Cleared to Pack

Can you bring peanut butter on a plane?

Yes. Only small amounts in carry-on: peanut butter counts as a liquid/gel, so each container must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less in your quart bag. Larger jars belong in checked bags.

Carry-on bagWith limits

Peanut butter is allowed in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, packed in your one quart-size liquids bag.

Checked bagAllowed

Larger jars can go in checked bags; TSA directs liquid and gel foods over 3.4 oz there.

Checked against official TSA, FAA and government pages on . These are US rules unless we say otherwise; the TSA officer at the checkpoint makes the final call.

The rules in numbers

  • Carry-on: 3.4 oz (100 ml) per container, in one quart-size bag

Packing tips

  • Single-serve peanut butter cups or squeeze packs are an easy carry-on workaround.
  • A sandwich already spread with peanut butter is solid food and is fine.
  • Seal checked jars in a zip-top bag in case the lid loosens.

Outside the US

  • CanadaCATSA also classes peanut butter and other spreads as gels: 100 ml or less in carry-on in the 1 L bag; larger containers in checked bags. Source

Flying somewhere else? See the rules for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.

Questions people ask

Is peanut butter a liquid at TSA?

Yes. TSA treats it as a liquid/gel, so carry-on containers must be 3.4 oz or less.

Can I bring a jar of peanut butter in my checked bag?

Yes. Full-size jars should go in checked luggage.

Sources