Buzz
I love traveling, but being a food writer, I know the importance of saving money. I refuse to check luggage and rarely splurge on snacks at the airport or during the flight. Even on international trips, I only bring a personal item and a carry-on, yet I still manage to pack an impressive variety of snacks.
Whether you're trying to avoid food allergies or simply want to save some cash, you deserve to enjoy your flight with delicious snacks without overspending. As you prepare for your journey, keep these tips in mind to stay satisfied even on the longest of flights.
These are the snacks I never forget to pack for my flights:
How to create your ideal in-flight snack menu
Once you’ve carefully reviewed what you can and can’t bring on a plane, it’s time to curate your snack selection. When I choose which snacks to pack, I prioritize size, weight, nutrition, and enjoyment. Enjoyment means the flavor and the joy it brings me. It’s a crucial part of the “treat yourself” approach. Without fun, you’re more likely to give in to overpriced and unsatisfying airport snacks. Enjoyment is likely the most important factor, since while fruit leather doesn’t excite me, it may be perfect for you.
Regarding size, we’re working with a carry-on bag and a small personal item, with at least some space likely taken up by clothes, so the food needs to be compact. For weight, keep in mind how much you’ll be carrying it—whether it’s on public transportation, waiting in lines, or handling it through security and on the plane (possibly under your seat or in the overhead compartment). As for nutrition, I’m not a health food expert, and this isn’t a health-focused article. However, snacks with more nutrients than candy will keep you fuller for a longer period. That doesn’t mean I won’t pack candy (I will), but I always seek out snacks that meet my personal needs. What’s “nutritious” for you is completely up to your own preference.
Top snacks to bring for long flights
This isn’t an exhaustive list—after all, you can bring many foods on a plane, including even live lobster—but these are my go-to picks. Along with the candy I mentioned earlier. (For instance: gummy Life Savers, Twizzlers, and occasionally something sour.)
Jerky sticks.
Freeze-dried vegetables. Another surprising snack I’ve fallen for is freeze-dried veggie chips (not to be confused with regular dried veggies). They tick all my boxes: lightweight, nutritious, small, and surprisingly fun to eat. I love Confetti Snacks, as their flavors always hit the mark, offering a variety of veggies. Alternatively, you could opt for the crunchiest snack around: freeze-dried shiitake mushrooms.
Dried Fruit. While I adore freeze-dried veggies, I’m not as keen on freeze-dried fruit. Instead, I opt for traditional dried fruit. Trader Joe’s is my go-to for dried fruit; their quality and pricing can't be beaten. Though I find dried apples and pineapples a bit lackluster, I’m a huge fan of dried mango slices and chewy dried bananas. Fruit leather also makes the cut, as they’re individually wrapped and fit perfectly into tight spaces in my bag.
Packable energy bars. The beauty of protein and energy bars lies in their ability to deliver essential nutrients in a compact, portable form. I stash a few in random pockets and compartments of my bag, so I’m always surprised when I find one later. (Isn’t surprise food the best?) My top picks include Lara Bars, RX Bars, and Amrita bars (a solid vegan protein choice).
The mighty sandwich. Though I usually consider them snack food, sandwiches have a way of feeling like a full meal. Perhaps it’s because you can easily stuff a variety of proteins and vegetables between two slices of bread. They’re small, light, nutritious, and undoubtedly fun to eat.
The key consideration when choosing your sandwich ingredients is their temperature. The USDA recommends that food requiring refrigeration shouldn’t stay out of the fridge for more than 2 hours. However, as long as you can maintain a temperature of 40°F or lower (keeping it out of the danger zone), you're good to go.
To keep your sandwich cold for longer, consider using a small, soft, foldable cooler (you can also use it to bring food souvenirs back). Alternatively, skip the cooler and just use ingredients that can be safely stored at room temperature. Although the TSA classifies peanut butter jars as a liquid, feel free to bring as many PB&J sandwiches as you'd like. You can also pack a roasted vegetable baguette or a fruit and cheese sandwich. While cheese and cooked vegetables are technically fridge-bound, I personally give them a little more flexibility.
And now, for a sneaky trick...
What kind of person would I be if I didn’t share a sneaky trick to bring more food on a flight? I have some integrity, after all. I typically travel with only a personal item and a carry-on, even for long international flights, and I still need space for clothes and shoes. While I manage to fit some smaller food items into my personal bag, I usually pack an additional bag for the bulkier items. (Yes, I know, I’m a cheater.)
This extra bag could be a reusable tote or even a disposable plastic bag. A bag filled with food and drinks does not count toward your baggage allowance. Think about it: if you'd bought all that food at the airport and placed it in a plastic Hudson News bag or pizza box, you'd be allowed to take it on board. The only difference is that you’ve saved a lot of money by not purchasing it in the airport. Yes, it's another bag to carry, but only on the way there.
