10 Low-carb, High-protein Snacks You’ll Crave Every Single Afternoon

Need snacks that keep you full, taste amazing, and don’t wreck your carbs? Same. These bites are quick, bold on flavor, and packed with protein to steady your energy—no sugar crash, no hanger. Grab a mixing bowl and your favorite knife; we’re about to make snacking the best part of your day.

1. Zesty Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip With Crunchy Veg Dippers

This is the ranch you wish came in a bottle—thick, tangy, and loaded with herbs. It’s perfect for desk snacks, game nights, or whenever you’re craving something creamy and fresh. Bonus: it’s done in five minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (2% or 5%)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Assorted low-carb veggies (cucumbers, bell peppers, celery, radishes)

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, whisk yogurt, olive oil, and lemon juice until smooth.
2. Stir in onion powder, garlic powder, dill, salt, and pepper. Adjust lemon or salt to taste.
3. Chill 10 minutes for flavors to bloom.

Serve with crisp veggies or dollop on grilled chicken. For extra protein, fold in 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan. Want heat? Add a pinch of cayenne.

2. Smoky Turkey Cucumber Roll-Ups With Cream Cheese

These bite-sized spirals feel like party food but eat like a protein bomb. They’re cool, crunchy, and satisfy that sandwich craving—without the bread. Meal-prep friendly and kid-approved.

Ingredients:

• 1 large English cucumber, sliced lengthwise into thin ribbons
• 6 slices deli turkey (nitrate-free if possible)
• 3 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives

Instructions:

1. Pat cucumber ribbons dry with paper towels.
2. Mix cream cheese with smoked paprika and chives.
3. Spread a thin layer on each cucumber ribbon, top with a strip of turkey, and roll tightly.
4. Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning if using.

Keep them snug in a container so they don’t unroll. Swap turkey for smoked salmon and you’ve got brunch in a bite—seriously good.

3. Crispy Parmesan Zucchini Chips in the Air Fryer

Salty, crunchy, cheesy—these chips scratch the craving for something crispy without the carb hangover. They’re quick to cook and disappear even faster. Dip into marinara or enjoy plain.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium zucchini, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil spray

Instructions:

1. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (205°C).
2. Pat zucchini dry. Dip in egg, then in a mix of Parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Arrange in a single layer, spray lightly with olive oil, and air fry 7–9 minutes until crisp and golden, flipping once.

Serve hot with warm marinara or pesto. No air fryer? Bake at 425°F on a rack for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.

4. Spicy Tuna Avocado Boats With Lime

Meet your new five-minute power snack: creamy avocado stuffed with zippy tuna. It’s rich, satisfying, and hits that perfect balance of protein and healthy fats. Great post-workout or mid-afternoon.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado, halved and pitted
• 1 can (5 oz) tuna in water, drained
• 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt or mayo
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha (or to taste)
• Salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro

Instructions:

1. Mix tuna with yogurt, lime juice, Sriracha, salt, and pepper.
2. Scoop a little avocado flesh to widen the “boat,” roughly chop it, and fold into the tuna.
3. Spoon mixture into avocado halves and top with cilantro.

Add crunch with toasted pumpkin seeds or minced red onion. Swap tuna for canned salmon and a dash of smoked paprika for a cozy twist.

5. Cottage Cheese Caprese Cups With Balsamic Drizzle

Caprese gets a protein upgrade thanks to creamy cottage cheese. It’s fresh, pretty, and ridiculously easy to portion. Perfect for picnics or a fancy snack plate.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cottage cheese (2% or 4%)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup mini mozzarella pearls
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, torn
• 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Divide cottage cheese into two bowls or small jars.
2. Top with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze. Season with salt and pepper.

Make it travel-friendly by packing the glaze separately. For more protein, stir in diced grilled chicken or a spoon of pesto for extra oomph.

6. Lemon-Pepper Chicken Bites With Garlic Aioli

Think chicken nuggets, but classy and low-carb. These juicy bites cook fast and taste like your favorite takeout without the breading. The garlicky aioli? Non-negotiable.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• Aioli: 2 tablespoons mayo, 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt, 1 small grated garlic clove, pinch salt

Instructions:

1. Toss chicken with olive oil, lemon zest/juice, lemon pepper, garlic powder, and salt.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high; sear chicken 6–8 minutes, stirring, until cooked through.
3. Mix aioli ingredients in a small bowl.

