Cucumber Cups Appetizers (Stuffed)

Enjoy a fresh taste of summer any time of year when you transform crisp and refreshing cucumbers into these tasty Cucumber Cups Appetizers. Crunchy cucumber bites with a creamy feta, Greek style filling are an easy appetizer recipe. They’re perfect for showers, parties, special occasions for just for healthy snacking. 

Creamy Feta Cucumber Cups

Cucumbers are a quintessential summer food, especially for those looking for low carb and healthy recipes. Gardens and famer’s markets have an abundant supply of different varieties you can use in many different recipes. But I can’t think of a more delicious way to use them than in these tasty cucumber cups? Thick, crunchy cumbers slices are filled with a savory feta, cream cheese and dill mixture that’s smooth and creamy and so refreshing. 

Serve them at your next pool party, backyard BBQ or any anytime you’re looking for a healthy alternative to carb filled chips and crackers. Wash them down with this amazing Watermelon Mint Lemonade and you’ll be all set for your next summer gathering.

If you’re looking for other recipes that are great summertime appetizers, check out these recipes for Cold Asparagus Salad and Caprese Salad.

Why We Love this Recipe

• Cucumber bites make a great appetizer that’s both low carb and low calorie
• Feta, cream cheese and fresh dill are the perfect pairing with cool and crisp cucumbers
• Perfect appetizer for a fancy dinner party yet simple enough to make as an afternoon snack
• Super versatile recipe that allows you to easily change up the flavors

Ingredients for these Cucumber Appetizers

• Cream cheese, softened
• Feta, crumbled
• Half & half
• Fresh dill
• Garlic powder
• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
• Medium fresh English cucumbers
• Fresh dill and/or mint sprigs for garnish

Tools Needed

• Sharp Knife
• Immersion blender, food processor or hand mixer
• Vegetable Peeler
• Small Melon Baller or small spoon
• Pastry Bag with large tip

Add-ins and Variations

Once you see how easily cucumbers and be transformed into wonderful appetizers, use your imagination and change them up for your next gathering. Here are some great recipe options to consider:

• Savory Herb filling: Add a thinly sliced green onion and basil with some fresh lime zest to the cream cheese mixture.

• Ranch cucumber bites: For a zesty twist, replace the dill some dry ranch seasoning mix.

• Cucumber avocado appetizer: For a Mexican touch, just replace the feta with a little mashed avocado and a dash of chili powder and granulated garlic.

• Mediterranean cucumber cups: Add diced kalamata olives in with the cream cheese. You can also add a little Greek yogurt instead of the half and half for a tangier filling, then top with sliced cherry tomatoes.

• Smoked salmon cucumber bites: Dice up smoke salmon and a little lemon juice to the feta mixture. Add capers to the top for a finishing touch!

How to Make Easy Cucumber Appetizers

Prepare the cucumbers: On a cutting board, slice cucumbers into 1 1/2 inch even pieces. Trim each the cucumber slices so that the bottom is flat, and top is slightly angled. Carefully scoop out the interior of each section with a small measuring spoon, leaving enough space on the bottom and sides to form a small “cup.”

Make the filling: Place cream cheese, feta cheese, half & half, dill, and garlic powder in a large bowl and season with salt and black pepper, to taste. Beat with a hand mixer or immersion blender until mixture is light and fluffy. Set aside.

Fill the cucumbers and serve: Transfer some of the whipped Feta and cream cheese mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a large tip (or use a plastic sandwich bag with one of the bottom corners removed). Carefully pipe the whipped Feta into each one of the thick slices of cucumber cup and set on a serving platter. Serve immediately garnished with sprigs of fresh dill and/or mint, if desired. Enjoy!

Store leftovers in an airtight container up to a day.

Tips for Other Ways to Use Cucumbers?

If you have an abundance of cucumbers in your garden and are looking for other creative ways to put them to good use, you’ve come to the right place!

• Creamy cucumber dip: Add an unpeeled cucumber to a food processor and blend. Squeeze out the liquid using a tea towel and add to a bowl with softened cream cheese, sour cream, minced dill and garlic powder

• Sunburn relief: Cucumbers are anti-inflammatory and can reduce the redness in a sunburn. Take a peeled cucumber and blend it with an immersion blender or food processor. Drain some of the liquid, leaving enough to make it spreadable. Apply some directly to the sunburned areas for about 15 minutes at a time.

• Other healthy recipes: On top of delicious appetizers, cucumbers can be added raw to salads and smoothies. They can be used to make salad dressings, used in sushi, or filled with tuna salad or chicken salad to make tasty cucumber boats or tuna cucumber cups.

• Juice it: I love the health benefits associated with juicing. Cucumbers are awesome for juicing. Add lemon, fresh mint and parsley with a large cucumber to a juicer for a healthy and nutritious beverage. 

• Spa Water: Add fresh cucumber slices to a pitcher of cold water and keep it in the fridge for a delicious way to keep refreshing flavored water on hand.

• Defog mirrors: Okay, so I know this isn’t a health tip, but who else gets tired of foggy mirrors? Rub a cucumber slice over your mirrors then wipe dry. Next time you shower your mirrors won’t fog up! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can these Cucumber Appetizers Be Made in Advance?

Once cucumbers are sliced, they will become soft and soggy after a while. But you’re looking for a short cut, you can make the filling a day in advance. Then on the day you’re serving them scoop out the cucumber cups, give the feta mixture a good stir to loosen it up and then proceed with filling them.

Should Cucumbers Be Peeled for these Appetizers?

If you are using the kind of cucumbers from the grocery store that have a waxy and thick peeling, it would be best to trim it off or most of it off with a vegetable peeler.

English cucumbers have a thinner skin and can be peeled, partially peeled, or unpeeled depending on personal preference. 

Are Cucumbers Healthy?

Absolutely! Cucumbers are packed with vitamins and nutrients. In just one cup of sliced cucumbers slices, you’ll get about 15% of the vitamin K you need for the day. They’re also a great source of vitamins B and C as well as minerals like potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and copper.

There are many health benefits associated with eating cucumbers, like weight loss, increased hydration, digestive health and blood sugar levels. If you’d like to read more about the nutrition facts and health benefits of cucumbers, check out this article on Healthline.

Looking for More Healthy Recipes?

• Bacon Jalapeno Cheese Ball
• Kidney Bean Salad
• Oven Roasted Cauliflower
• Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables
• Easy Butternut Squash Noodles