Zesty Stuffed Celery Boats

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook:
🍽 Serves: 6
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Looking for a quick and flavorful snack that packs a punch? These Zesty Stuffed Celery Boats are your answer. With a creamy, cheesy filling and a touch of spice, they're perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients for Zesty Stuffed Celery Boats

The star of our recipe is the humble celery stalk, which provides a refreshing crunch and acts as a perfect vessel for our filling. The creamy base is created using cream cheese, which adds a rich texture, while sharp cheddar cheese brings a deep, tangy flavor. A blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper kicks up the spice level just right. A touch of salt enhances all the flavors, and a splash of lemon juice brightens the mix. Finally, walnuts and fresh parsley add a crunchy, herby finish.

Tips & Tricks

  • Softening the cream cheese makes mixing much easier — just leave it out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before starting.
  • Use a piping bag for a cleaner, more precise filling process if you're making these for guests.
  • If you're short on time, pre-chopped walnuts and pre-shredded cheese work just fine.

Serving Suggestions

These Zesty Stuffed Celery Boats are fantastic as a standalone snack, but they also pair wonderfully with other finger foods like deviled eggs or a charcuterie board. For a light meal, serve them with a fresh salad or alongside a bowl of soup for added crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare them up to a day in advance. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge and add the walnuts and parsley right before serving to maintain freshness.
What can I substitute for walnuts?
Pecans or almonds are great alternatives if you're looking for a different nutty flavor.
Is there a dairy-free option?
You can use dairy-free cream cheese and cheddar alternatives to make this recipe vegan-friendly.

Zesty Stuffed Celery Boats Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, you'll want to start by giving your celery stalks a good wash and dry. This ensures they're clean and ready to hold all that delicious filling. Once that's done, set them aside for later.

Next, grab a medium-sized bowl and combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix until smooth and well combined — this is your tasty filling.

Add in the lemon juice and give it another quick mix. This will add a zesty kick and help to meld the flavors together beautifully.

Now, take your prepared celery stalks and spoon the cheese mixture into each one, pressing gently to ensure it's evenly filled. It's okay if things get a little messy — that's half the fun!

For the finishing touch, sprinkle the walnuts and parsley on top. This not only adds texture but also makes the celery boats look extra enticing.

Finally, cut each filled stalk into 3 or 4 pieces, depending on your desired serving size, and you're ready to go!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and easy to prepare — ready in under 15 minutes!
  • Perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and spicy.
  • Great as an appetizer or a healthy snack.
  • No cooking required — ideal for summer days.
  • Customizable to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients

6 large celery stalks
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Wash and dry celery stalks thoroughly.
2. In a medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt until smooth.
3. Add lemon juice and mix until incorporated.
4. Spoon the cheese mixture into the celery stalks, pressing gently to fill.
5. Sprinkle finely chopped walnuts and parsley on top for garnish.
6. Cut each stuffed stalk into 3 or 4 pieces for serving.

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