Ants on a log three ways on a white serving plate — celery stalks filled with peanut butter and raisins, sunflower butter and cranberries, and cream cheese with mini chocolate chips

Ants on a Log, 3 Ways

Published by Fork Around & Find Out Kitchen — presented in the Lila editorial voice. Editorial standards

Quick Answer

Ants on a log gets its name from the raisins pressed into the filling, which look like ants marching along a log of celery. This version gives you three fillings — peanut butter, sunflower butter, and cream cheese — so everyone gets their pick, no cooking required.

Jump to Recipe

Ants on a log is proof that somebody once looked at celery, peanut butter, and raisins and thought, “This needs wildlife.” The classic version still works because the textures do most of the heavy lifting: cold, crisp celery under creamy peanut butter with chewy raisins pressed into the top. This three-way version keeps that familiar snack and adds a nut-free sunflower-butter version with dried cranberries plus a cream-cheese version finished with mini chocolate chips and, if you want it, a little granola. The only real technical demand is drying the celery well, because water in that groove turns any spread into a slow-moving landslide.

Cut the stalks into short pieces, fill the channel generously, and add the toppings just before serving or a couple of hours ahead if they need to wait in the refrigerator. A light drizzle of honey can push any of the versions a little sweeter without burying the crunch underneath. This is a 10-minute snack with enough variety for kids, adults, nut-free tables, or whoever wandered into the kitchen claiming they were “just looking.” They usually leave with three pieces and the expression of someone who did not expect celery to win that argument.

Prep10 minutes

Cook0 minutes

Total10 minutes

Serves4 servings

DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

Servings

6 large celery stalks, washed and trimmed
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons sunflower seed butter
3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons raisins
2 tablespoons dried cranberries
2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
1 tablespoon honey (optional, for drizzling)
1 tablespoon granola (optional, for cream cheese version)

Instructions

1Wash and dry the celery stalks thoroughly. Trim the ends and cut each stalk into 3 equal pieces, roughly 3 to 4 inches long. Pat dry — wet celery makes the spread slide around, and the log needs to stay dignified.
2Arrange the celery pieces in three groups on a cutting board or serving plate, curved side down so the channel faces up.
3For Version 1 (Classic): Spoon or pipe peanut butter into the channel of the first group of celery pieces, using about 1 teaspoon per piece. Press raisins into the peanut butter in a single line, spaced about half an inch apart.
4For Version 2 (Nut-Free): Spoon sunflower seed butter into the second group of celery pieces, using about 1 teaspoon per piece. Press dried cranberries into the sunflower butter in a single line.
5For Version 3 (Cream Cheese): Spoon or spread softened cream cheese into the third group of celery pieces, using about 1 teaspoon per piece. Top with mini chocolate chips in a line, then scatter a pinch of granola over the top if using.
6Drizzle honey lightly over any version you like, or serve it on the side for dipping.
7Serve immediately, or refrigerate uncovered for up to 2 hours before serving. After that the celery starts to get a little sad about its situation.

Nutrition Information

Estimated per serving: 1 of 4 servings.

260Calories

5 gProtein

17 gCarbohydrates

21 gTotal Fat

10 gSaturated Fat

3 gFiber

12 gTotal Sugars

160 mgSodium

39 mgCholesterol

Estimated from the ingredients and quantities in this recipe using standard food-composition values. Brand choices, trimming, cooking loss, optional ingredients, and actual portion size can change the numbers. How we calculate nutrition estimates.

Pro Tips

Soften your cream cheese on the counter for 15 minutes before you need it. Cold cream cheese tears celery and makes the whole operation look like a crime scene.
Use a small offset spatula or even a butter knife to spread cleanly into the celery channel. A spoon works but you'll be there all day.
If you're making these ahead for a party, prep the celery and spreads separately and assemble right before serving — the toppings press in better when the spread hasn't had time to firm back up in the fridge.

Substitutions

peanut butter → almond butter or cashew butter Same texture, slightly different flavor — works identically in the recipe

sunflower seed butter → tahini Slightly more savory, pairs well with honey drizzle and dried apricots instead of cranberries

cream cheese → whipped ricotta or Neufchatel cheese Ricotta is lighter and slightly sweeter; Neufchatel is lower fat and nearly identical in texture

raisins → dried blueberries or mini M&Ms Mini M&Ms make this feel like a treat and tend to negotiate cease-fires with difficult snackers

celery → cucumber boats or mini sweet pepper halves Halve peppers lengthwise and seed them — they hold the filling just as well and are sweeter

Storage Instructions

Store assembled logs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. After that, the celery softens and the toppings sink. Best eaten same day. Unassembled components — cut celery in water, spreads covered — keep separately for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Make Ahead

Cut celery up to 2 days ahead and store submerged in cold water in a covered container in the refrigerator to keep it crisp. Drain and pat completely dry before assembling. Spreads can be measured out and covered ahead of time. Assemble no more than 2 hours before serving for best results.

Freezing

Do not freeze assembled Ants on a Log. Celery turns watery after thawing and the fresh toppings lose their texture. Keep the components refrigerated separately and assemble them fresh.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?

How do I store the leftovers?

Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. After that, the celery softens and the toppings sink. Best eaten same day. Unassembled components — cut celery in water, spreads covered — keep separately for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Can I freeze it?

Do not freeze assembled Ants on a Log. Celery turns watery after thawing and the fresh toppings lose their texture. Keep the components refrigerated separately and assemble them fresh.

What substitutions work in Ants on a Log, 3 Ways?

Tested swaps for this recipe: peanut butter: almond butter or cashew butter. Same texture, slightly different flavor — works identically in the recipe. sunflower seed butter: tahini. Slightly more savory, pairs well with honey drizzle and dried apricots instead of cranberries.

What's the most common mistake to avoid?

Soften your cream cheese on the counter for 15 minutes before you need it. Cold cream cheese tears celery and makes the whole operation look like a crime scene.