Updated on Jun. 20, 2024
The paleo diet follows a simple principle: eat like our ancestors would have eaten. The low-carb diet focuses on whole foods, like meat, fruit and vegetables. These paleo snacks make eating healthy both simple and satisfying.
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Are you following a paleo lifestyle? If “yes,” you’ll need to fuel your day with plenty of snacks that fit your diet. Contrary to popular belief, whipping healthy snacks takes little time, and there are always picks at your favorite stores you can stock up on. Suppose you’re craving something sweet and salty, opt for a delicious batch of sweet potato fries. Need something on the go? Don’t worry; there are paleo protein bars. We rounded up the 20 best paleo snacks you can make at home or buy pre-made. Dig in!
Ever wonder how to make guacamole? Just whip together this delicious blend of your favorite fresh ingredients. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas.
Nutrition Facts
1/4 cup: 90 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 1g protein.
Even people who normally don’t care for Brussels sprouts will ask for a second helping of these —James Schend, Taste Recipes Deputy Editor
Nutrition Facts
3/4 cup: 56 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 214mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein.
Though they might taste like cake, these protein-packed, deceptively sweet cocoa MCTBars are made with simple ingredients meant to optimize your health. Naturally sweetened, they’re designed to keep you energized and your taste buds satisfied throughout the day.
Nutrition Facts
1 bar (38g): 200 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 0mg cholesterol, 70mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 8g fiber), 10g protein.
A quick garlicky lime marinade works magic on these juicy shrimp. They come off the grill with huge flavors perfect for your next cookout. —Melissa Rodriguez, Van Nuys, California
Nutrition Facts
1 kabob: 167 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 284mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein.
When you’re looking for something healthy in a hurry, you can’t beat this veggie-filled frittata cooked in a cast-iron skillet. —Janet Eckhoff, Woodland, California
Nutrition Facts
1 wedge: 177 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 213mg cholesterol, 264mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
Beef jerky gets a healthy spin with these snack sticks from CHOMPS, which are made with minimal, high-quality ingredients to help you stay energized and satisfied throughout your day.
Nutrition Facts
1 stick (32g): 90 calories, 6g fat (2.5g saturated fat), 23mg cholesterol, 290mg sodium, 0g carbohydrate (0g sugar, 0g fiber), 9g protein.
The first time I grew a garden, I harvested summer squash and cooked it with garlic and herbs. Using pattypan squash is a creative twist. —Kaycee Mason, Siloam Springs, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts
2/3 cup: 58 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 296mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
Here in East Hampton, NY, harvesttime means big bunches of kale from local growers. These crunchy kale chips are delicious, super healthy and easy to make. I make them with seasoning to take the flavor up a notch. For extra zip, add a dash of cayenne pepper. —Luanne Asta, East Hampton, New York
Nutrition Facts
1 serving: 101 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 202mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
My husband and I grill dinner almost every night, and I love grilling veggies for a side dish. I serve this grilled bacon wrapped asparagus recipe with meat and sliced fresh tomatoes for a wonderful meal. —Trisha Kitts, Dickinson, Texas
Nutrition Facts
5 pieces : 120 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 372mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
I baste whole mushrooms with a lemony sauce to prepare this simple side dish. Using skewers or a basket makes it easy to turn them as they grill to perfection. —Diane Hixon, Niceville, Florida
Nutrition Facts
1 serving : 94 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0mg cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0g sugars, 0g fiber), 3g protein.
While peanuts are a no-go for paleo, other nuts—from almonds to walnuts to macadamia nuts—are packed with healthy fats, proteins and various minerals. Toss them onto a salad, add them to green smoothies or just enjoy by the handful!
These healthy little treats work well as a side or as fun bite-size appetizers. Roasting the cauliflower adds deep flavor and gives it an irresistible crunch. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Nutrition Facts
1 cup: 129 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 408mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
What’s better than sliced bread? Nothing! This paleo-friendly bread baking mix from Simple Mills will get you your avocado toast fix. Made with whole, recognizable ingredients, this low-carb bread is packed with protein and flavor.
