While we all know that when eating paleo, it’s best to concentrate on new and naturally healthy foods, sometimes you just really want to create that flavor you miss from your past life. And once you’ve gotten yourself on track with your health, it’s okay to experiment. So try these copycat recipes, paleo style!
1. 5 Ingredient Skinny Mocha Frappuccino
That’s right, this is the Starbucks favorite that maybe you haven’t had in years. Made with strong black coffee, rich and delicious coconut milk (a healthy fat!), vanilla extract, cocoa powder, stevia, and ice cubes, this drink will meet your craving without harming your waistline.
Photo: Kim’s Cravings
2. Copycat Panera Bread Autumn Squash Soup
Panera Bread is known for their soups as well as the breads you can dip them in, but even without the bread, they’re not likely made with 100% paleo ingredients and may be hiding preservatives and flavoring agents you don’t want in your belly. So give this awesome version a try!
Larabars are actually pretty easy to approximate at home, since they’re made mostly from nuts, dates, and other dried fruit. This recipe is for a chocolate version using Medjool dates, cocoa powder, almonds, and a bit of hot water to keep things soft. You’ll love them!
4. Copycat Nestle Crunch Ice Cream Bar
I remember many an afternoon at the pool as a kid with a melty Nestle crunch ice cream popsicle dropping down my arm. Luckily, those bars are easy to make yourself with gently sweetened coconut milk “ice cream” and a coconut oil chocolate sauce coating.
5. Peanut-Free Peanut Butter Cups
Love Reese’s cups? This paleo-friendly version is made with Enjoy Life chocolate and smooth, creamy almond butter (any brand, including homemade, will work). Just two ingredients! These buddies are kid-friendly, too, and so tasty without a ton of sugar.
Photo: Unconventional Baker
6. Copycat Starbucks Pumpkin Scones
Every fall, millions of people flock to Starbucks for their pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin scones to go with them. This paleo version is pumpkin and awesome with maple syrup and coconut butter, and it’s glazed with a cashew frosting and a pumpkin spice drizzle.
7. Paleo Copycat Orange Julius
Who could resist a sweet, creamy, citrusy Orange Julius drink? Not me! Fortunately, there’s a healthier version in this recipe, using fresh-squeezed orange juice, full-fat coconut milk, vanilla extract, and crushed ice. It’s unbelievably easy to make, and you’ll want to double this recipe so you can share.
These yummy treats will take you right back to the Easters of your childhood. They’re made with a chocolate coating and a deliciously sweet filling of arrowroot-thickened grass fed butter, coconut oil, sea salt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. You can’t eat just one.
Disney parks are famous for many things—one of those things being Pineapple Dole Whip, which is a frozen dessert made from pineapple, sugar, and who knows what else (am I right?). This copycat version is much healthier, and made with frozen pineapple, vanilla almond milk, and honey.
Photo: Primal Palate
10. Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino, Take Two
This version of the recipe gets a little bit fancier, with almond butter, raw cacao, and a topping of coconut whipped cream, melted dark chocolate, and a homemade caramel sauce. This drink is delicious and will convert any Starbucks addict into a home drink-maker.
11. Copycat Paleo McGriddle Breakfast Sandwich
While I’m willing to bet McDonald’s doesn’t sound very good to you anymore, I bet you sure enjoyed a McGriddle occasionally, back before you turned things around. This version is made with homemade protein pancakes boasting protein powder, eggs, and bacon.
12. Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl
Loved those burrito bowls for Chipotle? Still do, sans rice? Try this version with romaine lettuce, bell pepper, cilantro, taco seasoning, avocado, chicken, lime juice, and more. I bet this is one you could throw into the fridge the night before and take it to work.
13. Paleo Chick-Fil-A, Take Two
This recipe is another take on the famous chicken, and this one has a flavor marinade and breading made from pickle juice, coconut flour, coconut milk, paprika, black pepper, onion, powder, and garlic powder. Fry them up in coconut oil and don’t feel quite so guilty.
Photo: almost Upermom
14. Copycat Chick-Fil-A Nuggets
These nuggets taste just like the ones you used to eat, but they’re totally paleo and breaded with almond flour seasoned with onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, pepper, and salt. Fry them in coconut oil for a much healthier alternative to fast food chicken!
