Finding the best paleo snacks for your caveman diet doesn't have to be hard! There are so many options for delicious and natural snacks for paleo diet that you can buy at stores, make yourself, give to your kids, and even get a little sweetness from!
If you've been struggling to figure out how to tide yourself over in between meals on paleo, you've come to the right place. We dug deep and pulled out all sorts of paleo snack ideas big and small that you can use to up your paleo-snacking game with.
And remember that paleo is all about eating like days of old. That means eating natural and avoiding processed foods like dairy, grains, frozen food, canned food, etc. An easy shortcut is to try and stick as close to the source of whatever food you're eating.
Whether you're brand new to the diet or just looking to refresh your munching rotation, stocking up on the right paleo diet snacks makes all the difference in staying consistent. Without further ado, here are our 31 best paleo snacks!
Protein-Forward Paleo Diet Snacks to Buy
Paleo snack ideas are kinda meant to be low-effort, right? You just open the pantry and bam! Hunger solved. Or at least that's the idea behind this category.
You can grab these protein-forward paleo snacks from your local grocery store, online, or make some of them from scratch using ingredients from your farmer's market down the street. It's grab-and-go here, folks.
1. Chomps Snack Sticks
At Chomps, we take balanced lifestyles and eating seriously. That's why every one of our beef jerky sticks is made from 100% grass-fed and finished beef and is certified gluten-free, paleo-approved, Whole30 approved, and non-GMO.
We don't mess around with nutrition, and that's exactly why paleo dieters everywhere love Chomps snack sticks. With 10g of protein, 0g sugar, and 100 calories or less per stick, they're the perfect paleo diet snacks if you're always on the go. From Smoky BBQ to Jalapeño flavors, they are the perfect paleo snack ideas if you’re always on the go!
2. Original Beef Chomplings
Our Chomplings are the perfect paleo snacks to buy for your little ones or for your snacking needs! They are just as nutritious, grass-fed and finished, and delicious as their larger counterparts and come in all sorts of delicious flavors. From Sea Salt to Original flavors, check out the perfect paleo-kid snack!
3. Hard-Boiled Eggs
Never doubt classic paleo snack recipes. Boil a few hard-boiled eggs and add a little hot sauce or salt and pepper for a great, protein-forward snack. How runny the yoke is depends on you. Get all the details on how to make a perfect egg every time by reading this blog by Nom Nom Paleo!
4. Avocado Lime Paleo Tuna Salad
I'm a sucker for a good tuna or chicken salad, and I was really happy to find that eating paleo doesn't affect these dishes much. As far as paleo snack recipes go, this one is amazing! It feels a bit more Latin with the avocado and lime, and it would make a perfect main to your plantain chip side.
5. Homemade Paleo Protein Bars
Homemade paleo bars with only five ingredients and one bowl? Yes, please. These delectable bars are a great and budget-friendly way to have your paleo snacks covered for the week.
Crunchy & Savory Paleo Diet Snacks
When the craving for something crispy hits, these crunchy and savory paleo diet snacks have you covered. From nuts and seeds to kale chips and pickles, each option is built from simple, whole-food ingredients.
No grains, no fillers, no artificial flavors. Keep a few of these on rotation and you'll never find yourself reaching for something off-plan.
6. Almonds
The superior snacking nut, in my humble opinion. Almonds are calorie-dense paleo snack ideas that you can find just about anywhere. Almonds are also higher in fiber, calcium, vitamin E, riboflavin, and niacin than any other tree nut.
Stick to unflavored ones, though, as flavored almonds can sometimes include additives and preservatives that aren't allowed on a strict paleo diet.
7. Walnuts
While they aren't almonds, walnuts are another great nut option among paleo friendly snacks. Not only do they taste great, but these healthy paleo snacks are also super filling, rich in omega-3 fats, have a lot of antioxidants, may improve your brain's health, and may play a role in heart disease and cancer prevention.
8. Sunflower Seeds
For a cheaper option, why not embrace your inner road trip and eat some sunflower seeds? You can flavor these paleo friendly snacks to buy yourself, too!
They're also full of healthy fats, good plant compounds, and several vitamins.
9. Olives
Olives are one of those foods where bad olives are terrible but good olives are incredible. If you've doubted olives before, take the time to go to a fresh market or spend an extra dollar or two to get nice olives, you won't regret it!
They make for some of the best paleo snacks and are full of Vitamin E and useful antioxidants.
10. Dill Pickles
Pickles are my favorite paleo snack ideas, hands down. They are so tasty, are always refreshing, and have so few calories that you never really feel guilty for eating them. Just make sure you get regular dill pickles and avoid the sugary ones since those aren't Paleo.
