Ants on a Log Recipe
Whether you have kids or not, these Ants on a Log are an easy, tasty, quick, and nutritious little snack. Crunchy celery topped with creamy peanut butter and juicy grapes and/or raisins. Oh, I’m in love with these little critters.
Celery Ants on a Log
Did you ever have Ants on a Log after a long day of school? That first bite of crunchy celery covered with creamy peanut butter and crisp grapes seemed to melt all the troubles of the third grade away. Okay, maybe I exaggerate a bit, but it’s hard not to!
Whether for hosting a party, getting a snack for the kids, or if you just need a little something sweet and juicy for yourself, this recipe is the answer. It’s vibrant in color and holds such a variety of flavors and texture in every bite. And bonus? It’s loaded with nutrient packed goodness. Fueling and delicious, it’s a snack you can feel good sharing with your family. Read on to learn why this recipe will work perfectly for you and the fam!
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Quick and easy to make.
- Simple ingredients.
- Filling and nutritious snack.
- Something the whole family will love!
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full ingredient amounts.
- Celery Stalks: celery puts the super in superfood. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals that are important for heart health and may help support digestion, like Vitamin K, Potassium, and Folate. Plus nothing beats the “crunch” of a fresh, crisp stick of celery!
- Natural Peanut Butter: nut butters are rich in plant-based protein and are an amazing source of healthy fats! Opt for a natural nut butter that does not contain added sugars, oils, and fats.
- Raisins: these little guys are naturally sweet and pack a fiber punch! They can aid in digestion and boost iron levels when eaten in moderation.
- Grapes: high in antioxidants and contain copper, Vitamin B, and Vitamin K. Look for red or purple grapes to add a pop of color to your plate!
How to Make Ants on a Log
- This recipe is oh-so-simple! Start by washing and drying your celery and grapes.
- Quarter the grapes and cut each piece of celery into 2-3 inch sticks.
- Spread the peanut butter down the center cavity of each celery segment.
- Evenly sprinkle the raisins and/or grapes on top of the nut butter on each piece of celery.
- Place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Variations/Substitutions
- We love the variety of grapes and raisins, but feel free to stick with just one or the other. I think I love these most with grapes on top!
- You can switch out the raisins with another no sugar added dried fruit, like Medjool dates or dried blueberries.
- Mix it up by using your favorite natural almond butter or nut-free butter, like sunflower seed butter (we like Sunbutter).
Recipe tips for Ants on a Log
- When purchasing celery and grapes, organic is best. They have such thin skin that they absorb pesticides and chemicals easily. Definitely purchase organic is possible.
- Always wash your produce well! Check out my post where I SHOW you the importance and value of washing your fruits and veggies. It doesn’t take much time but it is so worth every second!
- To help with even spreading, give your nut butter a good stir before spreading it onto your celery. Natural nut butter does not contain added stabilizers and can separate easily.
- This recipe is even better when made ahead of time! It’s a great one to make a couple of times a week, so there’s always a healthy snack on hand.
Some Ant on a Log recipes call for chocolate chips rather than nature’s candy. While we love the fruit on these little critters, you can try substituting the raisins and grapes for organic chocolate chips.
How to Serve
These bad boys are best served chilled. Try to let them chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Great on their own or served with another healthy snack, like Fruit Sandwiches or Rhubarb Bars.
How to store
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
If packing in a lunchbox, try cutting the celery sticks to fix snuggly inside your airtight container to prevent the logs from shifting too much. You can also place a piece of wax paper or parchment paper atop the logs to prevent too much peanut butter loss.
FAQs Ant on a Log
Absolutely! Try using romaine lettuce, carrot sticks, or even sliced bell peppers!
The history of this classic snack is a little vague! While this snack recipe has been around for quite some time, it appears to have first been published in the 1950s in a newspaper article on kids helping out in the kitchen.
This recipe is a quick and nutritious way to fuel your family! When eaten in moderation, this nutritious and delicious recipe can be a healthy snack.
Ants on a Log Food Tips
When purchasing celery or grapes, organic is best. They have such thin skin that they absorb pesticides and chemicals. Definitely purchase organic if possible. Regardless, you need to wash those bad boys. Don’t know the value of washing your fruits and vegetables? Check out my post where I SHOW you the importance. It doesn’t take much time, but it’s worth every second!
I can’t wait to hear how you enjoy this simple yet finger-licking-good recipe! I think I love them most with the grapes on top.
Ants on a Log
Ingredients
- 5 or 6 stalks of celery washed, dried, and cut into 2 to 3 inch sticks
- 1 Tbs natural peanut butter or almond butter per celery stick
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 cup red grapes washed and quartered
Instructions
- Spread peanut or almond butter down the center of each celery stick.
- Sprinkle raisins and/or red grapes down the center on top of the peanut/almond butter.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve chilled.
I love ants on a log and so do my kids! 🙂
Fun post, Kami! What a great way to get the kids excited to eat healthy food!