Going back to basics today with this classic Ants on a Log Snack.
This old-school snack recipe is favorite of kids of all ages. I definitely remember eating this when I was still in single digits!
The Goods. Rich in creamy peanut butter, a hint of chewy sweet raisins and of course a base of crunchy celery. But don't stop there! I have a bunch of variations for you today!
salty + sweet
I made this yesterday when I was craving something salty and sweet but still crunchy. And crackers just were not going to do it for me. Celery it was! And I loved it so much, I decided to post it here to remind anyone else about how lovely this recipe is.
recipe variations
And today, I'm sharing a few ways that you can give this healthy snack recipe a bit of a spin. Including raisin-free, celery-free and peanut butter-free variations...
Ants on a Log Ingredients:
Peanut butter - Actually a legume, peanuts are rich in plant-based protein! They are also a great source of appetite-satisfying healthy fats. And fiber, vitamin B3, magnesium, folate and vitamin E too. Choose peanut butters that are unsweetened and contain as few 'other' ingredients as possible. I like creamy, but crunchy varieties work too. Definitely go for a brand that is easy to spread!
Peanut Butter Allergy? Sun butter, almond butter, cashew butter and more are all perfectly great subs.
Raisins - Sweet, chewy, dried grapes. I always buy organic for my recipes. If you don't have raisins, chopped Medjool dates or other dried fruit varieties work too!
Celery - Go for organic. And buy a full stalk that you can chop yourself - as opposed to a 'short-cut chef variety.' You want to look for plump, dark green ribs - no cuts or dry spots is best.
Out of Celery? Try carrot sticks, romaine lettuce leaves, collard leaves, sliced apples or even sliced green bell pepper.
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Recipe Variations: Spins on a Classic...
Pretty much everyone knows this recipe. But I have a few fun ways you can change things up and make it new again. (Or go 100% classic like I did.) Either way, you're bound to have a snacktime winner.
Peanut Butter-Free Variations to Ants on a Log:
- ants on sunny spot: replace the peanut butter with sun butter for those who cannot eat nuts.
- snow on a log: out of peanut butter? replace with vegan cream cheese or homemade cashew cream cheese, top with raisins or another variation.
- ants on the beach: replace peanut butter with hummus, and top with raisins.
Raisin-Free Variations to Ants on a Log:
- ladybugs on a log: also in my HHVK cookbook! Substitute the raisins with goji berries. Tip: soak the goji berries in warm water for a minute to soften.
- spots on a log: go sweet treat by replacing the raisins with chocolate chips.
- berries on a log: replace the raisins with fresh berries - chop into smaller sizes to accommodate small celery sticks.
- friends on a log: instead of just raisins, use a variety of dried fruit on top.
- crunchies on a log: instead of dried fruit - try dehydrated fruit on top. I love dehydrated blueberries!
Celery-Free Variations to Ants on a Log:
- ants on a leaf: replace the celery with crunchy leaves of romaine lettuce.
- ladybugs on a leaf: same as above only with goji berries - I shared this with TheKitchn a while back.
- ants on apples: replace the celery with apple slices.
- ants on a orange log: Slice whole carrots into sticks and spread the peanut butter on one side, then top with raisins. Make sure your carrots are nice and dry so the peanut butter sticks!
- beetles on a leaf: use romaine leaves, top with either peanut butter or hummus and then top with halved, pitted Medjool dates - similar recipe: princess plate
Add-On Ingredients for Ants on a Log:
- rainy ants on a log: sprinkle chia, hemp, sesame or even sunflower seeds over top the peanut butter to serve.
- ants on a log with leaves: crush up some cheezy kale chips and sprinkle them over top your ants on a log to serve. Texture and flavor, plus added greens.
- ants and frogs on a log: add some whole walnuts to your logs - they kinda look like little frogs!
- sticky sap ants on a log: add some "sap" to your logs by drizzling maple syrup over top your celery to serve.
- add some dirt: sprinkle cinnamon or shaved chocolate over top your ants on a log.
More classic Ants on a log, because that's still my favorite version of this healthy snack...
Ants on a Log
Ingredients
- 6 ribs celery
- 6 tablespoon peanut butter, softened
- ¼ cup raisins, organic
Instructions
- Rinse your celery very well. Chop off any browning or dried ends. You can keep or discard any leaves, but the best ribs will the the thick and sturdy ones with deep centers for the peanut butter. Dry your celery very well - this helps the peanut butter stick.
- Chop your celery ribs into two pieces each - usually 5-6 inches in length.
- Spread peanut butter down center - avoiding the edges of the celery to keep things clean.
- Top with raisins. Tip: If your raisins are a bit dry or hard, you can microwave them for a few seconds or soak them in warm water for a minute to plump up. Dry well before adding to peanut butter.
- Serve! Or cover and chill in the fridge until ready to serve. You can make this snack up to a day ahead of time for best flavor and freshness.
nutrition estimate | per serving
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