17 Best Travel Snacks to Bring to the Airport
Updated: Nov. 17, 2023
Who says you can't have it both ways? Pack light AND eat smart with these genius snacks for travel, all TSA approved.
Pretzel Sticks
The small packs of pretzels airplanes pass out is never enough, and some budget airlines have nixed all free snacks anyway! So pack your own Rold Gold sticks, and you won’t be stuck scraping the bottom of the complimentary bag, or shelling out big bucks for airline food. Plus, a small bag will lay pretty flat, and as long as they don’t get stuck on the bottom of your luggage, they should resist most breaking and crumbling.
Welch’s Fruit Snacks
These delicious fruit snacks pack 100% of the recommended amount of Vitamin C, vital to keeping everyone’s immune system up. As if that’s not enough incentive, chewy fruit snacks are a great way to combat the dreaded ear popping in children. Have them chew the snacks during takeoff and landing to keep the eustachian tubes free and open.
Organic Dried Apricots
Small but mighty, a bag of apricots is a must have for travelers trying to eat right on a flight. Dried apricots are rich in fiber, and they contain even more potassium and iron than their fresh counterpart. Their high levels of Vitamin A also means you’ll be protecting your immune system, which is super important while traveling.
Babybel Cheese Wheels
You don’t have to be in first class to treat yourself. Mini Babybel Cheese is creamy and delicious, as well as a great source of calcium and protein. Your kids will love unwrapping their cheese treasure. Pair with your favorite crackers for a deluxe snack at 33,000 feet in the air.
Crunchy Chickpeas
Snack guilt-free on these delicious falafel flavored chickpeas from Saffron Road. These organic crunchy chickpeas are Non-GMO, gluten-free and Halal, as well as serving up six grams of protein. Pack a bag for a quick bite, or to put some pizzazz on a boring in-flight salad.
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Mini Skinny Pop
You’ve probably seen the large bags of Skinny Pop in your grocery store, but the brand sells its delicious, low-calorie popcorn in a snack size that’s perfect for travel. The small bags are super light-weight, and you’ll be glad to have your popcorn fix while watching the in-flight entertainment.
GoGurt
While most yogurt is a no-go given TSA’s 3.4 ounce limit on liquids, GoGurt’s low-fat yogurt comes in 2 ounce tubes. It’s a great low-fat option for kids, and you can freeze them beforehand so they stay nice and cold throughout check-in.
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Quaker Rice Crisps
Although they come in several flavors, the caramel crisps are a yummy sweet treat for those in-flight sugar cravings. Made with corn and whole grain brown rice, you can feel good about a little indulgence. The mini size also means less mess as you and your kids treat yourselves.
RX Bars
For those early morning flights, you don’t have to sacrifice a nutritious breakfast for convenience. RX Bars have you covered. These protein bars are made from all-natural, whole food ingredients. But, with flavors like chocolate sea salt and peanut butter, you’ll basically feel like you’re eating a candy bar.
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Rhythm Foods Kale Chips
Get your greens! Rhythm Foods Kale Chips are delicious, nutritious, and addictive. Kale doesn’t lose its nutrition when air crisped, so you’re getting all the superfood benefits of kale, and darn good taste as well. Sub them in for your regular bag of chips—your body will thank you.
Beef Jerky
Feeling the beginnings of a hangry meltdown? Combat it fast with Jack Links Jerky. With 12 grams of protein per serving, you’ll nip hunger in the bud. Plus, their jerky is 98% fat free! Stow a bag in your carry-on for a quick and mess-free snack on the go.
Annie’s Cheddar Bunnies
These cheddar bunnies are delicious no matter what your age. Baked with real cheese, and totally organic, these will quickly become family favorites. Pack a few snack-size bags for a little in-flight distraction. Small crackers are best for travel, as the bite size pieces leave fewer messes.
M&M’s
As a parent on the go, sometimes you need to have some tricks up your sleeve. M&M’s are a great candy option to prevent those meltdown moments. You can easily control the portion size, and the bright colors are a great distraction. Have your child sort them by color before eating, or arrange them into a tasty picture.
Van’s PB&J Sandwich Bars
Skip the tupperware, and pack Van’s PB&J Sandwich bars instead. Made with real peanut butter and blueberries, these snack bars taste as good as the original, and they’re totally gluten free. Each bar packs 10 grams of whole grains. Just be sure to check there are no peanut allergies aboard your plane before unwrapping.
Apple Chips
Bare Gluten Free Organic Apple Chips are made from organic fuji red apples. Crisped to perfection, these chips are high fiber and fat-free but still have that caramelized sweetness from the natural sugars, so you can skip the other sugary snacks. The best part? The only ingredient listed is “Apples.”
Clif Kid ZBars
You’ve heard of Clif bars and their amazing energy powers, but did you know they have a bar designed just for kids? Each bar is organic and soft, and made with 8 to 11 grams of whole grains. Your kids will love their flavors, like peanut butter chocolate, iced oatmeal cookie and chocolate brownie.
Dry-Roasted Edamame
If you need a light-weight snack that doesn’t mess around, you need dry roasted edamame. With 14 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber per serving, it’s really a wonder-food. Skip the peanuts—edamame has 70% less fat while serving up 40% more protein.
For even more ideas, check out this collection of TSA-friendly recipes!
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