If you’re on the hunt for a quick, fresh, and absolutely delicious appetizer that comes together in minutes, you’re going to adore this Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery Bites Recipe. I first stumbled upon this gem when I needed a no-fuss snack to bring to a friend’s gathering, and it was an instant hit! Crisp celery meets a luscious, herb-packed cream cheese filling that’s both satisfying and light. Stick around and I’ll share all my tips and tricks to help you nail this fan-freaking-tastic recipe every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Quick and Easy: This recipe literally takes about 15 minutes from start to finish, perfect for last-minute gatherings or snacks.
- Fresh and Flavorful: The fresh herbs paired with garlic, lemon, and cream cheese give it a bright and irresistible flavor.
- Kid and Crowd Friendly: My family goes crazy for these bites, and they disappear fast at parties!
- Easy to Customize: You can tweak the herbs and spices to suit your personal taste or dietary needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’re only a handful of simple ingredients away from making this delicious Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery Bites Recipe. They all come together beautifully—the cream cheese provides a creamy base, the herbs add punch, and the celery brings a refreshing crunch every time.
- Cream Cheese: Choose full-fat for the creamiest texture; it really makes the filling shine.
- Heavy Cream: Just a touch to loosen up the cream cheese so it’s easy to spoon into the celery.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a bright zing that lifts all the flavors perfectly.
- Fresh Chives: Use fresh chives for that mild oniony taste and lovely green specks.
- Garlic Powder: Provides subtle warmth without overpowering the blend.
- Onion Powder: Rounds out the savory notes in the filling.
- Dried Dill: I’ve found even a little dill adds an irresistible herbal aroma.
- Dried Basil: A hint of basil gives it depth and compliments the other herbs.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors—don’t skip it!
- Celery Stalks: Fresh and crisp celery is essential — look for bright green stalks with no limp edges.
Variations
The beauty of this Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery Bites Recipe is how easily you can make it your own. I love experimenting with little tweaks depending on the season or what’s in my fridge—feel free to try these variations too!
- Greek Style: Add chopped kalamata olives and a sprinkle of feta into the cream cheese filling for a Mediterranean twist—my guests loved this upgrade!
- Spicy Kick: Mix in a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce into the filling when you want a little heat. It’s a fun surprise for spice lovers.
- Vegan Version: Swap regular cream cheese with a plant-based cream cheese and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream—I’ve found this works really well for vegan guests.
- Seasonal Herbs: Fresh dill, parsley, or tarragon can swap in place of dried herbs for a fresher taste during spring and summer.
How to Make Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery Bites Recipe
Step 1: Whip up the Cream Cheese Filling
Start by combining the cream cheese, heavy cream, lemon juice, fresh chives (save a few for garnish!), dried dill, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. I like to use a handheld mixer for about a minute until everything’s silky smooth. This step is key because you want the filling soft enough to spoon into the celery easily, but still thick enough to hold its shape—trust me, it makes all the difference!
Step 2: Prep Your Celery Sticks
While the filling’s coming together, grab your celery stalks. Give them a good wash and trim, then cut into roughly 3-inch pieces. These chunks are perfect for holding just the right amount of filling. I find that cutting them uniform sizes makes your presentation look much sharper, especially if you’re serving these at a party.
Step 3: Stuff and Garnish
Using a teaspoon, fill each celery piece generously with your whipped cream cheese mixture. Don’t be shy—people adore that creamy bite alongside the fresh crunch! Once all are stuffed, arrange your celery bites on a platter and scatter the remaining fresh chopped chives on top. It adds a lovely color pop and a fresh oniony aroma that seals the deal.
Pro Tips for Making Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery Bites Recipe
- Softening the Cream Cheese: Always let your cream cheese sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before mixing—it smooths out the filling perfectly without lumps.
- Celery Selection: Pick celery with firm stalks and deep green color; limp celery just won’t offer that satisfying crunch.
- Filling Consistency: Adding heavy cream little by little helps you achieve the ideal consistency for easy stuffing without it being runny.
