These shrimp appetizers have plump juicy cajun shrimp over creamy avocado on a crisp slice of cucumber. These shrimp cucumber bites are a delicious mouthful!

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This is such an easy shrimp appetizer recipe but it is mouthwatering good and special occasion worthy. It will be the talk of your next party!
The flavor profile of these shrimp appetizers are similar to our shrimp avocado salad (one of our most popular shrimp recipes!), so if you enjoyed that, you will go crazy for these shrimp cucumber bites! My husband and son loved these!
The inspiration for this recipe came from Kevin of Closet Cooking who’s blackened shrimp made my mouth water!
Easy Ingredients for Shrimp Appetizers:
This recipe yields 20-22 cucumber bites (depending on how many shrimp are in a pound of a shrimp). The homemade cajun spice sears on to the shrimp giving it an amazing spicy kick. If you prefer a milder appetizer, you can easily cut the paprika and cayenne in half.

Chef’s Tip on How to Cook Shrimp:
I add the shrimp to the pan using tongs just a few at a time without dropping the entire amount into the hot pan right away which can cool the pan quickly. Also do not crowd the pan or the shrimp will juice out and become rubbery. You want to achieve a good sear the shrimp to keep it plump and juicy. If your pan is too small to fit all of the shrimp in 1 batch, cook shrimp in 2 batches.


The avocado spread is so easy and the lime juice makes it taste like guacamole. Don’t skip the cilantro and generous squeeze of fresh lime juice over the finished shrimp avocado appetizers – it ads amazing fresh flavor.

This is a recipe you’ll never get tired of eating – good thing it is also a healthy appetizer with only 49 calories per bite! It is friendly for nearly every diet; gluten free, keto/low carb, grain free and paleo.

More Shrimp Appetizers:
- Shrimp Avocado Salsa – our #1 salsa (reader and personal favorite)
- Cheesy Shrimp Bites – always a hit at parties!
- Shrimp artichoke Dip – creamy, cheesy and undeniably good
- Coconut Shrimp – with the best 2 ingredient sauce

Shrimp Appetizers Print Friendly Recipe:
Shrimp Appetizers with Avocado and Cucumber

Ingredients
Ingredients for Cajun Shrimp:
For the Avocado Spread:
- 1 avocado
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp lime juice, plus more to squeeze over finished appetizers
- 1 English Cucumber, sliced into 22 rings
Instructions
How to Make Cajun Shrimp:
- Place shrimp in a large mixing bowl and pat dry with paper towels. Add minced garlic, 1 Tbsp cilantro, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper and 1 Tbsp olive oil. Stir well to combine.
- Heat a large heavy pan over medium/high heat with 1 Tbsp olive oil. Once oil is hot, add shrimp in a single layer and sauté 2 min per side or until cooked through.
How to Make Avocado Spread & Assemble:
- In a small bowl, mash together 1 avocado, 1/4 tsp salt and 1 Tbsp lime juice until creamy. Divide the avocado mix over 20-22 cucumber slices.
- Squeeze fresh lime juice over the shrimp avocado bites and garnish with more finely chopped cilantro. If not serving right away, cover and refrigerate up to 4 hours before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Do you have a favorite shrimp appetizer? It’s so hard to choose just one!



Those are adorable and look delicious!
Made them tonight and they were amazing!!!
Everyone loved these and I put toothpicks through each one during our socially distanced gathering! The next night I made the shrimp again and put it over angel hair pasta because we loved the flavor. Thanks for another great recipe that made me look good! 💜
That’s a great idea! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
How funny ! At the grocery store yesterday afternoon and bought a lb of shrimp, 4 avocados and a long skinny cucumber…..guess what’s for lunch today ! Thanks Ever So
Wow, perfect timing! Enjoy your lunch, I hope this becomes a favorite for you all!
Hi Natasha. I was searching for a social distancing friendly recipe for a birthday celebration and came across this. I used 30-40 weight shrimp with the same amount of spices for seasoning. Each guest got their own plate of these super yummy appies. They couldn’t stop commenting on how tasty they were. Thank you very much! Your recipes never disappoint. Hope you and your family are all staying well.
That’s just awesome Margie! Thank you for that wonderful review!
Would cooking the shrimps in the oven change the texture of the shrimps?
Hi Rose, I haven’t tested this with shrimp in the oven. These take just a few minutes on each side on the stovetop so I didn’t want to waste heating up the oven for a couple of minutes. If you experiment, please let me know how you like that.
Super easy to make and it was absolutely AMAZING!!! This will be a staple appetizer for many of our Happy Hours and socially distanced gatherings!!! Thank you Natasha for the recipe.
The only thing I did different was cut the shrimp in half, which made it easier to eat and doubled the recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed that Shannon!
Do you de-shell the shrimp before or after cooking?
Hi Sharon, we bought shrimp that was peeled and defined. If you have shrimp with a shell on I would shell it before cooking.
Delicious and easy to make! Everyone wanted the recipe.
Thanks!
That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
This is Amazing!
Hi I need a simple recipe for oxtail soup please.
What is that little thing in the video you are using to put the avocado cream on cucumber ? I cant believe theres a kitchen gadget i dont have lol
Hi Barb, we had the avocado mixture in a little ziplock baggy and squeezed that out onto the cucumber.
Hi Natasha
I love your recipes! Planning on making this but wanted to know if it’s ok to cook the shrimp a day ahead and assemble the next day with the guacamole. Or, can the shrimp stay in the seasoning spices overnight and be cooked the next day?
Thank you!
That should work Karen. I recommend assembling the day of.
Are these recipes keto friendly
Hi Selena, thank you for stopping by. We have several on our blog but most of the recipes have substitutions listed by our readers in the comments section.
I’m obsessed with your recipes!
You’re so nice! Thank you for stopping by.
A comme j’aime tes recettes merci
Thank you for stopping by!
Is there anywhere where I can buy
a recipe book please or cards of receipes. Thankyou Anne
Hi Anne, thank you for that suggestion. We do not have a recipe book at this time but we are planning for one soon! Stay tuned.
Hi Natasha,love your recipes.tahnks for sharing so many.About the shrimo ampitizers,do you serve them cold,or hot??
Hi June, we have served them chilled and everyone loves it that way! So good!
Made these tonight for dinner for my partner and me. They were fabulous. We then used the same ingredients (minus prawns) with mint lamb sausages. Different but good as well
That’s a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
What does “crows” mean in your sentence? >(Also do not crows the pan or the shrimp…….)
Hi Judy! Thank you for pointing that out. that should say “crowd”.
Typo! Most likely meant “crowd.” Do not crowd the pan or the shrimp…
Hi, sorry I forgot to update that. You are correct, it’s best not to crowd the pan of shrimp.
I made these and they were delicious! So quick and easy. My boyfriend approved! Thanks again for sharing another delicious recipe!
You’re welcome April!! This is one of our favorites! Thank you for tuning in!