What Foods Can You Carry On The Plane?

The TSA website states that you can carry on up to 3.4 ounces (100 ml) of the following liquid or gel-like foods:

• Creamy dips and spreads (cheeses, peanut butter, etc.)
• Jams
• Salad dressing
• Salsa
• Soups
• Wine, liquor and beer

→ See the full list: Traveling With Food or Gifts – TSA

Although plastic and butter knives are officially allowed and forks are not listed as prohibited items, it’s usually best to play it safe and bring foods that can be eaten with your hands or a plastic spoon. Having a delicious homemade meal in your carry-on and no utensils to eat it might be worse than no meal at all!

→ See the full list: Prohibited Items – TSA

How to Make Homemade Granola Bars

Here are a few general ideas for foods and snacks that fare well on a plane:

• Dried fruit
• Sandwiches on hearty bread
• Grain salads
• Veggie calzones
• Granola bars
• Celery and carrot sticks with about 3 ounces of hummus
• Applesauce packs (3.4 ounces or smaller)
• Nuts (some may not be permitted due to passengers with severe allergies)
• Ploughman’s lunch (bread, cheese, cured meat, vegetable — skip the stinky cheeses, please!)

Whatever you pack, be considerate of your fellow passengers and don’t pack foods that have a strong odor, so leave the durian and kimchi at home.

What about you? What do you like to carry on the plane for sustenance during long trips?

Travel Recipe: Airplane Salad with Greens, Grains & Seeds

• 15 Best Backpack Snacks for Road Trips and Plane Rides
• 15 Homemade Meals You Can Carry on the Airplane
• Flying with Kids: What Snacks to Pack for the Plane
• 10 Fresh, Hearty Grain & Pasta Salads
• Travel Recipe: Airplane Salad with Greens, Grains & Seeds
• Travel Recipe: Spiced Lentil, Sweet Potato & Kale Whole Wheat Pockets

(This post has been updated. Originally published April 15, 2008.)

(Images: Emma Christensen; Sara Kate Gillingham-Ryan)