15. Orange Julius Drink, Take Two
Who could resist a sweet, creamy, citrusy Orange Julius drink? Not me! Fortunately, there’s a healthier version in this recipe, using fresh-squeezed orange juice, full-fat coconut milk, vanilla extract, and crushed ice. It’s unbelievably easy to make, and you’ll want to double this recipe so you can share.
16. Copycat Chocolate Frosted Hostess Donuts
These are real, honest-to-goodness donut holes in this recipe, wrapped into a yummy chocolate coating. But totally paleo! Fine for an occasional treat, these donuts are sweetened with Medjool dates and made from coconut flour, eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and a homemade “frosting.”
When my sister and I were little, my mother would bring home boxes of jello so we could make jigglers. Would you believe there’s a way to make them that’s actually rich in nutritional benefits to your body? There is! Try this version using grass-fed gelatin and orange concentrate.
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18. P.F. Chang’s Beef La Sichuan
This yummier and healthy version of the Chinese chain favorite is made with flank steak, garlic, celery, carrots, chili oil, scallions, arrowroot powder, rice wine, coconut aminos, honey, sriracha and oyster sauce. Serve it over cauliflower rice or even enjoy it on its own.
19. Paleo Zuppa Toscana, Take Two
This version of the classic restaurant soup is made with canned coconut milk, baby kale or spinach, bacon, minced garlic, bacon, sausage patties, and (optional) roasted cauliflower. It’s filling and nourishing without MSG and who-knows-what other additives there are in the Olive Garden version.
20. Copycat Red Lobsters Cheese Biscuits
Red Lobster apparently makes a mean cheddar biscuit, and this version is a pretty darn good copy without the dairy and grains. You’ll need butter, almond and coconut fours, onion powder, nutritional yeast, apple cider vinegar, and a few other ingredients to make the magic happen.
What would you do…for a Klondike bar? Nothing, unless it’s for one of these! These copycat Klondike bars are made with coconut cream, sweetener of choice (honey works well), vanilla, coconut oil, and chocolate chips—Enjoy Life is a great choice for the chocolate.
Photo: Predominantly Paleo
22. Paleo Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp
This recipe is designed to copy the favorite dish from Bonefish Grill, and uses frozen shrimp, potato and arrowroot starches, avocado oil, salt, homemade mayo, chili sauce, coconut sugar, sriracha, and fresh chives. You won’t even think about Bonefish anymore after you try this recipe!
You know those delicious chocolate mints with the green layer in the middle? Here’s a better version, made with chocolate, peppermint extract, coconut butter, spirulina or matcha powder, vanilla extract, and coconut oil. They’re full of healthy fats and no corn syrup or soy!
24. Grain Free Hostess Cupcake Copycats
These cupcakes will send you right back to your third grade lunchbox. Made with almond flour, honey or maple syrup, and coconut oil, these cupcakes are filled with a thickened and slightly sweetened coconut cream frosting and covered with a lovely chocolate ganache.
25. Cranberry Apple Larabar Copycat
These Larabar copycats are modeled after the holiday-worthy cranberry apple flavor, and need only dried cranberries, dried apples, coconut oil, a bit of water, and a paleo-friendly protein powder. They’re soft, chewy, and portable, and they’re much cheaper than the real thing!
Photo: House Of Yumm
This yummy sauce tastes just like the creamy golden sauce from Chick-Fil-A, but you can make it at home with fresh ingredients and nothing gross like corn syrup. You’ll need paleo mayonnaise, honey, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and a paleo-friendly BBQ sauce.
27. Copycat Dole Whip, Take Two
Want your Dole Whip dessert a bit creamier? Try this version, made with both almond milk and coconut milk for a treat that’s both light and rich at the same time, is sweetened with raw honey, and has a lovely pineapple flavor enhanced by a pinch of salt.
28. Copycat Hail Merry Lemon Tart
I love Hail Merry tarts, and they’re already paleo, but man, are those things expensive! Try making your own using this recipe, which is for the lemon version (my personal favorite). You’ll use cashew cream, coconut milk, lemon juice, and other yummy ingredients.
