As you get keto-adapted, most people find the inclination to graze (at least snack frequently) decreases. But that can take a bit of time. It’s not necessarily something to expect your first week (although some folks do begin to experience the change within a few days, provided they’re eating enough overall). Still, even the most metabolically flexible of us will want keto snacks now and then—or will replace a meal with a snack because you find that you don’t always need three regular “meals” most days.
My theory is that meals, and particularly snacks, should be simple and easy. Few of us have time to make elaborate meals every day, and when we’re living into a new eating strategy, convenience matters. In that spirit, here are 20 keto snack ideas that take 5 minutes or less to make. Enjoy! And let me know your favorite—from this list or from your own keto or Primal practice.
1. Egg Coffee
An original Primal favorite is a great keto pick-me-up for morning or afternoon. Find the recipe here.
2. Soft- or Hard-boiled Egg
It doesn’t get much easier than this. Cook up a batch on Sunday, and you’ll be set for the week.
3. Guacamole
Make it as simple as you like. Mashed avocado, sea salt and lime juice do it for me, but sometimes I’ll throw in some canned green chilis, half a tomato, and some chopped red onion, garlic or cilantro.
The fat of the avocado and Primal Kitchen Mayo with the protein of tuna make this one of the more filling snacks I turn to.
6. Olives
It’s the simple things, right? Splurge on a container of your favorite olive mix.
7. Spoonful of Artisana Coconut Butter
Just when I said it didn’t get any simpler… As I’ve shared before, this is one of my favorite go-to snacks.
8. Raw Veggies and Healthy Dip/Dressing
Anyone can put this together in containers for the week. And, yup, Primal Kitchen Dressings make it easier and more flavorful.
9. Leftover Chicken Wings
Savvy keto strategy: make enough wings for the play-off games on Sunday. Enjoy the leftovers during the week. Deep fry them in avocado oil (trust me on this…) and slather on your favorite BBQ sauce.
10. 5-Minute Salad
As most of you know, I’m a big fan of Big-Ass Salads for lunch, but a lighter (and quicker) snack salad is always a possibility. An easy one to put together is spinach, pecans, red onions, feta and Primal Kitchen Balsamic Dressing.
11. Leftover Steak Strips with Bell Pepper Strips and Steak Sauce
It’s a leftover lovers dream. And I’m happy to recommend a favorite steak sauce….
12. Lox Wraps
Skip the bagel carb binge and enjoy this classic on some butter lettuce or romaine leaves with a schmear of cream cheese and your favorite toppings.
13. Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus
Save some asparagus from dinner and take ten seconds to wrap them with this deli counter favorite.
14. Macadamia Nuts
Keep a bag of them at work. They’re great with your morning coffee, too.
15. Unsweetened Nut Butter on Celery Sticks
Make enough for the kids because otherwise they’ll eat yours.
16. Cheese Crisps
Yup—five minutes or less. Buy pure cheese crisps at the store (sometimes they’ll contain nut flour), or make them at home.
17. Summer Sausage
Your childhood camping favorite is still a good option. (Look for a nitrate-free brand.)
18. California Sub Roll-Up
I like this easy roll-up idea. Works for Italian sub ingredients, too.
Mark Sisson is the founder of Mark’s Daily Apple, godfather to the Primal food and lifestyle movement, and the New York Times bestselling author of The Keto Reset Diet. His latest book is Keto for Life, where he discusses how he combines the keto diet with a Primal lifestyle for optimal health and longevity. Mark is the author of numerous other books as well, including The Primal Blueprint, which was credited with turbocharging the growth of the primal/paleo movement back in 2009. After spending three decades researching and educating folks on why food is the key component to achieving and maintaining optimal wellness, Mark launched Primal Kitchen, a real-food company that creates Primal/paleo, keto, and Whole30-friendly kitchen staples.