Celery Sticks with Cream Cheese & Nuts

Celery Sticks with Cream Cheese & Nuts

A classic, crowd-pleasing appetizer that combines crispy celery with creamy filling and crunchy nuts. Perfect for parties or healthy snacking!

KEY INFO:

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: None
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Servings: 4-6 (as appetizer)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-free
• Cost: Budget-friendly

EQUIPMENT NEEDED:

• Sharp knife
• Medium mixing bowl
• Spoon or small spreader
• Paper towels

Optional:

• Microwave (for softening cream cheese)
• Hand mixer (for smoother filling)

INGREDIENTS:

• 8-10 celery stalks, cleaned and cut into 3-inch pieces
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup (60g) walnuts or pecans, finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1-2 tbsp milk (optional, for smoother consistency)

Optional add-ins:

• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar
• 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
• 1/4 tsp paprika

METHOD:

1. Wash celery stalks thoroughly and pat completely dry with paper towels
2. Cut celery into 3-inch pieces, removing any leaves or tough ends
3. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth (should be completely lump-free)
4. Fold in chopped nuts, salt, and pepper
5. If mixture is too stiff, add milk 1 teaspoon at a time until spreadable
6. Fill each celery piece with cream cheese mixture using a spoon or spreader
7. Garnish with additional chopped nuts and optional toppings
8. Chill for 30 minutes before serving for best results

CRUCIAL TIPS:

• Ensure celery is completely dry to prevent watery filling
• Let cream cheese reach room temperature for easier mixing
• Don’t overfill – leave slight indent below celery edge
• Cut celery on slight diagonal for more attractive presentation

STORAGE & SCALING:

Store:

• Refrigerate in airtight container up to 3 days
• Don’t freeze (celery becomes mushy)

Scaling:

• Recipe doubles easily
• Prepare filling ahead, stuff celery just before serving

VARIATIONS:

• Classic: As written above
• Mediterranean: Add crumbled feta, olives, dried oregano
• Spicy: Mix in hot sauce, cayenne pepper
• Sweet: Add dried cranberries, honey
• Buffalo: Blue cheese crumbles, buffalo sauce

COMMON MISTAKES:

• Using wet celery (results in watery filling)
• Over-softening cream cheese
• Under-seasoning the filling
• Making too far in advance (celery loses crispness)

Remember: Quality of celery matters! Choose crisp, fresh stalks for best results.