50+ Essential Paleo AIP Recipes

Get inspired with these 50+ essential AIP recipes for the paleo autoimmune diet including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, dessert, and slow cooker and Instant Pot recipes.


AIP recipes / Autoimmune Paleo Dishes
 

Let’s talk about the autoimmune protocol! AIP can either stand for ‘autoimmune protocol’ or ‘autoimmune paleo’. Either way, it comes down to the same nutritional guidelines. Most often, it’s used by people with autoimmune disease to manage symptoms and flares as a result of those conditions.

The specific eliminations put in place by this protocol often yield promising results for those who suffer from chronic pain or digestion issues. It’s a great way to manage the negative side effects, put them into remission entirely, and discover the specific foods that do and do not work for a certain individual.

Even if you don’t suffer from an autoimmune disease, the protocol can be a great premise for an elimination diet overall. The reason why it works for so many people is that it helps to manage inflammation in the body. It helps the immune system reset, and it aids in repairing leaky gut. Part of the autoimmune protocol is reintroducing foods and gauging your reaction to them one-by-one.

So, What Foods Are Eliminated In The AIP Diet?

In a nutshell, it’s a modified, more strict version of the paleo diet. You’ll eliminate all grains, dairy, legumes, soy, alcohol, and sugar, but you’ll also cut out a few other things. AIP takes away nightshades (i.e. tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and pepper-derived spices), coffee, eggs, nuts and seeds, and any other additives. You want to be more careful about thickeners, gums, and emulsifiers with AIP as well. If you want to learn more, I recommend reading The Paleo Approach by Sarah Ballantyne, The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook by Mickey Trescott and Angie Alt.

 

It can be a BIG leap for some to adapt to this diet. It’s good to know about common mistakes you can avoid to make your autoimmune journey as simple as possible. It’s also helpful to have a repertoire of delicious AIP recipes to make because your major focus should be on what you can eat versus what you can’t eat. Fortunately, there are plenty of recipes to go around.

Jump directly to a category:

Note: some recipes require you to omit black pepper and/or butter. For a butter substitution, use coconut oil or avocado oil instead.

 

AIP Breakfast Recipes

AIP breakfast recipes

Perhaps one of the most difficult dietary requirements when switching over to autoimmune paleo is the to avoid eggs. This breakfast time staple is versatile, easy to make, quick to cook, and without question… delicious. What do you do in the morning without eggs? There are plenty of options – not to worry! You won’t get bored with this variety of egg-free recipes. From left to right, top to bottom:

Turkey Sausage With Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Chicken Breakfast Muffin Nests

Spaghetti Squash & Sausage Casserole From Fed & Fulfilled

Mashed Sweet Potato & Bacon Cups From Real Simple Good

Breakfast Tapioca Porridge With Rhubarb & Raspberry Sauce From Little Bites of Beauty

Cassava Flour Waffles From Tasty Yummies

Banana Cinnamon “Oatmeal” From Healing Family Eats

Bison, Bacon, & Pomegranate Skillet From A Squirrel In The Kitchen

Breakfast Pot Pie From The Castaway Kitchen

Breakfast Fries With Bacon & Chive Crumble From Autoimmune Wellness

Chocolate Protein Smoothie From He Won’t Know It’s Paleo

 

AIP Lunch Recipes

AIP lunch recipes

Lunch can be a tough spot for many. With this particular protocol, planning ahead is even more crucial than the average meal prep session. Most people have to eat lunch outside of the house, so it’s good to have paleo AIP recipes that you can make the night before and bring to work with you.

Hawaiian Teriyaki Bowl From Forest & Fauna

Paleo Egg Rolls From Delicious Obsessions

AIP Poke Bowl From Unbound Wellness

No Mayo Cilantro Chicken Salad From Meatified

Fish Taco Lettuce Wraps From Heartbeet Kitchen

Sweet Potato, Prosciutto, & Rocket Salad

Bacon & Ranch Zucchini Noodle “Pasta” Salad From Unbound Wellness

Nightshade-Free Vegetable & Beef Soup From Clean Eating Veggie Girl

Turmeric & Broccoli Chicken Roll-Ups From Food To Heal Ourselves


 

AIP Dinner Meals

AIP Dinners & Mains

Dinner is often enjoyed alongside family or others, so kicking out all those food groups while cooking for a crowd can be pretty tough to navigate. Fortunately, these autoimmune paleo recipes aren’t skimping on flavour or pretty presentation. Whether you’re cooking for one or you’re aiming to please, here are some ideas for you to work with.

