Food is a favorite souvenir, my go-to gift when visiting friends, and an essential item on my packing list. More often than not, I’ve stashed some sort of tasty treat in my carry-on—which sometimes causes a little delay at TSA checkpoints. Over the years, I’ve had yogurt confiscated, pâté tossed away, and hot chocolate mix sent through additional screening by TSA agents. But I’ve also had countless protein bars, chips, and sandwiches pass through without a problem.
So while yes, you can bring food through TSA checkpoints, there are some important exceptions and rules to know before you head to the airport with your in-flight snack carefully tucked away in your bag.
What snacks can you bring through TSA?
You can bring most food through TSA, but your snacks, just like your toiletries, are subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule. If they’re considered a liquid, paste, or gel—a classification that isn’t always obvious—they must be under 3.4 ounces. This includes liquids and liquidy things like juice, yogurt, syrup, soup, jams, jellies, condiments, or anything jarred in oil, as well as spreadables like nut butters, pâté, creamy cheeses, frosting, hummus, and other dips. So while that five-ounce yogurt may get you in trouble, a 1.2-ounce packet of nut butter shouldn’t be a problem.
Items exempt from the 3.4-ounce rule include:
- Baby food and formula
- Breast milk and juice for infants or toddlers
- Ice packs for keeping these foods cool, but only when they’re frozen; once an ice pack is liquid, you can no longer take it through (the exception is a medical necessity).
Solid foods, like pasta and sandwiches, are not subject to the rule; so go ahead and bring that entire loaf of San Francisco sourdough on board.
If you’re still unsure about a specific food item, you can consult TSA’s helpful What Can I Bring? tool or text the TSA your question.
A few extra rules to consider for international flights
The 3-1-1 rule is not unique to the United States. Many other countries, including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom (which is considering phasing out the limit), also bar from your carry-on liquids, pastes, and gels in containers that hold more than 3.4 ounces (of food or otherwise). Before flying, check your airline’s website for more details on what’s allowed.
Fruits and vegetables are healthy, hydrating snacks to take on flights, but many countries don’t allow foreign produce to enter their country—and you could get fined for it. So eat that juicy plum before you land so you don’t get in trouble with customs.
TSA-approved snacks and meals
Almonds are a great, TSA-friendly snack to pack.
Photo by Remi Yuan/Unsplash.com
If you want to bring food from home for your flight, read on for some of our favorite TSA-approved snacks and meals. Don’t forget to bring a reusable fork or spoon.
TSA-approved snack ideas:
- Sliced veggies with a (smaller than 3.4-ounce) container of hummus
- Protein bars
- Dried fruits and nuts
- DIY charcuterie box (with hard, not creamy, cheeses)
- Muffins and pastries
- Beef or mushroom jerky
- Popcorn
- Chips
- Crackers
- Chocolate or cookies
See more DIY snack ideas, along with recipes.
TSA-approved meals to pack in your carry-on:
- Sandwiches and wraps
- Slice of quiche or frittata
- Pasta salad
- Instant (dry) oatmeal, along with a vessel, like the Miir Camp Cup, to eat it out of
- Grain or rice bowls
No matter what you choose to bring, remember that just because you can bring something through TSA doesn’t always mean you should. Try to avoid easily perishable foods and anything overly pungent (like tuna or bananas). Your neighbors will thank you.
How to pack your snacks for air travel
Because no one needs to reach into their carry-on mid-flight to discover a few rogue, squished grapes in their bag, here are some tips for packing your snacks and food for your flight.
For snacks and sandwiches, I like packing them in a reusable silicone bag like Stasher (from $10). It’s environmentally friendly and useful for carrying more snacks on your flight home.
For anything that could be considered a liquid, paste, or gel, I use Monbento’s 2.4-ounce snack cups ($8) to ensure I’m bringing less than 3.4 ounces.
If I’m bringing more than a small snack, a lunch bag, like the fun printed ones by Baggu, helps perishable items stay fresh while keeping the food separated from the rest of my travel gear.
Other food restrictions to consider
Alcohol over 140 proof (70 percent) is not allowed through airport security in any quantity. If you don’t want that souvenir rum tossed, put it in a checked bag. Most alcohols, however, are not that strong and are allowed through TSA so long as the bottle is (you guessed it) less than 3.4 ounces.
However, according to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, you are not allowed to drink alcohol on board unless it’s served by a flight attendant. So, if you are stashing a few mini bottles of liquor in your carry-on, be mindful to keep them there for the duration of the flight or risk a fine.
Then, there’s the matter of frozen foods. Technically, you can bring liquidy foods and ice packs in their frozen form through airport security, “as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening.”
This article was originally published in 2022 and was most recently updated on September 10, 2024, to include current information.
