I make these when I want to feel like a brunch goddess without turning on the oven. They’re crisp, creamy, and salty in the best way—with basically no effort. I’ve brought them to baby showers, served them at book club, and yes, devoured them at the kitchen counter straight from the tray.
The first version I tried years ago used flavored cream cheese. Big mistake. Too salty, and it clashed with the salmon. This one keeps it clean, customizable, and actually keto without weird aftertastes or soggy cucumbers.
Why This One Works So Well (Low-Carb Edition)
These are light enough to stay in fat-burning mode, but satisfying enough to calm that “I-need-a-bagel” feeling.
- The cucumber gives you crunch without carbs.
- The cream cheese mix brings that rich, tangy base.
- Smoked salmon adds protein and salt—no extra seasoning needed.
- Dill keeps it bright and fresh (and balances the fat perfectly).
What I Used (And Why It Worked)
- Cream cheese (170g / 6 oz) – Full-fat, softened. It’s the glue and the richness. Don’t sub with low-fat—it turns runny and bland.
- Full-fat Greek yogurt (60ml / 1/4 cup) – Lightens the texture just enough without watering it down. Adds a tangy lift.
- Garlic powder (1/4 tsp) – Just a hint. Raw garlic would overpower everything here.
- Fresh dill (2 tbsp + extra) – Dill and salmon? Classic. Chives work too, but dill brings better contrast to the salmon.
- English cucumber (1 large) – Sliced slightly diagonal for more surface area. Holds the filling like a boss.
- Smoked salmon (115g / 4 oz) – Go for thin slices you can fold neatly. Thick chunks make it awkward to eat and overpower the bite.
Low-Carb Substitutions That Hold Up
| Swap | What Changes | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| Chives for dill | Less bright, more savory | Yes, if you’re out of dill |
| Sour cream for yogurt | Creamier, tangier | Yes, but bump garlic a bit |
| Lemon zest or squeeze | Adds zing | Go for it—great with chives too |
| Cucumber rounds instead of diagonals | Smaller bites | Fine, just don’t go too thin |
Keto Missteps and How I Fixed Them
| What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Filling slid off | Wet cucumbers = sad | Pat them dry first |
| Too salty | Some cream cheese + salmon combos clash | Use plain cream cheese, adjust salt |
| Weird texture | Overmixed or too cold | Soften cheese + mix gently |
How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
- Make the filling: In a bowl, mash softened cream cheese, yogurt, and garlic powder. Stir in chopped dill.
- Prep your piping bag: Use a real piping bag or just snip a corner off a zip-top bag. No shame.
- Slice your cucumber: About ¼-inch thick, slightly diagonal for bigger surface area.
- Dry them off: Gently blot each slice with a paper towel. Trust me, this matters.
- Pipe on the filling: About ½ tablespoon per slice. Don’t go overboard or it’ll topple.
- Top with salmon: Fold over small strips and place neatly on top.
- Garnish (if you’re feeling fancy): Sprinkle with more dill—or chives, or a micro squeeze of lemon.
Keto Cooking Tricks That Help
- I pre-mix the filling and keep it in the fridge for 2–3 days. Great for assembling on the fly.
- Want to bring this to a party? Bring the components separately and assemble on-site so nothing gets soggy.
- Need portion control? Count out 4–5 per snack—easy to track, ~80 calories, ~2.2g net carbs per 4 bites.
How I Store and Track It
- Storage: Airtight container in the fridge, up to 2 days. After that, cucumbers get sad.
- Freezing? Nope. Not for this one. The texture dies.
- Macro note: Each 4-bite serving has 2.2g net carbs, 6.4g fat, 3.8g protein.
What I Googled Before Making This
Can I use flavored cream cheese?
Technically yes, but it messes with salt levels and can taste too artificial.
Is smoked salmon keto?
Absolutely. Just check for added sugars (some fancy brands sneak them in).
Do these hold up at room temp?
For about 30–45 minutes, yes. After that, the cucumber starts weeping. Keep chilled if you’re prepping ahead.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving – ~4 Bites
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 80 kcal |
| Total Fat | 6.4g |
| – Saturated Fat | 3.5g |
| Cholesterol | 22mg |
| Sodium | 220mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 2.2g |
| – Dietary Fiber | 0.2g |
| – Sugars | 1.3g |
| Net Carbs | 2.0g |
| Protein | 3.8g |
Check out More Recipes:
Low Carb Keto Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites Recipe
Description
Creamy, crunchy, and keto-friendly—these smoked salmon cucumber bites are the perfect low-carb snack or appetizer with just 2g net carbs per serving.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic powder, and dill until smooth.
- Transfer mixture to a piping bag or zip-top bag with a corner snipped.
- Arrange cucumber slices on a platter and pat them dry.
- Pipe ~½ tbsp of the filling onto each slice.
- Top with a folded piece of smoked salmon.
- Garnish with extra dill and serve immediately.
Notes
- I pre-mix the filling and keep it in the fridge for 2–3 days. Great for assembling on the fly.
- Want to bring this to a party? Bring the components separately and assemble on-site so nothing gets soggy.
- Need portion control? Count out 4–5 per snack—easy to track, ~80 calories, ~2.2g net carbs per 4 bites.
