Save I started keeping celery and peanut butter in the fridge after a particularly long afternoon when I needed something fast that didn't involve turning on the stove. The first bite reminded me why this snack has survived generations—it's satisfying without being heavy, and there's something oddly meditative about filling each groove. I've made these for myself more times than I can count, and they never get old.
I made a platter of these once for a kid's birthday party, mostly because I ran out of time for anything more complicated. The adults ended up hovering around the table longer than the children did, and one parent told me she hadn't had ants on a log since grade school. It's funny how the simplest things can feel like a small gift when you're genuinely hungry and short on time.
Ingredients
- Celery stalks: Look for thick, pale green stalks with tight leaves—they snap cleanly and hold more filling without getting floppy.
- Creamy peanut butter: The creamy kind spreads easier, but chunky adds another layer of texture if that's your thing.
- Raisins: These turn the snack into ants on a log, and their sweetness plays nicely against the salty peanut butter.
- Chopped roasted peanuts: A little extra crunch never hurt anyone, and they make the whole thing feel more intentional.
Instructions
- Prep the celery:
- Wash and dry each stalk thoroughly, then trim the ends and cut into three-inch pieces. You want them long enough to hold a good amount of filling but short enough to eat without making a mess.
- Fill with peanut butter:
- Use the back of a spoon or a small spatula to press peanut butter into the groove, smoothing it gently so it sits in an even layer. Don't overfill or it'll slide off when you pick it up.
- Add toppings:
- Press raisins into the peanut butter in a line, or scatter chopped peanuts over the top for crunch. If you're skipping toppings entirely, that's completely fine too.
- Serve:
- Arrange the filled celery on a plate and serve right away. If you need to wait, cover loosely with plastic wrap and keep them cold.
Save There was an evening when I made these as a placeholder snack before dinner, and my friend ended up eating six of them while we talked. She said it reminded her of after-school snacks her mom used to make, and we both got quiet for a second, smiling at nothing in particular.
Choosing Your Peanut Butter
Natural peanut butter works, but it tends to be runnier and can slide out of the celery groove if you're not careful. The regular kind with a little added sugar and salt holds its shape better and frankly tastes more like the version most of us grew up with.
Making It Nut-Free
Sunflower seed butter is the best substitute I've found—it has a similar richness and spreads just as easily. Some people use tahini, but that changes the flavor completely, so only go that route if you're already a tahini person.
Storage and Serving Tips
These don't keep well once assembled because the celery starts to weep and the peanut butter gets watery. If you need to prep ahead, store the cut celery in a container with a damp paper towel and fill them right before serving. You can also set out the components and let people build their own, which works surprisingly well for casual gatherings.
- Use a small offset spatula if you have one—it makes filling the celery much faster.
- Try swapping raisins for dried cranberries or even a few mini chocolate chips if you want something a little different.
- Serve them on a long platter in a single layer so they don't tip over and lose their toppings.
Save This is one of those snacks that doesn't ask much of you but gives back more than you expect. Keep the ingredients around and you'll never be more than five minutes away from something that feels both nourishing and a little nostalgic.
Recipe FAQ
- → What variations can I add to peanut butter celery sticks?
Try topping the celery with raisins, chopped roasted peanuts, dried cranberries, mini chocolate chips, or shredded coconut for different flavors and textures.
- → Can I make a nut-free version of this snack?
Yes, substitute the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or other allergy-friendly spreads to accommodate nut-free diets.
- → How should celery sticks be prepared for best texture?
Wash, dry, trim ends, and cut celery into 3-inch pieces to maintain crispness and create easy-to-handle portions.
- → Is any cooking required for this snack?
No cooking is needed. Simply assemble the celery with peanut butter and optional toppings for an instant, fresh snack.
- → What are the nutritional benefits of this snack?
This snack provides protein and healthy fats from peanut butter, fiber from celery, and optional antioxidants from added toppings, making it a balanced, light bite.