Livened up with a zingy horseradish and dill cream cheese, these simple yet fancy Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites are crunchy, creamy finger food food perfection! Perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, Bridal Showers, and more. You’re going to just love them!
Smoked Salmon Appetizer
Last night we hosted the last dinner party we’ll probably ever have in our current apartment. We’re moving days after we return from Italy – but we’ll still be Brooklyn babes. Just in our very own apartment. No more roommates! Hooray! It feels like such an accomplishment. A dream.
The party itself was small and intimate. It was one of those nights full of precious friends, good food, and lots of laughter. These are the moments. The ones that slip by too quickly.
I made all of the food, which was fun for me, of course. And judging from the leftovers, everyone else enjoyed the spread too 😉 I made a banana cream pie that I will be remaking for you guys this week. It was so lovely, and now that I’m thinking about it… I wish there were some left. This girl could use a snack. Good thing I have some of these cucumber salmon bites hiding close by!
I made these cucumber bites as a light appetizer, and they were a smash hit. For me, and them. I love to host parties, but hate letting myself get overwhelmed with complicated, messy recipes that leave me frazzled. and my kitchen a f*#king mess. Simple is much better. And the fact that these pretty little bites take less than 10 minutes makes them way attractive from a hosts perspective. Also, my friends said they were way delicious. So high five/ WIN.
These would also be great for Easter/ Mother’s Day/ or a brunch party! They’re a great for an appetizer spread, because they’re nice and light. Meaning you’re guests will actually have room for the main meal. Also, you can leave the horseradish and/or dill out of the cream cheese if you want a more subtle bite. I think a little dash of lemon zest would be lovely, too. Play around with it! xoxo
After receiving more than a few inquiries about the toothpicks used in the photos for this post, I hunted them down for you! These wooden mini-forks are cute and strong and perfect for parties!
Smoked Salmon Appetizer Recipes
- Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Stuffed Pepperoncini
- Smoked Salmon Tartines with Fresh Herbs, Radishes, and Wasabi Spread

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites
Ingredients
- 2 English Cucumbers, peeled and cut into 1" rounds
- 1 pound smoked salmon, cut into bite sized pieces
- (1) 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon Horseradish (more or less to taste)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream, optional
- Toothpicks or tiny party forks
Instructions
- Peel cucumbers and slice them into 1" circles. Arrange on a platter as desired. Place in the refrigerator while preparing the cream cheese.
- Place cream cheese, dill, horseradish, and cream in a large bowl. Beat until well combined (a handheld mixer really helps here.)
- Spread 1 teaspoon of cream cheese on top each cucumber slice (more or less to taste), then top each slice with a bite sized piece of smoked salmon. Insert a toothpick down the center to keep in place.
- Serve at once, or keep in the refrigerator until needed.
I love quick and easy, yet elegant, appetizers like this one. The combo of cucumber, smoked salmon and dill always a winner — and the addition of horseradish is a great idea. Sounds like the party was a big hit! I hope the move goes smoothly when the time comes.
You know I have never had smoked salmon, but this looks like the perfect recipe to try out. Cream cheese and salmon is such a good combo!
Simple, beautiful and I am sure really delicious appetizer 🙂
These are so pretty. An app I would make for sure.
These look delicious! Can’t beat a simple, make-ahead appetizer for a party! Nothing worse than a frazzled hostess…especially when I am that frazzled hostess!
Congrats on the move!!! And for no more roommates! Yay!
Hi, I would like to know where did you get the dainty forks.
Hi Lizelle! They’re actually just toothpicks I found at Chelsea’s Market in Manhattan. I think you might be able to find them on amazon, too 🙂
Lizelle, If you have a World Market nearby you can find them there! {bamboo forks}. Good luck. I am so loving this recipe. Perfect summer meal for lunch too!
I just found them on Amazon. I put in “tiny wooden appetizer forks”.
Dollars store
What a simple and elegant idea to bring to a party.
