You can make your own hummus, find a recipe on line, and bring 2 boxes of mary's gone crackers which are gluten and dairy free. Hummus is so easy to make and you can garnish with parsley paprika and roasted pine nuts and it is heavenly. Travels well too.

Be sure to use GF soy sauce, too!

I don't think soba noddles are "paleo" and I know chickpeas are not "paleo" so I don't think I would go with those options. They fall into the dairy-free, gluten-free restrictions, but if you want a true paleo appetizer deviled eggs are great if made with homemade or olive oil based mayo. I also like to bring melon or asparagus wrapped in prosciutto or guacamole with veggies to dip with if you want to go with more veggies.

how about some veggies roasted in coconut oil?

Lettuce wraps!

How about summer rolls made with rice paper, tofu, lettuce, avocado, sprouts and a dipping sauce made of gf soy sauce. Or I'd second the hummus/bean dip suggestion!

I have a whole list of paleo-approved recipes for potlucks and picnics on my blog:
www.theclothesmakethegirl.com/2012/05/24/paleo-picnic-season/

All of the recipes are free of grains, gluten, added sugar, soy, legumes, and dairy -- they're the strictest of the strict paleo :-)

The page referenced above includes Cold Sesame Cucumber Noodles, a chopped salad that would be really cute served in cucumber cups, spiced nuts that are always a crowd pleaser, and a really simple pear+bacon appetizer that looks good and tastes great. Hope these ideas help!

Not sure about paleo...but my 2 "go-to" GF/DF appetizers are veggies & hummus or tortilla chips & salsa. Simple but always tasty.

Tofu is not paleo, nor are tortilla chips. No dairy, grains, legumes, or sugar. How about a spicy fruit salad with lime juice and habanero, guac with cut up veggies (guac is practically required for paleos), or spiced and roasted nuts?

I am recently eating similarly. I'd steer clear of the uncertainties and go with something high veggie, maybe raw as well. Homemade hummus or good store-bought with a variety of veggies for dipping is a good bet of folks are eating beans. You could also make tahini as an alternative if seeds are okay. Good marcona almonds, figs, apple slices, berries, cherries and a good supply of fancy pickles would be nice. Lettuce wraps were mentioned, and you could do a filling with cashews, veggies, curry and sprouts. A play on cucumber sandwiches with thin-sliced cucs and cashew cream/watercress on top would be another option. Good luck!

Fruit salad dressed with a smidge of honey and fresh herbs.

Salmon tartar in lettuce wraps.

These two dips are GF/DF, and packed with veggies: Roasted Eggplant Dip with Tahini and Creamy Roasted Garlic White Bean Dip w/ Lemon + Thyme

Serve with gluten free crackers (I also love Mary's Gone Crackers brand) and/or colorful crudité.

Prepared soba noodles, even ones that are 100% soba, are generally made in factories with gluten, so are not the safest choice for someone who avoids gluten for medical reasons. I would pick a different "go-to" gluten-free ingredient.

Quinoa might be a good staple ingredient, and as a seed might be appropriate for paleo. However, vegetables and proteins are probably the safest thing to please a paleo hostess.

-Sea