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23 Paleo Snacks: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Delicious!
April 7, 2017
Following a Paleo diet can have really terrific benefits for some people. Abstaining from inflammatory grains, eating more protein and enjoying a variety of fruits and veggies can help you lose weight and feel good.
But snacking while being Paleo can be confusing at first. When you go down the Paleo snacks road, gone are the go-to crackers and dip, popcorn and even peanut butter. You can always snack on produce, of course, but sometimes you want something that isn’t a handful of nuts or chopped vegetables.
Luckily, there are some tasty Paleo snacks out there that are good for you, contain no dairy or gluten and taste delicious. Whether you’re craving something sweet, salty or on the go, there’s a Paleo snack for you.
23 Paleo Snacks
1. Almond Butter and Jelly Cookie Bars
Who needs peanut butter and jelly sandwiches when you have these cookie bars? The jelly is made from just two ingredients, strawberries and maple syrup, while the cookie crust and crumble top is thanks to coconut flour, coconut oil and almond flour. These make a wholesome after-school snack for kids or a grab-and-go option for adults.
Photo: Paleo Running Mama
2. Apple Paleo Muffins
These little muffins are super versatile. Not only do they come together in just minutes, but they freeze really well, so you can enjoy them throughout the week. Because they’re just lightly sweetened with honey and spiced up with cinnamon, they’re good for a quick breakfast, too.
3. Banana Almond Chia Pudding
If you’re used to combating the afternoon slump with yogurt, you’ll love this Paleo chia pudding. While the chef here enjoys it at breakfast, it’s really simple to convert this into a snack: instead of making these in a bowl, prepare in mason jars for perfect portions you can take to work with you.
Not a big banana fan? Swap in your favorite frozen berries or mangoes instead. I do suggest keeping the sliced almonds in for some healthy fats and crunch.
Photo: Grits and Chopsticks
4. Chicken Skillet Nachos with Avocado Sauce
It doesn’t matter if you’re Paleo or not — you’re going to want to make these nachos! You’ll start with homemade sweet potato chips, then load ’em up with shredded chicken, pico de gallo and chilies.
But the star of this dish is the avocado sauce. It’s your cheese stand-in but trust me, you’re going to want to eat it all the time. A mix of avocado, mayo, lime juice, jalapeño, garlic and cilantro, this will be your new favorite sauce. Serve these on game day, movie night or anytime, really!
Photo: Paleo Newbies
5. Chocolate Zucchini Breakfast Bars
You likely have everything you need already to make these Paleo bars. While they’re touted as a breakfast bar, these are good for snacks and dessert, too. You don’t taste the sneaky zucchini at all, they’re full of chocolatey goodness from the cacao powder and they freeze well — what more could you want?
6. Crock Pot Chunky Monkey Paleo Trail Mix
This could be the perfect trail mix. It’s full of crunch from a variety of nuts, sweetness from coconut flakes and banana chips and just the right amount of chocolate to curb those cravings. It comes together right in the slow cooker, so your kitchen will smell amazing! Be sure to use coconut oil or ghee instead of butter here to keep it strictly Paleo.
Photo: Cotter Crunch
7. 4-Ingredient Fudge Protein Brownies
With only four ingredients, you can’t go wrong with these protein brownies. You’ll use mashed bananas for sweetness and texture, along with protein powder, cocoa powder and your choice of nut butter. These taste great warm, at room temperature or cold from the fridge and make a great post-workout snack.
8. Fried Plantains
You’ve probably seen plantains at the grocery store; they look like funny bananas. But if you haven’t cooked them yet, you’re in for a treat. My favorite way is this one: slice ’em, fry ’em in coconut oil and sprinkle with cinnamon. They make a sweet alternative to potato chips, but also go really well with main dishes if you need them to do double duty.
9. Funfetti Protein Bars
One of the most fun Paleo snacks are these funfetti bars. They’re made with gluten-free flours, vanilla protein powder and cashew butter, and topped with vanilla protein glaze. You won’t believe how much like cake they taste like! If you’re strictly Paleo, keep away from the sprinkles; these taste good enough on their own anyway.
