10 Easy Paleo Diet Approved Snack Ideas

From paleo granola to kale chips, take a look at this list of 10 easy, healthy and overall awesome paleo diet snacks

While traditional go to snack foods like crackers and pretzels may not be an option when embarking on a paleo diet, there are a wide variety of paleo snacks that are not only healthy, but food you will actually enjoy.

As you probably know, the paleo diet is often referred to as the ‘caveman diet’ because it is centered around the idea of only eating food we can hunt or find.

• Grass fed meats
• Fish
• Leafy greens
• Local vegetables and seeds

This means no pasta, dairy, cereal, or processed foods!

While those new to the paleo diet this may seem difficult and like all the fun foods are missing, you will find it is actually quite the opposite.

Coming up with new and exciting paleo diet snack ideas can be frustrating and you certainly don’t want to limit yourself to consuming the same thing day after day.

It’s always a good idea to have a handful of ideas for paleo snacks stored up top for that time when hunger strikes and you can’t muster the brain power to come up with anything right on the spot.

Sweet or savory, in these paleo snacks you will find something for every food emergency

1. Nuts

Nuts are a paleo diet snack staple not only because they are packed with fatty acids and heart-healthy nutrients, but because they are extremely portable and accessible.

Pick up almonds, cashews, or macadamia nuts to start, but be sure to steer clear of peanuts, which are actually legumes.

Add a twist to this standard paleo snack item by sauteing the nuts of your choice with a little bit of olive oil, chili powder, cumin, sea salt, and black pepper.

2. Kale Chips

Kale seems to be the leafy green of choice these days, and it’s no surprise to us, since this vegetable is packed with exceptional nutrient richness and known as one of the healthiest veggies on the planet.

Turn a head of kale into a wonderfully convenient and delicious paleo snack by cutting the stems out of several kale leaves, sprinkling the leaves with olive and sea salt, and baking at 275 degrees for 20 minutes on each side.

3. Cucumber Cups

Pluck a cucumber from your garden, local farmer’s market, or grocery store and cut it into 2″ thick slices.

The next step is to hollow out the centers and stuff with tuna or salmon.

These cute bite size cups are great for parties or as an afternoon snack when you are in need of a nutritious boost.

Another fun way to use cucumbers is to place a small piece of meat between two cucumber slices, leaving you with a refreshing and satisfying snack.

4. Jalapenos Stuffed With Guacamole

This paleo version of the much-loved classic ‘jalapeno popper’ is a win-win for those who are looking for a spicy, tasty paleo snack idea.

Cut your jalapenos length wise and make sure to scrape out all the seeds and membrane before arranging them on a sheet and baking for 10 minutes.

Then use a spoon to fill the poppers with guacamole, leaving you with a delicious paleo treat.

For bacon lovers, wrap the assembled popper in a strip of bacon and throw on the grill or back in the oven until the bacon is crispy.

5. Chicken Hearts

Organ meat is often times the most nutritious part of an animal, and it also makes for great paleo diet snacks.

Chicken hearts are typically the size of a large olive and serve as a nutritious snack when you are in need of something small.

You can eat them raw with a sprinkle of sea salt, or try grilling, sauteing, or wrapping them in bacon for an extra-tasty snack.

6. Paleo Granola

Paleo granola is another wonderful snack that doesn’t take too much time or energy and keeps for a long time.

You’ll need:

• raw almonds
• cashews (amended – see comments below)
• raw pumpkin seeds
• raw sunflower seeds
• coconut flakes
• coconut oil
• raw honey
• sea salt
• your favorite dried fruit
• vanilla extract

After blending the almonds, cashews, and coconut flakes, mix in the remaining ingredients and spread onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 20-25 minutes at 275 degrees and you will be left with your very own, absolutely delicious paleo granola.

7. Plantain Chips

If you are not familiar with plantains, they are a starchier version of bananas and while they aren’t the best raw, they are a great paleo snack when turned into chips.

Thinly slice a couple plantains, brush with coconut oil, sprinkle with salt, and bake for roughly 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

The sweet and salty combo will have your taste buds jumping for joy and asking for more!

8. Fresh Fruit

Fruit is one of the best paleo diet snack ideas because it is easy to transport and won’t go bad if left at room temperature throughout the day.

Staples in the fruit family such as apples, bananas, and oranges are always a good option, or branch out and try a plum, pear, or grapefruit.

9. Meat and Veggie Skewers

If you are in need of something to bring to a party or just in the mood for a gourmet snack, meat and veggie skewers are both a satisfying and nutritious option.

Pick up your favorite organic deli meat at the store as well as skewer-friendly veggies, such as cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, carrots, and other veggies that are good to eat when raw.

10. Paleo Pizza Bites

Just because you have turned to a paleo diet doesn’t mean you have to miss out on those pizza flavors we all love so much.

Get creative with this one, but an easy snack idea is to top sliced pepperoni with tomato sauce, grated cheese, olives, peppers, mushrooms, and whatever else you you have or want.

Bake your assembled ‘pizza’ in a 400 degree oven for under 10 minutes and will be met with that pizza taste you’ve been longing for.