Let Me Tell You Why I Keep Making These
You ever just need a snack that feels a bit fancy but takes, like, zero effort? That’s how I got into making Everything Bagel Cucumber Bites. The first time I did it, I was half-heartedly prepping for a book club (honestly, I was really just in it for the snacks and a gossip catch-up). After making these, though, my friend Jess insisted I make them for every gathering. Now, even when it’s just me and my questionable Netflix queue, I’ll whip up a plate. And the best part? No one expects veggies to taste this good. Plus, who knew cucumbers could be such little show-offs?
Why You’ll Love This (Or at Least, Not Regret It)
I make this when my brain is fried, or when my mother-in-law swings by and I need to look like I have my life together. My family goes slightly bonkers for these because they’re crunchy, salty, and feel way fancier than they are. Also, if you’re someone who’s tried to spread cream cheese on a bagel in a hurry and ended up with a massive mess (it’s happened, more than once) – this is a lifesaver. There’s also no toasting, no knife wrestling, and, well, no bagel crumbs all over the kitchen. Win-win, right?
This is What You’ll Need (With a Few Swaps)
- 1 large English cucumber (or two regular ones, if that’s what’s in the fridge; sometimes I use those baby cucumbers, too – cuter but more fiddly)
- 120g (about 4oz) cream cheese – I use full-fat because, frankly, life’s too short for light cheese, but go light if you want
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt or sour cream (optional, but it makes it easier to spread; once, I tried mayo and… let’s just say I don’t recommend it)
- 2–3 tablespoons Everything Bagel Seasoning (Trader Joe’s is what I grab, but really anything with sesame, onion, garlic, and salt works. My gran used to make her own, but I just buy it)
- Chives or green onions, thinly sliced (totally optional – sometimes I just snip whatever fresh herb is limping along in my windowsill)
How to Make It (Even If You’re Distracted)
- Slice your cucumber into thick-ish rounds—maybe 1 cm or so. I don’t measure, I just aim for something that’ll hold up under a dollop of cheese. If you peel them, they look a bit fancier, but honestly, I often skip it.
- In a bowl, mix the cream cheese with the yogurt (if using) until it’s smooth-ish. Sometimes I use a fork, sometimes a spoon. Don’t fuss. Add a little pinch of salt if you like, though the seasoning usually covers it.
- Spread a generous blob of cream cheese on each cucumber slice. This is where I usually sneak a taste—quality control, right?
- Sprinkle each with Everything Bagel Seasoning. Go as heavy or light as you like. If you’re feeling extra, add a few chives on top. Or not. Dealer’s choice.
- Arrange them on a plate. Stand back and admire your work. If they look messy, don’t worry; they’ll taste great no matter what.
Stuff I’ve Learned Along the Way (Notes!)
- Pat your cucumber slices dry if you want the cheese to stick better – I used to skip this, but then things got a bit slippy.
- The Everything Bagel Seasoning clumps if it gets wet. So sprinkle it just before serving, not ahead of time—trust me.
- I think this snack actually tastes better after about 10 minutes, when the flavors settle in (but I rarely wait that long).
Variations I’ve Tried (Some Winners, Some… Well)
- Swapped in whipped feta instead of cream cheese – honestly, pretty good if you like things tangy.
- Tried goat cheese. Not my thing, but my neighbor loved it and took the leftovers home. (Fair enough.)
- Did a spicy version with a shake of chili flakes. Actually, I didn’t love it, but maybe you will?
- Once I tried to make them into little sandwiches – cucumber, cheese, another cucumber on top. Looked cute, but people struggled to eat them. Lesson learned.
What You’ll Need (Equipment-Wise)
- Sharp knife for slicing cucumbers. Or a mandoline slicer if you like living dangerously (watch your fingers—been there).
- Small mixing bowl and spoon or fork. If you don’t have a proper bowl, I’ve totally used a coffee mug before.
How Long Will These Last (If At All)
Technically, you can keep these in the fridge for about a day (maybe two, tops, if you’re lucky and your fridge is cold). But honestly, in my house it never lasts more than a day! If you’re prepping ahead, keep the cucumber and cheese separate until you’re ready to assemble, or everything gets a bit soggy.
How I Like to Serve Them (and a Little Family Tradition)
Usually, I pile them on a platter and let everyone dig in; nothing fancy. But if it’s just me, I’ll eat them right off the cutting board (less washing up). Sometimes for brunch, I’ll serve these alongside scrambled eggs and smoked salmon—my kids just pick off the toppings and eat the cucumbers. To each their own?
What I’ve Learned the Hard Way (Pro Tips)
- Once, I tried rushing the cream cheese spreading because I was late for a call. Ended up with cucumber flying across the kitchen. Take your time, it’s less messy (and less embarrassing).
- If you forget to dry the cucumbers, everything slides right off. Actually, I find it works better if you just pat them with a paper towel.
Questions Folks Have Actually Asked Me (FAQ)
- Can I make these ahead of time?
- Sort of. I wouldn’t do more than an hour ahead. Keep the components separate; assemble last minute. Otherwise, they get a bit limp, which is not the vibe.
- What if I don’t have Everything Bagel Seasoning?
- No biggie. Mix sesame seeds, garlic powder, onion flakes, and a pinch of salt—good enough. Or check Simply Recipes for an easy DIY version.
- Is there a dairy-free version?
- Yep. Use vegan cream cheese. I’ve tried Tofutti and it’s honestly not bad (though it’s not the same as the real deal, just saying).
- Can I use other veggies?
- You can! I once used thick carrot slices, but cutting them was a workout. Bell pepper rounds probably work better.
One Last (Slightly Off-Topic) Thought
Do you ever start snacking and suddenly realize you’ve eaten more than you meant to? These bites are sneakily addictive. Last week I meant to save half for later… but, well, you can guess how that ended.
If you want to dive deeper into seasoning mixes, check out Serious Eats’ seasoning guide—I found a few new favorites there. Let me know if you try any weird combos. Happy snacking!
Ingredients
- 2 large cucumbers
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
- 1 tbsp chives, finely sliced
Instructions
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1Wash and slice the cucumbers into 1/2-inch thick rounds. Arrange them on a serving platter.
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2In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, Greek yogurt, chopped dill, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
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3Using a piping bag or small spoon, top each cucumber slice with a dollop of the cream cheese mixture.
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4Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning evenly over the cream cheese on each cucumber bite.
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5Garnish with sliced chives and serve immediately.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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