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!

Closeup of shrimp appetizers with cajun shrimp over avocado spread on cucumber bites

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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.

Ingredients needed to make shrimp appetizers

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.

Two photos of shrimp being marinated in a bowl

How to cook shrimp in a skillet showing cajun shrimp blackened in a skillet

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.

how to make avocado spread by mashing avocado and adding lime juice

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.

Assembled avocado shrimp bites on a platter

More Shrimp Appetizers:

Garnished shrimp appetizers with squeeze of fresh lime juice and cilantro

Shrimp Appetizers Print Friendly Recipe:

Shrimp Appetizers with Avocado and Cucumber

4.98 from 212 votes
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!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 22 shrimp appetizers

Ingredients for Cajun Shrimp:

  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • 1 Tbsp cilantro, finely chopped, plus more to garnish
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided

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

49kcal Calories1g Carbs4g Protein2g Fat51mg Cholesterol240mg Sodium83mg Potassium95IU Vitamin A2.4mg Vitamin C34mg Calcium0.6mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Shrimp Appetizers with Avocado and Cucumber
Amount per Serving
Calories
49
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
2
g
3
%
Cholesterol
 
51
mg
17
%
Sodium
 
240
mg
10
%
Potassium
 
83
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
1
g
0
%
Protein
 
4
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
95
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
2.4
mg
3
%
Calcium
 
34
mg
3
%
Iron
 
0.6
mg
3
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: shrimp appetizer
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Calories: 49
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

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!

4.98 from 212 votes (160 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Lisa
    January 15, 2021

    Those are adorable and look delicious!

    Reply

  • Stephanie
    January 1, 2021

    Made them tonight and they were amazing!!!

    Reply

  • Liz Tyson
    December 14, 2020

    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! 💜

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 14, 2020

      That’s a great idea! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply

  • Jami Thompson
    October 15, 2020

    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

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      October 15, 2020

      Wow, perfect timing! Enjoy your lunch, I hope this becomes a favorite for you all!

      Reply

  • Margie
    August 17, 2020

    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.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 17, 2020

      That’s just awesome Margie! Thank you for that wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Rose
    July 17, 2020

    Would cooking the shrimps in the oven change the texture of the shrimps?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      July 17, 2020

      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.

      Reply

  • Shannon Smith
    June 19, 2020

    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!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 20, 2020

      I’m so glad you enjoyed that Shannon!

      Reply

  • Sharon Lynett
    May 30, 2020

    Do you de-shell the shrimp before or after cooking?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      May 30, 2020

      Hi Sharon, we bought shrimp that was peeled and defined. If you have shrimp with a shell on I would shell it before cooking.

      Reply

  • Dan Hotz
    April 4, 2020

    Delicious and easy to make! Everyone wanted the recipe.
    Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      April 4, 2020

      That’s so great! It sounds like you have a new favorite!

      Reply

      • Wendy
        July 11, 2020

        This is Amazing!

        Reply

  • Trish Dixon
    February 3, 2020

    Hi I need a simple recipe for oxtail soup please.

    Reply

  • Barb
    February 2, 2020

    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

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      February 3, 2020

      Hi Barb, we had the avocado mixture in a little ziplock baggy and squeezed that out onto the cucumber.

      Reply

  • Karen
    January 31, 2020

    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!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 31, 2020

      That should work Karen. I recommend assembling the day of.

      Reply

  • Selena
    January 28, 2020

    Are these recipes keto friendly

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 28, 2020

      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.

      Reply

  • Mirline Jean-Baptiste
    January 24, 2020

    I’m obsessed with your recipes!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 24, 2020

      You’re so nice! Thank you for stopping by.

      Reply

  • Christine Goulet
    January 24, 2020

    A comme j’aime tes recettes merci

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 24, 2020

      Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply

  • Anne Brown
    January 22, 2020

    Is there anywhere where I can buy
    a recipe book please or cards of receipes. Thankyou Anne

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 22, 2020

      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.

      Reply

  • June Brosha
    January 21, 2020

    Hi Natasha,love your recipes.tahnks for sharing so many.About the shrimo ampitizers,do you serve them cold,or hot??

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      January 21, 2020

      Hi June, we have served them chilled and everyone loves it that way! So good!

      Reply

  • Teash
    December 31, 2019

    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

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 31, 2019

      That’s a great idea! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.

      Reply

  • Judy
    December 28, 2019

    What does “crows” mean in your sentence? >(Also do not crows the pan or the shrimp…….)

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 28, 2019

      Hi Judy! Thank you for pointing that out. that should say “crowd”.

      Reply

    • A
      January 3, 2020

      Typo! Most likely meant “crowd.” Do not crowd the pan or the shrimp…

      Reply

      • Natasha
        January 3, 2020

        Hi, sorry I forgot to update that. You are correct, it’s best not to crowd the pan of shrimp.

        Reply

  • April
    December 26, 2019

    I made these and they were delicious! So quick and easy. My boyfriend approved! Thanks again for sharing another delicious recipe!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      December 26, 2019

      You’re welcome April!! This is one of our favorites! Thank you for tuning in!

      Reply

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