If you love the flavor of bruschetta but want something a little lighter and more refreshing, these bruschetta cucumber bites appetizers are the perfect choice.
They’re crunchy, juicy, and totally addictive — and while prepping a big batch does take a little time, the result is absolutely worth it.
I love making them all year round, as they look absolutely gorgeous on party tables, whether it’s for someone’s birthday in the summer or a fancier end-of-the-year holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
What You’ll Need
All you need is:
- Fresh cucumbers
- Ripe tomatoes
- A bit of onion
- Salt and pepper
- Mini mozzarella balls
- Olives for garnish
You’ll chop everything small for the topping, drain off the excess juices, and spoon it right onto cucumber slices. That’s it!
How to Make These Bruschetta Cucumber Bites Appetizers
Start by prepping your veggies. Dice the tomatoes finely — the smaller you cut them, the better you can pile them onto the cucumber slices.
Then, chop a bit of onion and mix it with the tomatoes in a small bowl. Add a bit of salt and pepper, and give the salad a quick toss. Let it sit while you prep everything else, so the flavors can mingle a bit.
Meanwhile, slice your cucumber into rounds about ¼-inches thick. You want them thick enough to hold the topping without going soggy or floppy, but not too thick, or they’ll overpower all the other flavors.
Once the bruschetta mix has rested for 5-10 minutes, make sure to drain it well. This part is super important! If you skip it, you’ll end up with soggy cucumber bites and a watery mess on your serving platter.
To drain the mix, pour it through a fine sieve or press gently with the back of a spoon to remove any excess liquid.
Now you’re ready to assemble! Lay the cucumber slices on your serving tray, then spoon a little bit of the tomato-onion mix onto each one. Add a mini mozzarella ball on top of each, and finish with a sliver of olive for garnish.
Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to an hour before serving, but no longer, or they’ll lose their crunch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The cucumber bites are fresh and healthy – They make great party appetizers because they are light and not too filling – you get to start the party with some impressive foods, but you’re not overstuffing your guests.
- Uses easy and cheap ingredients – Veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions are basic pantry staples; you’ll only need a few extras like mini mozzarella balls and olives to pull this recipe together!
- It’s great for parties – The bites come out really elegant and colorful, plus they’re perfectly bite-sized and just made for sharing.
- You get a tray of naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and low-calorie finger foods, which your health-conscious guests will love!
Tips for Perfect Bites
- Use ripe but firm tomatoes – If you use tomatoes that are too soft, they’ll go mushy quite fast.
- Drain the mix well – don’t skip this step! The tomatoes will release some water, no matter how firm they are, and if you don’t drain the bruschetta mix, all of that water will end up on the party tray, soaking your beautiful bites.
- Try to slice the cucumbers evenly – This is especially important if serving at a party; cleanly cut and evenly-sized cucumber slices look prettier on the platter.
- Don’t prepare the appetizers too early – Even if you drain the bruschetta mix, the water from the tomatoes will continue to release, and if you prep these too far in advance, you’ll end up with too much liquid on your tray. Up to an hour ahead is totally fine!
- Mix up some of the ingredients on the platter to offer more variety – add fresh basil and chives to some of the bites and swap mozzarella for feta on others.
📌Bruschetta Cucumber Bites Appetizers (Recipe Card)
Servings: 4–6 people
Prep Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 large cucumber, sliced into rounds
- 2 ripe tomatoes, finely diced
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 12–16 mini mozzarella balls
- 6–8 olives, sliced thinly for garnish
Equipment:
- Cutting board & knife
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon
- Fine strainer or sieve
Instructions:
- Finely dice the tomatoes and onion. Mix together in a small bowl with a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes so that the flavors have time to mix.
- Slice the cucumber into ¼-inch rounds and lay them out on a serving plate.
- Drain the tomato-onion mix using a sieve or by pressing gently with a spoon to remove excess liquid. This step is super important, or you’ll end up with a messy and soggy party tray.
- Spoon the drained bruschetta mix onto each cucumber slice.
- Top each bite with a mini mozzarella ball and a strip of olive for garnish.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving.