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Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery

DonyabyDonya Mullins
Crisp celery filled with cream cheese, bacon, and herbs makes an easy, make-ahead appetizer that’s perfect for holidays, parties, or snacking.
4.90 from 56 reviews
68 Comments
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5-Star Reader Comment

Outrageously good, all right!! Thought that even before I got it on the celery!! Thank you for another keeper, Donya. Blessings!

Jackie B,
Overhead view of celery sticks stuffed with a creamy cheese mixture, topped with crumbled bacon and chives, arranged on a wooden serving board with bowls of extra toppings nearby.
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A Simple Snack with a Lot of Memories

Some recipes never go out of style, and my Mom’s stuffed celery is one of them. Growing up, she always made it for holidays, and I’ve carried that tradition right into my own kitchen. With crisp celery sticks filled with creamy cheese, bacon, and herbs, this little appetizer proves that sometimes the simplest recipes really are the best.

Whether it’s on a holiday veggie tray, at a summer cookout, or piled on a charcuterie board for game day, these crunchy, creamy bites are always the first to disappear.

Enjoy, y’all!

Donya

Donya’s #1 Tip: Make Them Ahead!

Yes, it sure can! You can make the cream cheese stuffing mixture, prep the celery, and store them separately. Store in individual containers, when you are ready to serve, fill the celery with the mixture.

Want to make and serve in just a few hours? No problem. Since celery is such a sturdy vegetable, you can completely make the celery with cream cheese a couple of hours prior to serving and store it in the refrigerator.

Two-step collage showing how to make stuffed celery. Left image: mixing bowl with cream cheese, shredded cheddar, chopped bacon, and herbs. Right image: fresh celery sticks laid out on a wooden board with small bowls of toppings on the side.

Ingredients Needed For This Recipe

  • Celery – Crisp, sturdy, and perfect for holding the creamy filling.
  • Cream Cheese – Softened for easy mixing; it’s the base of the filling.
  • Cheddar Cheese – Shredded sharp cheddar adds flavor and a little tang.
  • Bacon – Cooked and crumbled for smoky, salty crunch.
  • Fresh Herbs – Chives and parsley bring color and brightness.
  • Seasoning – A touch of salt, black pepper, and a few dashes of hot sauce for just the right kick.

Substitutions For Stuffed Celery

Looking for more ideas on what to stuff celery with? The options are just about endless! From healthy celery snacks, keto celery snacks, and kid-friendly celery sticks, here are some of my favorite toppings:

  • Classic Southern Twist: Swap in homemade pimento cheese.
  • Kid-Friendly: Fill celery with peanut butter and dot with raisins.
  • Holiday Version: Add cranberry sauce and Southern candied pecans.
  • Mediterranean Style: Mix cream cheese with feta, olives, and a sprinkle of Italian herbs.
Overhead view of stuffed celery ingredients: fresh celery stalks, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, cooked bacon, fresh chives, fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and a bottle of hot sauce arranged on a marble surface.

How To Make Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery

  • Wash and dry your celery, then cut it into sticks.
  • In a bowl or food processor, whip the cream cheese until smooth.
  • Add in bacon, cheddar, parsley, chives, salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Blend until everything’s well combined.
  • Spoon the mixture into celery sticks, sprinkle with a little extra bacon or herbs, and serve.
Overhead view of celery sticks stuffed with a creamy cheese mixture, topped with crumbled bacon and chives, arranged on a wooden serving board with bowls of extra toppings nearby.

Craving More? Try These Appetizer Recipes

Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery

4.90 from 56 reviews
Author: Donya Mullins
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 98kcal
Print Pin Rate
Celery sticks stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, herbs and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack, this is a recipe that's sure to become a favorite at parties, cookouts and family gatherings.

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 – 5 stalks celery – washed and dried
  • 1 8 oz cream cheese – softened
  • ¼ cup bacon – cooked and chopped
  • ½ cup cheddar cheese – grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley – chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chives – chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
  • 3 dashes hot sauce

Instructions

  • Cut celery stalks in half and set aside. Using a food processor or hand held mixer, whip the cream cheese until smooth. Add in bacon, cheese, parsley, chives, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Pulse or blend until all ingredients are combined. 
  • Using a small spoon, fill the celery “boat” with cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with addition chives and bacon if desired. Serve immediately!

Video

Notes

To Make Ahead: Mix the filling and prep the celery up to 2 days ahead, storing separately. For short-term, fill celery a few hours before serving and refrigerate.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 98kcal · Carbohydrates: 2g · Protein: 6g · Fat: 7g · Saturated Fat: 4g · Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g · Monounsaturated Fat: 2g · Trans Fat: 0.01g · Cholesterol: 21mg · Sodium: 392mg · Potassium: 160mg · Fiber: 1g · Sugar: 1g · Vitamin A: 445IU · Vitamin C: 3mg · Calcium: 120mg · Iron: 0.3mg
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What To Serve With The Best Stuffed Celery

This simple, flavor-loaded appetizer is a staple any time I entertain. I love serving it with Strawberry Margaritas and Sweet Heat Pickles during the warm spring and summer months. For game day and tailgating, these cool celery sticks are a must with Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip.

Outrageously Good Stuffed Celery is a pretty addition to any holiday appetizer tray. When you serve these yummy cool sticks alongside Creamy Crab Dip and Bourbon Meatballs, you’ve got the beginnings of a fabulous party.


If you tried this Stuffed Celery Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!

Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon and her stuffed celery sticks.
Celery stuffed with cream cheese, bacon, herbs and cheddar cheese are outrageously good! Served as an appetizer or snack, this is a recipe that's sure to become a favorite at parties, BBQs and family gatherings.
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68 Comments

  1. This receipe sounds really tasty. My receipe is almost like yours, except I use 1 8 oz cream cheese, 1 can of tiny shrimp, n milk. Mix cream cheese, and milk ( a little at a time). Mix until you get the consistency to your liking. Then open the can of shrimp, drain all the water out and put shrimp in the mixture. Stir and fill into cut and cleaned celery.
    Refrigerate until ready to serve

    Reply

  4. Re: “serve immediately” — If I make these the night before and cover with plastic wrap, will they keep freshly?

    Reply
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