Yes. Snacks are allowed in carry-on and checked bags on a plane. However, there are certain rules for different types of snacks. Let’s learn more about taking snacks on a flight!
This article is written with reference to TSA rules for bringing snacks and food items on a plane. The rules may vary from one country to another. So, make sure you check the relevant authorities before packing.
Please note that the final decision to allow a certain item through the checkpoint rests with the TSA officer.
Snacks you can bring on a Flight
You can take the solid food items (not liquids & gels) in carry-on and checked bags. Liquids more than 3.4 oz are not permitted as carry-on items.
The TSA officer may instruct you to separate carry-on items, such as foods, powders, and other materials that may obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine. Organizing your carry-on bags is in your best interest to avoid inconvenience.
Snack Bar
A snack bar is allowed in carry-on and checked items.
Pizza
Enjoy your favorite pizza on your next flight, as you can take it as a carry-on and checked item.
Pies and Cake
TSA knows you love your favorite pie snack. It allows pies and cakes in carry-on and checked bags.
Bread
Bread will be handy if you want a sandwich on board. Luckily, you can take bread as a carry-on and checked luggage.
Peanut Butter
You can take as much peanut butter as you like in checked bags. The liquid rule applies to peanut butter for carry-on bags. You cannot take more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml in carry-on bags.
Crackers
Snack time on a long flight with your favorite crackers, as they are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage.
Sandwiches
Refill your energy with your favorite veggie, bacon, or cheese sandwich, as you can take it as a carry-on and checked luggage.
Cookies
All types of cookies are allowed in carry-on and checked bags.
Cheese (Creamy & Solid)
Creamy: You can take as much creamy cheese as you like in checked bags. The liquid rule applies when taking creamy cheese in carry-on bags.
Solid: There is no restriction on taking solid cheese in carry-on and checked bags. Cheddar, Grana Padano, Pecorino, and Parmigiano are common hard cheeses.
Chocolate (Liquid & Solid)
Liquid: You cannot take more than 3.4 oz or 100-milliliter liquid chocolate in carry-on luggage.
Solid: Solid chocolate bars and powder are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage.
Candy
Candies are allowed in carry-on and checked bags.
Coffee (Liquid)
A maximum of 3.4 oz or 100 milliliters of liquid coffee is permitted as a carry-on item. There is no restriction on how much liquid coffee you can take in checked bags.
Creamy Dips and Spreads
The liquid rule of 3.4 oz or 100 milliliters applies to carry-on bags, but there is no limit on checked bags.
Dried Fruits & Nuts
There is no limit on how many dry fruits and nuts you take as carry-on and checked items.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
They are allowed in carry-on (maximum of 3.4 oz for liquid or gel foods) and checked bags. Please note that you cannot take most fresh fruits and vegetables when flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland due to the risk of spreading invasive plant pests.
Gum
Gum is allowed in carry-on and checked bags.
Honey & Hummus
You can take up to 3.4 oz of honey or hummus in carry-on bags. It’s enough for making a honey sandwich on the flight. There is no restriction for checked bags.
Ice Cream, Jam & Jelly
You can take less than or equal to 3.4 oz or 100 ml in carry-on bags. There is no restriction on ice cream in checked bags. Pack your ice cream properly, as you don’t want it to melt during your flight. The same rule applies to jam and jelly.
Juice, Soda, & Soup
All three snack options fall under the liquid rule of 3.4 oz or 100 ml for carry-on luggage. There is no limit on how much you can pack in checked bags.
Salad Dressing & Yogurt
You cannot take more than 3.4oz/100ml in carry-on bags. The rule doesn’t apply to checked bags.
Liquids Rule
Gels, aerosols, creams, pastes, sauces, soups, peanut butter, yogurt, soda, salad dressing, jam and jelly, hummus, honey, and other foods that can pop when squeezed are subject to the liquid rule. This rule, also known as the 3-1-1 rule states that passengers can only take travel-sized containers of 3.4 ounces (100 millimeters) or less per item for carry-on bags. The liquids must fit in a clear plastic quart-sized zip-top bag; only one bag per passenger is allowed.
Items larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 millimeters must be packed in checked bags.
Can you bring your own (homemade) snacks on a plane?
Yes. You can bring homemade snacks on a plane. The liquid rule applies to homemade or store-bought snacks. It is better to avoid bringing foods that are too smelly as it is a nuisance for fellow passengers.
Can you bring open snacks on a plane?
It is better to avoid bringing open snacks as carry-on or checked bags. The TSA officer will check open snacks and may not allow open food items, and it may cause unnecessary delays in security clearance.
Can you bring snacks/juice on a plane for toddlers?
Yes. You can bring baby juice, formula, breast milk, and baby/toddler food on a plane. The good news is that the liquids rule doesn’t apply to baby food items. However, you have to tell the TSA officer that you are carrying liquid baby food more than 3.4 oz.
Didn’t find your required item?
TSA has given instructions on almost all food items you can take on a plane. Click here to find items other than the food you can take. Moreover, TSA’s Facebook and Twitter accounts quickly answer your queries. You can also download MyTSA App to check TSA rules.