29. Cucumber Tomato Salad from Noodles & Company
Here’s a fresher and healther version of the cucumber tomato salad from Noodles & Company, made with tomato, cucumber, red onion, olive oil, toasted sesame oil, apple cider vinegar, ground ginger, chili powder, sesame seeds, and freshly grated ginger root.
Photo: Three Beans On a String
30. Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
Maybe you were more of an Olive Garden fan and got your soup fix in the form of a nice Zuppa Toscana. Try this paleo homemade version with cauliflower, onion, garlic, Italian sausave, bacon, chicken stock, and kale. It’s packed with both flavor and nutrients.
These little chewy treats aren’t exactly like skittles, but they’re a great chewy candy or snack for kids and adults alike, they can be made in a rainbow of colors, and they’re made from wholesome ingredients like blackberries, sweet potatoes, carrots, parsnips, peas, avocado, beets, and coconut cream concentrate.
So many of us grew up and maybe well into our adulthoods dousing our steak in A1 sauce. The thing is, of course, A1 is full of not-so-good ingredients like corn syrup and caramel coloring. This version is homemade and healthy with balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, orange, and more.
33. Chipotle’s Cilantro Lime Rice, Paleo Style
This cauliflower “rice” is just like the Chipotle favorite that forms the base of their burritos and bowls, but it’s obviously grain free. You’ll need cauliflower, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and fresh finely chopped cilantro. You could make your own Chipotle burrito bowls!
Photo: One Ingredient Chef
34. 5-Minute Copycat Coco-Roons
I’ve seen these cookies at the store, but man, are they expensive! So I’ve never bought them. But I’m looking forward to giving them a try now that I can make my own using this recipe, with coconut butter, almond flour, maple syrup, cacao nibs, vanilla, and sea salt.
35. Jamba Juice Strawberries Wild Smoothie
Jamba Juice is known for their “fresh” juices and smoothies, but we all know café food is rarely as fresh as advertised, and who knows what extra ingredients are in there? This version of the Strawberries Wild smoothie has only whole ingredients, and there’s an option to make it green!
36. Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
These two guys are a Vermont-based ice cream favorite, known for their crazy flavors. Chunky Monkey was always my favorite, and you can make this dairy-free version sweetened with honey and bananas and flavored with almond extract and chocolate chips.
37. Copycat Trader Joe’s Spinach and Kale Dip
Trader Joe’s is a trendy place these days, but I’ve always found them to be limited in selection and way overpriced. You can make their dip for a fraction of the price with these yummy ingredients at home. To make it completely dairy free, use coconut yogurt as the base.
Photo: Simply Fresh Dinners
38. Copycat Chipotle Fresh Tomato Salsa
This mild (with a little kick) fresh tomato salsa tastes just like the one you can get in your Chipotle burrito, and all you need to make it is tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, jalapeno peppers, fresh lime juice, and a bit of kosher salt. Enjoy over meat or cauliflower rice.
This is the one I’m sure a lot of you have been waiting for. Nutella is absolutely delicious, but loaded with sugar, soy, and other unnecessary and unsavory ingredients. Try this easy version with hazelnuts, cocoa powder, almond milk, vanilla, and a sweetener: use coconut sugar.
40. Healthy Homemade Mango Fruit Roll-Ups
I preferred Fruit by the Foot, while my sister liked Fruit Roll-Ups better. Either way, we were two sugar-addicted kids, and I want different for my family. Besides, fruit leather is so easy to make if you have a dehydrator. This is a mango version, but you could use strawberries, etc.
I don’t know very many people who have never enjoyed a McDonald’s Shamrock Shake during the month of March. Of course, we all know there’s very little in a Shamrock Shake that could be considered actual food. So let’s try this healthier version with coconut milk, avocado, honey, and peppermint extract!
Photo: The Big Man’s World
42. Copycat Paleo Dunkaroo Cookies
Remember those cookies you used to get in your lunchbox as a kid—or maybe you used to send them with your kids before the family diet changed? These cookies taste just like those, with creamy cashew butter, maple syrup, shredded coconut, and a hazelnut cookie base.
