Easy Ideas for the Best Reindeer Celery Snacks

‘Tis the season for a fun holiday twist on a favorite childhood veggie snack: Reindeer Celery Sticks! This stuffed celery that also looks like Rudolph is such a great snack and perfect for family gatherings. Just put a plate of these tasty celery snacks out for an afternoon nibble or adorable appetizer and you see that these tasty snacks get gobbled up.  From the cold and creamy filling to the fresh burst of celery in every bite, these stuffed snacks are great way to serve your kids a cute and tasty snack.  Their adorable reindeer faces will spread cheer to guests young and old. 

Cute After-School Snack

I initially made these celery reindeer snacks as a fun way to give my kids a great after school snack. I’m always on the lookout for a cute snack that they will actually enjoy eating. I mean is there anything cuter than celery sticks transformed into reindeer?! This healthy snack pairs fiber-rich celery with protein-packed nut butter for a filling, wholesome combo. It’s one of those easy recipes you can make again and again during the holiday season, giving your kids a great reason to eat their celery. These whimsical creations bring such joy and make this healthy vegetable irresistible even for picky eaters. 

Healthy Holiday Snacks

The holidays invite indulgence with cookies, pies and hot cocoa treats galore. But amidst the sweets and stuffing, it’s still important to incorporate nutritious when hosting gatherings or sending kids off with lunchboxes. Enter this too-cute Reindeer Celery Snack – a festive, playful way to get in fiber and vitamin C that delights kids and adults alike. Read on for the easy recipe to whip up Rudolph-approved reindeer food your whole crowd will crave. Hope you enjoy these cute low carb snacks that is my own version of the classic “ants on a log”!

It’s a nutritious way to fill up hungry guests that’s sure to be the hit of any holiday party. Not to mention, this no-fuss celery appetizer recipe comes together in just a few minutes using simple ingredients likely already stocked in your fridge and pantry.  It’s one of my favorite last-minute appetizers because it comes together in just a matter of minutes.

Sweet Serving Suggestions

Add these celery and nut butter reindeer to a gorgeous tray of fresh fruit and serve alongside strawberries and grapes.  Add a handful of gluten free pretzels and you have the perfect, easy Christmas party appetizer. 

Low-Carb Snacks

For those of you counting carbs, this delicious snack is also a great option for those of you on the keto diet.  It’s such a simple recipe and such an easy appetizer.  

Savory Twist

You could easily turn this celery recipe into a more savory option by subbing nut butter for a cream cheese mixture.  You could use just about any cheese filling: Italian cream cheese or vegan cream cheese would be great options. Try mixing in some fresh like dill, chives or parsley to pack with a ton of flavor.  Top with bagel seasoning, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, bacon bits or crushed nuts or a shake of paprika for a great addition to this savory version.  This would be a delicious snack with the tip of a cherry tomato in lieu of the tip of a raspberry for the reindeer nose.  You could even use the tips of green olives for regular reindeer noses and then Rudolph’s red nose would really shine.  For a savory version of the eyes, you could cut off small slices from a mozzarella cheese stick and then use slivers of black olives.  

Savory Serving Suggestion

Add these savory celery reindeer to a beautiful tray of fresh veggies and serve alongside bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, carrots for extra veggies.   Add a handful of gluten free pretzels and serve with any of your favorite savory dips: Ranch, blue cheese, Italian dressing, Buffalo sauce, pesto sauce or Marinara.  There are so many great ideas to transform these basic ingredients into a super cute reindeer themed snack board.

What You Need to Make Reindeer Celery Sticks

  • Celery sticks – Clean and wash celery beforehand. You can use celery sticks or celery hearts or smaller pieces depending on your preference. Cut celery pieces into a few inch sticks. In terms of celery variety for ideal reindeer dimensions, wider stalks from the heart work better than thin outer branches. This provides enough surface area for smooth nut butter spreading plus room to affix all the decorative touches (pretzels antlers and chocolate eyes). 
  • Pretzels – I use pretzel twists to get more of an antler look.  I found it easiest to simply break the antlers in half and use each of the halves for the antlers.  This gives the antlers a very natural and varied variety.
  • Raspberries – This is our go to for the bright red noses but you can use anything red for the nose.  Strawberry tips would be super cute too.
  • Nut butter – You can use any nut butter you like.  I used SunButter, but almond butter, peanut butter and cashew butter are all great options.
  • White chocolate chips – I used Enjoy Life white chocolate chips as these are dairy free, but you can use brand that suits your dietary needs.
  • Mini chocolate chips – See above, we love the brand Enjoy Life
Cute reindeer celery stick

Easy Ideas for the Best Reindeer Celery Snacks

The cutest after school snack or healthy treat for a party. Celery sticks and nut butter transform into the most adorable reindeer!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 10 sticks

Ingredients
  

  • 5 celery sticks
  • 20 pretzels
  • 10 raspberries
  • nut butter
  • 20 white chocolate chips std size
  • 20 mini chocolate chips

Instructions
 

Prep ingredients:

  • Celery sticks – Wash and trim 5 celery stalks. Cut in half widthwise so each piece is 3 inches long. Wider widths work best so there is room for all of the decorations (reindeer eyes, nose and antlers).
  • Pretzel antlers – Cut or break 20 pretzels in half into antler shapes. You may need more pretzels since they break easily when cutting.
  • Raspberry noses – Slice off tip of 10 raspberries to expose inner flesh. Save rounded backs for noses.
  • Lay out nut butter, white and mini chocolate chips to make the reindeer eyes.

Assemble reindeer:

  • Fill celery groove with approximately 1 tsp peanut or almond butter. Spread evenly from end to end.
  • Adhere 2 white chocolate chips, flat side up, for eyes.
  • Dip flat side of mini chocolate chips in nut butter; attach to white chips for pupils.
  • Press raspberry half, cut-side down over nut butter for nose.
  • Break pretzel antlers in half if needed to fit celery width. Insert on either side of raspberry nose at an upward angle. If you’re celery stick is too narrow for two antlers, one looks cute too!

Notes

Accompaniments: Pretzels, crackers, bread sticks for dipping, Cherry tomatoes, olives, pickles
Storage: store extras in an airtight container or layer with parchment paper in a large ziploc bag
Keyword after school snack, celery, christmas, healthy, holiday, reindeer, snacks

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