The Elaborate Snack The TSA Is Cool With Passengers Bringing On Their Flight

Standing in line waiting to go through security can prompt even the most seasoned traveler to take a quick survey of packed belongings. Thankfully, as easy as it is to forget that small bottle of water tucked into your carry-on, it is even easier to prepare a meal that can give any snack you might buy in the airport some serious competition. With a cute and tasty meal to look forward to, that flight you're stepping on — whether it is three or six hours in the sky — will feel a whole lot more manageable. 

Though you may more readily equate pretty displays of meats and cheeses with wine night with friends and leisure picnics in the park, your airplane seat is just as good of a location to enjoy this simple decadence. We're here to encourage you to pack a charcuterie board for your next trip. Solid cheese and chocolates are food items approved by TSA, as are cookies, crackers, dried fruits, snack bars, and nuts. Hummus, honey, jams, and peanut butter are allowed in small amounts, no more than 3.4oz/100 ml, so you can fill smaller containers with the spreads of your choice for your intended seat-side creations. And with no liquids or items that could ruffle TSA feathers, you won't need to worry about setting off any detectors as you make your way to the departure gate.

With a bit of meal prep, before you dash to the airport, you'll have the ingredients you'll need to assemble your feast after takeoff. Use Ziploc snack bags to keep the elements of your charcuterie board organized so that once you're ready to eat, you can take time to put a cute spread together without disturbing fellow passengers. Crackers and pre-cut cheeses can be set neatly on top of napkins, and you can take your time arranging your spreads, dried fruits, and stashes of nuts in an aesthetically pleasing fashion.

As with building any charcuterie board, keep textures, flavors, and colors in mind as you choose which snacks to pack for the ride. Sliced pieces of apple can add a sweet crunch to your spread, and squares of dark chocolate can be the sweet finish your charcuterie-on-the-move calls for. If you're traveling with a group, this is the kind of packed treat that is easy to customize, so make a different spread for each traveler to have something to look forward to along the journey.