Kid-Approved Paleo & Gluten-Free Snack Ideas for Families

Looking for tasty gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo homemade snacks your kids will love? Here are dozens of healthy, kid- and parent-approved snack ideas—both homemade and store-bought.

A collage of healthy snack ideas from Nom Nom Paleo. All are gluten-free and kid-approved.

One of the questions I hear most is: how do I feed kids at snack time? While my children sometimes have treats, I prioritize keeping the pantry and fridge stocked with wholesome, flavorful snacks. Over the years I’ve developed many savory and sweet paleo options that kids (and their friends) eagerly eat.

No time to make everything from scratch? I also list favorite store-bought paleo and gluten-free snacks we buy online or at the grocery store. Ready to snack?

Savory Paleo Snacks

Dips, crunchy vegetables, and salty chips are always winners. Below are family-favorite savory snacks you can make easily at home.

Tonnato Sauce

This creamy, tangy sauce—made with anchovies, capers, and canned tuna—is surprisingly delicious. Whole30- and keto-friendly, it’s perfect with grain-free crackers or fresh crudités.

Tonnato Sauce by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo

Tonnato Sauce

Tonnato is a simple creamy sauce with anchovies, capers, and tuna. It’s great drizzled over raw veggies or roasted meats—give it a try.

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An overhead shot of a white plate filled with colorful raw vegetables and a small white ramekin filled with tonnato sauce.

Beet Hummus

This bright pink dip is a sneaky way to get kids to eat more vegetables. Paleo, vegan, and Whole30-friendly, it’s creamy, flavorful, and chickpea-free.

Beet Hummus by Michelle Tam

Beet Hummus Without Chickpeas (Paleo & Whole30!)

Vibrant and creamy, this beet hummus uses simple ingredients and works as a dip or spread—dairy-free and Whole30-approved.

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An overhead shot of paleo, Whole30, and vegan beet hummus in a white bowl surrounded by carrot and cucumber slices.

Sweet Potato and Cashew Dip

This curry-infused dip is creamy and addictive—our family devours it the moment it’s blended.

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Sweet Potato and Cashew Dip (from Tess Masters’ The Perfect Blend)

A vegan and Whole30-friendly vegetable dip with warming curry flavors—perfect for veggies and crackers.

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An overhead shot of a colorful platter of vegetables surrounding a bowl of vegan and Whole30 sweet potato and cashew dip.

Brussels Sprout Chips

If you love the crispy edges of roasted Brussels sprouts, make a whole tray of Brussels Sprout Chips—they’re ultra-crispy and addictive.

Brussels Sprouts Chips by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo

Brussels Sprouts Chips

Turn Brussels sprouts into snackable chips—crispy, salty, and perfect for munching.

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A square bowl is filled with crispy Brussels sprout chips, a paleo and vegan snack

Baked Kale Chips

These are a hands-down kid favorite—bake more than you think you’ll need because they disappear fast.

Baked Kale Chips by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo

Baked Kale Chips

Simple to make and irresistibly crunchy—kale chips are a great healthy alternative to packaged chips.

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A closeup of a bowl of homemade Baked Kale Chips

Crispy Mushroom Chips

Made with King Trumpet mushrooms, these chips deliver a concentrated umami crunch that tastes luxurious and snackable.

Crispy Mushroom Chips by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo

Crispy Mushroom Chips

Oven-baked mushroom chips are an umami-packed, healthier alternative to potato chips—deliciously crisp and easy to make.

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A cup filled with Crispy Mushroom Chips

Porkitos (Crispy Prosciutto Chips)

Thin prosciutto slices bake up into crunchy, salty Porkitos—great on their own or as a salad topper.

Porkitos (Crispy Prosciutto Chips) by Michelle Tam / Nom Nom Paleo

Crispy Prosciutto Chips (Porkitos)

Bake thin prosciutto slices until crisp for a salty, crunchy snack that feels indulgent but is simple to prepare.

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A white plate filled with Porkitos (Crispy Prosciutto Chips)

Chicken Cracklings

Crispy chicken skin—baked or air-fried—makes an addictive two-ingredient snack. Think of them as supercharged chips.

