After flying on many occasions, with much trial and error, I began to take note of all the snacks you can bring on an airplane. I’ve listed some options here for you.
Having a resource like this article is perfect for prepping. I can’t tell you how many sporks, nut butters, spreads, dips, and other spreadables I thought or was told were okay until one airport decided it wasn’t. So, I’m someone who doesn’t even bring them anymore and instead brings the items here in this article now.
Plus, due to allergies and diet preferences, I can’t eat most of what’s served, so I had to start getting creative. Hopefully, this helps you as well!
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"Love is the food of life, travel is the dessert."
IMPORTANT TSA & SNACK GUIDELINES
Overall, the best way to get food thrown away by TSA is to follow their guidelines and rules.
#1.Liquid Rules
Although, some of those rules can be pretty borderline with the liquid rules, but I’ve most recently had it broken down into a simpler saying. One of the women in TSA had told me “Nothing spreadable or creamy even.”
For example, hummus, peanut butter, guacamole, and yogurt all count as liquids to the TSA.
*Can we just take a moment to mourn the hummus and peanut butter I’ve had thrown away*
However, there is a very small amount of creamy dips, spreads, dressings, sauces, and salsas, that are subject to the 3.4-ounce/100ml liquid restrictions. But I’ve been to airports that won’t even allow those too. It seems each person uses their own discretion and would rather not deal with it.
If you do decide to follow those restrictions, then be sure to put those in a clear bag for them to check and prevent leakage.
So, for now, let’s just stick to the snacks you can for sure bring on the airplane with your carry-on.
#2. International Restrictions
Passengers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland cannot take most fresh fruits and vegetables due to the risk of spreading invasive plant pests. Be prepared to eat the fruit or veggies you’ve packed as you’re standing in the TSA line, when traveling internationally.
#3. Dump The Liquids Before
Also, don’t forget to dump out the water you previously had in your water bottle before going through TSA. Fortunately, there are a decent amount of fill-up stations available, water fountains, and even coffee shops that we can go to fill up our water bottles after going through TSA.
#4. Be mindful of allergies
Although, you or someone else you’re with may not have an allergy. Please be sure to ask if the people around you have an allergy or forgo the nuts as snacks on an airplane.
I’ve made it a habit to ask because I had a friend allergic to cinnamon before and when I was eating something, it got cinnamon on my hands and instinctively wipe/shook it off my hands. Well, left burn dots on her arm, she was that allergic.
Many people with severe allergies wear a mask, stay covered, or plan to be in seats more separated, but it’s still worth asking.
Foods Not Allowed! ❌
No liquids/spreadables over 3.4-ounce/100ml and these count…
- Soup
- Smoothie
- Coffee
- Jar of jam/jelly or nut butter
- Pudding
- Applesauce
- Honey
- Pre-made protein shakes
- Fruit cups
- Yogurt
- Salsa
- Hot sauce bottles
- etc.
PACKING FOOD & PREP
Of course, there are so many benefits to bringing our own snacks on a plane, and here are just a few:
- Reduce Plastic Waste
- Ability to Honor Allergies
- Great Way to Stay Eating Healthy
- Save Money
So, why don’t more people pack their own food? Maybe, we can show them how!
However, when actually packing our food, opting for great sustainable cutlery, containers, and even water bottles can truly be an even better way to prevent plastic waste.
Overall, these are some of the absolute favorites that I know you’ll love too!
OPTIONS FOR SNACKS YOU CAN BRING ON AN AIRPLANE
One thing that I’ve come to learn is the less squishy it is or can be then the less messy it can be too. Because bags get thrown around, bringing around things like bananas aren’t exactly the best option. But most of these are…
Snack Ideas:
- Nuts: pistachios, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, and pecans.
- Nut & Seed Butter: Some of the best nut and seed butter (Only if in the small individual packets)
- Seeds: Pumpkin seeds & sunflower seeds are great go-to snacks, whether they are roasted or even raw.
