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  • ร—
    Home ยป Recipes ยป Snacks

    Ants on a Log

    Published: Jan 2, 2022 ยท Updated: May 31, 2024 by Tammilee ยท This post may contain affiliate links

    Classic Ants on a Log is the perfect healthy after-school snack for all ages. Three kitchen basics, and a few minutes later, you are ready to enjoy this classic snack.

    Ants on a Log text over a red and white gingham pattered plate with celery with peanut butter and raisins

    Ants on a Log

    Contents show
    Ants on a Log
    Ingredients
    Equipment Needed
    Preparation and Storage
    Recipe Variations
    Tips for the Best Ants on a Log
    What to Serve with Ants on a Log
    When to Serve
    Great Recipe Collections
    Ants on a Log
    Ingredients
    Instructions
    Nutrition

    Classic Ants on a Log is an after-school snack that kids love. It involves spreading peanut butter on celery sticks and topping it with raisins.

    I still remember having this healthy snack after school growing up. The peanut butter and raisins combination is still a favorite, even in my mid-40s. LOL!

    I want to understand why this snack is called Ants on a Log. I tried to find the origin but found it is unknown. They may have been a recipe variation shared in a 1959 cookbook.

    Some say this recipe started with the Girl Scouts. However, it began with celery, peanut butter, and raisins, a classic combination for a reason.

    There are so many epic variations now that continue to evolve this classic snack. Home cooks have taken this classic to a whole new level.

    We list a ton of variations farther down this article, but here are a few fun ones:

    Ants on a Slip โ€˜nโ€™ Slideโ€ - an added layer of honey

    Fire Ants on a Log - dried cranberries instead of raisins

    Ghost Ants on a Log - mini marshmallows

    Ants on Vacation - no raisins

    Jif Peanut Butter, Sun-Maid Raisins, and a package of celery sticks on a white counter

    Ingredients

    Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make epic Ants on a Log! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

    • Celery Stalks
    • Peanut Butter - creamy
    • Raisins

    Peanut Butter - We use creamy but you can also use crunchy if you prefer it. You can also use almond butter,ย  Sun butter, cashew butter or other alternative peanut butters.

    Raisins or mini chocolate chips - I have made ants on a log with both and it tastes great. Are you on team raisin or mini chocolate chips?

    If your raisins are a bit hard or dry you can microwave them for a few seconds or soak the in warm water for a minute.

    Equipment Needed

    • Plate
    • Knife

    Optional: We love serving these Ants on a Log on Red Gingham Plates or napkins, which makes it feel like we're having a picnic.

    Ants on a log celery sticks on a red and white gingham print plate

    Preparation and Storage

    Make Ahead: This classic snack is make-ahead-friendly! Prep it in the morning, and your afternoon snack is ready when you get home.

    Storage: Refrigerate servings in an airtight container and enjoy leftovers within three days.

    ย 

    Recipe Variations

    Substitutions:

    We use creamy peanut butter, but you can also use crunchy if you prefer it. You can also use almond butter,ย  Sun Butter, cashew butter, or other alternative peanut butter. Any nut butter works great.ย 

    I made Ants on a Log with raisins or mini chocolate chips; both taste great. Are you on Team Raisin or Mini Chocolate Chips?

    You can change the vegetables and toppings on this classic Ants on a Log snack, a great way to introduce fun new flavor combinations.

    Log/Stick Ideas - Carrots, Cucumbers, Bananas, Apples, Peaches, Pears

    Filling Ideas: Cream Cheese, Cottage Cheese, Hummus, Guacamole, Bean Dip, Yogurt

    Ant/Topping Ideas: Chocolate Chips, Grapes, Seeds, Sweet and Spicy Nuts, Corn, Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, Dried Fruit, Honey, Teddy Grahams, Blueberries, Granola, Pretzel Pieces, Shredded Coconut, Dried Cranberries

    You can even make Ants on Vacation and leave the toppings off.

    Vegetarian Option:ย 

    This snack is naturally vegetarian!

    Vegan Option:

    Vegans can make vegan-friendly Ants on a Log using a plant-based peanut butter or peanut butter alternative.

    Gluten-Free:

    This recipe should be gluten-free, as each ingredient is plant-based. Look for gluten-free labels on your peanut butter and raisins if you are highly sensitive and want to avoid cross-contamination.

    Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings:

    The written recipe makes eight servings. Adjust the slider in the recipe card below to your desired serving size if you need a different amount.

    Sugar-Free:

    The written recipe contains 2 grams of sugar per serving. Use sugar-free peanut butter and raisins with no added sugars to make it sugar-free.

    ย 

    Tips for the Best Ants on a Log

    • The hardest part of making Ants on a Log is getting the creamy peanut butter into the celery sticks without making a huge mess. I like to use a small knife with a tapered end to help keep the peanut butter contained.
    • Clean the celery thoroughly and cut off the brown or dried ends. I like to cut the celery into 3-inch pieces so they are easy to handle.
    • If your raisins are hard or dry, microwave them for a few seconds or soak them in warm water for a minute.

    ย 

    What to Serve with Ants on a Log

    We love serving this classic after-school snack with other kid-friendly favorites! Here are some menu planning suggestions.

    Sweet: Mini Apple Cookies, Halloween Pinwheel Cookies, Chocolate Peanut Butter Muddy Buddies, Salty and Sweet Ruffles Marshmallow Treats, CrockPot Granola, Crunchy Berry Treats

    Savory: Homemade Baked Mozzarella Sticks, Crock Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs, Corn & Black Bean Baked Taquitos, 3 Ingredient Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls, Mummy Hot Dogs

    Drinks: Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie, Shirley Temple Drink, Brazilian Lemonade, Red Robin Freckled Lemonade, Chick-fil-A Lemonade, Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade, Kool-Aid Slushies

    When to Serve

    • Snack
    • After Schoolย 
    • One of our favorite school snack ideas

    Great Recipe Collections

    Peanut Butter Recipesย 

    Easy 3 Ingredient Recipes That Taste Amazing!

    60+ Savory Snacks for Any Occasionย 

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    30+ Road Trip Snacks (Easy and Affordable)

    Do you love recipes? Check out our copycat recipes, dessert recipes, and our CrockPot Recipes.

    Follow Tammilee Tips on MSN, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for our recipe posts.

    Ants on a Log with peanut butter, raisin, and celery on a red and white plate

    Ants on a Log

    How to make classic Ants on a Log after school healthy snack.
    No ratings yet
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 90kcal
    Author: Tammilee Tips

    Ingredients

    • 8 ribs Celery
    • 6-8 tablespoons peanut butter
    • ยผ Cup raisins

    Instructions

    • Clean and rinse your celery, cut the brown and dried ends off. Cut into 3 inch segments.
    • Spread peanut butter down the middle of the celery
    • Top with raisins and serve.

    Nutrition

    Nutrition Facts
    Ants on a Log
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 90 Calories from Fat 54
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 6g9%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Sodium 88mg4%
    Potassium 219mg6%
    Carbohydrates 7g2%
    Fiber 2g8%
    Sugar 2g2%
    Protein 3g6%
    Vitamin A 180IU4%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 22mg2%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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    About Tammilee

    Lifestyle blogger who travels the world and drinks too much Chai tea. Travel blogger, award winning photographer, sunset hunter, Birkenstock girl, bird nerd
    You can find Tammilee on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

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