An overhead shot of Crispy Chicken Skin on a wire rack

Crispy Chicken Skin Chips (Chicken Cracklings)

These two-ingredient chips are easy to make in an air fryer or oven—once you start, it’s hard to stop.

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A pair of tongs are removing crispy chicken skins from an air fryer.

Sweet Paleo Snacks

Grab-and-go sweet treats that are gluten-free and refined-sugar-free—just sweet enough to satisfy cravings.

Cherry Chocolate Granola

This paleo, vegan granola is one of our family favorites and a popular homemade gift during the holidays. It’s customizable and easy to make.

An overhead shot of a tray of chocolate cherry paleo granola

Chocolate Cherry Paleo Granola

Crunchy, nutty, and sweetened with maple, this granola is irresistible—great for gifting or snacking.

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An overhead shot of a tray of chocolate cherry paleo granola

Tropical Granola

A grain-free granola with tropical flavors—crunchy, mildly sweet, and perfect when you want a fruity, nutty snack.

Tropical Paleo Granola by Michelle Tam

Tropical Paleo Granola

A lightly sweet, tropical granola—great by the handful for a bright, nutty crunch.

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A closeup of a tray of paleo tropical granola fresh out of the oven.

PB&J Energy Balls

If you miss PB&J sandwiches, these energy balls capture the flavor in a peanut-free, no-bake form.

“PB&J” Energy Balls by Michelle Tam

Peanut Butter and Jelly Energy Balls

Made with nuts and fruit, these portable energy balls taste like PB&J without the peanuts or bread.

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An overhead shot of a bowl of “PB&J” Energy Balls

Pumpkin Muffins

These almond flour pumpkin muffins are moist, easy to make, and use simple ingredients—perfect for autumn snacks or lunchboxes.

Three gluten free pumpkin muffins made with almond flour

Easy Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins

A simple almond flour recipe that yields tender, moist muffins with minimal fuss.

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A closeup of the paleo pumpkin muffins on a wire rack.

The World’s Easiest Cookies

Crunchy almond flour cookies that are truly simple to make—and they’re paleo, too.

The World's Easiest Cookies

The World’s Easiest Cookies from Elizabeth Barbone

Simple, grain-free cookies that are gluten-free, egg-free, and vegan-friendly—perfect for a quick bake.

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A pink plate topped with The World's Easiest Cookies

Chocolate Cherry Scones

These grain-free dark chocolate cherry scones are delightful with coffee or as a snack and make lovely homemade gifts.

Grain-Free Dark Chocolate Cherry Scones

Grain-Free Dark Chocolate Cherry Scones

Buttery scones studded with dark chocolate and cherries—flavorful and satisfying without grains.

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A paleo and grain-free cherry chocolate scone on a wooden cutting board.

Matcha Coconut Gummies

These jade-colored gummies combine matcha, coconut, and gelatin to make playful, tasty little jellies your kids will love.

Matcha Coconut Gummies by Michelle Tam

Matcha Coconut Gummies

Cute, tasty gummies made with matcha and coconut—fun to make and fun to eat.

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heart and owl-shaped Matcha Coconut Gummies on a white background

Berry Snack Cake

A tender, portable snack cake studded with berries and sweetened just enough with maple or coconut sugar—kids and adults love it.

A slice of paleo and gluten-free berry snack cake

Berry Snack Cake (Paleo, Gluten Free)

A simple snack cake that travels well—perfect for school snacks or a quick dessert.

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Someone adding sifted keto confectioners sugar onto the paleo berry snack cakes

Store-Bought Paleo Snacks

When life gets busy, store-bought paleo snacks are a lifesaver. Here are our family favorites that are easy to find and pack in lunches or snack boxes.

Our family’s favorite store-bought snacks

  • Potato chips fried in avocado, coconut, or olive oil
  • Grain-free Siete tortilla chips
  • Plantain chips
  • SeaSnax seaweed snacks
  • Simple Mills grain-free crackers and cookies
  • Hu Kitchen pizza-flavored grain-free crackers
  • Organic applesauce
  • A variety of nuts and seeds
  • Turkey and beef sticks

These items are convenient to buy online or at grocery stores. They make it easy to offer paleo-friendly options when you can’t cook from scratch.


For more recipes, explore the Recipe Index on the original site or check the author’s cookbooks for exclusive recipes and additional snack ideas.