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This classic kid’s snack of celery, peanut butter, and raisins is so easy to make and it’s a steady winner for hungry kids after school. If you have a picky eater, we’ve got lots of variations on the classic ants on a log combo that will still give your kid a veggie and protein lift in a fun way.
This snack is so easy to make that you can also get your kiddo involved in making it with you and we find kids are usually more excited to try a new food that they helped make.
Why you’ll love Ants on a Log:
- Easy to make and only takes minutes
- Adds veggies, fruit, and protein to their snack time to keep them fuller longer
- Is fully customizable for your kids taste or dietary needs with lots of variations
- It’s an easy snack for kids to help make so they feel ownership in their food
Looking for more fun food ideas for kids?
Ingredients:
For the classic Ants on a Log
- Celery
- Peanut butter (or sunbutter for a nut-free alternative)
- Raisins
Variation ideas for Celery:
- Carrots sticks
- Cucumber (you can hollow out some of the seeds to make a well)
- Bananas cut lengthwise
- Bell pepper sticks
- Apple slices
- Peach, pear, or nectarine slices
Variation ideas for Peanut Butter:
- Any other nut butter
- Sunflower seed butter
- Hummus
- Cream cheese (plain or flavored)
- Greek yogurt
- Guacamole or mashed avocado
- Cottage cheese or Ricotta
- Frosting
- Cookie butter
Variation ideas for Raisins:
- Chocolate chips
- Berries
- Chopped tomatoes or bell peppers
- Hemp seeds or chia seeds
- Dried fruit chopped to raisin size
- Olives
- Freeze dried fruit (adds some extra crunch!)
- Shredded coconut
- Granola
Directions:
Making Ants on a Log is a snap! Just wash and cut your celery (or celery substitute) into sections about 3-4″ long, and use a spoon to fill with your peanut butter or alternate filling. To finish, add your raisins or other toppings and serve!
TIP: A little pinch of salt on top of your Ants on a Log before serving will help bring out all of the flavors!
The best Ants on a Log variation combos:
- Banana + nut butter + chocolate chips
- Cucumber + cream cheese + tomatoes
- Apple + cookie butter + shredded coconut
- Bell pepper + hummus + olives
- Peach + cottage cheese + granola
TIP: Prep your snack for little helpers by getting all the sticks and fillings ready and then have them help you sprinkle on the toppings!
Suggestions for Serving:
- These will keep well in a sealed container in the fridge for a few hours, so it’s a great snack to make ahead and serve when needed later in the day.
- For 2-4 year olds, it’s better to serve the items separate to avoid a choking hazard. Slice your celery into small half-moon shapes and serve the peanut butter and raisins on the side for dipping.
- Add some candy eyes to your stick to make it look like a caterpillar creature.
- These can be messy if packing these for school, so it’s a good idea to send all the components separately so your kid can assemble them at the lunch table.
- If your child has a hard time (or it gets super messy) eating the longer sticks, you can also cut them into bite size pieces after assembling them so they are finger foods and easier to fit the whole piece in their mouth.
Other names for Ants on a Log variations:
Ants on a Leaf: Use lettuce or cabbage for your snack base!
Ants on a Slide / Slip and Slide / Slippery Dip: Add a layer of honey on top of your peanut butter.
Ants on Vacation: This is when no ants are present at all!
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Get the Recipe
Ingredients
- 3-4 single celery stalk, cut into 3-4 inch pieces (as many logs as needed for snack)
- 1 tbs peanut butter (per celery stick)
- 3 rainsins per celery stick (or chocolate chips)
Equipment
Instructions
- Just wash and cut your celery (or celery substitute) into sections about 3-4" long.
- Use a spoon to fill with your peanut butter or alternate filling.
- To finish, add your raisins or other toppings and serve!
Such a nostalgic snack!!
I love this-so fun and so many great alternative ideas.