Create a classic easy finger food by making these cucumber canapes with prawns! These fancy appetisers are easy to prepare with a refreshing tzatziki filling, flavourful prawns and vibrant herb topping. Serve these for a party and your guests will be asking you for the recipe.

These delicious cucumber appetizers are an easy pre dinner canape. They can be made ahead time to keep your guests happy, while you get on with the rest of the cooking. Prawn appetizers like this are a clasic party food and make a delicious starter for an elegant dinner too.

I find cold appetizers are always the easiest to serve up, when you have other foods to prepare in the kitchen. You know they are ready to go in advance and theres no need to mess about heating them up when people start to arrive. Simply set them out on the table (perhaps with a pitcher of Rose Sangria) for your guests to enjoy. What could be easier?

What are canapes?

Typically, a canape is an appetizer or hors d’oeuvre consisting of a topping (usually savoury) on a small piece of bread, a pastry, or a cracker. In the case of cucumber canapes, the cucumber itself acts as the vessel for the topping⁠—perfect for low carb appetizers. Plus, these are cold appetizers, meaning you don’t have to stress about preparing them once your guests arrive. Just set them out to enjoy!

Canapes are an attractive and convenient way to allow guest to keep their appetite in check before a main meal. They're perfect for bringing your guests together in one location and keeping them happy whilst you prepare the main course and table setting elsewhere.

Prawn starters are quite a popular option as they can be served hot or cold and aren't overly filling. For an easy to make hot prawn starter try these honey glazed griddle prawns. For some inspiration for serving prawns in a main meal have a look at my salmon and prawn linguine, Chinese prawns recipe or easy pad Thai noodles.

What do I need to make cucumber canapes?

Cucumber canapes require very few ingredients to make. This cucumber and prawn appetizer uses common ingredients and comes together in no time! To make prawns or shrimp in cucumber cups you will need:

125g of prawns or shrimp (raw or cooked)
½ tablespoon oil for cooking prawns
Salt and pepper
2 whole cucumbers
125g of Greek style, full fat yogurt
Juice of half a lemon
¼ teaspoon garlic granules
Handful of finely chopped mint leaves
Variety of extra herbs for toppings (I used dill, mint and chives)

How to make cucumber canapes with prawns

If using pre cooked prawns or shrimp go straight to step 3. Before making this cold appetizer recipe you will need to cook and chill the raw prawns. Place a pan on a medium heat and add half a tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot place the prawns in the pan. Season with salt and pepper and cook the prawns for 1 minute on each side until bright pink.
Remove from the pan and leave to cool. When completely cool chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes
Use a vegetable peeler to roughly peel the cucumbers. This doesn’t have to be perfect, a few strips of green skin left behind can add a nice effect to the finished prawn starter.
Slice off and discard either end of the cucumbers then cut up into inch thick pieces. Each piece will become a cucumber canape cup.
Use a melon baller to hollow out the seeds from the centre of each cucumber cup. You may also need to use a knife if you can’t get deep enough with the melon baller. Be careful not to go all the way through to the other side.
In a small bowl mix together the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic granules and finely chopped mint leaves to make a tzatziki filling. Season with salt pepper and mix in well. Taste and adjust as necessary.
Transfer the tzatziki filling to a piping bag or a pouring jug. Line up the cucumber cups and carefully fill each cup with the tzatziki. Don’t fill all the way to the top, but leave a small gap, as the level of the filling will rise when the prawns and herbs are added
Place a chilled prawn over the lip of each cup with the head end in the filling and the tail end hanging outside of the cup
Top with herbs and then serve

TIP: These gourmet appetizers can be made a few hours ahead of time and stored in the fridge until needed. To ensure they keep at their best, leave off the herb toppings and add these just before serving. In addition, place kitchen paper under the finished prawn appetizers before placing in the fridge. The cut cucumber will release water as the canapes chill and the kitchen paper will prevent the cold hors d’oeuvres from becoming soggy.

What should I serve cucumber canapes with?

Dips and chips are another great option for keeping people happy and well fed, pre or post meal. I love to make my own beetroot hummus or a simple guacamole recipe. Hot canapes can also be just as easy, just make sure you leave enough time for that final heat up stage. Why not try delicious shrimp shumai, Chinese prawns recipe, or easy baked crispy potato wedges.