Save My mom kept a jar of peanut butter on the kitchen counter for as long as I can remember, right next to a bunch of celery she'd buy every single week. One afternoon, I was hungry and impatient, grabbed a stick of celery, and spread peanut butter straight into its natural groove—it was so simple, so obvious, yet somehow felt like I'd discovered something. That snack became my go-to, and decades later, it still is.
I remember bringing these to a potluck once, arranged on a platter with raisins dotted along the tops like little ants marching in a line. Someone's five-year-old stood there eating them one after another, completely mesmerized, while the adults kept passing by to grab another stick. It became the dish everyone asked me to bring after that.
Ingredients
- Celery stalks (4 large): Pick ones that are firm and pale green—they'll snap cleanly and hold the peanut butter better than soft, outer stalks that have been sitting around.
- Creamy peanut butter (4 tablespoons): Room temperature spreads more easily than cold peanut butter straight from the fridge, and the flavor opens up beautifully.
- Raisins (2 tablespoons, optional): These little bursts of sweetness play off the earthiness of peanut butter in a way that feels almost designed to work together.
- Roasted peanuts, chopped (1 tablespoon, optional): The extra crunch layer takes this from simple snack to something that feels more intentional and indulgent.
Instructions
- Wash and prepare the celery:
- Run each stalk under cool water and pat it dry with a paper towel—any lingering moisture dilutes the peanut butter and makes it slide around. Trim both ends with a sharp knife, then cut each stalk into three-inch pieces; they're the perfect handful size.
- Fill with peanut butter:
- Lay a celery piece flat and use a small spoon or spatula to press peanut butter into the natural groove running down the center. Work gently so the celery doesn't crack, and fill generously but not so much that it spills over the sides.
- Add toppings if you like:
- Press raisins into the peanut butter while it's still soft, or sprinkle chopped peanuts over the top for extra texture and a little extra nuttiness.
- Serve right away:
- Arrange them on a platter and eat them fresh—the celery stays crispest this way, and everything tastes brighter.
Save There's something wonderfully unpretentious about this snack. I've served it at fancy gatherings where people seemed almost surprised that something so plain could be so good, and I've made it in my kitchen at midnight when I couldn't sleep and just needed something to eat. It never disappoints.
Ways to Make It Your Own
The beauty of celery and peanut butter is how forgiving it is with variations. I've topped mine with dried cranberries when I wanted something slightly tart, pressed mini chocolate chips into the peanut butter when I was craving something sweeter, and scattered shredded coconut over the top for a tropical twist that somehow worked. Sunflower seed butter, almond butter, or tahini all work beautifully if peanuts aren't in your pantry or diet. Even honey drizzled over the top transforms it into something that feels almost like dessert.
The Temperature Question
I've made this snack at room temperature hundreds of times, and it's wonderful that way, but I've also chilled the prepared celery sticks in the refrigerator for an hour before serving. The cold amplifies the crunch, and something about the chilled combination feels more refreshing, especially on warm days. If you go the chilled route, make sure to fill the celery just before you refrigerate it so the peanut butter doesn't harden completely and become difficult to bite through.
Quick Thoughts Before You Start
This is one of those recipes where there's genuinely not much that can go wrong, which is partly why it's endured as a snack for generations. What matters most is quality—fresh celery that snaps, peanut butter you actually like, and taking a moment to set everything up so assembly is easy and pleasant.
- Buy celery from the middle of the bunch rather than the outer stalks, which tend to be tougher and less crisp.
- If your peanut butter is very thick, a butter knife works better than a spoon for pressing it into the grooves.
- Make these right before you eat them if texture is important to you; they stay best within the first hour.
Save This snack has been there for me during study sessions, late-night cravings, and moments when I needed something wholesome but didn't have the energy to cook. It's a quiet reminder that the simplest things, made with a little care, are often the most satisfying.
Saffron Brook Recipe Q&As
- → Can I use chunky peanut butter?
Yes, both creamy and chunky peanut butter work well, adding different textures to the celery sticks.
- → What are some alternative toppings?
Raisins, chopped roasted peanuts, dried cranberries, mini chocolate chips, or shredded coconut all make delicious options.
- → How should I store leftovers?
Keep assembled celery sticks covered in the refrigerator and consume within a day for best freshness.
- → Is there a nut-free option?
Sunflower seed butter can be used as a tasty nut-free alternative to peanut butter.
- → What tools do I need to prepare this snack?
A sharp knife, a spreading knife or spatula, and a cutting board are sufficient for preparation.