If you’re craving a flavorful snack that’s delightfully crisp and irresistibly creamy, Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery is about to become your new favorite appetizer. With crunchy celery, a luscious, zesty cheese filling, and savory Italian herbs, these are totally addictive bites—perfect for parties, potlucks, or just a treat for yourself!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With just ten minutes of prep, you’ll have a gorgeous plate of Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery ready before your guests have even hung up their coats.
- Big Flavor, Simple Ingredients: The Italian dressing mix delivers a punchy, herb-forward zing that pairs beautifully with cool, creamy cheese—no complicated shopping trips required.
- Make Ahead Friendly: You can prepare these stuffed celery sticks in advance, so they’re an effortless option for busy days or stress-free entertaining.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Whether you’re serving kids, adults, or picky eaters, everyone loves taking a bite of this savory, crunchy classic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe shines because it showcases just a handful of humble, everyday ingredients—each one playing a starring role. Their freshness and quality make all the difference, so here’s what to reach for and why it matters.
- Celery stalks: The crisp, hydrating crunch forms the perfect edible scoop for the tangy filling—choose the brightest, firmest stalks you can find.
- Cream cheese (softened): Adds lovable creaminess and body, bringing together all the savory flavors in each bite.
- Italian dressing mix: The secret shortcut to big, herby flavor—this tiny packet delivers vibrant garlic, onion, and classic Italian spices.
- Mayonnaise: Lightens up the cream cheese and makes the filling extra smooth and easy to spread.
- Mozzarella cheese (shredded): Creates a luscious texture and mild cheesy taste that doesn’t overpower the herbs.
Variations
One of the things I love most about Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery is how incredibly easy it is to customize. Whether you want to accommodate special diets or just shake things up, these variations will keep snack time exciting!
- Swap the Cheese: Try sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or even goat cheese for a bolder, tangier twist in your filling.
- Go Greek: Use Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter, tangy and protein-rich alternative.
- Add Crunch: Top the stuffing with toasted pine nuts, chopped almonds, or sunflower seeds for an extra layer of texture.
- Make it Dairy-Free: Use vegan cream cheese and a dairy-free shredded cheese blend to create a plant-based version.
- Spice It Up: Stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika for a little kick.
How to Make Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery
Step 1: Prep the Celery
Start by giving your celery stalks a good rinse and patting them dry—no one wants a watery filling! Then, trim off both ends and cut each stalk into three pieces, creating perfect bite-sized boats for the creamy cheese mixture.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, Italian dressing mix, mayonnaise, and shredded mozzarella. Stir until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and evenly blended—the aroma of herbs and cheese alone is enough to make your mouth water!
Step 3: Stuff the Celery
Using a spoon or a piping bag, generously fill the center of each celery piece with the luscious cream cheese mixture. Be as neat or as rustic as you like—don’t hesitate to pile that delicious filling nice and high!
Step 4: Garnish and Chill
If you’d like to add a pop of color, top your Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery with a sprinkle of dried parsley and a dash of paprika. Then, refrigerate your platter until you’re ready to serve—this not only keeps them crisp, but helps the flavors meld together.
Pro Tips for Making Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery
- Room-Temperature Cheese: Let your cream cheese fully soften before mixing—this ensures a cloud-light, lump-free filling that’s a breeze to spread.
- Crispy Celery Every Time: Store trimmed celery sticks in icy water for 10 minutes if yours need a little extra crunch—they’ll be snappy and extra refreshing!
- Mix-In Magic: Feel free to stir in chopped sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled bacon, or fresh herbs for a flavorful twist on the classic stuffing.
- Pretty Presentation: For party-perfect portions, use a piping bag with a star tip for a beautiful finish—your platter will look as fabulous as it tastes!
How to Serve Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery
Garnishes
For a classic look, a sprinkle of dried parsley and a hint of smoky paprika add color and flavor to your Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery. You can also finish with chopped fresh basil, chives, or a scatter of finely minced red bell pepper for a festive touch—simple garnishes go a long way!
Side Dishes
Pair these stuffed celery sticks with a vibrant antipasto platter, a bowl of roasted nuts, or crunchy crostini for a Mediterranean-inspired spread. They’re also fantastic on a game day snack board alongside deviled eggs, olives, and fresh fruit.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange your Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery in a colorful pattern on a vintage platter, or line them up “stalk to stalk” on a wooden board with dipping sauces in the center. For parties, tuck them into mini cupcake liners for easy grabbing—or nestle upright in a mason jar for a modern twist!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any extra Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll easily stay crisp and delicious for up to two days—just be sure to keep them well-covered to prevent any fridge odors from creeping in.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t recommended for this recipe, as the creamy filling can lose its smooth texture and become watery when thawed. For best results, always prepare and enjoy Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery fresh from the fridge.
Reheating
No reheating necessary! These crisp snacks are best enjoyed cold, straight from the fridge. If you want to refresh them after a day, just give the celery a quick squeeze of lemon juice to perk things up before serving.
FAQs
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Can I make Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffed celery up to 24 hours in advance. Keep them covered and chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve—the flavors even develop as they rest!
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What can I use instead of Italian dressing mix?
If you don’t have a seasoning packet, you can easily substitute with a blend of dried basil, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, a little onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
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How can I make this recipe lighter?
Swap the regular cream cheese for a light or reduced-fat version, and replace mayonnaise with nonfat Greek yogurt for a fresher, lower-calorie filling that’s just as satisfying.
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Can I add other ingredients to the filling?
Yes! Chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or even a handful of fresh herbs stirred into the cream cheese mix can add extra punch and personality to your stuffed celery.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a fast, fabulous appetizer or snack that everyone will love, give Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery a spot on your table. These cool, crunchy bites are easy to make, even easier to devour, and perfect for adding a vibrant, flavorful touch to any gathering. I can’t wait for you to try them and fall in love with each herby, creamy crunch—enjoy!
Print
Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: No-Cook
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
These Italian Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery sticks are a delightful appetizer or snack that combines the freshness of celery with a creamy, flavorful filling.
Ingredients
Celery:
- 6 or 7 stalks of celery, rinsed and dried
Cream Cheese Mixture:
- 1 (8-oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 (0.7-oz) package Italian dressing mix
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cut Celery: Cut each celery stalk into three pieces and set aside.
- Prepare Filling: In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, Italian dressing mix, mayonnaise, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Stuff Celery: Fill each celery piece with the cream cheese mixture.
- Garnish: Optionally garnish the stuffed celery with dried parsley and paprika.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the stuffed celery until ready to serve.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared in advance and kept covered in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed celery stick
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
