18 Cool Cucumber Appetizers Perfect for Hot Summer Nights

August 11, 2020

Cucumbers add a refreshing crunch to any meal any time of year, but when it's hot outside, cucumbers make putting together a cool summer spread easy. Whether you're cooking out or you want a quick and cool meal in minutes, these cool cucumber recipes are perfect for hot summer nights.

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Cucumber-Avocado Cauliflower Rice Sushi

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Use cauliflower rice to turn classic cucumber-avocado sushi into a low-carb appetizer. Served chilled or at room temperature, this roll is vegetarian-friendly and a no-egg mayo makes it great for vegans too. Make these rolls as you eat them, instead of letting them sit. The cauliflower rice can dry quickly, which makes rolling tricky.

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Greek Salad Skewers

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Turn classic Greek salad into an easy cucumber appetizer with this cute presentation. Cherry tomatoes join cukes, feta cheese, onion and olives for a super easy app that will be a huge hit at cookouts or on game day. Serve with a side of Greek salad dressing for dipping! 

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Herby Raita

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A common condiment in India, this yogurt-based sauce is used to help cool down spicy foods but it also makes a great dip for veggies and pita chips.

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Watermelon Radish & Avocado Summer Rolls

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Consider the fillings in this vegan summer roll recipe as a starting point--papaya, snap peas and shrimp are all good alternatives. The first thing you layer on the rice paper will be what shows through on the finished roll, so vary what you start with for stunning, Instagram-worthy results. 

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Cucumber Bites

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This quick, gluten-free snack recipe tops cucumbers with hummus, cheese and a hit of hot sauce.

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Cucumber Cups with Deviled Ham Salad

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Swap crostini for cucumber cups to hold ham salad in this easy appetizer recipe. Quick tip: Cut the cucumber into inch-thick slices and use a melon baller to scoop out the cucumber to create "cups."

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Feta & Cucumber Nip

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Crunchy pita chips make the perfect base for this ultra-quick olive, fresh cucumber and feta appetizer. If you can't find baby cucumber, cut a regular cucumber into thin slices that are approximately the same size as your pita chips.

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Mini Cucumber Caterpillars

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Kids will love eating their veggies when you turn mini cucumbers into fun caterpillar treats ready for dunking in their favorite dip!

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Cucumber Hummus Sandwiches

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Cucumber tea sandwiches get a low-carb makeover when you skip the bread and add high-protein hummus. Quick tip: use a piping bag to put a dollop of hummus on each cucumber slice.

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Ham Pinwheels

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Ready in just 5 minutes, this cute ham-and-cheese appetizer or snack is as much fun to make as it is to eat. A cream cheese mixture holds the ham in place for a hardy element to crown the cucumber. Top with your favorite fresh herb, such as dill or basil, for a pretty presentation. 

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Cucumber-Topped Rye Crisps

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Rye crisps make an all-star snack because they are fat-free, low in sodium and oh, so crunchy. Jazz them up with this light, fresh topping idea.

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Chicken & Cucumber Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce

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We love the crunch from sliced cucumber and jicama in these savory chicken lettuce wraps. Serve with the simple peanut sauce for an easy dinner recipe that will impress kids and adults alike. 

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Ceviche-Style Shrimp and Chips

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Ceviche is a popular seafood dish in regions of Latin America. This quick-and-easy version uses cooked shrimp and ready-made salsa, mixed with cucumber and crumbled queso fresco cheese and is served with whole-grain tortilla chips--it's a great light lunch or appetizer for your next dinner party! 

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Veggie-Topped Rye Crisps

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Rye crisps are topped with a light and creamy cheese spread flavored with lemon and served with colorful vegetables for a pretty, easy appetizer or small plate. 

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Cured or Smoked Salmon Appetizer Platter

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This smoked salmon platter requires little effort but the spread makes a big impression. Served with all the fixings--capers, hard-boiled eggs, cucumber and more--a smoked salmon platter is the ultimate make-ahead appetizer. Lay out everything listed in the ingredients below or just a few of the elements along with an assortment of crackers, cocktail bread and/or sliced baguette. 

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Salmon & Cucumber Mini Smorrebrod (Smorrebrod med Roget Laks og Agurker)

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Crunchy cucumber, fresh dill and gravlax top thinly sliced rye bread for a delightful Danish appetizer. Smørrebrød--which translates in Danish to "buttered bread"--are endlessly creative open-face sandwiches, meant to be eaten with a knife and fork as a light meal. Here we make appetizer-size smørrebrød, perfect for entertaining.

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Smoked Salmon Maki Rolls

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Skip the rice and just use seaweed to make these healthy sushi rolls filled with smoked salmon, avocado, carrot and cucumber. Serve with soy sauce for dipping.

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Cucumber & Radish Tzatziki

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Thinly sliced radishes lend a peppery bite and pretty pink hue to this traditional Greek cucumber yogurt dip recipe. Serve the tzatziki as an appetizer with pita bread, lavash-style flatbread or vegetable crudités, or as a refreshing sauce with grilled fish or chicken.

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