The paleo eating plan is a well-liked approach to nutrition that avoids processed products, refined sugars, grains, artificial sweeteners, dairy, and legumes (1).
It aims to echo the dietary patterns of our ancestors, adapted for modern life.
Because the paleo plan eliminates many common snack options, it can seem tricky to find suitable snacks. Luckily, there are plenty of store-bought and homemade choices that fit within paleo guidelines.
Also, despite the misconception that paleo revolves mostly around animal foods, there are numerous delicious plant-forward paleo snacks.
Below are 24 quick and tasty snack ideas that work with a paleo diet.
1. Ranch-style roasted almonds
Almonds are a convenient, nutrient-dense snack that fits the paleo framework.
Plain roasted almonds may become monotonous, so try making a paleo-friendly ranch-spiced batch at home.
Toss 4 cups (564 grams) of raw almonds with 4 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast, a pinch of paprika, and 1 teaspoon each of salt, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, dried chives, and dried parsley.
Bake at 335°F (163°C) for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
2. Cashew butter and blackberry chia pudding
Chia seeds are rich in fiber, anti-inflammatory omega-3s, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus (2).
Chia pudding is a tasty, filling paleo snack you can eat any time. Pairing chia with nutrient-packed ingredients such as blackberries and cashew butter enhances its benefits.
To prepare chia pudding, mix 2 tablespoons of chia seeds with 1/2 cup (125 ml) non-dairy milk in a jar and stir. Sweeten with maple syrup or vanilla to taste, then chill for at least 6 hours so the seeds absorb the liquid.
Top with a tablespoon of cashew butter and fresh blackberries for a flavorful, nutritious bite.
3. Paleo-friendly protein bars
Many commercial protein bars include ingredients not allowed on paleo, but several wholesome paleo-friendly bars exist for convenient snacking.
Options such as Primal Kitchen collagen bars, Bulletproof collagen bars, Rxbars, Epic performance bars, and Patterbars are suitable on a paleo regimen.
Note that any bars containing peanuts or peanut butter are excluded, since peanuts are legumes (3).
4. Whole fruit
Whole fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, and oranges are ideal portable snacks on a paleo plan. Fruits supply fiber and bioactive compounds that reduce inflammation and lower chronic disease risk (4).
Adding fresh fruit to your eating pattern can also help with losing extra body fat and maintaining a healthy weight over time (5, 6).
Pair fruit with nuts, seeds, or nut butter for a satisfying snack while out and about or at home or work.
5. Avocado filled with egg salad
Avocados are prized for their nutrient profile and health-promoting effects.
For example, consuming avocados has been linked to lower body weight, improved blood sugar control, and reductions in heart disease risk markers like LDL cholesterol (7, 8).
Eggs are also highly nutritious and may curb appetite, stabilize blood glucose, and raise HDL cholesterol (9, 10).
Stuffing half an avocado with a few tablespoons of egg salad creates a hearty, paleo-friendly snack that can keep you satisfied for hours.
6. Turkey sticks
Many stores sell snack sticks made from ground turkey, spices, and a collagen casing, all compatible with paleo eating.
Turkey provides quality protein, B vitamins, and minerals like zinc and selenium (11).
Paleovally sells turkey sticks from pasture-raised birds, which may have higher amounts of beneficial omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally raised turkey (12).
7. Coconut yogurt parfait
While dairy yogurts are excluded from paleo, coconut-based yogurt can form the base of a delightful parfait snack. Coconut yogurt is higher in fat and calories, but its richness means a small serving can be satisfying.
Coconut yogurt also supplies probiotics, which support gut health (13, 14).
Choose unsweetened coconut yogurt and layer it with fresh berries, pumpkin seeds, cacao nibs, and unsweetened coconut flakes for a nutrient-rich paleo parfait.
8. Banana boats with almond butter
Bananas are a convenient fruit rich in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and manganese (15).
Slice a medium banana lengthwise and spread each half with a tablespoon of almond butter for a tasty, filling snack. The fiber in the banana and the protein in the almond butter create a satisfying combination.
Top with extras like unsweetened coconut flakes, salted sunflower seeds, cacao nibs, cinnamon, or paleo granola for added texture and flavor.
9. Homemade coconut-cashew bars
Making your own paleo snack bars is simple when you keep recipes short on ingredients.
For coconut-cashew bars, blend 1 cup (120 grams) raw cashews, 1.5 cups (340 grams) pitted dates, 3/4 cup (64 grams) unsweetened coconut flakes, and 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil in a high-speed blender until a coarse dough forms.
Press into a parchment-lined pan, chill until set, slice, and enjoy.
10. Grain-free crackers with cashew cheese
As grain-free diets gain traction, many brands now offer crackers that are suitable for paleo eaters.
Crackers made from flax, nut flours, or even cauliflower appear in specialty shops and online.
Make a dairy-free “cheese” dip by processing soaked cashews with salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, and preferred spices plus a bit of water until smooth and hummus-like to pair with your crackers.
11. Sweet potato avocado toast
Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients and compounds like beta-carotene, which may lower risks for conditions such as heart disease and some cancers (16, 17).
Use thinly sliced sweet potato as a grain-free toast substitute. Slice into 1/2-inch (1.3-cm) pieces and roast at 400°F (204°C) for about 20 minutes.
Top with avocado slices, a sprinkle of sea salt, and red pepper flakes for a hearty snack.
