20 Best Paleo Snacks to Make or Buy
Updated: Apr. 01, 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.
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.
Homemade Guacamole
Ever wonder how to make guacamole? Just whip together this delicious blend of your favorite fresh ingredients.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TexasNutrition Facts
1/4 cup: 90 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 78mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 4g fiber), 1g protein.
Shredded Gingered Brussels Sprouts
Even people who normally don’t care for Brussels sprouts will ask for a second helping of these. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy EditorNutrition Facts
3/4 cup: 56 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 214mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 2g protein.
MCTBar Cocoa Protein Bar
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.
Cilantro Lime Shrimp
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, CaliforniaNutrition Facts
1 kabob: 167 calories, 8g fat (1g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 284mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 19g protein.
Vegetable Frittata
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, CaliforniaNutrition Facts
1 wedge: 177 calories, 12g fat (2g saturated fat), 213mg cholesterol, 264mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
CHOMPS Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Snack Sticks
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.
Garlic-Herb Pattypan Squash
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, ArkansasNutrition Facts
2/3 cup: 58 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 296mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
Old Bay Crispy Kale Chips
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 YorkNutrition Facts
1 serving: 101 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 202mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus
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, TexasNutrition Facts
5 pieces : 120 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 372mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
Lemon Garlic Mushrooms
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, FloridaNutrition Facts
1 serving : 94 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0mg cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0g sugars, 0g fiber), 3g protein.
A Handful of Nuts
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!
Smoky Cauliflower Bites
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, KansasNutrition Facts
1 cup: 129 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 408mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
Simple Mills Almond Flour Artisan Bread Baking Mix
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.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
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, TexasNutrition Facts
1 serving: 243 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 498mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 5g fiber), 3g protein.
Hard-Boiled Eggs
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 of Home Test KitchenNutrition Facts
1 egg: 75 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 213mg cholesterol, 63mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugar, 0g fiber), 6g protein.
Sunflower Seed Butter
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.
Fresh Fruit
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.
Thunderbird Hazelnut Coffee Maca Energy Bars
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.
Roasted Radishes
Radishes aren’t just for salads anymore. This abundant springtime veggie makes a colorful side to any meal. —Taste of Home Test KitchenNutrition Facts
2/3 cup: 88 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 0mg cholesterol, 165mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein.
Oven-Dried Tomatoes
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, WisconsinNutrition Facts
4 tomato halves: 147 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 302mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
Originally Published: January 12, 2021
