicious, but put them on a tray that doesn’t have a flat botom (like a broiler pan) because the cucumbers will lose SOME of their moisture, and you don’t want them to be sitting in water, and also, keep covered in the fridge …otherwise, making them the night before works out fine too
Thanks for the tip Debra…The cukes will sweat some overnight. And for sure keep them covered, like with plastic wrap.
Everyone loved them, and thought it took a long time, but it was literally 15 mins. I used what was left of the ranch packet and sprinkled over the tops when they were assembled for extra flavor.
Hi Carine….Glad everyone liked them. Good idea with the remainder of the ranch packet!
My mind is whirling thinking of all the ways to modify this yummy recipe with different toppings, green or black olives, piece of shrimp, black beans, chunk of chicken, pepperoni,,,,,and on and on. Love it!
I added crabmeat….excellent! Thx for base ingredients
Hi Terry…that is genius! What flavor the crabmeat would add, I’m doing this! Thanks.
I tried a melon baller, a small one, and it was still too big, so I used one of my son’s plastic baby spoons and it worked like a charm! I also added just a touch of finely shredded sharp cheddar to the top, then the tomato and chives, and it gave it just a little extra pop of color.
Thanks for the comment Billie. The cheddar would give a nice flavor boost!
These are absolutely lovely. My daughter loves cucumbers and tomatoes, so this is the perfect combo! Pinning and stumbling this! <3
Just got done making these for a New Years Eve Party this evening. However, I substituted the mayo & ranch dressing for chive & onion cream cheese, and they are DELISH!!!
How many did the recipe make?
Hi Terri, You should have enough filling to make 18 to 20 bites.
Yummy stuffed cucumber bites.
Very creative! Great way to have cucumbers.
The Steaming Pot has a current post to look at…http://www.steamingpot.com/coconut-curry-leaves-chutney/
Going to make for memorial day. Refreshing snack
Thank you
I’ve got to try this
These look yummy!
I’ll remember these appetizers for my next party, easy and tasty! Thanks
Niels @ Have Another Bite has a current blog post to look at…http://www.haveanotherbite.com/finnish-blueberry-pie-mustikkapiirakka/
IM TRYING THIS AT MY NEXT PARTY .
A must try
Sounds good and good for you!
Thank you for great recipe
delish!! thanks for posting
fantastic and fast.
What delicious and healthy appetizers.. these are just so perfect after the indulgent Christmas I just had!
Thalia @ butter and brioche has a current blog post for you to check out…http://www.butterandbrioche.com/dark-chocolate-and-salted-caramel-truffle-tart/