This fun Ants On A Log Recipe is a nostalgic snack made with fresh celery, creamy peanut butter, and sweet raisins. It’s quick, easy, and kid-approved!

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I’m not gonna lie. Sometimes I crave the snacks I used to have as a kid way more than any fancy cheese board or trendy smoothie bowl. Sound familiar? There’s something about simple food that hits different, especially when it’s tied to childhood memories.

Back in elementary school, I’d race home (usually with my backpack half unzipped and books falling out), hoping my mom had made Ants On A Log. She always had a knack for making snack time special without trying too hard. And these little guys? They were the best. Crispy celery, creamy peanut butter, and those little raisins all lined up like they had somewhere important to be? Perfection.

Now, decades later, I’m making them for my own kids. And okay, fine… sometimes for myself, too. Some things you just don’t outgrow.

Why You’ll Love This Ants On A Log Recipe?

Okay, hear me out. I know there are 1,001 snack options out there, but this Ants On A Log Recipe has stood the test of time for a reason. It’s ridiculously easy. It’s healthy-ish. And it hits that crunchy-salty-sweet combo like nobody’s business.

Plus, you don’t need fancy ingredients. Just three things you probably already have hanging out in your fridge and pantry. And if you don’t? No judgment—just toss ‘em on your shopping list. Trust me, your future snack-hungry self will thank you.

Ingredient Notes:

You’ve got three stars here, and they each play a big role. Here’s the rundown:

Celery: Look for fresh, crisp stalks. You want that satisfying snap when you bite into them, not something floppy that makes you question your life choices. Celery might seem like just crunchy filler, but it’s surprisingly packed with antioxidants and water, great for hydration and digestion. This article from WebMD breaks down why celery deserves more credit.
Peanut Butter: Creamy is the classic move, but if you’re team crunchy, I get it. Want to mix it up? Almond butter, sunflower seed butter… it all works. Peanut butter is actually made from legumes. Peanuts pack a punch of plant-based protein, healthy fats that keep you full, and a good dose of fiber, vitamin B3, magnesium, folate, and vitamin E. According to EatingWell’s breakdown of peanut butter’s health benefits, it may even support heart health and help improve cholesterol levels, so it’s more than just a tasty snack. For the best experience, pick unsweetened peanut butter with minimal added ingredients (just peanuts and maybe salt). And yes, go for a brand that’s easy to spread, you’ll thank yourself later.
Raisins: The OG topping. But nobody’s stopping you from getting creative. Dried cranberries? Sure. Mini chocolate chips? Absolutely. I won’t tell.

Side note: My youngest once requested mini marshmallows instead of raisins. We called it “snow on a log.” It was weirdly good.

Softening Raisins for Snack Time

Quick tip: If your raisins feel a little like they’ve been living in the pantry since last Halloween, don’t panic. You can bring them back to life in two ways:

Soak ‘Em: Toss the raisins in a bowl of warm water for a minute or two. Drain and pat dry—they’ll be plump and ready for log duty.
Microwave Magic: Place them in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water and zap for 10 seconds. Drain off the extra water, and you’re good to go.

Either method gives you soft, sweet “ants” that won’t go rolling off your peanut butter runway.

How To Make Ants On A Log?

Alright, this is the part where I could say “just slap some peanut butter on celery and go.” But where’s the fun in that?

Chop your celery. Rinse those stalks and chop them into halves or thirds—whatever works for you. Bonus points if you nibble the ends to “test” them. We’ve all done it.
Spread the peanut butter. Grab a butter knife and load it up. Smooth it into the celery groove like you’re icing a tiny cake. Go heavy or light—no wrong way.
Add your ants. This is where you get to show off your design skills. Classic neat rows, zig-zags, smiley faces… or just toss ‘em on and call it done. This step is where the nostalgic magic happens; raisins transform your celery-and-peanut-butter combo into that timeless childhood snack, Ants on a Log. Whether you’re recreating your favorite after-school treat or introducing it to a new generation, have fun with the placement. There’s no wrong way to arrange your “ants”—just plenty of room for creativity (and maybe a few giggles).
Snack time! Line them up on a plate if you’re feeling fancy. Or, you know, eat one while making the next. We’re not here to judge.

Storage Options:

These bad boys are best fresh, no doubt. But if you’re a planner, you can totally chop the celery ahead of time and keep it in a zip-top bag in the fridge. Just wait to add the peanut butter and raisins until snack time—otherwise, things get soggy fast. And soggy celery? Nope.

