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Stuffed celery is a quick, crunchy appetizer that’s perfect for holidays, potlucks, or simple everyday snacking. The creamy filling comes together in minutes, and you can easily switch up the seasonings or make it ahead to keep things stress-free.
If you’re planning a party tray or need a few more easy snack ideas, try these Ham and Cheese Roll Ups or Bacon Crackers. You can also browse our Appetizers collection for more simple, easy-to-make options.
5 Keys To Making This Stuffed Celery Recipe Great
- Choose crisp celery. Firm, bright green stalks give the best crunch and hold the filling well.
- Soften the cream cheese. Let it sit at room temperature so the filling mixes smoothly without lumps.
- Dry the celery completely. Any moisture makes the filling slip off, so pat each stalk well before stuffing.
- Use fresh herbs. Fresh herbs are what make this appetizer pop. Dill, parsley, basil, and chives add a beautiful balance of freshness and aroma.
- Cut evenly. Slice celery into uniform pieces so they look clean and stack neatly on a platter.
RECIPE WALK-THROUGH
How To Make Stuffed Celery
See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions
This simple celery appetizer is a snap to make. Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1: Prepare the celery.
Look for fresh, sturdy stalks with no rubbery bend.
Wash and trim stalks, removing any tough strings if needed, and cut each stalk into 3 even pieces. Set aside.
- Peel the stalks using a veggie peeler if you want the crunch without the stringy bites.
- Pro Tip: Cut a thin slice off the curved back of each stalk to keep them flat on the platter, if desired.
Step 2: Make the filling.
Make sure the cream cheese is soft by letting it sit at room temperature.
Blitz cream cheese and milk in a food processor until smooth. Add the seasonings and pulse until combined, adjusting flavor to taste.
- No food processor? Just use a hand mixer or mix vigorously with a spatula until the mixture is smooth.
- The filling should be smooth and easy to spread without feeling runny.
- Pro Tip: Chill the filling for 10–15 minutes if it feels too soft to pipe.
Step 3: Stuff and slice.
Fill celery sticks with the cream cheese mixture using your choice of method:
- Spoon the filling in using a small spoon or offset spatula.
- Pipe it in. Snip a corner off a zip-top bag to pipe cleaner lines without extra tools.
Press the filling in gently so it stays in place and creates clean slices.
- Pro tip: Chilling the stalks for a few minutes after stuffing makes them easier to cut neatly.
Step 4: Style and serve.
Arrange the pieces on a tray, sprinkling with herbs or seasoning for color, or pairing with other small bites for a holiday or party platter.
Keep it simple and flexible, depending on whether you want casual snack vibes or a more polished appetizer feel.
- Quick Note: Slice just before serving for the cleanest edges and best crunch.
Variations
- Ranch: Skip the herbs and mix in a packet of ranch seasoning for quick flavor.
- Spicy: Add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne for a little kick.
- Cheesy: Stir in a few tablespoons of shredded cheddar or parmesan.
- Everything Bagel: Sprinkle the tops with everything bagel seasoning for that deli-style crunch.
Serving Suggestions
- Arrange them on a veggie platter alongside carrots, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes.
- Add to a holiday appetizer spread for a fresh, light option.
- Pack them as a crunchy veggie-rich snack for work or school lunches.
- Cut into shorter “bites” and serve with toothpicks for parties.
- Stuffed Celery pairs well with spicy bites, like my Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings, perfect for game day gatherings.
Storage Tips
Storage and Make Ahead Tips
- Storage – Stuffed celery can be refrigerated in an airtight container for 2 days. That said, I recommend eating them within 24 hours of stuffing them, as the celery stalks will lose their crunchiness over time.
- Make Ahead – You can make the filling up to 1 day ahead and store it in the fridge. Stuff the celery the day you plan to serve it for the best crunch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make stuffed celery ahead of time?
You can make the filling 24 hours ahead, but stuff the celery the day you plan to serve it for the best crunch.
Why won’t the filling stick to the celery?
This can happen if the celery isn’t completely dry. Make sure to pat it dry thoroughly before stuffing.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes, but fresh herbs give the best flavor. If using dried, reduce the amount to 1 teaspoon each since dried herbs are more concentrated.
What kind of cream cheese works best?
Full-fat cream cheese gives the creamiest texture, but light or whipped versions work fine too — just adjust the milk so it’s not too runny.
More Appetizer Recipes
Stuffed Celery
Ingredients
- 5 stalks Celery 15 3-inch pieces
- 8 ounce Block cream cheese softened
- 2 teaspoons Milk or cream optional, to soften
- 1 tablespoon Fresh chives chopped
- 1 tablespoon Fresh basil chopped
- 1 tablespoon Fresh dill chopped
- 1 tablespoon Fresh parsley chopped
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black pepper
Instructions
- Wash and dry stalks of celery and cut each stalk into 3 pieces. Set aside. Note – They must be completely dry or the filling won’t stick.
- Add cream cheese and milk to a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Add the herbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper and pulse until combined.
- Stuff celery sticks with the cream cheese mixture, using a small spoon or spreader. Garnish with cracked black pepper and fresh chopped herbs, arrange on a platter and serve.
Notes
- Use softened block-style cream cheese.
- Dry celery well after washing.
- Chill filling if too soft.
- Cut celery into even lengths.
- Add seasoning to taste.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.
- Filling can be made 1 day ahead.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 2 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
