Looking for a light and refreshing appetizer that's always a crowd-pleaser? These Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites are just the thing! Crisp cucumber rounds are topped with a creamy, savory mixture of cream cheese, garlic, and dill—simple, flavorful, and irresistibly good.
Serve them just as they are, or get creative with toppings like cherry tomato slices, olives, smoked salmon, or even a sprinkle of crispy bacon. This easy cucumber snack is endlessly adaptable and perfect for entertaining, holiday spreads, or a quick savory bite any time of year.
These little bites are perfect for all sorts of gatherings, from baby showers and brunches to Midsummer celebrations and Nordic-inspired smorgasbords. Pair them with other Scandinavian appetizers like Homemade Gravlax, Creamy Deviled Eggs with Dill, or Toast Skagen (Swedish Shrimp Toasts) for a festive and refreshing spread. They’re also a lovely addition to any fika table if you're leaning into savory options.
Ingredients
- Cucumbers are the base of the appetizer. I prefer the English cucumbers that are long and skinny and are essentially seedless but any kind of cucumber will work in this recipe.
- Cream cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream form the creamy filling.
- A bit of lemon juice, garlic powder, chopped fresh dill, salt and pepper bring just the right amount of flavor to the filling.
- Optional toppings include tiny sprigs of dill, a small slice of cherry tomato, a piece of smoked salmon, a slice of olive or a small bite off bacon. Or mix and match the toppings to give your guests something to choose from!
How to Make This Recipe
- Begin by cutting your cucumber(s) into half inch rounds. This recipe makes enough of the cream cheese mixture to make about 30 small appetizers so you will need about 1-2 cucumbers depending on their size. Lay the cut cucumbers on a baking sheet lined with paper towels or a tea towel. Season both sides of the cucumber slices with salt and let them sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes. This will season the cucumbers and draw some moisture out of them.
- Meanwhile, Mix the cream cheese mixture. Combine the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder and a few grind of pepper together in the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix using the whisk attachment until fully combined and light and fluffy in texture, about 3 minutes. Alternatively, mix using a hand a mixer or whisk by hand.
- Add the chopped dill and continue to mix until it is distributed evenly throughout the mixture. Set aside or transfer to a piping bag fitted with a star tip.
- Wipe any moisture off of the cucumber slices and, using a small metal measuring spoon, create a small divot in the center of each slice. Fill the divot with the cream cheese mixture (you can either just spoon it on or use a piping bag fitted with a star tip).
- Top each round with a sprig of dill and/or a slice of cherry tomato, piece of smoked salmon, bit of bacon or a slice of olive if desired. Serve!
Expert Tips
- If you are mixing the cream cheese by hand, let it warm up slightly to make the process easier OR pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds or so.
- Don't skip the salting process for the cucumbers! It adds significantly more flavor to the final appetizers.
FAQs
Yes! You can store the fully made appetizers in the refrigerator for a few hours prior to serving. Either don't cover them or carefully cover them loosely with plastic wrap to prevent messing up the cream cheese tops. You can also make the cream cheese mixture up to 2 days in advance.
Cover any leftovers with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for a couple of days. These Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites do not freeze well.
You can try using a flavored cream cheese such as herbed, sun-dried tomato or jalapeño. Or try varying the herbs! Instead of dill, try chives, tarragon, parsley, cilantro, basil or a combination of any of these. For a vegan variation, use vegan cream cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream OR skip the cream cheese filling altogether and use your favorite hummus instead.
Related Recipes
Looking for more Nordic-inspired cucumber recipes? Try these!
Recipe
Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites with Dill
Ingredients
- 1-2 cucumbers cut into ½ inch rounds
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
Optional Toppings
- Additional dill sprigs
- Cherry or grape tomatoes sliced thin
- Sliced olives
- Bite size pieces of bacon
- Bite size pieces of smoked salmon
Instructions
- Arrange the cucumber slices on a baking sheet lined with paper towels or a tea towel. Season both sides of the cucumber rounds with salt. Let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, garlic powder and a few grinds of pepper together in the work bowl of a stand mixer. Using the whisk attachment mix until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Add the chopped dill and mix again until it is evenly dispersed throughout the mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. (Alternatively, use a hand mixer or whisk by hand. See note below).
- Wipe any moisture and excess salt from the cucumber slices and arrange them on a serving platter. Using a metal measuring spoon, create a small divot in the center of each cucumber round. Top each slice with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture and any additional desired toppings. Serve immediately or transfer to the refrigerator for a couple of hours prior to serving.
Notes
- If you are mixing the cream cheese by hand, let it warm up slightly to make the process easier OR pop it in the microwave for 20 seconds or so.
- Don't skip the salting process for the cucumbers! It adds significantly more flavor to the final appetizers.
Nutrition
If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites with Dill and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.
Marcia says
A winner at a Labor Day potluck. I used tomato and bacon as a garnish with dill and garlic chives as the herbs,
Kristi says
Such a great recipe for easy entertaining!