Have You Got A Dehydrator?
A dehydrator is a great way of adding some variety into your Paleo diet. There are loads of great dehydrators on the market, like the Excalibur – but you don’t have to buy a dedicated dehydrator, as you can dehydrate produce directly in your oven.
A dehydrator is an indispensable machine if you want to dry your own products. This enables you to keep food for longer and is especially great if you have just harvested a lot of fruit or veg – or have a lot of meat to use up. A dehydrator is versatile and suitable for different products. The machine works with hot air that is blasted through the food, has an adjustable temperature and is very efficient. In a climate like ours, where the humidity is high, a dehydrator can provide a solution.
With a dehydrator you can build up a supply of food that will keep for a long time – but without the added ingredients of shop bought equivalents. You will have the perfect instrument to make all the fresh products that are only available for short periods of time during the year, sustainable. It is also a lot better for your bank account as you can bulk buy fresh produce when it is in season, or on offer – and make it last for many months.
Dehydrated food is great for people on the go, as the food doesn't weigh very much, so is ideal to take hiking or camping.
You can put pretty much anything inside a dehydrator; vegetables, fruit, meat, herbs, nuts, whatever you like.
Warning: For most products, the temperature should not be higher than 50c (120F) degrees.
Drying meat
Jerky is a great Paleo snack, packed with protein and fat. You can dehydrate any type of meat, either on it’s own or using herbs and spices to add some extra flavor. Biltong and boerewors are popular dehydrated meats in South Africa, which you can make yourself, it your dehydrator. Whilst you can buy jerky, it’s likely to have lots of preservatives – and unlikely to be made from grass-fed high quality meats.
Drying fruit
Try drying your own raisins or dried prunes and apples – or whatever fruit you have an abundance of in the garden. You can also make fruit leather by drying out puréed fruit. Whilst dehydrating fruit concentrates the sugar levels, they can certainly still be enjoyed as an occasional treat.
Drying herbs
A dehydrator is perfect for drying out herbs – great to prevent wastage. If you live somewhere hot & dry, you can dry herbs the traditional way, hung on string, and left out in the sunshine. Collecting the herbs is a fun activity itself, and the prospect of preserving them while maintaining colour and taste, makes it even more rewarding. Nothing is as good as a jar of your own cultured and dried coriander or hot chili peppers, to spice up your dishes for a whole year.
Dehydrating Vegetables
Vegetables are perfect for a dehydrator. Trying making vegetable chips, using kale, carrots or very thinly sliced sweet potatoes. Tomatoes also work really well in a dehydrator, and can be added to recipes for months to come.
How long does the food need to be in the dehydrator?
It totally depends on the amount of moisture inside the product. It can even vary between two items of the same product. Also the size makes a big difference in how long it will take to dry out the food. It’s really important not to cut short the during time, as any left over moisture can result in mould and rotten food. Almost all products need to be dried more than 24 hours, but you should research & experiment further for everything you attempt to dry out.
After drying to products, keep them in airtight pots or bags. Lockable glass pots or mason jars look great as decorations in the kitchen, filled with colourful dried fruit and vegetables.
Creative Ways to Use Your Dehydrator on a Paleo Diet
If you’ve already mastered the basics of using your dehydrator for jerky, herbs, and fruit leather, it’s time to take things up a notch. Your dehydrator can help you build a thriving Paleo pantry and support a lifestyle that’s free from processed ingredients but rich in flavour and nutrients. Here are some extra ways to incorporate dehydrated foods into your daily meals.
Make Your Own Paleo Croutons and Crackers
Who says Paleo can’t have a bit of crunch? Blend a mix of ground seeds (like flaxseed, sunflower, or chia), almond meal, herbs, and a little water or bone broth until you get a thick paste. Spread it thinly on a dehydrator tray and dry until crisp. You’ll have a satisfying, grain-free alternative to conventional crackers or croutons.