Serve hot with aioli and lemon wedges. Add chili flakes for heat, or sub with turkey breast chunks if that’s what you’ve got.

7. Chili-Lime Shrimp Cups With Avocado Crema

These are party-level snacks you can throw together in under 15 minutes. Bright, citrusy shrimp tucked into crunchy lettuce with a silky avocado crema—big flavor, minimal carbs. Trust me, you’ll want seconds.

Ingredients:

• 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, plus zest
• Salt and pepper
• 8–10 small butter lettuce leaves
• Crema: 1/2 avocado, 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt, 1 teaspoon lime juice, pinch salt

Instructions:

1. Toss shrimp with olive oil, chili powder, cumin, lime zest, salt, and pepper.
2. Sear in a hot skillet 2–3 minutes per side until opaque.
3. Blend crema ingredients until smooth.
4. Nest shrimp in lettuce leaves, drizzle with crema, and a squeeze of lime.

Garnish with cilantro or radish slices for crunch. Use pre-cooked shrimp to save time—just warm quickly with spices.

8. Pepperoni Pizza Egg Muffins You Can Eat Cold

All the pizza flavors, none of the crust. These protein-packed muffins are grab-and-go gold and surprisingly good straight from the fridge. Great for breakfast or a late-night snack.

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 1/4 cup heavy cream or unsweetened almond milk
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1/4 cup parmesan, grated
• 1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1/3 cup mini pepperoni (or chopped)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line with silicone cups.
2. Whisk eggs with cream, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Divide peppers, onion, pepperoni, and cheeses among cups. Pour egg mixture over.
4. Bake 15–18 minutes until set and slightly puffed.

Cool before storing. Swap pepperoni for cooked sausage or add mushrooms and olives for full pizza vibes.

9. Almond Butter Protein Bombs (No Bake!)

When you want dessert but need protein, these are the move. They’re chewy, nutty, slightly sweet, and perfect with coffee. Keep them in the fridge for emergency snack attacks.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup almond butter (no sugar added)
• 1/4 cup vanilla or unflavored whey/pea protein powder
• 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1–2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
• 1–2 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk, as needed
• 1–2 teaspoons allulose or monk fruit (optional)
• Pinch salt, splash vanilla

Instructions:

1. Stir almond butter, protein powder, flax, chia, coconut, sweetener, salt, and vanilla.
2. Add almond milk a teaspoon at a time until a dough forms.
3. Roll into 10–12 balls. Chill 20 minutes to set.

Drizzle with melted dark chocolate (85%) for a treat. Swap almond butter for peanut or tahini, and add cinnamon for warmth.

10. Everything-Smoked Salmon Nori Bites

It’s like a bagel and lox decided to go low-carb sushi. Crisp nori, silky salmon, creamy cheese, and crunchy cucumber—big flavor in two bites. Perfect for brunch platters or a fancy-feeling snack.

Ingredients:

• 4 sheets nori, quartered
• 4 ounces smoked salmon
• 3 tablespoons whipped cream cheese
• 1/2 cucumber, cut into matchsticks
• 1 teaspoon capers, drained
• 1 teaspoon everything bagel seasoning
• Lemon wedges, to serve

Instructions:

1. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on each nori square.
2. Top with a strip of smoked salmon, a few cucumber sticks, and a couple of capers.
3. Sprinkle with everything seasoning and fold into little envelopes.

Squeeze with lemon just before eating. Want heat? Add a dab of wasabi or a sprinkle of chili crisp. These pack well—just keep the lemon separate.

How to Make Low-Carb, High-Protein Snacking Effortless

Keep a few anchors in your fridge: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, cooked chicken, eggs, and leafy greens. Pair with flavor boosters—herbs, citrus, pickles, and spice blends—and your snacks practically make themselves. A little prep on Sunday and you’re cruising all week.

There you go—10 low-carb, high-protein snacks that actually taste incredible. Pick one to try today, then rotate through the rest. Your future, well-fed self will be very pleased.