12. Fresh veggie sticks with dairy-free dip
Cut fresh veggies—carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, celery, and bell peppers—into sticks for an easy snack.
These non-starchy vegetables are low in calories but rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them an excellent snacking choice.
For example, carrots and red peppers are “powerhouse” vegetables, supplying 10% or more of 17 nutrients per 100-calorie serving (18).
Serve veggie sticks with a dairy-free dip made from coconut yogurt, fresh dill, garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
13. Chicken salad on sweet potato chips
Chicken salad made with mayo and herbs is tasty on its own and even better atop crunchy sweet potato chips.
To make sweet potato chips, toss thin rounds of sweet potato in a little olive oil and bake at 425°F (218°C) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway to avoid burning.
Once cooled, spoon chicken salad onto the chips for a protein-rich, paleo-approved snack.
14. Paleo tortilla chips with guacamole
Traditional tortilla chips made from grains are off-limits on paleo, but some grain-free options work well.
For instance, Siete makes grain-free tortilla chips using paleo-friendly ingredients like cassava, chia, and coconut flour.
Enjoy them with guacamole for a quick savory snack.
15. Apple and cashew-butter sandwiches
Apples provide fiber, vitamin C, and potassium (19).
They’re also rich in antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid, quercetin, catechins, and phloridzin, which may lower the risk of chronic diseases, including heart and neurological conditions and some cancers (20).
For a fun snack, core apples and cut into thick rounds, spread each with cashew butter, sandwich them together, and roll the edges in shredded coconut or chopped cashews for extra texture.
16. Canned salmon on greens
Salmon supplies protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and selenium, but cooking fresh fish isn’t always convenient (21).
Wild-caught canned salmon, such as options from Wild Planet, is a practical snack ingredient.
Serve salmon atop a bed of greens like arugula, spinach, or watercress for a healthy paleo snack.
17. Coconut cacao protein shake
Protein shakes let you combine several nutritious ingredients into one easy drink.
For a paleo shake, blend 1.5 cups (354 ml) coconut milk, 1 scoop unsweetened chocolate protein powder (pea or hemp), 1 frozen banana, 1 tablespoon coconut butter, and 1 tablespoon cacao powder until smooth.
Serve chilled.
18. Hard-boiled eggs and veggies
Hard-boiled eggs are an ideal paleo snack. Eggs offer protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like lutein, ovalbumin, and beta-cryptoxanthin (22).
Pair one or two hard-boiled eggs with crunchy vegetable sticks for a filling snack that may help control appetite and support weight management (10, 23).
19. Tuna salad on pickle chips
Canned or pouched tuna is a convenient, protein-rich snack. Spoon tuna salad made with mayo, chopped celery, and finely diced onion onto pickle slices for a savory bite.
When selecting tuna, opt for brands that use pole-and-line or trolling methods, which are less harmful to marine ecosystems than purse-seine or longline techniques (24).
20. Paleo energy cookies
Cookies needn’t be loaded with sugar or undesirable ingredients. You can buy nutritious paleo-friendly cookies or make them yourself.
Specialty brands like Go Raw produce superfood cookies with ingredients such as cacao, coconut, and sesame that make a handy sweet snack.
Homemade paleo energy cookie recipes often use bananas, pumpkin seeds, nuts, hemp hearts, and raisins.
21. Chicken and veggie soup
A bowl of chicken and vegetable soup is a comforting, satisfying snack at any hour, and making it at home lets you control the ingredients.
To prepare a basic chicken and veggie soup, simmer a leftover chicken carcass in a pot with herbs, chopped carrots and onions, salt, pepper, and enough water to cover for at least two hours to create a flavorful stock.
Strain the broth, reserving the meat and vegetables from the carcass, then return the strained stock to the pot. Add your chosen vegetables, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about an hour to let flavors meld and veggies soften before serving.
22. Collard green spring rolls
Increasing vegetable intake supports overall health. Eating more vegetables is associated with lower body weight and reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes (25).
Make a colorful snack by wrapping shredded carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, and red onion in collard green leaves. Add protein—shrimp, fish, or chicken—for a heartier roll.
Dip in paleo-friendly sauces like almond-butter dressing, spicy mayo, or guacamole to finish the snack.
23. Plantain chips with dairy-free queso
Plantains, starchy relatives of bananas, work well in savory paleo dishes and are high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and magnesium (26).
Plantain chips are sturdy and hold up to dip better than regular potato chips. Look for chips cooked in paleo-friendly oils like coconut or avocado, such as Barnana brand, at specialty stores or online.
Pair them with guacamole or a cashew-based dairy-free queso for a tasty snack.
24. Paleo “oatmeal”
Since traditional oatmeal (oats) isn’t allowed on paleo, you can make a grain-free, nutrient-dense alternative that mimics oatmeal.
Combine 1 cup (237 ml) coconut milk, 1/4 cup (28 grams) almond flour, 1/4 cup (20 grams) unsweetened shredded coconut, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in a pot. Simmer until it thickens to your liking.
Top with fresh fruit, nut butter, coconut yogurt, cacao powder, or cacao nibs for added flavor.
The bottom line
Although paleo excludes items like dairy, grains, and many processed foods, there are numerous tasty, wholesome snacks you can buy or prepare at home.
Choices that focus on whole, nutrient-dense components—vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and satisfying proteins—are the best picks.
Try some of the snacks listed above to bring variety and flavor to your paleo eating routine.
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