Mediterranean Stuffed Cucumber 

When it comes to quick and light appetizers, these Mediterranean stuffed cucumber cups hit all the right notes. They’re colorful, refreshing, and easy to put together — perfect for everything from casual snacking to impressing guests at your next gathering. 

These cucumber bites are all about layering vibrant flavors and textures. Creamy hummus, salty feta, tangy olives, and juicy cherry tomatoes come together beautifully. And since cucumbers have a mild flavor, they’re the ideal vessel for all these bold Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Whether you’re making them for the first time or you’re a seasoned home cook, this is a great way to add some fun to your appetizer lineup.

Ingredient Notes

Cucumbers: Fresh cucumbers are key. English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers work best because they have thin skin and fewer seeds, making them easy to hollow out and bite into. Depending on the size of your cucumber, the exact amounts of toppings might vary slightly, but you really don’t need a lot of any element. Don’t have English cucumbers? No problem — any firm cucumber variety will do! I would just use a vegetable peel to remove the skins beforehand. 

Hummus: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade hummus. About ¼ cup (60 ml) is enough to fill one large cucumber. I normally just use plain hummus, but you could also use roasted garlic, roasted red pepper, or olive hummus.

Feta Cheese, Kalamata Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, and Bell Peppers: These flavorful ingredients bring the perfect mix of saltiness, sweetness, and crunch, making the cucumber cups vibrant and delicious.

Fresh Dill: A sprinkling of chopped fresh dill (about 3 tablespoons / 45 ml) brings everything together with its bright, herby flavor.

Aleppo Pepper: This mildly spicy pepper adds a gentle heat. Use about ⅛ teaspoon (0.5 g) or more to taste. You can substitute with a sprinkle of paprika or crushed red pepper flakes if you like it spicy if you don't have Aleppo pepper. 

Instructions

Start by washing and drying a large English cucumber, then slice it lengthwise to create two halves.

Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds, creating a shallow well along each cucumber half. No melon baller needed—a regular spoon works just fine!

Spoon hummus evenly into the wells and spread it smoothly using the back of the spoon, leaving a shallow groove in the center.

Sprinkle Aleppo pepper over the hummus for a mild kick.

Next, layer crumbled feta cheese along the cucumber halves, followed by finely chopped Kalamata olives.

Thinly slice cherry tomatoes using a serrated knife and arrange them along the length of the cucumber. Space the slices based on how large you want each cucumber bite.

Sprinkle chopped yellow bell pepper around the tomatoes, then top everything with a generous amount of fresh dill.

Drizzle olive oil over the cucumber halves for added richness.

Using a serrated knife, slice the cucumber halves into bite-sized pieces, cleaning the knife with a damp paper towel as needed for neat cuts.

For the best flavor and presentation, serve these cucumber cups fresh. If preparing ahead, store in an airtight container for up to a few hours, but avoid making them the night before to maintain the freshness of the tomatoes.

How to Serve

• Arrange on a platter for a colorful, light appetizer.
• Pair with other Mediterranean favorites like pita chips and tzatziki.
• Serve as a side dish with grilled chicken or roasted vegetables.

Tips, Tricks, and Alterations

• Get Creative: The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. Swap out the hummus for tzatziki, baba ganoush, or even a cream cheese mixture seasoned with fresh chives.
• Adjust to Taste: If you’re missing an ingredient, don’t worry! This recipe is all about layering complementary flavors. Fresh chives, basil, or parsley can be used instead of dill, and you can even add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for extra umami.
• Prevent Excess Moisture: Pat the cucumbers dry with a paper towel before filling them to prevent the bites from becoming too soggy.
• Storage Tip: If you need to store leftovers, keep them in an airtight container and consume within a day. The fresher, the better!

Recipe

Mediterranean Stuffed Cucumber Cups

These cucumber bites are all about layering vibrant flavors and textures. Creamy hummus, salty feta, tangy olives, and juicy cherry tomatoes come together beautifully. And since cucumbers have a mild flavor, they’re the ideal vessel for all these bold Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Whether you’re making them for the first time or you’re a seasoned home cook, this is a great way to add some fun to your appetizer lineup.

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Ingredients

  

• 1 large English cucumber or 2 Persian cucumbers
• ¼ cup 60 ml hummus
• ⅛ teaspoon 0.5 g Aleppo pepper
• 2-3 tablespoons 30-45 g crumbled feta cheese
• 2-3 tablespoons 30-45 g chopped Kalamata olives
• ¼ cup 60 ml cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 2-3 tablespoons 30-45 g chopped yellow bell pepper
• 3 tablespoons 45 ml fresh dill, chopped
• 2-3 tablespoons 30-45 ml olive oil

Instructions

 

• Wash and dry the cucumber, then slice it lengthwise.
• Use a small spoon to scoop out the seeds, creating a shallow well.
• Fill the wells with ¼ cup (60 ml) hummus and smooth it out.
• Sprinkle ⅛ teaspoon (0.5 g) Aleppo pepper over the hummus.
• Add 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 g) crumbled feta cheese and 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 g) chopped olives.
• Arrange ¼ cup (60 ml) thinly sliced cherry tomatoes along the cucumber.
• Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 g) chopped yellow bell pepper and 3 tablespoons (45 ml) fresh dill.
• Drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons (30-45 ml) olive oil.
• Slice into bite-sized pieces with a serrated knife and serve immediately.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!