Healthy Fish Patties With Beetroot Relish

Super Easy Garlic Parsley Cod

Mini Lasagna Bianca From The Castaway Kitchen

Spaghetti With “Nomato” Sauce From A Clean Plate

Chicken Salsa Verde Tacos From Meatified

Slow Cooker Chicken Curry From The Purple Ladle

Italian Calzone From Autoimmune Wellness

Sheet Pan Chicken With Apple, Brussels Sprouts, & Sweet Potato From Well Plated

Hearty Salmon Chowder From Healing Family Eats

Creamy Garlic Spaghetti Squash Casserole From Real Simple Good

Ginger-Lime Sticky Chicken From Eat Heal Thrive

Shrimp Scampi From He Won’t Know It’s Paleo

Stuffed Sweet Potatoes With Bacon & Avocado-Lime Cream From Autoimmune Wellness

30-minute Pumpkin Chili From Adventures of a Sick Chick

Easy Broccoli Rice

Sauteed Asparagus With Orange & Ginger

 

AIP Desserts

AIP Dessert recipes

No matter what type of restrictive nutrition plan we choose to suit our needs, we all need a little indulgence here and there. The sweet tooth doesn’t just fade, even if our health is in better shape than ever. Fortunately, there are plenty of ingredients to work with that make dessert while following AIP easy… even without chocolate. Again, left to right, top to bottom images:

Banana Split Pudding From Autoimmune Wellness

Tigernut Shortbread Cookies From Feasting On Fruit

Chocolate Cake With Banana & Avocado Frosting From A Clean Plate

Carrot Cake With Coconut Frosting From Heartbeet Kitchen

No-bake Matcha Green Tea Cheesecake From A Squirrel In The Kitchen

Salted Caramel Apple Parfaits From Grass ed Salsa

No-bake Cookie Dough Bites From Unbound Wellness

Strawberry Ice Cream Bon Bons

Coconut & Berry Cream Pies From Comfort Bites


 

AIP Snack Recipes

AIP snacks

With the autoimmune protocol, creating your own convenience is a necessity. Even at your average health food store, you’re not likely to find satisfying and nourishing options with ingredients you can eat. You’re going to find sneaky nightshades in addition to added sugars, preservatives, and other no-no’s. Get smart about your snacking, and pack munchies when you need ’em.

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Berry & Coconut Collagen Protein Bars From Grass Fed Salsa

Pineapple & Coconut Energy Bars From Tasty Yummies

Crispy Plantain Tortilla Chips From Beyond The Bite

Tropical Protein Granola From Grass Fed Salsa

Garlic & Artichoke Hummus From Meatified

Salmon & Leek Pate From Healing Family Eats

Homemade EPIC Jerky bites From Food To Heal Ourselves

Caramelised Coconut Chips From Whole New Mom

Arrowroot Chips From Zesty Paleo


 

AIP Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Recipes

AIP Instant Pot & Slow Cooker recipes

Time is of the essence when it comes to prepping, especially if you are dealing with active flares or symptoms of chronic pain. Meal prep can be a serious burden. Setting it and forgetting it is the answer. Break out the slow cooker or the pressure cooker for some of these AIP recipes.

Instant Pot Nightshade-Free Chili From Unbound Wellness

Instant Pot Chicken Vaca Frita From The Curious Coconut

Slow Cooker Garlic-Herb Mashed Cauliflower From Wicked Spatula

Slow Cooker Balsamic Roast From Joy, Food, & Sunshine

Slow Cooker Anti-Inflammatory Broccoli & Turmeric Soup From Sweet Peas & Saffron

I hope I could help the smooth transition to AIP easier for you, or your introduction to it look tastier and more manageable. This protocol is fantastic for healing, and you deserve to eat delicious food while you do so. Enjoy! 

 
Irena Macri
By Irena Macri

About the author: Hi, I’m Irena Macri. I share delicious recipes that I have cooked and loved. I am a published cookbook author, have been food blogging for over 10 years and have a Diploma in Nutrition. You will find many healthy recipes as well as my favourite comfort food. More about me here | Subscribe to my newsletter and freebies

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Comments

16 Comments
  1. At first glance, AIP restrictions seem so daunting. This resource is SO helpful to see just how much food you really CAN have while following AIP and killing those inflammatory flames! Thank you!

  2. I’ve always thought that AIP is super restrictive, I mean no chocolate is almost impossible for me ;), but just one quick look at these beautiful photos and I have certainly changed my mind. Great that you’ve easily categorised them too – love it! <3

  3. WOW! What a fabulous collection of recipes, and gorgeous photos. I’ve shared this with a friend who has just started AIP and desperate for a new recipes

  4. I’m so impressed with the variety and creativity of AIP recipes these days. Back when I did it in the old days, you know, 2014, haha, people were just starting to come out with recipes and it was like a new frontier. Now there are SO many awesome ones. I love how you compiled them into a concise roundup. Definitely a great resource for people searching for inspiration.

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