Dehydrate Zucchini or Eggplant Slices for Paleo “Pasta”
Thinly slice zucchini or eggplant lengthwise and dehydrate them until pliable but dry. These can be rolled or layered like lasagne sheets, making them a perfect noodle substitute for grain-free pasta dishes. Rehydrate them slightly before use if you want a softer texture.
Create Savoury Veggie Powders
Once dehydrated, vegetables like carrots, beetroot, kale, spinach, and even mushrooms can be blitzed into powders. These are ideal for adding to soups, stews, or omelettes for an extra nutritional punch. You can also mix them into homemade spice blends or sprinkle over meals as a Paleo flavour boost.
Fermented and Then Dried – The Ultimate Gut-Friendly Snack
Make a batch of fermented vegetables like sauerkraut or kimchi, then dehydrate them for a tangy, crunchy snack that’s both probiotic and portable. This technique preserves the benefits of fermentation while improving shelf life, perfect for travel or workday nibbles.
Dry Marinated Mushrooms or Capsicum
Marinate sliced mushrooms or capsicum in olive oil, garlic, herbs, and lemon juice for a few hours, then dehydrate them for rich, intense flavour. These work brilliantly in Paleo wraps, salads, or as toppings for grain-free pizza bases.
Preserve Bone Broth for Travel
You can pour cooked and cooled bone broth into silicone trays and freeze it, then transfer the frozen cubes to your dehydrator. Once fully dry, grind into a powder. This is a great way to travel with bone broth, use it as a seasoning, or rehydrate for a gut-healing drink anywhere.
Make Paleo-Friendly Trail Mix Components
Beyond dried fruit and jerky, try dehydrating small pieces of coconut, banana slices, and even spiced pumpkin seeds. You can season your ingredients with cinnamon or paprika before dehydrating to create custom Paleo trail mixes for outdoor adventures or midday snacking.
Dehydrated Citrus Zest for Paleo Desserts
Save and dry citrus peels like lemon, lime, and orange. Once dried, grind them into a fine zest powder to use in Paleo baking, raw treats, or to infuse teas. It's a fantastic zero-waste flavouring solution that smells as good as it tastes.
Storage Tips for Dehydrated Paleo Staples
To make the most of your dehydrator, ensure proper storage to preserve all your hard work. Use airtight jars or vacuum-sealed bags, and store in a cool, dry cupboard. If you live in a humid environment, consider adding food-grade silica packs to jars to keep contents dry.
Why Dehydrating is a Perfect Paleo Technique
Dehydrating food echoes ancestral techniques used long before refrigeration existed. It allows us to enjoy seasonal produce year-round, reduce food waste, and avoid the preservatives and hidden nasties in store-bought dried goods. Best of all, it keeps your food close to nature – just how Paleo intended.
Have you tried any of these ideas, or discovered your own favourite dehydrator hacks? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below!
101 (more!) paleo snack ideas
After the popularity of my previous post on paleo snack ideas, I've put together a new, extended list of snack ideas.
After my last list, I got a lot of people telling me “DAIRY IS NOT PALEO” (yep, I think they were shouting), so just to clear it up, some of the snack ideas listed below do have dairy options. I'm not in the paleo police, so if you tolerate dairy and take more of a lacto-paleo approach (and can find a good quality source) – go for it. If you fare better dairy free, avoid it!
The list below has a good range of snacks suitable for work (where there often aren't good facilities for keeping things cool or warming them up), travel, children as well as snack ideas that are quick enough for you to grab and go.
I'd love to hear your feedback – – what's your go to paleo snack? Or do you find you don't need to snack so often any more?
- A can of (high quality) tuna
- Make your own beef jerky
- A bag of nuts and seeds
- A couple of squares of super dark high quality chocolate
- Make your own cherry ripe bars
- Coconut flesh in a bag (dehydrate it to make it last longer!)
- Keep a small jar of coconut oil or coconut manna to hand – and a spoon!