Variations and Substitutions:

Let’s face it—Ants On A Log is just a concept. You can do whatever you want with it. Here are a few ideas I’ve tried (or, let’s be honest, my kids came up with during snack experiments):

Nut-Free: Try sunflower seed butter or soy nut butter if allergies are a thing.

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Different “Ants”: Dried cherries, golden raisins, craisins, or even mini M&Ms. We’re playing fast and loose with tradition here.
Savory Swap: Cream cheese + sliced olives. Sounds weird. Tastes awesome. Don’t knock it till you try it.
Sweet Tooth Fix: Peanut butter + a drizzle of honey + granola on top. Think “healthy-ish dessert.”

Creative Twists

Ladybugs on a Log: Swap raisins for goji berries. Quick tip—soak goji berries in warm water for a minute to soften them up.
Spots on a Log: Make it a treat by topping with chocolate chips instead of raisins.
Berries on a Log: Use fresh berries (think blueberries, raspberries, or chopped strawberries) for a juicy upgrade.
Friends on a Log: Go wild with a mix of dried fruit—apricots, pineapple, or mango, chopped small for maximum snacking.
Crunchies on a Log: Top with dehydrated fruits like blueberries for a bit of extra crunch.

Not a Fan of Celery?

No need to bail on snack time, just switch up the base:

Ants on a Leaf: Use crunchy romaine lettuce leaves in place of celery.
Ants on Apples: Apple wedges make a sweet, crisp alternative to celery. Bonus: they pair perfectly with peanut butter or almond butter.
Carrot Logs: Slice whole carrots into sticks, slather with peanut butter, and top with raisins. Just make sure the carrots are dry so the peanut butter stays put.
Beetles on a Leaf: Romaine leaves with peanut butter or hummus, topped with halved, pitted dates for a fun twist.

Basically, if you’ve got a “log” and something that sticks to it, you’re in business. Snack science at its finest!

No Celery? No Problem.

No sticks of celery lurking in the fridge? No worries, snack time is still on. You can easily swap in carrot sticks for that satisfying crunch. Romaine lettuce boats work surprisingly well (they’re basically an edible plate), and for the adventurous, collard green leaves get the job done. Want to go a little sweet? Apple slices totally count. I’ve even used green bell pepper strips in a pinch—unexpected, but not half bad.

Mix, match, and let snack creativity run wild!”

What to Serve with Ants On A Log?

Want to make a whole snack spread? Do it! Ants On A Log pairs great with:

Cheese cubes
Apple or pear slices
Baby carrots (if you’re already chopping celery, might as well)
Yogurt pouches
Pretzels or crackers
And yes, a cold glass of milk (or coffee if it’s your adult snack break!)

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I prep these ahead for lunchboxes?
Totally. Just keep the celery and peanut butter separate until the last minute to keep things crunchy.

My kid hates raisins—what’s an alternative?
Oh, we’ve been there. Try chocolate chips, craisins, granola, or even tiny marshmallows.

Is this actually healthy?
It’s a balanced snack in my book. Protein, fiber, a little sweetness—what’s not to love? But hey, if you use M&Ms instead of raisins, I won’t judge.

Let’s break it down: you’ve got creamy (or crunchy, live a little) peanut butter, which is packed with plant-based protein, healthy fats to keep you satisfied, and a good dose of fiber, vitamin E, magnesium, and a few other things that sound suspiciously like what grown-ups say you need. Then there’s the celery, crunchy, fresh, and basically guilt-free. Add a hint of chewy sweetness from raisins (or, again, chocolate candies if today calls for it).

Pro tip: pick a peanut butter that’s easy to spread and doesn’t come with a side of sugar or ingredients you can’t pronounce. The simpler, the better.

I know Ants On A Log Recipe sounds old-school. And maybe it is. But it’s one of those simple pleasures that just works. Give it a go, let your kids (or your inner child) get creative, and let me know your favorite combo. Who knew celery could be this fun?

Can’t wait to hear what you think!

Share Your Snack Wins!

Tried this Ants On A Log Recipe or one of the snacks above? We’d love to hear how it went! Did you swap raisins for chocolate chips? Did your picky eater surprise you? Drop a comment below with your snack success stories, tips, or favorite creative twists—whether you’re prepping for a lunchbox or just channeling some nostalgic after-school vibes.

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Love it as written? Have your own hack to make snack time even better? Leave a quick rating or a few words so fellow snackers can benefit. Every suggestion, tip, or rave review keeps the snack inspiration rolling!

Let’s keep this snack party going—your ideas might just become someone else’s new favorite.

< Remember it later! >

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

< Remember it later! >

Planning to try this recipe soon? Pin it for a quick find later!

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