Hi, I’m Hannah! When hosting a party, particularly for New Year’s Eve, it is easy to get overwhelmed by complex recipes that keep you trapped in the kitchen. However, I believe the best appetizers are often the simplest ones that let fresh ingredients shine. I wanted a snack that looked elegant enough for a champagne toast but took zero effort to assemble. Consequently, these Everything Bagel Cucumber Smoked Salmon Bites have become my favorite “fancy” party trick. They deliver all the savory, salty flavors of a loaded bagel brunch but in a crisp, bite-sized format that is naturally low-carb. Furthermore, they require absolutely no cooking. It is the ‘good habit’ of serving something light and fresh to balance out the heavier party dips.
Why You’ll Love These Cucumber Smoked Salmon Bites
- No Cooking Required: First of all, this recipe is purely about assembly. You don’t need to turn on the oven or stove, which saves you precious time and keeps the kitchen cool.
- Keto & Low Carb: Additionally, by replacing the bagel with a crisp cucumber slice, we cut the carbs to almost zero. It’s a guilt-free snack that fits almost every dietary need.
- Ready in 10 Minutes: Moreover, you can make a huge platter of these in minutes. They are perfect for last-minute guests.
- Explosive Flavor: Finally, the “Everything Bagel” seasoning does all the heavy lifting. It adds garlic, onion, sesame, and crunch to every single bite.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on high-quality ingredients since there are so few of them.
- English Cucumber: To start, I highly recommend using an English (or hothouse) cucumber. They have thinner skin and fewer seeds than regular cucumbers, making them less watery and crunchier.
- Smoked Salmon: Next, look for cold-smoked salmon or lox. It provides a silky texture and a rich, salty flavor that pairs perfectly with the cool cream cheese.
- Cream Cheese: In addition, we use softened light cream cheese as the base of our spread.
- Greek Yogurt: To lighten the filling up (and add a tangy protein boost), I mix plain Greek yogurt with the cream cheese. It makes the texture fluffier.
- Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon cuts through the richness of the fish and cheese.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning: This is the star of the show. It is a blend of sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion, and salt. You can find it in the spice aisle of almost any grocery store now.
- Fresh Dill: Finally, a tiny sprig of fresh dill on top makes these look professionally catered.
How to Make Cucumber Smoked Salmon Bites
This process is like an assembly line. The full, detailed recipe is in the recipe card below.
- Prep the Cucumbers: First, wash the cucumber and slice it into 1/4-inch thick rounds. If you want them to look extra fancy, you can peel stripes down the side before slicing.
- Dry the Slices: Next, arrange the cucumber slices on a paper towel and gently pat them dry. This is a crucial step to prevent the topping from sliding off.
- Make the Spread: Then, in a small bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and chopped fresh dill until smooth.
- Assemble: After that, spread or pipe a dollop of the cream cheese mixture onto each cucumber slice.
- Top: Subsequently, tear the smoked salmon into small bite-sized pieces and fold them gently on top of the cheese.
- Season & Serve: Finally, sprinkle generously with Everything Bagel seasoning and garnish with extra dill. Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Appetizer Bites
- Pat Them Dry: Most importantly, cucumbers release water once sliced. If you don’t pat them dry with a paper towel, the cream cheese will slide right off.
- Assemble Last Minute: Specifically, while you can prep the cheese mixture and slice the cucumbers in advance, don’t assemble them until you are ready to serve. If they sit too long, the cucumbers can get soggy.
- Use a Piping Bag: For instance, if you want them to look restaurant-quality, put the cheese mixture in a ziplock bag and snip off the corner to pipe it onto the cucumber. It looks much neater than using a spoon.
- Check the Salt: Smoked salmon and Everything seasoning are both salty. Therefore, do not add extra salt to the cream cheese mixture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Can I make these ahead of time? You can prepare the components (slice cucumbers, mix cheese) up to 24 hours in advance and store them separately. Assemble them no more than 1 hour before the party for the best crunch.
- Can I use regular cucumbers? Yes, but the skin is tougher. I recommend peeling them completely and using a spoon to scoop out the large watery seeds in the center before filling.
- I don’t like salmon. What else can I use? These are delicious with a slice of turkey, prosciutto, or even just a halved cherry tomato for a vegetarian version.
More Healthy Appetizers
- Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip (Creamy & Cheesy)
- Easy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (Healthy, Crispy & Baked)
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip (High Protein & Creamy)
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Everything Bagel Cucumber Smoked Salmon Bites Recipe
Cucumber Smoked Salmon Bites! These easy low-carb appetizers feature crisp cucumber, creamy filling, and savory Everything Bagel seasoning. Ready in 10 minutes.
Equipment
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Paper Towels
Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber
- 4 oz smoked salmon cold smoked/lox
- 3 oz light cream cheese softened
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped (plus more for garnish)
- 1 tbsp Everything Bagel Seasoning
Instructions
- Slice: First, wash the cucumber and slice into 20 rounds (about 1/4 inch thick).
- Dry: Lay the slices on a paper towel and pat the tops dry to remove excess moisture.
- Mix Filling: Next, in a small bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and chopped dill until smooth.
- Top: Dollop (or pipe) about 1 teaspoon of the cheese mixture onto each cucumber slice.
- Add Salmon: Tear the smoked salmon into small pieces and fold one piece onto each bite.
- Garnish: Finally, sprinkle generously with Everything Bagel seasoning and top with a tiny sprig of fresh dill. Serve cold.
