Airline food doesn’t have a great reputation. Prices are high, choices are limited, and passengers often settle for whatever is left on the cart. Many people pack their own snacks to make the long flight more comfortable, but not every snack is allowed on the plane.
What food is OK in a carry-on
The TSA maintains a detailed list of items that can be brought on board in a carry-on bag and those that can be included in checked baggage. The following are ok to bring on the plane.
Solid items: Sandwiches, wraps, baked goods, solid cheese, jerky, nuts, chips, crackers, whole fruit, vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and candy.
Frozen items: Any food or ice pack that is completely frozen at the time of screening. If partially melted, expect disposal or checking.
Liquids, gels, and spreads: Yogurt, hummus, salsa, soft cheese spreads, peanut butter, jams, and dressings must follow the 3-1-1 rule in carry-on bags or be placed in checked bags.
After security: You may buy liquids or larger food portions in the terminal and bring them on the plane. The liquids rule applies at the checkpoint, not at the gate.
The following video shows you the best TSA-approved hacks to know before packing snacks for your flight.
Freeze it to clear the liquid rule
Smoothies or yoghurts can’t pass TSA security. However, not many passengers are aware that frozen solid items are allowed through security. You can freeze yogurt, smoothies, or even açaí cups in an insulated bag. If any item is thawed, slushy, or has liquid pooling in the container, it no longer qualifies and may be denied in carry-on.
Pro tip: Frozen snacks work perfectly as an ice pack for the other food, so you don’t need to pack any extra to keep them fresh.
Build a TSA-compliant snack box
You can pack your own “gourmet snack box” instead of buying one at the airport or on the airplane. TSA permits baked goods, sandwiches, wraps, solid cheese, hard-boiled eggs, roasted chickpeas, nuts, dried fruit, jerky, whole fruits, and vegetables.
Officers will X-ray the container like any other bag and may ask you to separate food to keep the belt moving. Semi-liquids, such as creamy dips, salsas, hummus, and soft cheese spreads, must either be under 3.4 ounces and placed in your liquids bag or packed in checked luggage.
Pro tip: If you’re traveling with kids, you can make separate gourmet snack boxes to keep the little passengers happy.
The empty-jar hack
Airlines won’t tell you this, but TSA allows empty containers of any size. You can bring an empty screw-top jar through security, then add items like single-serve yogurt, a fruit cup, or guacamole to make a parfait or layered snack.
Once past security, you can assemble foods you buy in the terminal without violating the liquids limit because you are no longer at the checkpoint. Keep the lid tight to prevent spills during turbulence.
Pro tip: Ensure the jars are tightly sealed to prevent leaks at high altitudes, and you can reuse them as many times as needed.
Make snack tubes
Crackers and cookies can turn into crumbs by the time you reach your seat. To avoid this, you can make a snack tube by repurposing an empty Pringles can and filling it with your favorite snacks, such as crackers, cookies, granola bars, and even sandwiches. The tubes keep your snacks from getting destroyed or turning into crumbs. During security screening, officers might ask you to open the tube for additional screening.
Pro tip: You can even pack homemade food into the tubes and enjoy it fresh during your flight.
Shelf-stable “charcuterie” at cruising altitude
Travelers can pack hard, aged cheeses like Gouda or Parmesan, dry-cured meats in sealed snack packs, nuts, dried fruit, and crackers. TikToker Marissa Mullen shared a video in which she packs little charcuterie packets to enjoy during a flight.
Those are solid foods and do not trigger the 3-1-1 rule. Avoid honey cups, jam jars, and oil-packed items in containers larger than 3.4 ounces. If you choose olives, opt for drained, dry-packed versions to sidestep liquid concerns.
Pro tip: You can fit everything in a small pouch and pass through the security with no issues.
Bento strategy with mini containers
A compartmented lunchbox, such as Bento, helps with portion control and keeps hands free from multiple wrappers. You can pack grilled chicken strips, roasted veggies, fruits, mini sandwiches, or even mini desserts.
An alternative is to bring dry spice mixes, such as chili-lime, to sprinkle on your food. With this hack, you avoid the liquid issue.
Pro tip: If you want to pack sauces or dressings, pack them in containers of 3.4 ounces or less and place them in your quart-size liquid bag. You can also freeze them solid, and they can pass through security without any issues.
Dehydrate to save space and avoid mess
You can carry dehydrated items such as banana slices, apple chips, veggie crisps, mangoes, and even cheese crisps. Dehydrated snacks travel well, can be packed easily, and can be eaten without making a mess. Keep in mind that powdered foods may require additional screening if officers are unable to resolve the image on X-ray.
Pro tip: You can make these snacks at home using an oven or a dehydrator. It’s healthier, and you can customize the seasonings to suit your taste.
Single-serve nut butter packets
Jars of peanut butter and similar spreads are considered liquids or gels for screening purposes, which means that anything larger than 3.4 ounces must be placed in checked luggage. However, you can pack single-serve nut butter packs under the limit in your carry bag. You can eat these with crackers, fruit, or veggie slices.
Pro tip: If you find airport food bland, consider adding a nut butter packet for a more flavorful experience.
Reusable silicone bags
Silicone pouches create a tighter seal than disposable sandwich bags and hold up under pressure in a packed carry-on. They are permitted through screening. Use them for solids like cut vegetables, crackers, cheese cubes, or grapes. If you pack dips, keep each portion under 3.4 ounces and group them with liquids.
Pro tip: Silicone bags come in various sizes, allowing you to pack a wide range of items, from sliced vegetables to whole fruits and even small amounts of dips.
The whole-fruit rule
Fruits are the healthiest snacks you can have during a flight. However, many passengers don’t bring it, thinking they won’t be allowed to. But, they are! Whole, uncut fruit typically passes through security without issue.
Apples, oranges, bananas, and clementines travel well, peel easily, and require no utensils for consumption. However, restrictions apply to passengers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to the mainland United States. Travelers from these destinations are prohibited from packing most fresh fruits and vegetables due to the risk of spreading pests.
Also, bear in mind that if you travel overseas, you may not be allowed to bring them into your destination country, so it’s best to eat them during the flight.
Pro tip: Pack them in a mesh bag and place them somewhere easily accessible for screening.
What else can you pack into your carry-on?
It may sound funny and surprising, but it’s true. The TSA permits a live lobster to be transported through security in a clear, plastic, spill-proof container.
An officer will visually inspect the lobster at the checkpoint. The TSA also advises travelers to contact their airline first, as carriers can impose their own restrictions. This allowance exists in addition to the standard food screening rules and does not supersede airline policy.
Final checks before you pack
Review the TSA rules before you fly, especially if you plan to bring unusual foods or need medical or infant exceptions. Keep snacks organized so officers can see them on X-ray, and separate items when asked. A few minutes of preparation help avoid delays and let you board with the food you actually want to eat.