I love this idea! I was just wondering how many bites did one recipe make? I’m thinking of making these for my birthday party along with other bites.
Hi Shirene! This makes about 12 bites, so I would definitely double or triple as needed 😉 They go fast!!!
Hello, just came across the yummy looking recipe on Pinterest! Was a little confused by the servings it yields – the top of the page says 40 bites but in your reply to the question you say it makes 12 bites. Planning on serving these at a birthday brunch and and just trying to figure out how much stuff to buy! Thanks! 🙂
Hi Emily. You should be able to get close to 40 bites out of this recipe, give or take 🙂
Mmmm I just want one right now. I am a salmon lover and would dip mine in soy sauce like I do my sushi.
Oooah! Now that’s an idea 🙂
Mmmm I just want one rite now
This looks so yummy! Is it made with fresh horseradish or the stuff that comes in a jar?
Wondered about the horseradish, is it prepared (creamy) or fresh?
Thanks in advance
Hi Beth! I used prepared but not a creamy version.
I just made these for a company Christmas party I hosted at my house. They were a hit! I left out the horseradish, though. I used a mini Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut out the cucumbers and they were so cute! I used a pastry bag with a swirly tip for the cream cheese, but was overkill. Couldn’t see the design, but it made assembling them quicker. Definitely one of the hits of the food I prepared. Thanks!
Hi Mindy. The christmas tree cut out sounds adorable! Thanks for letting me know these were a hit. Happy holidays 🙂
amp it up a bit and sprinkle chopped red onion and/ or capers on salmon.
Hi Ashley, Love the cute idea. I’m admin for a FB page called ChasseurAUNZ. Would love to share the image, with a link back to Baker by Nature and credits. If you’d rather I don’t share just let me know, happy to take it down.
Cheers
Wondering if I can throw the salmon in with the cheese mix and then pipe it all on the cucumber making it even easier (depending on my pipe skills!)…might give that a try today and let you know. Looks like a great recipe! Thanks.
Ooooh sounds interesting! Let me know how it turns out 🙂 Good luck.
Wondering if I can just use those soft whipped cream cheese dips instead of having to whip cream cheese and heavy cream?
Hi Meera. While I’ve never tried it, I think it should work just fine 🙂
Cannot wait to try these for hubby’s last day of good eats before deploying. Thanks for sharing 😉
Hi Etrim. These will make a wonderful nibble for you two to enjoy! I hope the time flies while he is away 😉
I’m wondering why these cant be made ahead. I’d like to make these for a party this Sunday. Was hoping to make them on Saturday. Do you think that would work?
Hi Kim. Once you slice a cucumber it will start to get soft and loose moisture. This will make the cream cheese soggy. I don’t recommend making them more than 4 hours in advance.
Hey Kim!
I’m so excited to try these for my Christmas Eve appetizer! They look (and sound) amazing! My family is from Minnesota and we love smoked fish, and this is such a simple, elegant take!
-Natalie
http://www.combatbootsandcouture.com
Enjoy, Natalie! And happy holidays 🙂
Made these for a ladies brunch, and they were a HUGE hit – the first thing to disappear. This recipe worked for me as there were several ladies with restricted diets (diabetics, gluten intolerance, low carb, etc.). They were so simple to prepare, elegant, but most important of all, thoroughly enjoyed by all. Thanks for sharing this lovely little recipe.
I am so happy to hear these were a hit with your friends, Dawn! Thank you for letting me know 🙂
This app looks great but your language does not!
??
muy sabroso y exuisito parece .pero no se inglés .saludos caremn
Just wondering if the horseradish is fresh/grated or jarred sauce. Thank [email protected]
Hi Dayla. I used the jarred variety.
Hi,
Do these keep well in the fridge? If I make them a few hours before the party?
Hi Sharon. Yes, I’d say they’ll be fine in the fridge for a few hours (3 or 4), but not much longer.
Hi Ashley,
If I make the spread in advance how long should it last in the fridge? Thanks!
