This gorgeous cucumber goat cheese appetizer is the perfect appetizer! Each of the little cucumber bites are topped with a flavor-packed avocado and goat cheese mixture and a colorful garnish of sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs. They're healthy, incredibly easy to make, so light, and delicious! {Vegetarian, low carb, keto, & gluten-free}
Benefits of Fresh Appetizers
These elegant cucumber bites offer the perfect blend of fresh, creamy, and tangy flavors while being incredibly simple to prepare. They're an ideal choice for health-conscious entertaining, offering a low-carb, gluten-free option that doesn't compromise on taste or presentation.
Fresh Ingredient Requirements List
- English cucumber: 2 large (approximately 12-14 inches each), firm and dark green, unblemished skin, approximately 1.5 inches in diameter, should feel heavy for size with no soft spots
- Ripe avocado: 2 medium (200-250g each), perfectly ripe (yields slightly to gentle pressure), Hass variety preferred, flesh should be bright green with no brown spots
- Fresh goat cheese: 8 oz (226g), room temperature (65-70°F), creamy chèvre style, not crumbled variety, should be pure white in color
- Tabasco sauce: 2-3 drops (or to taste), original red variety, fresh and vibrant in color
- Lemon juice: 2 tablespoons (30ml), freshly squeezed from ripe lemons, strained to remove pulp and seeds
- Sun-dried tomatoes: 1/4 cup (40g), oil-packed variety, julienned into 1/4-inch strips, bright red in color
- Fresh parsley: 1/2 cup (30g), flat-leaf variety, bright green with crisp leaves, stems removed, leaves should be 1-2 inches in length
- Sea salt: 1/4 teaspoon (1.5g), fine grain, for seasoning
- Black pepper: 1/8 teaspoon (0.5g), freshly ground, medium-coarse texture
Professional Assembly Instructions
- Ingredient Preparation
- Bring goat cheese to room temperature (65-70°F, 30-45 minutes). Wash and thoroughly dry cucumbers. Select avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure. Gather all equipment: sharp knife, cutting board, piping bag with star tip (1/2 inch opening), medium mixing bowl, rubber spatula, paper towels.
- Cucumber Foundation
- Slice cucumbers into 1.5-inch thick rounds (approximately 15-18 pieces per cucumber) using a sharp knife at a 90-degree angle. Pat each slice dry with paper towels. Place on serving platter lined with paper towels to absorb excess moisture.
- Filling Creation
- In medium bowl, mash avocados until completely smooth (no lumps larger than 1mm). Add room temperature goat cheese, lemon juice, Tabasco sauce (start with 2 drops), salt, and pepper. Mix until perfectly smooth and creamy (2-3 minutes). Texture should be light and fluffy, similar to whipped cream cheese.
- Professional Assembly
- Transfer mixture to piping bag fitted with 1/2-inch star tip. Pipe 1.5-2 tablespoons (25-30g) filling onto each cucumber round in a spiral motion, starting from outer edge and working inward. Height should be approximately 1 inch. Place one julienned sun-dried tomato strip (1/4 inch x 1 inch) on top of each. Garnish with one small sprig of parsley (1-inch length).
- Final Presentation
- Arrange completed bites on serving platter, leaving 1/2 inch space between pieces. For optimal presentation and taste, let rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Garnish platter edges with additional parsley sprigs if desired.
Professional Presentation Tips
For the most elegant presentation, use a piping bag fitted with a large star tip. Create a consistent spiral pattern on each cucumber slice, starting from the outer edge and working toward the center. This technique ensures uniform portions and a professional appearance.
Essential Recipe Success Tips
Ensure cucumbers are thoroughly dried before adding filling to prevent sliding. When preparing the avocado-goat cheese mixture, blend until completely smooth to prevent clogging the piping tip. Test the consistency before filling the entire piping bag.
Storage and Timing Guide
Store assembled appetizers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The lemon juice helps prevent browning of the avocado. For best results, prepare within 24 hours of serving. Allow to come to room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How far in advance can I make these appetizers?
Best assembled within 2 hours of serving to prevent cucumbers from getting watery and avocado from browning.
- → Can I use regular cucumbers instead of English cucumbers?
Yes, but English cucumbers are preferred as they have fewer seeds and firmer flesh, making better bases for the toppings.
- → Do I need special piping equipment?
While piping makes them look fancier, you can simply spoon the mixture onto the cucumbers if you don't have piping tools.
- → How can I keep the avocado mixture from browning?
The lemon juice helps prevent browning. Keep them covered and refrigerated until serving time.
- → Can I make the avocado-cheese mixture ahead?
Yes, you can make it up to a day ahead. Keep it in an airtight container with plastic wrap directly on the surface.