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!



This was absolutely fabulous! Will do again for the 7 fishes on Christmas Eve. I wish I could post my picture
I’m so glad you loved it, Paul!
This looks delicious and about to cook it to bring to a party. Do I want to serve the shrimp cooled or recently cooked (warm)?
Hi Morgan, we served it cooled and it’s always a hit!
Make certain that if using frozen shrimp to slit down the back and remove the vein. I am cooking the shrimp ahead of time and letting it cool. Then, I am waiting an hour prior to leaving for the party to slice the cucumber and make the avocado spread. That way they are fresh prior to serving. Placing on an antique platter to make it festive!
Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
I love this recipe! I just made it again as a snack but will probably have leftovers. Would it be okay to send with my husband to work tomorrow for him and the guys?
Hi, we have enjoyed leftovers the next day and it will work, although the avocados and cucumbers will be the most vibrant the day it is assembled.
What can I use instead of cilantro I am allergic?
Hi Laurie, you can omit it from the recipe and it will still be good.
I always use flat leaf parley in place of the cilantro . This holds true for any recipe calling for cilantro.
I used fresh parsley because I forgot to get cilantro and it came out great…also it’s nice to garnish with it!
New to cooking. This seems a perfect starter. How thick should I cut the cukes and should I salt/pepper them? This recipe sounds and looks delicious, and probably less chance for ruination.
Hi Sandra, I recommend using the recipe photos for reference. We sliced 1 English Cucumber into 22 rings.
Thanks, helpful.
Absolutely addictive. I make a batch of these just to nibble on and store well in the fridge. If you’re entertaining a group, make a couple of batches because they go fast!
They always disappear quickly! I’m so happy you enjoyed these!
This recipe was absolutely delicious!!! Easy to prepare and got rave reviews from all who ate them! Thanks Natasha!! Love you, love your recipes
That’s so great! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Claudia!
If you don’t care about it being Keto, or paleo, make the same recipe, but instead of serving it on cucumbers try putting it on a tortilla chip! OMG TO DIE FOR
Thanks for the suggestions, Janet!
Hi! Im trying them today will the avocado turn brown if i put it in the fridge for 2 hrs
Hi Fran, it will be ok made 2 hours ahead of time. I hope you love the recipe.
Just made these for a cocktail party tonight, they are fabulous and easy to make! I’m sure the group will love them! Thanks for all your great recipes.
I bet they will! These appetizers are not just pretty but SO GOOD! I hope this is a hit!
I have a friend that is allergic to avocado. Would you be able to suggest and equally yummy substitution?
Hi Red, I haven’t tried a substitution but it works great without Avocado also!
You could try hummus..
maybe you could do an herbed Marscapone?
Made these for a party. Recently invited to a Derby party and asked what I could bring. Host specifically asked me to bring these! Delicious and memorable!
These are perfect for parties! I hope you all love this recipe!
I have a bag of frozen COOKED shrimp I would like to use for this recipe …. would thawing and marinating in spices without cooking work? Or would you suggest briefly sauteing?
Hi Helen, I’ve only made it fresh so I can’t really say. I imagine the cooked shrimp will be “rubbery” if precooked. I would love to know how you like it if you experiment
Hi Natasha,
I made this recipe and everyone really loved it. However I’m not a-big Cajun fan and wondered if I could change the spices or use less ..?
Hi Sandra, you could definitely change up the seasonings for the shrimp. Even salt and pepper would work. The cajun gives it a nice kick, but you could sub.
Can frozen shrimp be used?
Hi Sara, If frozen, make sure to fully thaw according to package instructions before using and make sure it’s raw shrimp.
Can these be served cold?
Hi Tanya, the sure can!
I made these for the 2nd time. I couldn’t stop craving them after I made them the first time. The flavor combination is delicious! 🤤
Yay, I’m so glad to hear that you loved it! Thank you for your great feedback.
Made it last night. This was absolutely delicious. Thank you!
You’re welcome, I’m glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Super easy! Super yummy
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!