Crab Cucumber Bites

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I can get into a rut when it comes to bringing an appetizer to a gathering. While I have a good list of party appetizers to choose from, sometimes it’s fun to whip up something fresh and unexpected, like these crab cucumber bites.

Ready in 30 minutes or less, this easy recipe tastes as impressive as it looks. It begins with sliced cucumbers that have had their edges peeled in an elegant stripe pattern. From there, the slices are topped with a simple, creamy combination of light cream cheese, imitation crabmeat, sweet peppers and green onions, seasoned with lemon and a dash of hot sauce. The resulting dish is super satisfying yet light enough that you won’t mind sneaking a second. Or a third.

Serve crab cucumber bites with seafood snacks like shrimp cocktail, crawfish beignets or smoked salmon bites. Together, you’ll have an array of fancy appetizers that will steal the spotlight.

Ingredients for Crab Cucumber Bites

• Cucumbers
• Reduced-fat cream cheese
• Lemon juice
• Hot pepper sauce
• Imitation crabmeat
• Sweet red pepper
• Green onions

Directions

Step 1: Prep the cucumbers

Peel strips from the cucumbers to create striped edges, then cut each cucumber into 16 slices, about 1/4 inch thick. Pat them dry with paper towels, and set them aside.

Editor’s Tip: For quick and effective peeling, you’ll want to have a sharp vegetable peeler in your arsenal of kitchen gadgets.

Step 2: Make the crab topping

In a small bowl, add the cream cheese, lemon juice and hot pepper sauce.

Beat them together until they’re smooth.

Add the crab, red pepper and onions.

Fold them in until they’re coated in the sauce.

Step 3: Assemble the crab cucumber bites

Place 1 heaping teaspoonful of the crab mixture onto each cucumber slice, and serve the cucumber bites immediately.

Editor’s Tip: Garnish your crab cucumber bites with a flourish of herbs. A sprinkle of fresh chives, parsley or dill would all work great with the ingredients in this dish.

How to Store Crab Cucumber Bites

Store any extra crab cucumber bites in an airtight food storage container and refrigerate them. Once they’re assembled, the crab bites should be enjoyed within one day.

For a make-ahead appetizer with a longer shelf life, mix the crab topping ahead and store it in an airtight container for up to four days. Then peel and slice fresh cucumbers just before you’re ready to assemble and serve the appetizers.

Crab Cucumber Bites Tips

Can you make crab cucumber bites with real crab?

Sure! If you prefer the taste and texture of real crabmeat, you can use it instead of imitation crab. For this recipe, choose lump crabmeat, which offers a mild taste and smaller, bite-sized pieces.

What else can you mix into the crab topping?

You can doctor up the topping for these crab cucumber bites any way you like. For a Japanese-inspired version, swap mashed avocado for the cream cheese and add 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of rice vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of wasabi paste to the topping. Sprinkle them with furikake seasoning or toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Or try a Louisiana twist by adding 1 diced jalapeno to the topping along with up to 1 teaspoon of Creole seasoning.

What should you serve with crab cucumber bites?

These cucumber crab bites make a terrific addition to any party spread. Serve them alongside other easy appetizers like tortilla pinwheels, tomato goat cheese spread and spicy shrimp salsa.