- Avoid Soggy Celery: Don’t stuff celery too far ahead; fill them close to serving time to keep the crunch crisp and fresh.
How to Serve Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery Bites Recipe

Garnishes
When I serve these bites, I love topping them with extra fresh chives because they add a mild onion flavor that complements the creamy filling so well. Sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika for color and a little smoky warmth—it’s subtle but amazing.
Side Dishes
If you’re putting together a spread, these celery bites pair beautifully with a charcuterie board featuring assorted meats, olives, and crackers. They also make a refreshing contrast alongside heavier dips like spinach artichoke or buffalo chicken dip.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or special occasions, I’ve arranged the stuffed celery in a circular pattern around a bowl of hummus or salsa for a fun veggie platter centerpiece. Another fun way is to add edible flowers or thin slices of radish on top for a pretty pop of color—you get major wow-factor without extra work.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), cover the stuffed celery tightly with plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’re best eaten within 1-2 days so the celery stays crisp but the filling keeps its fresh flavor.
Freezing
I don’t recommend freezing the stuffed celery bites because celery tends to become watery and limp once thawed, which makes the texture less pleasant. But you can freeze the cream cheese filling on its own for up to 1 month if you want to prep in advance.
Reheating
Since these are best served cold or at room temperature, reheating isn’t necessary. If you prefer, you can take them out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to take the chill off, allowing the flavors to come through nicely.
FAQs
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Can I use low-fat cream cheese for this recipe?
Absolutely! Low-fat cream cheese will work, but keep in mind the texture might be a little less creamy. You may want to add a bit more heavy cream to get the right consistency for filling the celery.
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How far ahead can I prepare the stuffed celery bites?
It’s best to make the filling ahead and keep it chilled, but stuff the celery no more than an hour before serving to keep that perfect crunch and prevent sogginess.
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Are these bites allergy-friendly?
This recipe contains dairy, so it’s not suitable for those with dairy allergies. However, you can make a vegan version using plant-based cream cheese alternatives.
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Can I add other fillings to the celery?
Definitely! Many people enjoy peanut butter, hummus, or pimento cheese as alternative fillings. For this recipe, the herb cream cheese mix is a classic, but feel free to get creative!
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What’s the best way to clean celery for this recipe?
Wash the celery stalks under cold running water and use a vegetable brush if needed to remove any dirt from the grooves. Pat dry before cutting and stuffing to keep everything fresh.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery Bites Recipe turns out every single time. It’s simple, fresh, and charmingly retro but still feels special because of the herbs and that perfect cream cheese filling. Whenever I whip this up, my family dives right in, and guests always ask for seconds—and sometimes the recipe itself! Give it a try next time you need an easy appetizer or a light snack—you’ll be so glad you did.
Print
Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 appetizers
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery is a simple, fresh, and flavorful appetizer featuring crisp celery stalks filled with a smooth herb-infused cream cheese mixture. It’s perfect for easy entertaining or a light snack.
Ingredients
Filling Ingredients
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh chives, chopped (reserve a few for garnish)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Vegetables
- 6 stalks celery, washed, cleaned, and cut into approximately 3 inch pieces
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, heavy cream, lemon juice, fresh chives (reserve some for garnish), dried dill, dried basil, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Mix Until Smooth: Use a handheld mixer to blend the ingredients until the mixture is smooth and well combined, approximately one minute.
- Stuff the Celery: Lay out the celery pieces on a flat surface. Use a teaspoon to fill the celery pieces with the cream cheese mixture, repeating until all pieces are filled.
- Garnish and Serve: Arrange the stuffed celery sticks on a serving platter. Garnish with the reserved fresh chopped chives. Serve immediately for the best taste and texture.
Notes
- This Cream Cheese Stuffed Celery is one of the easiest appetizers you can prepare, combining crisp celery and flavorful herb cream cheese.
- Make the filling ahead of time and assemble the celery pieces just before serving for convenient entertaining.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed celery piece
- Calories: 32 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 31 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 9 mg


