Bacon Cranberry Walnut Stuffed Celery: A Perfectly Balanced Snack
If you’re looking for a snack that’s both savory and slightly sweet, with the perfect crunch, Bacon Cranberry Walnut Stuffed Celery is your answer! This easy-to-make dish combines crispy bacon, creamy cheese, and the perfect balance of sweetness from Craisins and glazed walnuts. Tucked inside fresh celery, this dish delivers flavor and texture in every bite.
Whether you’re planning a holiday appetizer, a game-day snack, or just craving something delicious and light, this recipe offers a refreshing, yet indulgent option that’s sure to impress your guests. It’s simple, flavorful, and can be prepared ahead of time, making it a perfect choice for busy days or special occasions.
In this recipe, we’ll show you step-by-step how to make this irresistible Bacon Cranberry Walnut Stuffed Celery and provide some useful tips and FAQs to ensure you achieve the best results every time.
Ingredients for Bacon Cranberry Walnut Stuffed Celery
To create this delightful stuffed celery, you’ll need a few key ingredients that come together to create an irresistible filling. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Filling:
- 1/2 lb bacon, cooked crispy, drained, and crumbled
- 8 oz reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup glazed walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup Craisins (dried cranberries), chopped
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp garlic powder
For the Celery:
- 12 stalks celery, cleaned and cut into portions
How to Make Bacon Cranberry Walnut Stuffed Celery
Step 1: Cook the Bacon
Begin by cooking the bacon to crispy perfection. The crispier the bacon, the better it will crumble and mix with the other ingredients to create the perfect texture for this dish.
- Cook Bacon: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and cook the bacon until it’s crisp and golden brown. Once the bacon is cooked, remove it from the pan and place it on paper towels to drain off the excess fat. Let the bacon cool slightly before crumbling it into small pieces.
Step 2: Prepare the Other Ingredients
While the bacon cools, prepare the other ingredients that will make up the stuffing.
- Chop the Walnuts, Craisins, and Green Onion: Finely chop the walnuts, Craisins (or dried cranberries), and green onions. This will add a bit of sweetness, crunch, and freshness to the stuffing.
Step 3: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
Now that you’ve got all your ingredients prepped, it’s time to bring them together. The base of the filling is cream cheese, which you’ll mix with the other ingredients to create a creamy, flavorful stuffing.
- Mix the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped walnuts, Craisins, green onions, heavy cream, and garlic powder. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Add the Crispy Bacon
The crispy bacon adds the perfect savory touch to the sweet and creamy mixture. It’s what makes this snack so addictive!
- Fold in the Bacon: Gently fold the crumbled bacon into the cream cheese mixture. Be careful not to break up the bacon too much—keep those crispy bits intact for added texture.
Step 5: Chill the Mixture
Allow the mixture to chill for a bit to let all the flavors come together and develop.
- Refrigerate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the filling for about 30-60 minutes. This step helps the flavors meld and makes the mixture easier to pipe into the celery.
Step 6: Prepare the Celery
While the filling chills, get your celery ready for stuffing. Celery provides the perfect crunchy base for this creamy, savory filling.
- Clean and Cut Celery: Clean the celery stalks and cut them into 3-4 inch portions, depending on your preference. Make sure the pieces are long enough to hold the stuffing, but not too long to be difficult to handle.
Step 7: Stuff the Celery
Now it’s time to stuff the celery with that delicious cream cheese mixture. This can be done by hand, but using a piping bag makes the process quick and easy, while also making the presentation look clean and professional.
- Pipe the Filling: Carefully spread or pipe the cream cheese filling into each celery stalk. If you don’t have a piping bag, you can use a Ziploc bag with the tip of one corner cut off. Just make sure the hole is large enough for the mixture to flow easily. Fill each celery stalk generously with the stuffing.
Step 8: Chill and Serve
Once your celery is stuffed, it’s important to keep it chilled until you’re ready to serve.
- Refrigerate Until Ready to Serve: Place the stuffed celery in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. This helps the filling set and keeps the celery crisp. Keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to serve for the best taste and texture.
Tips for the Best Bacon Cranberry Walnut Stuffed Celery
- Use Fresh Celery: Always use fresh, crisp celery. Older celery can be limp and lose its satisfying crunch, which is one of the key elements of this dish.
- Add Extra Toppings: If you want to elevate the flavor even more, sprinkle some extra chopped walnuts on top of each stuffed celery piece for added crunch and flavor.
- Customize the Fillings: Feel free to get creative! You can substitute the Craisins for raisins or dried cherries, or try adding chopped apples for a fresh twist.
- Use Full-Fat Cream Cheese for Richer Flavor: While this recipe calls for reduced-fat cream cheese, you can always use full-fat cream cheese if you prefer a richer and creamier filling.
- Make Ahead: This dish is perfect for making ahead. Prepare the filling and stuff the celery stalks a day before the event, and simply refrigerate until ready to serve. The flavors will meld even more overnight!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish without bacon?
Yes! If you prefer a vegetarian version, you can omit the bacon and replace it with additional nuts or even use a plant-based bacon alternative for the smoky flavor.
How long can I keep stuffed celery in the fridge?
Stuffed celery can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days. Make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
Can I freeze bacon cranberry walnut stuffed celery?
It’s not recommended to freeze stuffed celery, as the celery may become limp and lose its crunch. However, you can freeze the filling separately and stuff fresh celery when you’re ready to serve.
What can I use if I don’t have heavy cream?
If you don’t have heavy cream on hand, you can substitute with sour cream, plain yogurt, or even milk with a little cornstarch to thicken it. The texture may vary slightly, but it will still taste great.
Can I use different nuts?
Absolutely! You can experiment with different types of nuts like pecans or almonds for a slightly different flavor profile. Just make sure to chop them finely so they blend well into the filling.
Conclusion
Bacon Cranberry Walnut Stuffed Celery is the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and creamy in every bite. Whether you’re making it for a party, a holiday gathering, or a quick snack, this dish is easy to prepare, and sure to become a favorite. The crispy bacon pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the Craisins and walnuts, while the creamy filling offers the perfect texture contrast. With these simple steps and a few helpful tips, you’ll have a delicious appetizer that will have everyone reaching for more!
Try it out today and experience a refreshing twist on the classic stuffed celery recipe that’s both satisfying and delicious!