You can bring a wide variety of foods on a plane, but there are important rules depending on whether the food is solid, liquid, or gel-like. Solid foods like sandwiches, wraps, sliced veggies, fruits, protein bars, dried fruits, nuts, jerky, cheese (hard or medium-hard), muffins, and trail mix are all TSA- approved and allowed in carry-on or checked bags. You can also bring prepared meals like pasta salad, dumplings, grain or rice bowls, and slices of quiche or frittata. However, liquids, pastes, and gels such as yogurt, syrup, soup, jams, jellies, nut butters, creamy cheeses, and dips must follow the TSA 3-1-1 liquid rule, meaning containers must be under 3.4 ounces (100 ml). Baby food and formula, breast milk, and juice for infants are exempt from this rule. Frozen liquid foods and ice packs can be brought if they are completely frozen at the time of screening. Avoid perishable or pungent foods like tuna or overripe bananas out of consideration for fellow passengers. In summary, good foods to take on a plane are mostly solid snacks and meals that don’t require refrigeration or are in small portions if liquid or spreadable. Packing in reusable, leakproof containers and bringing your own utensils can also enhance convenience. This covers what you can bring food-wise on planes in 2025 according to TSA and travel sources.