- Cheese cubes served with cut apple
- Use a melon baller to prepare spheres of fruit – and serve in cream (dairy or coconut)
- Roll up avocado, radish, cress & asparagus in ham wraps
- Coat chicken with an egg and almond flour mix to create Paleo chicken nuggets
- Melon & ham slices
- Simple – avocado slices
- Pre-boiled, peeled hard boiled eggs
- A jar of olives
- A tin of coconut milk served over fresh berries
- Your favourite fruit
- A coconut
- Make your own pork scratching (AKA pork rinds or crackling)
- Have you tried coconut yoghurt yet?!
- A bag of your favourite nuts (activate them, then season them)
- How about spicy almonds?
- Seaweed is a good option that stores well
- Coconut flakes
- A berry and coconut mix
- Dry some berries and fruit
- Last night’s meatballs
- Pigs in blankets
- Almonds, pecans and berries served in coconut milk
- No-Oatmeal
- Full fat plain Greek yoghurt (if you do dairy)
- Salmon
- Smoked meat and salami
- A selection of cheeses
- Almond Butter
- A sealed packet of nuts and seeds
- A jar of pickles (make sure it isn't full of sugar)
- Home made egg muffins
- Make your own Paté
- A tin of sardines
- Oysters
- Simple – cut up some leftover meat and veg
- Devilled eggs
- Precooked bacon pieces
- Dehydrated banana slices
- Kale chips
- Diced Steamed chicken and avocado
- Leftover meat and mayo
- Paleo sushi with nori, veg, avo and fish
- Mini omelettes
- Veg sticks and nut butter
- Salmon and tuna on sliced cucumber
- Carrot sticks with a home made spicy salsa
- Capsicum (Bell Pepper) strips with a guacamole dip
- Make sandwiches with bacon “bread” and an avo filling
- Ham, tomatoes and fresh basil
- Left over roast veggies with a ranch sauce
- Home made sauerkraut
- Ever tried chocolate covered bacon bites?Coat almonds and coconut flakes in chocolate
- Dip fresh berries in chocolate
- For a special treat paleo cookies
- Frozen grapes
- Frozen banana slices mixed with fresh cream
- Baked pears with coconut cream and a dash of cinnamon
- A flask/ thermos of bone broth
- Soup
- A bottle of a freshly made green smoothie
- Zucchini Chips
- Spicy pumpkin seeds
- Homemade fruit leather
- Sweet potato, coconut oil fries
- Stuffed mini bell peppers (capsicum)
- sliced peaches & cottage cheese
- Baba Ghanoush with vegetable sticks
- Ginger sesame Chicken wings
- Monkfish & sweet potato skewers
- Sweet potato & chocolate chip muffins
- Refilled sweet potatoes
- Spicy nuts
- Maple & cayenne roasted almonds
- Celery sticks and pesto
- Spicy coconut king prawns
- Crunchy cashew fish sticks
- Indian Eggs
- Kimchi
- Mini Paleo Pizza’s
- Sliced deli meat
- Chicken drumsticks
- Coconut Milk Kefir
- Plantain chips
- Roasted Chestnuts
- Cauliflower Popcorn – who needs that other stuff when you can make this?!
- Collard wraps – put your favourite veggies and leftover meat in a collard leaf and wrap!
- Coleslaw
- Prosciutto wrapped asparagus
- Pickled Gherkins
- A glass of (unsweetened)Almond Milk
- Prawns with Paleo Cocktail Sauce
- Carrot sticks with Paleo Hummus
- Strawberry & coconut ice cream
- Raw Chocolate Maple and Pecan Fudge
How to Choose the Right Paleo Snack for Your Lifestyle
With so many Paleo snack ideas to choose from, the key is finding options that work for your routine. If you’re on the go all day, opt for shelf-stable choices like jerky, activated nuts, coconut flakes, or tinned fish. These require no prep and are easy to store in your bag or car.
If you're at home and have a few more minutes, why not make a small batch of egg muffins, Paleo sushi rolls, or even sweet potato fries cooked in coconut oil? These snacks can double as mini-meals and help you stay full for longer.
For anyone following a low carb or keto-leaning Paleo diet, focus on snacks with a higher fat content like avocado, olives, boiled eggs, pâté, and nut butters. These will help stabilise energy levels and reduce hunger between meals.