11. GimMe Organic Seaweed Snacks
This seaweed snack is only organic seaweed, avocado oil, and salt. Nothing else! Seaweed is a great paleo snack idea because it is low in calories, high in fiber, and also gives you useful fatty acids and polyphenols.
12. Barnana Plantain Chips
I love a good plantain chip. They're rich, tasty, and aren't overly salty, and Barnana nails it with these paleo-friendly plantain chips! Pair a handful of these paleo friendly snacks to buy alongside some fresh fruits for a delicious midday snack.
13. Plantain Chips
Plantain chips are also cheap to make and wonderful fresh out of the oven. Eat them alongside fresh pineapple and lean fish for a healthy and delicious paleo meal. You also have a lot of freedom by using this recipe here. You could just add salt or you could add cinnamon and honey for a sweeter paleo fix!
14. Kale Chips
Kale chips are classic paleo diet snacks. I recommend taking the time to learn how to make these well. Kale chips are so simple but when you nail the execution they are so much better than when you accidentally cook them too long or not enough. This recipe will show you how to do it perfectly every time.
15. Homemade Sweet Potato Chips
What kids don't love chips? Bake some of these paleo snacks up and eat them over mayo or homemade ketchup. You can also make these easy paleo snacks into fries just as easily. Whatever shape your kids prefer, really!
16. Carrot Sticks and Paleo Ranch Dip
Keeping a jar of paleo ranch dip around and stocking your fridge with some healthy carrots and celery is a great way to snack without feeling guilty. All you need is some coconut milk, some homemade or paleo-approved mayo, and some spices!
17. Mini Paleo Pizza Bites
When in doubt, go with pizza, right? At least that's what midnight me always says. Getting your pizza fix during paleo isn't easy, but making pizza bites from this recipe do a surprisingly good job. Plus, as long as you tell your kids that it's pizza, they will probably go for it.
Sweet & Portable Paleo Diet Snacks
Satisfying a sweet tooth on paleo is easier than you think. These sweet and portable snacks for paleo diet are perfect for tossing in your bag, hitting the road, or just keeping hunger at bay between meals. From fresh fruit to paleo-approved bars, every option here delivers real flavor without refined sugars or processed ingredients.
18. RxBars
RxBars are one of the best paleo snacks because you know exactly what you're getting in each flavor. It's on the packaging, after all! All RxBars are paleo-friendly, so just choose your favorite flavor and get snacking!
19. Bearded Brothers Paleo Bars
If you want a brand that's similar to RxBar but is a bit more on the fruit end, then Bearded Brothers are a great option. They take pride in their transparency and only use natural sugars, making them a great paleo diet snack.
20. Primal Kitchen Chocolate Collagen Protein Bars
These Chocolate Collagen Protein bars from Primal Kitchen are great paleo snacks for when you're running late for work and need something to fill you up or if you're about to head to a hard workout and need a little extra energy.
Grab a box at the beginning of your paleo journey and don't look back!
21. Dang Coconut Chips
Coconut chips are fair game when it comes to paleo friendly snacks, and it's tough to beat Dang's spin on them. They only have 1g of natural sugar per serving and are great straight out of the bag or in salads!
22. Oranges, Apples, and Other Fruits
Fruit is nature's candy, right? Now, you may not feel that way about bananas or apples, but throw some raspberries, pineapples, and mandarins in for a change. Treat these paleo snacks as your dessert instead, and you'll be able to go to bed with your sweet-tooth and diet-tooth satisfied.
23. Paleo Bread
Just because you have to give up wheat and processed grains doesn't mean you have to give up bread! Pick up some almond flour, get to baking this recipe, and enjoy the paleo diet snacks like avocado egg sandwiches in your future!
24. Paleo Chia Pudding
If you were big into the greek yogurt and overnight oats game, then meet your delicious paleo snack substitute. Just use chia seeds and coconut milk to get your fix with this pudding recipe!
25. Paleo Banana Nut Muffins
Never fear. Banana nut muffins are here. In terms of paleo snack recipes, the coconut flour and oil in this option makes these taste more tropical, which really complements the banana well. Give them a shot by getting the recipe here, you won't regret it!
26. Crunchy Paleo Granola Bars
One secret to a child's heart? Chocolate. Bake up these crunchy granola bars and rest assured that both you and your child are eating healthy and delicious paleo snack ideas.
27. No-Bake Paleo Energy Balls
For when you want sweetness on the go, try making these no-bake paleo energy balls. They are great for keeping you full and giving you a touch of sweetness. The secret is in the dates!