- Oatmeal/Granola
Sustainability Tip: Of course, making your own nut butter is a much more eco-friendly alternative than the plastic! (I’m still wanting companies to make more snacks like these in compostable packaging.)SUBSCRIBE AND JOIN THE COMMUNITY ♡
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- Chips, Popcorn, Pretzels: Whether it be fruit hips or salty & savory veggie chips, they can help relieve some of the jaw tension that can come from flying.
- Trail Mix: DIY trail mix, a great way to cut down the sugar and avoid allergens. Some great things to add are popcorn, nuts, chocolate chips, pretzels, seeds, dried fruit, etc.
♻️ Sustainability Tip: Buying trail mix items in bulk or even getting the different elements from bulk and mixing it together is even better. Especially because it more eco-friendly, more allergen friendly, and also allows you to customize it to your health needs!
- Fruits: Apples, citruses, etc. Think of fruits that are firm and can’t be easily crushed too, because then they become spreadable! HA! I had this happen with a banana once!
- Dried Fruit & Fruit Chips: Be sure to look at the ingredients, looking for no or less added sugars. Some great options are banana chips, apple chips, and stuffed dates.
- Fruit Leathers/Bars
- Energy Balls
- Protein bars: These are an absolute staple for any trips, hiking, flying, backpacking, road trips and best of all snacks you can bring in an airplane.
♻️ Sustainability Tip: Of course, having your own dehydrator, buying discounted fruit that is rippe or even over ripe, is a great way to make your own!
-Protein Powder: Not the already mixed and liquid shakes. But the powder can be brought through. I’d recommend putting the powder and scoop into a gallon bag and bringing it with you. I’m someone who has one just about every day! (This travel blender is powerful and compact for travel too!)
–Superfood or greens powders
- Vegetables: Some great examples are cucumber, and celery, Very similar to the fruits, just be cautious about the veggies being crushed!
- Fermented Sauerkraut / Veggies
- Pickled or Brined Veggies
- Jerky: Have you ever tried mushroom jerky or the Beyond Meat Jerky? They are amazing and the perfect savory snacks!
- Avocado + Salt or Lemon Juice (It might get squished, so wait to cut open the avocado until you’re ready to eat it!) Also, many food court eateries have lemon slices that you can get!
- Solid cheese & crackers: Unfortunately, spreadable cheese counts as liquid cheese, unfortunately, so just be sure to have solid cheese! My personal favorite is fermented nut cheeses.
Sweet Treats
- Candies
- Chocolates
- Cookies
- Instant Coffee Packets: Wait to brew till on the plane, and then just ask for hot water in a cup.
- Tea Packet: Wait to brew till on the plane, and then just ask for hot water in a cup. (Be sure to recycle the box and put the tea bags in a reusable bag to save space)
- Ginger Chews: These are great for an upset stomach or even any nausea
Meals
In addition to all those delicious snacks, meals can also be great for those longer flights that need a good pick me up or even being on the safe side in case of delays!
Personally, I find that having meals that don’t need to be reheated is typically better tasting, and is convenient when traveling without a heat source.
Here are just a few of my personal favorites:
- Salad: Avoid the liquid restriction by adding dressing to your salad right before you go through security! When timed right, you can avoid soggy lettuce and have a fresh salad ready to go.
- Pasta salad: This one is such a classic and is simply just cold pasta mixed together – yum!
- Potato salad: Have you ever heard of a lazy potato salad? Well, it totally works, simply scoop out the veganaise and add a big ol dollop onto some solid potatoes and anything else you’d like to add to your potato salad, then once through TSA mix it all up together – viola it’s delicious!
- Veggie fried rice: Simply cook up some rice and some finely chopped veggies and seasonings.
- Sandwiches or Wraps: Something spreadable won’t go noticed inside a sandwich or even a wrap, so this is a great opportunity to go wild with the spreadables and the other filling goodies too!
- Veggie sushi: Grab some nori sheets, add some rice and veggies, then packs some soy sauce packets.
These meals can be made in any variation, and I just give a basic overview of the possibilities.
Of course, there are sooo many more options of meals, but these are just a few personal favorites and super easy go-to ones.
Are there any snacks that you can bring on a plane that you’d like to add? I’d love to hear your comments below!
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