And if you're looking for family-friendly or kid-approved Paleo snacks, there are plenty of fun ideas in the list — from frozen banana slices to mini Paleo pizzas and zucchini chips.
Snacking isn’t essential on Paleo if your meals are nutrient-dense, but let’s be real — life gets busy, and it helps to have a plan. Keeping a few go-to Paleo snacks on hand can prevent unhealthy choices when you're tired or in a rush.
Do you have a favourite Paleo snack not on the list? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to keep adding to this ultimate Paleo snack resource.
More Creative Paleo Snack Ideas to Keep You Inspired
If you're looking to add even more variety to your Paleo snack game, the ideas below bring together flavour, convenience, and nutrition — all with minimal fuss. Whether you're after savoury, sweet, or something in between, there's something here to keep your snack drawer exciting and Paleo-compliant.
- Boiled quail eggs – A bite-sized alternative to chicken eggs, they’re perfect with a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Avocado boats – Halve an avocado and fill the seed hollow with salsa, sauerkraut, or tuna salad.
- Apple slices with sunflower seed butter – A great nut-free option for those with allergies or sensitivities.
- Jicama sticks – Crisp, hydrating, and excellent with lime and chilli for a Mexican-inspired snack.
- Dehydrated zucchini chips with paprika – Make a big batch in your dehydrator or low oven to have crunchy snacks on hand.
- Mini meatloaf muffins – Bake individual meatloaves in a muffin tray and keep them in the fridge for a satisfying protein fix.
- Frozen coconut bites – Mix shredded coconut, a little honey, and coconut oil, then freeze into silicone moulds.
- Stuffed dates – Try dates filled with almond butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon (great for a natural energy hit).
- DIY trail mix – Combine your favourite activated nuts, coconut flakes, freeze-dried berries, and cacao nibs.
- Spiced cauliflower bites – Roast small florets in olive oil and turmeric for a warm, satisfying snack.
Snack Timing and Portion Tips for Paleo Success
Snacking on Paleo shouldn’t feel like a chore — nor should it become an all-day grazing habit. The goal is to support your energy and nutrient needs without mindless munching. Here are a few tips to make the most of your snack time:
- Pre-portion snacks in small containers to avoid overdoing it, especially with nuts and dried fruits.
- Time your snacks strategically — a mid-morning bite can bridge breakfast and lunch, while an afternoon snack might keep you from reaching for the biscuit tin at 4pm.
- Always include protein or fat – pairing carbs (like fruit) with protein or fat helps slow absorption and keeps you fuller for longer.
Make-Ahead Paleo Snack Prep Ideas
If you set aside just 30–45 minutes on a Sunday, you can prepare a week’s worth of easy Paleo snacks. Here’s a sample prep list to get started:
- Boil a dozen eggs and peel them ready for grab-and-go protein.
- Cut veggie sticks (carrot, celery, cucumber, and capsicum) and store them in water-filled containers in the fridge.
- Pre-make a batch of Paleo kimchi or sauerkraut to add gut-friendly crunch to any snack.
- Whip up some almond pate or chicken liver pate to enjoy with veggie sticks or seed crackers.
- Roast a tray of seasoned nuts or spiced seeds for a savoury fix.
Snacking Mindfully on Paleo
Lastly, it’s worth tuning into why you’re snacking. Is it because you’re genuinely hungry, or are you tired, bored, or distracted? One of the less talked-about benefits of eating Paleo is how it can help you reconnect with your natural hunger signals.
Try sitting down, even for just a minute, when you snack. Put your food on a plate. Chew slowly. Appreciate the flavours. That awareness can help turn snacks from a guilty grab into a satisfying pause in your day.
What Are Your Latest Go-To Paleo Snacks?
The Paleo community is full of ingenious foodies, and I’d love to hear from you. What have you been snacking on lately? Any weird and wonderful creations? Let me know in the comments — and if I get enough replies, I’ll do a reader-curated follow-up post!