Photo: What Molly Made
10. Funky Monkey Popsicles
These fun popsicles are a yummy way to get the kiddos involved in the kitchen. You’ll take banana chunks and freeze them in a chocolate coconut milk mixture. Once frozen, they’ll get dipped in chocolate and sprinkled in chopped nuts and sea salt. These Paleo snacks make a refreshing hot weather treat the whole family will love.
11. Healthy Oil-Free Baked Curly Fries
Despite the best of intentions, sometimes the mood for French fries strikes. When that happens, it’s time for these curly fries. Using a spiralizer will give you the best curly shape, but it’s the flavor that’ll keep you coming back for more. The spice mix makes these the perfect savory snack or side to go with a big, juicy burger.
12. Heirloom Tomato Avocado Caprese Salad
This Caprese-style salad is a great Paleo snack when you have just-right produce or an abundance of basil to use up. You’ll substitute mozzarella for creamy avocado loaded on fresh tomato slices. Top each tomato with basil, drizzle with balsamic vinegar and oil and enjoy. This one is great to enjoy while sitting outdoors enjoying a hot summer night.
13. Low-Carb Cauliflower Hummus
Most hummus recipes are based around chickpeas, which aren’t allowed in Paleo diets. Luckily, there’s this cauliflower version. It’s full of garlic and tahini goodness but, best of all, it’s a great base to customize your own flavor preferences. Add sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers or spring onions. The sky is the limit!
Photo: I Breathe I’m Hungry
14. Paleo Almond Butter Cups
These nut butter cups are a deliciously sweet treat when you need a little pick-me-up and a healthier alternative to Reese’s peanut butter cups — just use almond butter or sunflower seed butter instead. Best of all, all the ingredients are super common: maple syrup, cacao powder, salt and coconut oil are all you need.
15. Paleo Carrot Cake Energy Balls
These carrot cake-inspired energy bites are a fun way to get in some veggies, enjoy healthy fats from crunchy pecans and chow down on a dose of fiber-rich flax seeds. Stash a few in your gym bag or lunchbox.
Photo: Physical Kitchness
16. Paleo Fried Pickles
Fried Paleo snacks? When they’re pickles covered in almond flour, yes! This ticks all the boxes: salty, crunchy and super flavorful, thanks to a seasoning mix of garlic, paprika and cayenne. The accompanying ranch dressing is a must-make, too.
17. Paleo Hummus
Another take on a bean-free hummus, this one relies on raw, soaked cashews for the creamy texture. Fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, coconut milk and tahini gave this dip tons of flavor while remaining totally Paleo. Use on veggies, lettuce wraps or with gluten-free bread.
18. “Peanut Butter” Protein Bars
These gorgeous protein bars taste as good as they look. They’re made with almond butter, Medjool dates, coconut oil and dates and require no baking. Instead, they’ll set in the freezer, where you can keep them for up to several months without spoiling — if they last that long.
Photo: Jessi’s Kitchen
19. Perfect Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies
No animal products, no grains, no gluten, no dairy — and did I mention these are totally Paleo, too? These truly taste like bakery-quality cookies. With almond and coconut flours, baking soda, coconut sugar and almond butter as the main ingredients, you just might never go back to your “normal” recipe.
20. Sautéed Apples
These sautéed apples are one of my favorite cold weather Paleo snacks. They’re perfect when you want warm apple pie or crumble without the effort. You’ll sauté apple slices in coconut oil, then sprinkle them with seasonings. These are a great way to satisfy a need for something sweet while sticking to a low-sugar diet.
21. Sweet Potato Chicken Poppers
This fun little poppers are an awesome game day Paleo snack. The grated sweet potatoes are mixed right in with the ground chicken and a variety of seasonings for crisp little chicken nugget-like poppers. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
Photo: Unbound Wellness
22. Thai Curry Roasted Cashews
Roasted nuts seem like a healthy snacking option until you see the ingredients that are added to some of the grocery store brands. Your best bet is to make your own seasoned nuts, like these curry cashews. Salty, sweet and with curry flavor, these are great to nibble on throughout the day.
23. Turmeric Latte
This warm, thick drink is perfect when you need something cozy and comforting to sip on. Made with coconut milk, turmeric, ghee and herbs, it’s filling enough to enjoy as an after-dinner Paleo snack or instead of your mid-morning coffee.
Photo: Dr. Axe
