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Spicy Crab Salad Bites – Easy Homemade Cucumber Cups

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Cool, crisp cucumber cups filled with creamy, spicy crab salad make for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing appetizer. These bites are quick to prepare, packed with flavor, and perfect for parties, brunch, or healthy snacking.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz imitation crab sticks (surimi), shredded (or real lump crab meat)
  • 3 tbsp Japanese mayonnaise (Kewpie preferred, or regular mayo)
  • 2 tbsp cream cheese, softened
  • 1–2 tsp sriracha (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tbsp celery, finely diced
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced (or chives)
  • 1 tsp soy sauce (or gluten-free tamari)
  • 1/2 tsp sesame oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 4–5 Persian or English cucumbers (about 1 lb)
  • Toasted sesame seeds (for garnish, optional)
  • Extra sliced scallions or chives (for garnish, optional)
  • Thin strips of nori (for garnish, optional)
  • Small sprigs of fresh cilantro (for garnish, optional)
  • Extra sriracha for drizzling (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and dry cucumbers. Trim ends and slice into 1-inch thick rounds (about 5-6 cups per cucumber).
  2. Use a melon baller or teaspoon to gently scoop out the center of each cucumber slice, leaving a solid base at the bottom and walls about 1/4-inch thick.
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, shred imitation crab sticks. Add mayonnaise, cream cheese, sriracha, lemon juice, celery, scallions, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Stir gently to combine.
  4. Season crab salad with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust sriracha for desired spice level.
  5. Fill each cucumber cup with about 1 heaping teaspoon of crab salad. Do not overfill.
  6. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds, extra scallions, nori strips, cilantro, and a drizzle of sriracha as desired.
  7. Chill bites in the fridge for 5-10 minutes before serving for best flavor and texture.

Notes

For gluten-free, use tamari and check crab labels. For dairy-free, swap cream cheese for a plant-based alternative. Real crab or shrimp can be substituted. Assemble just before serving for best crunch. Adjust sriracha for spice level. Kids may prefer less spice and a touch of sweet relish.

Nutrition

Keywords: crab salad, cucumber cups, spicy appetizer, party bites, gluten-free, low-carb, sushi-inspired, easy recipe, healthy snack

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/spicy-crab-salad-bites-recipe-easy-homemade-cucumber-cups/