Nutrition Facts
1 slice (25g dry mix): 120 calories, 7g fat (0.5g saturated fat), 0mg cholesterol, 200mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (1g sugar, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
I can never get enough of this baked sweet potato fries recipe! Even though my grocery store sells them in the frozen foods section, I still love to pull them out of my garden and chop them up fresh! —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Nutrition Facts
1 serving: 243 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 498mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 5g fiber), 3g protein.
In the kitchen, it’s important to start with something simple, like how to cook hard-boiled eggs. Use this egg recipe in plenty of dishes, or eat them plain for a quick protein fix. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts
1 egg: 75 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 213mg cholesterol, 63mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugar, 0g fiber), 6g protein.
There’s no better combo than apples and sunflower butter. This 30-pack from SunButter makes for a convenient snack—and it can also be used in dressings to replace peanut butter.
Nutrition Facts
1 pouch (32g): 220 calories, 19g fat (2g saturated fat), 0mg cholesterol, <5mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (<1g sugar, 3g fiber), 8g protein.
Since the paleo diet emphasizes eating whole foods, fresh fruit is a healthy, delicious option to satisfy your sweet tooth while sneaking in some extra vitamins and minerals. For maximum benefits, try eating seasonally. As spring approaches, strawberries and other fresh produce will be plentiful.
For when you’re on the go or want something as delicious as it is quick, these energy bars from Thunderbird are sweetened with dried fruit and come in a variety of healthily indulgent flavors. The bars are also kosher and vegan.
Nutrition Facts
1 bar (48g): 148 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 0mg cholesterol, 58mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (9g sugar, 3g fiber), 5g protein.
Radishes aren’t just for salads anymore. This abundant springtime veggie makes a colorful side to any meal. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts
2/3 cup: 88 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0mg cholesterol, 165mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein.
We owned an organic greenhouse and business that included classes. I had 100 tomato varieties to work with, so I started oven-drying them and taught my students, too. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts
4 tomato halves: 147 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 302mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
The Paleo diet mainly consists of nutrient-dense ingredients like fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and proteins. With that in mind, look for snacks with these ingredients and little to no preservatives. While plenty of store-bought snacks exist, we also love making paleo treats at home. Next time you want a snack, consider sweet potato fries, roasted potatoes or kale chips, which are crunchy and easy to make. Also, look for snacks that have a longer shelf life. You don’t want to buy snacks every other day, so seek items you can keep for at least a week.
Kim Bussing has 10 years of experience covering food and drink with an emphasis on wine and cocktails. She is a former editor at Queensland Magazines. Kim has crafted numerous guides about gift baskets and care packages for all occasions, interviewing gift experts and relationship experts to find the perfect present. She has also written holiday guides on food, wine, Advent calendars and more. In her free time, she is also a creative consultant for hospitality and food companies, including a vegan meal delivery company and a small cookie bakery. Kim’s work is on Taste Recipes, Clean Plates, Modern Farmer, Reader’s Digest and Seattle Refined.
To find the best paleo snacks, our team researched the ingredients that make up the paleo diet. Then, we gathered the team’s favorite recipes and snacks that they enjoyed daily. We also considered new items on the market that had the highest ratings. We also did the hard work for you and combed through hundreds of shopper reviews. We regularly update this list to ensure you have the most up-to-date products and shopping information.
Examples of good paleo snacks include egg salad, roasted nuts, sweet potato fries and paleo-friendly protein bars.
While peanuts and other nuts are approved for a paleo diet, peanut butter is not considered paleo due to the added sugars in the mixtures. Instead, try almond and cashew butter in moderation.
If you’re looking for something sweet that’s also paleo, consider making a sweet potato dish or fries—they’re packed with natural sugars that keep you on track. You can also seek out paleo chocolate.
