Keto Picnic Veggie Cucumber Sandwiches w Air Fryer Granola Recipe

Gluten Free
Lunch
Quick Easy
Vegetarian
4.9/5
(2161 reviews)
Keto Picnic Veggie Cucumber Sandwiches w Air Fryer Granola
Zylo Recipes

Description

Imagine a picnic blanket spread beneath a sunny sky, and nestled amongst the checkered fabric is a delightful offering: chilled cucumber sandwiches with a vibrant, homemade cream cheese spread. These aren't your ordinary sandwiches; think of crisp, cool cucumber acting as a refreshing vessel for a creamy, flavorful filling. We carefully select keto-friendly vegetables, like the satisfying crunch of celery and the subtle sweetness of jarred pimentos, to elevate the cream cheese spread to new heights.

A touch of red-orange seasoning adds warmth and depth, creating a symphony of flavors that dance on your palate. The hollowed cucumber 'canoes' offer a playful twist, transforming your sandwich into a handheld delight, perfect for al fresco dining. These cucumber sandwiches are not only delicious, but also practical for outdoor adventures, as the ingredients are chosen for their stability, ensuring they'll hold up beautifully, even under the summer sun.

Alongside these refreshing bites, a handful of homemade seed and nut granola provides a satisfyingly crunchy contrast. This granola, quickly toasted to golden perfection, is a testament to the fact that delicious, wholesome food doesn't have to be time-consuming. Whether you're meal prepping for the week or answering a last-minute picnic invitation, this recipe has you covered.

Speaking of picnics, no outdoor feast is complete without an array of finger foods! Think of the simple pleasures: cubes of your favorite cheeses, an assortment of cured meats, briny olives, and a selection of low-carb vegetables paired with rich, high-fat dipping sauces. Elevate your picnic spread with these simple additions.

Another yummy handheld recipe that has only 1 gram of carbs per serving are hard boiled egg breakfast bites. And if you don't own an air fryer, fear not! Simply prepare the granola as directed and spread it on a sheet tray lined with parchment paper.

Preheat your oven and cook the granola until it reaches a beautiful golden hue, tossing and turning occasionally to ensure even toasting. With this recipe, you're not just making food; you're creating a picnic experience, a moment of joy shared with friends and family under the open sky.

Preparation Time

Prep Time
25 min
Cook Time
10 min
Total Time
35 min

Nutrition Information

Per 1 serving serving
C
Calories
550 Kcal

C
Carbs
20 g
Fi
Fiber
8 g
Sugar
8 g

P
Protein
15 g

C
Fats
45 g
Saturated Fats 10 g
Unsaturated Fats 30 g

Cholestrol 50 mg
Sodium 400 mg
Potassium 500 mg
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Ingredients

    1.
    Cream cheese
    Cream cheese
    3 oz
    2.
    Celery
    Celery
    2 oz
    3.
    Pimento Canned
    Pimento Canned
    0.5 oz
    4.
    Scallions
    Scallions
    0.5 tbsp, chopped
    5.
    Salt
    Salt
    1 dash
    6.
    Paprika
    Paprika
    0.25 tsp
    7.
    Onion powder
    Onion powder
    0.13 tsp
    8.
    Garlic powder
    Garlic powder
    0.13 tsp
    9.
    Parsley, dried
    Parsley, dried
    0.5 tsp
    10.
    Oregano, dried
    Oregano, dried
    0.13 tsp
    11.
    Cucumber, raw, without peel
    Cucumber, raw, without peel
    6 oz
    12.
    Pecans, raw
    Pecans, raw
    3 oz
    13.
    Cashews, raw
    Cashews, raw
    0.5 oz
    14.
    Almonds, sliced
    Almonds, sliced
    1 oz
    15.
    Pumpkin or squash seeds, shelled, unsalted
    Pumpkin or squash seeds, shelled, unsalted
    0.5 oz
    16.
    Coconut oil
    Coconut oil
    1.5 tbsp
    17.
    Tahini
    Tahini
    0.5 tbsp
    18.
    Salt
    Salt
    1 dash
    19.
    Vanilla extract
    Vanilla extract
    0.5 tsp
    20.
    Liquid Stevia
    Liquid Stevia
    10 drops
    21.
    Brown Sugar Replacement
    Brown Sugar Replacement
    0.5 tsp

Instructions

    1.
    Pull your cream cheese out in advance to soften at room temperature. You may use a microwave to assist you in warming the cream cheese, but you cannot melt it. Once it s soft, mash it in a mixing bowl using a fork. Next, thin-slice celery stalks, dice pimentos, and chop the green onion. Add these ingredients to the cream cheese with salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, parsley, and oregano. Mix with your fork until your vegetable cream cheese spread is blended.
    2.
    Set the cream cheese spread aside and prepare the cucumber. For every 4 servings, slice the ends off of a whole medium-sized cucumber. Peel the skin off the whole cucumber, and slice the naked cucumber into two short halves. Slice each half in half again, this time down the length of the pieces, to make 4 pieces of cucumber about 5-6 inches long. Use a spoon to scrape the seeds and pulp from each piece of cucumber to make hollow ccanoes .
    3.
    Discard the cucumber peel and seeds. The cucumber ccanoes should equal the yield listed in your ingredients (about 1 ounce per piece). One by one, use a spoon or your fork to spread the vegetable cream cheese into each hollow piece of cucumber. Pack the cream cheese in, and it s okay if it piles above the top of the cucumber. Set the filled cucumber sandwiches in your refrigerator to chill and set. Now you can make the granola.
    4.
    Chop pecans and cashews, and add them to a large mixing bowl. Make sure you have a mix of larger and smaller chopped pieces. Mix sliced almonds and shelled pepitas (pumpkin seeds) into the bowl. Sliced almonds are best for this recipe since they are very lightweight. However, if you only have whole almonds, just chop them finely.
    5.
    Set the bowl of nuts aside and grab a small pot. Over low heat, melt coconut oil in the pot and stir in tahini until you have a smooth, tan liquid. Once the ingredients combine, take the pot off the stove heat, and stir in salt, vanilla extract, liquid stevia, and brown sugar replacement. Stir the mixture to help it cool down for about 60 seconds. Then, pour it over the nuts in your mixing bowl.
    6.
    Use a spatula to fold the nuts over with the hot coconut oil mixture until they absorb some of the moisture and are completely coated in the glossy, sweet granola glue. Set the bowl aside. Turn your air fryer on to preheat to 350 degrees. Line your air fryer tray with parchment paper and use a toothpick to poke small holes throughout the paper. Use your spatula to pour and spread the sticky granola mixture in the lined tray. Make sure the nuts are spread into a single, solid layer. Pour any excess ccgranola glue cc from your mixing bowl on top.
    7.
    Set the tray of granola in your air fryer and cook the granola for only 5 minutes. Remove the tray, and use your spatula to toss and turn your granola before re-forming it into a single layer and returning the tray to your air fryer. Cook the granola for another 2-5 minutes. If your air fryer has a light feature to watch your granola, use this to watch out for burning nuts. If your granola overcooks, it can become dark very quickly. When done, remove the granola from your air fryer, toss once more with a spatula, and let the granola cool completely before enjoying with the cucumber sandwiches. Each serving includes 1 piece cucumber sandwich and 1 ounce granola.