Last Updated on April 15, 2020
There are lots of hand luggage rules, but not a lot of rules in the area of snacks.
So yes, you can bring snacks on a plane. The TSA doesn’t have any rules against solid food items and your airline won’t mind you bringing snacks either.
However, I suppose we need to clarify a little because not every snack is solid food. If by any chance your snack is a gel or a liquid then it would need to go in your liquids bag when you pack for your flight.
Let’s take a look at some of the best airplane snacks you can safely take with you when you fly.
TSA Approved Snacks You Can Bring On A Plane
- Chips
- Mixed nuts
- Apple
- Crackers
- Dried fruit
- Chocolate
- Candy
- Cookies
- M&M’s
- Oreo
- Beef jerky
- Pretzels
- Popcorn
- Rice Cakes
It’s a long list. Even if your candy bar has a gel or cream filling you can take it through airport security. For example, Reece’s Peanut Butter cups are okay to take with you, even if peanut butter in a jar is considered to be a liquid and regulated.
Plane Snacks The TSA Consider To Be Liquids
These snacks fall under the TSA liquids rule.
It doesn’t mean you can’t take these snacks on a plane. It means they need to be in containers smaller than 3.4 oz or (100 ml) and you need to pack then in your plastic quart bag along with your shampoo when you are passing through the security checkpoint.
- Peanut butter
- Other nut butter
- Nutella
- Jams or Jellys
- Dips
- Spreads
- Oils
- Salad Dressing
- Soups
- Yogurts
if you can pour it, pump it, squeeze it, spread it, smear it, spray it, or spill it, it is considered a liquid and is therefore subject to the 3-1-1 rule.
Usually, that doesn’t apply to snacks. It’s like this:
You can bring an orange, but you can’t bring orange juice. Unless you have a toddler with you.
Airplane Snacks To Avoid Because They Stink And It’s Rude To Other Passengers!
So while you can bring snacks on planes there are some that you might be better to avoid taking because the smell may offend the noses of other passengers.
- Fish
- Strong cheese
- Garlic (it annoys vampires)
- Eggs
If it reeks do your fellow passengers a favor and don’t eat it during a flight.
The Verdict
You will be fine bringing snacks on a plane. The types of food that most people usually consider as snacks are usually solid and this means there are no restrictions.
Depending on what airline you are flying with you may need to pack your snacks in your carry on or your personal item. Low-cost airlines can be pretty snarky about luggage and if you’ve just bought a plastic bag full of snacks they may see that as part of your luggage allowance.
Full-service carriers won’t blink an eyelid.
Enjoy your flight and I recommend taking some popcorn for during the inflight movie!