Paleo Dessert Snacks
Just because you're eating paleo doesn't mean dessert is off the table. These paleo approved snacks on the sweeter side let you indulge without straying from your goals.
Made with wholesome ingredients like coconut, almond flour, and natural sweeteners, they're the kind of treats you can feel good about. No guilt, no compromise, no junk.
28. Paleo Avocado Ice Cream
I'm a big fan of non-dairy ice cream, and Cado Deep Dark Chocolate Avocado Frozen Dessert will show you why. Keep it in your fridge over the course of your diet. You won't regret it.
29. Paleo Banana Pudding
Banana pudding is one of my favorite desserts, and happens to be one of the best paleo snacks, too. This won't feel like your classic Southern banana pudding, but it is a delicious dessert to have during your diet. Make sure to add in the garnishes like the pecans and bananas and enjoy when you use this recipe!
30. Perfect Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies
How good do these look? We were amazed at how good Paleo cookies can be. Try making this simple recipe that gives you tons of options for variations. Any paleo-approved topping you want to add is fair game.
31. No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Bars
Don't be intimidated by the picture. As far as paleo snack recipes go, use this one because it’s actually pretty easy. You will thank yourself for these amazing chocolate coconut bars! Plus, they're no-bake, so you can have them out in no time.
What Makes a Good Paleo Diet Snack?
Not every snack labeled "natural" or "clean" qualifies as paleo-friendly. The best paleo diet snacks tend to share a few things in common:
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Whole-food ingredients: meat, eggs, fruit, nuts, and vegetables as the base
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No grains or legumes: that rules out most conventional chips, bars, and crackers
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No added sugars: check labels carefully for syrups, sweeteners, and flavored coatings
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Short ingredient lists: if you can't read it at a glance, it probably isn't paleo
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Look for certifications: Paleo Certified and Whole30 Approved labels make identification easy
Keep these criteria in mind as you browse the above paleo approved snacks on this list.
How to Choose the Best Paleo Diet Snacks
Navigating the paleo snack aisle doesn't have to be confusing. Always check labels for hidden grains, dairy, legumes, and refined sugars.
Look for "Paleo Certified" or "Whole30 Approved" labels for easy identification. Products with thoughtfully-sourced protein like 100% grass-fed and finished beef with 10+ grams of protein are ideal choices.
Prioritize snacks with zero grams of sugar and ingredients you can actually pronounce. Fresh produce, nuts, and seeds make perfect grab-and-go options when in doubt.
For packaged items, seek options with minimal processing and short ingredient lists. Remember that convenience doesn't have to compromise nutrition.
Snacks to Avoid on the Paleo Diet
Knowing what to skip is just as important as knowing what to grab. Even some snacks marketed as "natural" can work against you on paleo. Watch out for:
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Grain-based bars, crackers, and chips. Even ones labeled as "natural"
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Peanuts and legume-based snacks (peanut butter included)
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Processed meat snacks with added sugars, marinades, or artificial flavoring
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Flavored nuts with sweetened coatings
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Dried fruit with added sugar, turns a whole food into dessert fast
Sticking to simple, recognizable paleo diet snacks with short ingredient lists is always the safest move.
A Final Bit of Advice
Paleo is so rewarding and is a fantastic way to reach your health and weight loss goals. My advice is to go easy on yourself. Stick to the diet as much as you can, but look at your paleo pursuit as more of a way to adjust your lifestyle diet.
Instead of starting and stopping your dieting and eating radically different foods, why not stick to a mostly paleo snacks/healthier diet and occasionally give yourself the room to treat yourself guilt-free?
This balance is the key to a rewarding and healthy lifestyle, and I encourage you to find ways to both enjoy the food you eat and the way it makes you feel.
Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are paleo diet snacks?
Paleo diet snacks are whole-food-based options free from grains, dairy, legumes, and refined sugars. Think nuts, fruit, eggs, and meat sticks.
What are nutritious paleo diet snacks?
Great options include hard-boiled eggs, almonds, olives, and Paleo Certified meat sticks like Chomps.
What paleo snacks can satisfy sweet cravings?
Fresh fruit, coconut chips, and no-bake energy balls are all paleo-friendly ways to curb a sweet tooth.
What is the best paleo snack to buy?
Look for Paleo Certified or Whole30 Approved products with short ingredient lists and 0g sugar.
What are the best paleo products available online?
Top brands include Chomps, RxBar, Primal Kitchen, Bearded Brothers, and Barnana.
Are Chomps meat sticks a suitable paleo diet snack?
Yes. Chomps are Paleo Certified, Whole30 Approved, made with 100% grass-fed and finished beef, and deliver 10g+ protein and 0g sugar per stick.
