You can eat the whole batch in one sitting (no judging!) or slowly graze on them over a couple of days. They’ll be outstandingly tasty either way.
WHAT INGREDIENTS ARE IN BACON RANCH STUFFED CELERY?
In order to serve up this simple crunch and tasty appetizer, you’ll need to ensure you have the following ingredients on hand:
Bacon: Provides a crispy, savory element to the filling, enhancing the overall flavor and texture contrast with the celery.
Cream Cheese: Acts as the creamy base for the filling, ensuring smoothness and a rich flavor profile when mixed with other ingredients.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Adds a bold, cheesy taste to the mixture, complementing the bacon’s smokiness and the cream cheese’s creaminess.
Dry Ranch Dressing Mix: Infuses the filling with a blend of herbs and spices, offering a tangy and slightly zesty flavor characteristic of ranch.
Scallions: Provide a mild, oniony crunch, adding freshness and a pop of color to the filling.
Celery Stalks: Serve as the crunchy, fresh vessels for the bacon ranch filling, offering a contrast in texture.
CAN YOU USE PRECOOKED BACON?
Yes, you can totally use precooked bacon. However, this recipe works best when the bacon is extra crispy, and sometimes precooked bacon can be a little soft. Check the package for microwaving instructions, as this should help zap some crispiness back into the bacon.
CAN YOU USE HOMEMADE RANCH DRESSING MIX?
Yes! In fact, I make my own ranch dressing mix that I like to use in recipes like this.
It takes two tablespoons of ranch seasoning to equal one standard ranch dressing package.
CAN YOU USE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF CHEESE?
This recipe calls for using sharp cheddar cheese, but if that’s not your favorite, feel free to experiment with different types like white cheddar, mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack.
SHOULD YOU SHRED YOUR OWN CHEESE?
We all know how convenient buying a bag of shredded cheese is, but that convenience comes with a cost: the cheese is coated in some preservatives (such as potato starch) that help keep it separated in the bag. And while this is great for grabbing a quick pinch of what you need, it’s also what causes melted cheese to appear lumpy or harden as it cools much faster than it should. It will also give the cheese a “firmer” feel.
So, if you’re a cheese lover like me and want the softest, most flavorful cheese in your recipes, I highly recommend shredding a block of cheese. It’s a bit more work, but the improved consistency is worth the effort.
CAN YOU MAKE STUFFED CELERY IN ADVANCE?
Yes! These little snacks are perfect for making in advance.
To ensure the best presentation, you can make them up to 24 hours in advance.
HOW LONG IS STUFFED CELERY GOOD FOR?
Once prepared, bacon ranch stuffed celery should ideally be consumed within the first two days for best taste and texture, though it can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to four to five days.
CAN YOU FREEZE STUFFED CELERY?
Bad news here, guys. Due to celery’s tendency to become soft during the freezing and thawing process, I can’t recommend freezing stuffed celery. The taste will be the same, but the delicious crispness you’d normally expect from uncooked celery will no longer be there.
For best results, try to enjoy the prepared stuffed celery while it’s still fresh.
HOW LONG CAN YOU LEAVE OUT AN APPETIZER?
This is one of my least asked questions but it’s also one of the things I see other party hosts not keeping a close enough eye on. Because whenever you serve a dip for your guests to enjoy, you should always keep track of how long it sits at room temperature.
For most foods, the general rule of thumb is that a perishable item should not be in the “danger zone” for more than two hours. And by “danger zone,” this is usually at or just above room temperature.
When serving any perishable food, including these stuffed celery sticks, it’s crucial not to leave them out at room temperature for more than two hours. If served cold from the refrigerator, they should still not be left out for more than two and a half hours in total to ensure food safety.
As the party goes on, you can return the stuffed celery to the refrigerator once you get past the two-hour mark. If there are still more celery sticks for your guests to enjoy, let them chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before bringing them back out again.
Want to dig deeper into food safety? Take a look at the USDA’s Food Safety Basics, especially the part about the above-mentioned “danger zone.”