Hi! Do you think these could be prepared the night before for a 10 AM brunch party? They look amazing!
Hi Sharon! I think the bites might get a little soggy sitting over night.
What about using Jicama instead of cucumbers. I don’t like cucumbers. Another vegetable to substitute?
Hi Ashley
Just made these for a dinner party. They were so easy to make and are freaking yummy!! Thanks for the recipe.
Delicious! Made these for our Father’s Day brunch. Thank you for the recipe!
can these be prepared the night before for a lunch the next day?
Horseradish adds a nice touch, I like it a lot.
Wow. This smoked salmon cream cheese cucumber bite looks is a pure combination of taste, I love healthy food.
his is amazing. I wanted to take something to work that wasn’t that much work for me but was great to eat. This hits the spot. Thanks so much
Thanks for these easy recipes. They look amazing. Healthy treats.
These smoked salmon cream cheese bites are so nice. Going to make some for our wedding anniversary party next weekend! Pinning for later!
I think cilantro would be nice. Or even just a little piece of flat leaf parsley for color.
These were amazingly easy to assemble and cream cheese was fantastic! Will definitely make again…elegant and delicious.
These smoked salmon cream cheese bites are so nice. Going to make some for our wedding anniversary party next weekend! Pinning for later!
I can’t wait to try this out. I might add some avocado as well.
First of all, I don’t know why people leave a comment before they even try the recipe! Just made these for a neighborhood party. I sliced the cukes much thinner than 1″. That would be a big bite. Then I put the slices between paper towels to absorb some of the water. I got about 60 slices out of 2 cukes. And I bought a 12oz pkg of smoked salmon and have a little left over. I was actually a little short on the cream cheese mix. I think the cute appetizer picks in the picture are cute but they would have been hard to poke through the salmon. I used wooden picks with the frilly tops. They were easy to get through the salmon. Just some suggestions from someone who actually made the recipe!
So happy to hear from someone who actually made them. Who wants to hear from someone who is GOING TO MAKE THEM!!
Quick, easy, tasty, and looks fancy!
Quick, easy, tasty, and looks fancy!
I love that these are gluten free, as well as delicious. I find that every party I go to, there are very few gluten free nibbles, so these will be my contribution next party!
I did not make changes. They turned out beautifully. All were eaten and enjoyed by my guests, with many “Yums”.
Salmon is really amazing. I will try to do this for my family at a party.
Thanks very much.!!!
I am a bit of a cook freak and I take pride and pleasure in cooking. I often host parties on the weekends and I always make sure exquisite dishes are present on my table. This definitely looks like a candidate. Thanks for sharing
Oh man, I can’t wait to try this. I’ve been growing dill for the last 3 weeks; finally, a great recipe that I can use it for!
I like this dish very much. It is great and tasty. Very simple, fast and delicious. I followed your recipe and then I had a great meal. Thank you for the amazing article.
I love this recipe. This is so easy and understand and make the smoked salmon cucumber. I really love it. Thank you for sharing this wonderful article.
Great recipe! I just finished it last night and the result was unexpected, my wife and daughter both liked it, which made me happy. Thanks for your recipe!
This was the perfect appetizer….very tasty and the cucumber makes it refreshing. Didn’t have dill, but added a few twists of the black pepper mill. Definitely a keeper
!
Hello,
I’m Jackson, I’m a chef who loves food, I’m always interested in new foods.Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Cucumber Bites is great! I just finished them tonight, taste is great and i had a great dinner with my little family. Thanks for your sharing.
Sincerely grateful!
These are fancy enough for guests, but I like them for a (pretty expensive!) healthy snack for my teenage daughter. The combination of vegetable, protein and omega-3 in the salmon and the little bit of cream cheese make these perfect for after school snacking. They are quick to make, which means she can make them herself instead of reaching for cookies or muffins.
This would be a great appetizer for Friendsgiving.
I made this for a birthday party and my friends loved them so much. Thank you for the recipe. For my next event, can I make these the night before and leaving fridge?